An Autumn Commute 10/22/09

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry’s cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I’ll put a trinket on.

-Emily Dickinson

Oma in Grant Park

Oma in Grant Park

City View from the Bike Path

Chicago from the Bike Path

Trees and Lake Michigan

Chicagoans relax on the bench

This red tree stood out

Red Tree on the Bike Path

Sun Peaking Through

Sun Peeking Through

I sense winter on the horizon

Is that winter in the horizon?

Yes, the commute was as wonderful as it looks. Easy to see why a bicycle is my preferred mode of transportation.

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  • http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com anna

    Wow, just impressive! All the colors, and the clear sunny sky. Your pose on the last picture is just so cool too :-) .

  • http://www.fullhandsx3.blogspot.com sara

    Wish we had such a bike path.

  • http://suburbanbikemama.blogspot.com/ Mamavee

    the bike path is pretty awesome.

    now where are you commuting to? I missed if you got a new job or not…

    • http://letsgorideabike.wordpress.com dottie

      Good question :) This ride was downtown for a charity luncheon and a meeting. I haven’t talked about jobs in a while because there hasn’t been much to say, but I’m starting a temporary contract attorney job on Monday, and I have two interviews coming up that I’m excited about.

      • lorenza

        Good luck!!!! :D

        Beautiful photographs btw :) Chicago looks amazing!! x

  • http://bikefancier.wordpress.com Deenie

    Beautiful

  • http://www.slowbikemiami.com Daniel M. Perez (Slow Bike Miami)

    LOVE that pic of the red tree.
    Yeah, Autumn riding is the best, even in hothothot Miami.

  • http://astroluc-art.blogspot.com/ Lucas

    Wonderful… the light and colors along the Charles River (along my commute) have also been particularly spectacular the past few days; and yes, unfortunately I think that is Winter on the horizon :(

  • http://www.chiccyclist.com Charlotte

    Dottie, your post was just too perfect, I had to respond to your inspiration with my own seasonal trinket. Have to enjoy this beautiful time while we can!

  • http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/ Amy

    I haven’t been out to the lakefront in awhile, but it looks amazing! Definitely worth a ride.

  • k

    While you (and I, separately) were enjoying a perfect autumn day on a bike yesterday, one of our cycling sisters was run over by a truck and killed on Damen:

    http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/10/lakeview-north-side-traffic-crash-accident-fatal-damen-wellington.html

    http://www.coffeed.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&p=29494

    This lovely young woman was a barrista at my neighborhood cafe, Metropolis. Too tragic. My heart goes out to her family, many friends, and coworkers.

    Sorry to add this sad note to such a lovely post. Please ride carefully, everyone.

    • http://letsgorideabike.wordpress.com dottie

      Yes, I read about her this morning (Liza Whitacre, 20). Very sad and shocking. From the news story, it sounds like she was next to a truck at a stop light, and when the light turned green she somehow fell sideways under the truck and the truck drove on without realizing it. I am not sure how accurate that account is. My thoughts are with her family and friends.

      While this demonstrates to me the need for safer cycling facilities, it is important to remember that cyclist deaths in the city are very rare (although one is too many), while auto deaths seem to occur daily.

  • http://bikesovercars.blogspot.com/ Zweiradler

    Beautiful photos!

    Nico

  • Pingback: chiccyclist » Blog Archive » My Trinket

  • http://www.academichic.com Academichic

    Wonderful pictures! And you’re quoting one of my favorite poets! :)

    S

  • http://www.rideofsilence.org/chicago E A

    I enjoyed yesterday (off), too! If only every fall day was like that. I’ll post soon.. ;-) Today is more typical -rainy, cold, but still perfect for the bike. :-)

  • http://lovelybike.blogspot.com Lovely Bicycle!

    Looks like you guys are getting beautiful foliage. Oma and you fit right in with the Autumnal scenery! Winter on the horizon… Not sure I am quite ready yet for winter cycling, but I am bracing myself.

  • http://www.ibikelondon.blogspot.com MarkA

    Autumn is one of favourite seasons too – I just love having so much colour about. Shame about the clocks going back in the UK this weekend though – British Winter Time sucks – watching the sun go down at 4 in the afternoon is no fun for anyone! Is it too early to start stringing Christmas lights round my bike frame yet??

    MarkA
    ibikelondon

  • http://www.palmbeachbiketours.com Ken Steinhoff

    It was pretty down in southern Illinois Tuesday when an old high school teacher and I rode Horseshoe Lake. (He’s both old as in former teacher and old as in older than me.)

    This isn’t fair. I came all the way up here to celebrate my mother’s Birthday Season and to get in some bike riding and it’s been cold (by FL standards)and rainy most of the time.

  • Braxton

    BTW – Did Ashley note to you just how FAT your squirrels are in Chicago? Not to mention domesticated. I’m not sure if it’s like that everywhere or just in the lakeside park but it was impressive.

  • http://imaginarybicycle.blogspot.com/ Emma J

    Lovely. I especially like the sun peeking through the trees.

    (So sad to hear about the cyclist run over. I’ve always biked on the road but after looking at David Hembrow’s site and the great cycle paths there I’m wondering why we can’t do better in this country.)

  • http://none grambev

    GORGEOUS!