This Friday, the cycling event of the summer begins! We couldn't be more excited about hosting the Summer Games again this year—and giving out some wonderful prizes for you players out there.
Things are a little different this year. Instead of three separate parts, we're asking you to complete 4 out of 10 of the events from the list below between July 22 and August 8. Once you have completed your events, there are two ways to enter:
1) Email us links to your blog posts detailing the activiti...
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Another Summer Games contestant who entered via email is Molly from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Molly really went the distance, participating in part 3 of the games during her honeymoon in Montreal, and her stories always put smiles on our faces.
From Molly:
I organized lunchtime group ride for the library where I work. It was a small group, only 4 people, but we still had fun. We rode to the Farmer's Market and I think we all came back with asparagus.
Story: There's an organization in Ann Arbor that promo...
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Enjoy another Summer Games entry sent to us through email. Natalie and her family explored the Virginia Capital Bike Trail for Part III, Bike a Greenway.
From Natalie:
We went on the first part of the Virginia Capital Bike Trail, which is under construction and eventually will connect Richmond to Jamestown and Williamsburg. This spring, we rode one of the longer sections in the middle, but we hadn't ridden the part that was in town.
You start by going through a door-sized opening in the flood wall,...
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Congratulations again to Evie of the lovely blog, Now for Then. She will very soon be the owner of a shiny new Batavus BUB courtesy of Fourth Floor Distribution. Evie won the bike by completing two events for each of the three parts of the games. However, she went far above and beyond merely completing the events; she incorporated the challenges into her life with enthusiasm and wrote about it all so wonderfully. The fun radiates through her blog. Here are Evie's entries.
Bike date - ride with a friend an...
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The moment is here! Dottie and I wanted to find a way to draw for the prizes together, so we gave Wetoku a spin. The sound leaves something to be desired, but it was fun to be on screen together. Watch the video, or just click through the jump to see the list of winners if you can't stand the suspense. 
Round III Winners:
Kaitlyn of Thoughts of Mint Green - Banjo Brothers commuter backpack
Karen V. - Crane Bell from Rivendell
Liz Y. - Queen Bee Panniers
Linda N. - Soma Deco ...
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The LGRAB Summer Games have come to an end and we're getting ready to announce the final winners tomorrow morning. Many thanks to everyone who played! We're not done with Summer Games fun here, though. Over the next week, we'll be posting entries that blog-less people emailed us and also putting together more recaps.
The first emailed entry comes from Kari in Minneapolis. This is such a fun story - enjoy!
From Kari:
Yesterday, during my commute home, I complimented a woman on her unique bicycle ...
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This morning Mr. Dottie and I set out at 9 o'clock for brunch at the home of friends. The catch: they live over 15 miles away (31 miles roundtrip) in Hyde Park, aka Obama's neighborhood. The ride was totally worth it for their fantastic food and company, plus I always like an excuse for a bike expedition.
Thanks to the Lakefront Trail, the ride there was simple and beautiful. From our house we rode a mile east to the Trail, then 14 miles south down the Trail, then a mile west to their house. I often ride along...
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Well. It's the final stage of the LGRAB Summer Games and I have to say that the competition for the Batavus BuB is fierce. But! There are many more of you who could be contenders, if you complete an event (or two) this week.
Though sadly ineligible for a prize, I took the long way home on Friday. That day (the same day Kim @cottenmusic saw me in the Village), this just meant going a few blocks out of my way on S. Douglas Ave. since I was already running late for my evening plans.
Wide and gently curving wi...
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Am I the only one who hears the Supertramp song in my head based on the post title? I blame my dad.
Today I did indeed take the long way home. Normally my commute route is a major diagonal street (Lincoln Ave, for the locals). Diagonal streets are favored among both cyclists and motorists because they cut through Chicago's usual grid - after all, the quickest way from point A to point B is a straight line. Due to the heavy bike traffic, this street is a designated bike route and there are either bike lanes or ...
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On Monday (hooray for holiday weekends) I rode a few miles, set up my blanket under a big tree by the lake, laid out my spread of fizzy drink and fresh berries, and read a novel for a couple of hours. Although the local news warned that because of the 90 degree temps everyone should stay in the air conditioning (sigh) the day was beautiful in the shade with the legendary Chicago wind keeping things cool.
The gorgeous location, so private and quiet, was amazing for a city as big a...
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