Midday Ride Adventure 02/24/11

As I mentioned last week, my friend Elizabeth (of Bike Commuters) and I got together for a midday joyride recently. During lunch, I cycled to her office and then we set off together down the nearby Lakefront Trail.

A few miles later, we arrived at our arbitrary destination, the Field Museum.

We battled a fierce headwind on the way there and we were both a bit overheated from working so hard. I even took my sweater off, although it was not quite 60 degrees out.

Joyfully, we had a tailwind on the ride back, which didn’t feel like wind at all. I just felt naturally fast and strong. :)

The route was pretty muddy and watery, with all the blizzard snow quickly melting.

So what if I returned to the office a bit muddy with a run in my tights and tangled hair (bad, uncovered Betty Foy chain!) – I felt much more energized and productive the rest of the day.

Funny that no matter how much I cycle for transportation, I still love to joy ride, especially with a good friend. I never (okay, rarely) get tired of riding a bike.

Do you ever get out during the day for a ride?

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  • http://thechaicyclist.blogspot.com spiderleggreen

    Brace yourself, because the cold weather is on it’s way past us, towards you.

  • Pingback: Skirts, bike shoes and lunchtime rides | Bike Commuters

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

    Our ride was awesome! Was it only a week ago???? Yet, last night I experienced thundersnow and sleet! Can we go back to that day?
    I posted about it too on BikeCommuters today – http://www.bikecommuters.com/2011/02/24/skirts-bike-shoes-and-lunchtime-rides/

  • David

    I sometimes have to travel to various locations around the city during the day for work, and my boss doesn’t mind if I ride for the closer (<8mi) trips, so I look forward to those opportunities – it feels like I'm getting away with something. :) I can get to City Hall (from North & Elston, Chicago) faster on my bike than in a car.

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

    Sucks that you got runs in your tights from the uncovered chain. Was it the chain itself or the “teeth” on the ring?

  • http://thislittlebikeofmine.tumblr.com Sara

    I wish more people from my office bicycled so I could do this! Looks fun! I really only get my bike out at lunch if I have an errand.

  • http://billgraves.blogspot.com/ Bill

    I have snuck out during the day only if I am at home. Not possible with work schedule and I most likely would not return anyways!

  • http://bikesinmotion.blogspot.com SM

    I did slip away today for a noon time ride to my favorite cafe for an Americano cup of coffee and pastry. The weather was beautiful.

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

    I work two jobs. So when I leave my AM job I get to ride home, eat lunch and go for a nice long ride to get to the PM job. It’s a great way to break up the day!

  • http://www.inspiredcyclist.wordpress.com Maureen

    Fab photos as always! I think a joy ride is so different because it brings us back to the fun of riding when we were kids, with no set destination, and no time limits! It sure beats a cup of coffee!

  • http://lukeofny.blogspot.com lukeofny

    Unfortunately I am locked away the whole day inside a warehouse like some criminal, they won’t let people leave the premises unless injured or going home. We can’t go to our cars (or bike in my case) or lunch for fear that we may steal things! I long for a good paying job that I could leave for even a half hour.

  • kevin

    The light standard behind Elizabeth in the last picture makes it look like her helmet was designed by Dr. Suess. Nice self-timer touch.

    • http://letsgorideabike.com Dottie

      LOL! Good eye. I want a helmet like that.

  • Jacqui

    So happy to see some colour photographs on this blog again. It’s almost as though you’re getting ready for Spring. (I know that the B&W photos relate to your increased interest in film photography, but colour is a welcome change after a long winter).

    • http://letsgorideabike.com Dottie

      Thanks, I prefer color photography, too. :)

      These are still film photos, though.

  • http://www.mnbicyclecommuter.blogspot.com/ Doug

    My work doesn’t allow for me to get out during the day. But that’s okay, I work a straight 8 hour day and get paid for lunch.

    And though I don’t get out during the workday, I almost always take a long way home. I’ll add anywhere from an extra 2 miles to 25 miles after work.

  • http://www.krys.com.au Andrew

    My goodness – that looks so cold and you are not wearing so many clothes…! That IS snow on the ground, right?