Sun, women, bikes, brunch, sangria, fresh mown grass = a perfect Sunday morning. This month's women-who-bike brunch was a picnic on the lakefront, with everyone bringing a dish to share - and boy were there some delicious baked goods! Although Chicago has scores of great brunch restaurants, the picnic was so much better than being cooped up indoors. After about 8 months of cold, Chicagoans know how to enjoy the summer!
I'll let the photos speak for themselves now.
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As I mentioned yesterday, I recently test rode a Yuba Mundo from J.C. Lind Bikes for 24 hours. Yuba is a utility bike company based in California and the Mundo can carry up to 450 pounds of cargo on the back while riding like a regular bike. As some of my co-workers noted today, this is the station wagon of bikes (as opposed to Oma, which they've called my Cadillac).
The bike is not super heavy for its size and is equipped with 21 gears on a derailleur system to help make any load do-able.
You cha...
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Regardless of the actual season, my mind is determined to spring forward. I know because spring feistiness is slowly replacing winter fortitude.
As I mentioned calmly this morning:
THE SNOW IS MELTING!
THE TEMPERATURE IS WARMING!!
THE SPRING IS COMING!!!
After publishing that optimistic message, I swaggered outside in a dress, tights and windbreaker - and the air promptly greeted me with a frosty 27F embrace. Reality rolled her eyes at me.
That's what happens when my head gets stuck in the clo...
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Because of the icy weather, I have not been riding Coco, my Velorbis Studine Balloon, as much as I desperately want to, choosing instead my studded-tire bike. I can count the substantial rides I've taken with her on one hand - not enough for a real review, but enough to talk a bit here and there as I get to know her better.
After my first work commute with Coco a couple of weeks ago, I talked about her ride. In that post, I mentioned how Coco's geometry is different from Oma's, even though the two look like si...
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As winter glides along, I continue to enjoy the beauty of the snow and the invigorating freshness of the cold air. One thing that begins to feel oppressive about the season, however, is the heft of my usual winter wear. As I wrap the same wool scarf around my neck, pull the same clomping snow boots on, and zip the same puffy vest up for the hundredth time, I heave a bitter sigh. That's when I know it's time to get creative.
If you're getting tired of all the bulky accessories that go with winter ...
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On a very cold Saturday evening, a group of fun-loving city cyclists came together for a midwinter celebration at local Chicago shop, Dutch Bike Co. A time to recharge batteries, talk with cool people and drink lots of wine out of a cargo bike. :)
Among the cool people there (I wish I'd taken even more pictures!) was Janet, a writer and illustrator who rides an Oma and blogs at Tuttle Tattle.
And Steve, who just returned from a whirlwind European trip, including stops in Amsterdam and Copenhagen. ...
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I rode Coco to work Monday, before Tuesday's snowfall sent me back to Oma and her studded tires. I was so giddy to have a new bike, I decided to take Coco on a spin to the lakefront during lunch with my camera and a roll of film.
I haven't ridden Coco enough yet to provide in-depth opinions on how she performs, but I'll offer some initial thoughts. She feels great! The ride is similar to Oma's and nothing like Betty Foy's. She weighs a bit less than Oma and is a bit more sprightly, but spee...
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Drum roll, please...
After a teaser several weeks ago, I'm happy to report that a new bike has finally joined the Dottie household: A Velorbis Studine Balloon: designed in Denmark, made in Germany and sold in Chicago at Copenhagen Cyclery.
Rust-colored Schwalbe Fat Frank balloon tires, creamy white steel frame...
Integrated rear rack with briefcase hook...
Wheel lock, double kick stand, chain case...
Bell, comfy rubber grips...
3-speed Sturmey Archer internal hub...
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Earlier this year, Trisha and I opened a Formspring account and welcomed you all to ask us questions. We've been answering the questions on Formspring individually as they come in. Now we're putting the answers together as a cohesive FAQ section, although some of the questions are not so frequent. :) This is the second half. Read the first half here.
Amsterdam is flat. Chicago is flat. Is Nashville flat? What effect does topology have on how bike-friendly a city is? I suppose Portland is not flat.
I don't...
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On Sunday evening, 25 Chicago cyclists joined together to ride and drink in style, demonstrating that bicycling in a suit or dress and heels is easy. The temperature was about 40 degrees with a stiff wind, but otherwise a lovely autumn evening, perfect for bicycles and sidecars. Thanks to everyone who came out! You all looked fabulous and I wish I could have taken everyone's picture! And special thanks to Mr. Dottie for putting on a suit - very rare. :)
THE RIDERS
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