LGRAB in Yes! Magazine

Let’s Go Ride a Bike is featured in the upcoming issue of Yes! Magazine, an award-winning, ad-free, non-profit publication that supports people’s active engagement in building a just and sustainable world.  The issue is on building community resilience and one of the features is 8 Crash-Proof Ideas, highlighting people and places building skills now that will come [...]

First Bud of Spring

I’ve been on the lookout for the first bud of spring. Recently, I started seeing plants pushing through, but nothing more. I gazed longingly at ecovelo’s poppies. Today, I finally saw the first Chicago bloom! (And I’m feeling better – thank you!)

I plan to write a retrospective on winter soon, but [...]

Defrost

Chicago is in defrost mode and the snow is becoming little more than ground water and memories.  Rain has taken over the precipitation spotlight, setting up shop over the city, where it plans to remain for at least another week.

Today’s commute pictures come courtesy of my new Holga, an odd little all-plastic camera similar to [...]

Betty Foy’s Bloom

Betty Foy’s bloom: the surest sign of spring.
Last week, the awkward weather felt like neither winter nor spring.  Suddenly this week – spring!  Granted, it’s the chilly and rainy spring, not the sunny and flowery spring, but beggars vs. choosers, etc.
You may have noticed that this photo is from a warm day last month, not [...]

Saturday Sun

A text message from Elizabeth suggesting a coffee ride got me out of the house this morning. She recently got her old bike, El Toro, professionally fitted and has a fantastic set up. You can’t see in this picture, but her saddle matches her light pink bar tape. We went to Asado, [...]

No Winter Nostalgia

Yesterday I was feeling nostalgic for winter. The sun – it shined! The sky – it blued! The temperature – it climbed! Suddenly I became anxious for the missed opportunities as winter slipped away. I should have taken more icy pictures and, I don’t know, made snow angels and stuff. [...]

Today’s Beauty

Today is a beautiful day. Not only because it looks like this…

Also because the most beautiful, kindest, awesomest person was born today – 30 years ago! – my sister, Stephanie.

What made your day beautiful?

Off and On with Ms. Oma

Fresh falling and rapidly accumulating snow on Monday and Wednesday caused me to abandon Oma for the L train. I simply don’t like riding in fresh snowy conditions for safety reasons. Smushed and standing up on the train, I was not a happy camper, but I’m grateful to have a public transportation option [...]

Lay to Rest Your Puddle Fears

How to make a mess: mix snow, rain, sleet, and some more snow. Vary temperatures wildly. Add a heaping dose of cars and a dash of city grit. Voila, a mess.

The stage is set for cyclists to become victims of the unattractive skunk tail. If you want to avoid [...]

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy…

Today I’ve been singing forlornly, “Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy…” The grim gray skies try to beat it out of me, but John Denver prevails.

The lyrics and mood reminded me of this post from last year.  I remember I felt like I would never, ever be warm again.  Looking back, the date [...]