Hannah Barnes24, while you’re still getting your bearings (or, you know, until you get your hands on 🙂), you might want to stick to the trails instead. I went through the exact same thing last year—total paranoia because I hadn't been out on a bike in years. At first, I was doing everything I could to avoid main roads, but after a few weeks, I finally started heading down the street once that initial fear subsided. Of course, you'll probably end up breaking a couple of local ordinances while riding near pedestrians, but just take it slow and try to stay on the quieter side of the road. :/
Hmm, I’m definitely going to give this route a shot as soon as I get on my bike! I haven't even headed into work yet, but since the weather has finally warmed up, I think I'll be out 🙂 I actually head in the opposite direction (East to West), sticking to Barun Filipović, which isn't a bad ride at all—especially since part of it has a dedicated bike lane. I'm not entirely sure what the experience is like riding along that stretch by the tracks, but we'll see 🙂 The part that really bugs me is the stretch along Klaić because you've got a school on one side and a hospital on the other. You basically have to crawl along there, regardless of the fact that we have a marked bike lane
quietskipper17 said:Honestly, I’ve reached a point where I just don't really care anymore. $333 A little overkill for just a laptop bag and some trunk space... Honestly, that Abus one is pretty ugly. 😁
That’s true, but look at it this way—we're talking about maybe two tanks of gas that you'll burn through in, what, a month or two at most? 😉
I’ve been looking at Dynapack myself; they look really sharp. I figure if their gear is actually solid, the price tag will be worth it. I'm not really one to chase big-name brands, but I definitely prefer buying something decent once so I don't have to worry about it for a long while. Dick's Sporting Goods has something similar from Abus, but it's actually pricier than Topeak—and honestly, based on the photos, it looks way lower quality :/ http://dickssportinggoods.com/product.php?id_product=969
Carol Hughes10, I’d honestly skip those messenger bags entirely, especially if you tend to pick up the pace a bit while riding! In my opinion, panniers or something similar are really the only practical way to go for those of us bouncing around the city needing to haul gear and supplies. Take a look at what brands like Topeak have to offer; they make some seriously convenient bike bags 😉
Thanks, Kenneth Reed7! I know there’s no way I can get 8.1 miles across town without picking up a ticket somewhere, but at least this helps me figure out where I'm welcome and where I'm not 😁
Maybe this isn't quite the right thread for this, but does anyone know if there’s an actual plan or a Map of the bike paths around Chicago? I'm moving my company over to Xavier in about a week, so I'm really curious if I actually have a legal, paved route to get back home after work.😁
Patrick King7 said:The Upper West Side. Seriously, you know exactly what I mean. Getting back from there is always a total nightmare.
Man, it’s exhausting. Honestly, I’d happily ride 3.1 miles on flat ground if it weren't for those constant hills. During those brutal heatwaves we had recently, I legitimately thought my heart was going to give out, so I ended up just pushing through half the way 🙂
Patrick King7 said:Layering is absolutely everything. For me, the biggest headache is always dealing with those sudden elevation changes. When I first start heading toward downtown... Just about a mile. It’s almost like I don’t even have to pedal anymore, which sounds great until you realize why—it's a complete disaster. I'm basically icing over out here, and my speed has dropped down to about 55. 37 miles/h. Honestly, what’s the point of braking? It feels like such a waste to ruin a perfectly good descent like that. I figured I’d just bundle up a bit more next time. But by the time I hit Brooklyn, I'm already spiraling—it’s total chaos, pure madness, and honestly, a complete disaster.
It feels like I wrote this myself. 😁 Where are you? I'm hanging out over by John Doe (just above Manhattan), and honestly, once I head out from my place, the first hour or so is always...Roughly a mile. It’s a total downhill rush, and if I don't hit the brakes, I'm flying at over 40 mph in a heartbeat. The problem is, if I don't layer up properly, I end up looking like a complete idiot—my fingers are freezing, my face is numb, and worst of all, I’m totally chilled to the bone because I headed out underdressed. I usually try to start pedaling harder once I hit Manhattan just to get my blood pumping, and by the time I pass Jane Doe, I'm finally starting to feel okay. By the time I reach Brooklyn, I've warmed up, but then once I roll back into the heart of Chicago and settle into a more relaxed pace, I'm actually overheating. I definitely need to go shopping for some better gear before next winter hits; I just can't seem to nail the perfect combination of layers.
Arthur Ross said:I’m running into that exact same issue, except my main struggle is just getting the car seat figured out🙂. So, what kind of backpack are you using?
Just a standard backpack. I haven't gone out and bought anything specific yet because I'm still trying to brainstorm a workaround. Since I'm only driving her a few miles to daycare and then biking about ten miles on my own, I'll probably just DIY a solution. My plan is to find a way to clip the bag securely to the car seat once I drop her off, then just ride off. Honestly, it feels like the smartest and cheapest way to handle it. 🤷
Arthur Ross, grab those cargo shorts if you can. I was rocking shorter shorts myself until recently, which worked fine for the summer heat, but now that it’s finally cooling down, I’ve started carrying a backpack. Honestly, it’s such a pain because I have so much gear stuffed in there. I’d switch to cargos in a heartbeat, but I’ve got a bit of a dilemma: I need to buy a toddler car seat this spring so I can drive my little one to preschool, and once that's in the car, I won't have any room left in the trunk for them. I could try using some roof racks or something to carry them up front, but I haven't quite figured out the smartest way to handle it yet.
What about those Brooklyn birds? We’re up in Boulder, and my wife leaves her car in the Glendale parking lot right across from the train station every single morning, and there’s always a spot waiting for her.
I spotted someone pedaling east just before Blackman this morning. They were fully geared up with a backpack on, complete with a bright red rain cover over it. Honestly, you have to hand it to them—that kind of grit is impressive. I’m sticking to my car for now; looking at the forecast, it looks like I’ll be doing the same for the next few days 😢
wearyotter36 said:I haven't run into any steep paved hills where I actually have to get off and push yet—honestly, that sounds way harder than just riding the bike!
Personally, I actually enjoy switching things up a bit to work different muscle groups. But man, ever since I picked up this new hardtail trekking bike, I’ve been powering straight to the top without even thinking about walking once. On my old mountain bike (which was basically a full-suspension setup), it felt like such a slog, so I'm finally realizing what a high-quality ride actually makes for you. By the way, I clocked in at 42 minutes today. My previous record was 45, and I've only had this bike for three days!
Haha, same thing happening over here 😁 It takes me about 35 minutes if I'm cruising, but maybe closer to 45 or 50 if I have to pull over and walk a bit to beat the congestion.
Ronald Diaz said:So, I finally decided to bike to work for the first time today, and honestly? I'm pretty stoked about it. 🙂 I clocked in at almost 15 miles total, so I'm a little wiped out, but since I haven't really ridden much in over 15 years, I actually felt better than expected. My route goes from Borcec (just past Gannic) down toward the downtown area, so a good chunk of it is on decent bike paths through Boston, too. The only part that gave me a bit of anxiety was navigating Fifth Avenue near Wall Street with all those distracted pedestrians, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. If I wake up feeling refreshed tomorrow, I'm definitely doing this again. 🙂
The thread has gone a bit quiet, so I figured I'd give it a little bump. 🙂 It’s been three months now (not counting my vacation break), and after covering quite a few miles, I have to admit—I don't miss my car one bit. In fact, I love it! I think I've only driven to work about five times total, mostly just when I had errands to run right after the shift. I managed to shave a solid 10-15 minutes off my commute, and I think it'll get even faster now that I've upgraded to a new bike instead of struggling with those old 2-inch tires on the pavement. 🙂 Overall, I highly recommend making the switch. I feel so much better because I'm actually staying active. I don't hit that mid-morning slump or need a third coffee just to survive, and I'm not completely dead by the time I get home, which is funny because you'd think it would be the other way around.
@John Palmer4/">@@John Palmer4, how much space are you actually looking for? I ended up grabbing some small hinge pouches on eBay—they’re only about five inches long—that attach right to the frame. They fit my wallet, an iPhone, a light rain shell, or even a t-shirt, plus a few odds and ends. I also keep a little tool bag tucked under the seat for my house keys and work keys, which covers all my bases. If you're trying to lug around a laptop or way more gear, though, it might get a bit awkward 😢
So, I finally decided to bike to work for the first time today, and honestly? I’m pretty happy with how it went. 🙂 I clocked in nearly 15 miles miles total, so I'm feeling a little wiped out. But since I haven't really been on a bike for more than 15 years, I actually did better than I expected. My route takes me from Borcec (just past Gannic) over toward the mosque, so a good chunk of it is on decent bike paths. Riding along Boston was pretty smooth too, though navigating Fifth Avenue near Wall Street was a bit nerve-wracking with all the distracted pedestrians. I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it, though. If I wake up feeling refreshed tomorrow, I'll definitely 🙂
placidcanyon2 said:Imagine if we actually tried explaining to people that you don't need to drop a fortune on high-end mountain bikes just to ride around Central Park or cruise through Chicago along the waterfront... 😁
Honestly, this whole thing fascinates me too! It’s like so many people feel embarrassed riding a basic hybrid or a trekking bike. They think they absolutely have to have at least 2-inch knobby tires just to buzz around town. But hey, when you see how many massive SUVs are clogging up the streets, I guess it shouldn't be a surprise—everyone just wants to look "tough," right? 🙄