The beauty of bicycles, continued

The beauty of bicycles

Happy Easter

from your friends at the Working Bikes Cooperative

Afgan Women and Bicycles

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/51355537

Hang in there!

Better days ahead

Zeb's House Bike Pilgrimage

A Holy Thursday bike pilgrimage in Bronzeville, Pilsen and Bridgeport.


This annual event is hosted and sponsored by Zeb's House at St. James on Wabash. The pilgrimage allows the Zeb's House community, which consists of folks in their 20s and 30s, to visit area churches on Holy Thursday as a community.

The pilgrimage rolls from the parking lot at 2912 S. Wabash around 8:45 p.m. and returns shortly after 10p.m. We leave after Mass of the Lord's Supper which begins at 7p.m. All are welcome to join us!

If you were at UC Irvine today....

March 27, 2013


The monthly bike sale happens from 2-5pm at the salvage yard located adjacent to lot 90. Sorted piles of bikes & parts are available for free. Bring your own tools. Purchase a whole bike for $15-40.

The Bike Fair is held every last Wednesday of the month from 2pm to 5pm at the corner of Campus Drive and Jamboree. At this event you can purchase a salvaged bicycle at low cost. Most bikes will require minimal repair such as new inner tubes, cleaning of rust and tuning. Our goal is to provide an affordable means of alternative transportation to the community. Each month Transportation and Distribution Services scours the campus and removes abandoned bikes. After a 90-day holding period, these bikes are made available for sale at low cost to UCI students and the rest of the campus community.Useable bikes and bike parts that are not purchased are donated to the Bicycle Donation Program. These bikes are then cleaned up and donated to organizations such as Shelter for the Homeless in Midway City and Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children in Santa Ana.

Sounds like a nice program!

Best Friends

It's what we do

Gapers Block Crit Series

Registration is now open for the 5th Annual Gapers Block Crit series. The races will be held the evenings of Monday, March 25th through Thursday, March 28th. The women's race will start at 6:50pm each night. The Gapers crits are a fantastic series of races for beginners, so if you think that you might want to try your hand at racing this season these are a great way to start.


When you are registering, please note that there are two categories for women to sign up under. If you have never raced before, or you currently hold a Category 4 license, then sign up for Cat 4. You should only register for Category 3 if you currently hold a Cat 3 license.

Many thanks to Gapers Block and Half Acre Cycling for putting on such a great event!

Hope to see a bunch of you out there!

Palm Sunday

Would things have been different if Jesus had a bicycle?

Tour of Humboldt Park

Time: March 23, 2013 from 11am to 3pm


Location: Humboldt Park

Street: Corner of California and Division

Chicago

Website or Map: http://goo.gl/maps/lb6m5

Phone: 773-255-6347

Event Type: fun, architectural, social, historical

Organized By: Lee Diamond

Latest Activity: on Saturday

Women Bike Chicago - A Day of Demos and Dialogue

A day for women interested in learning about bicycling as practical transportation. Although the event is free, space is limited. You must register at: http://wbikechi2013.eventbrite.com/# Locatio…


Organized by Women Bike Chicago
Type: social, women, workshop, education, family, fun

Enjoy the First Day of Spring on Your Bicycle

Ride your bicycle to the Peace March in Pilsen

Led by ElevArte (formerly, Pros Arts) a community activity highlighting the theme of PEACE in the community would involve participants in a short walk/march that would activate two spaces that today hosts the Ten Thousand Ripples sculptures.

Where to gather? In front of Dvorak Park, 1119 West Cullerton Street on the steps to have a brief introduction of the project, express good wishes and desire for peace, and from there walk to El Jardin de las Mariposas (a 5 min walk), where there will be a drumming circle that will be decorated with the prayer flags.

This event is scheduled for THURSDAY March 21st at 5pm, symbolically the first day of spring! After the visit to the Jardin they will walk back to Dvorak, and have a small reception with the youth with light refreshments.

You'll Look Sweet

Upon the seat

of a bicycle built for a 6-man band

Happy St Patricks Day

From your friends at The Working Bikes Cooperative

Women, Juniors, Girls, and Trans Road Racing Clinic

All Ages welcome!
Half Acre Cycling is having their Yearly Spring Road Clinic!
Saturday, March 16th 1 pm ~ 4 pm
Gompers Park Field House:
4222 West Foster Chicago, IL 60630
Presented for Free thanks to the Illinois Cycling Association
Bring your bicycle, helmet, bike lock, cycling clothes, & water bottle.
Clinic will be lead by Cat 1 racer, Kristen Meshberg.
Kristen Meshberg is the mother of two children and a category 1 bike racer. She competes nationally in both road and track. She is also a USA Cycling Coach, and helps individuals develop plans to achieve their goals.

Topics to be covered are (subject to change):

o reasons to race versus ride recreationally

o overview of racing disciplines

o cycling terminology

o racing categories

o overview of necessary gear and licenses

o on-the-bike tips on pack riding, cornering, and pacelines

o how to improve fitness

o on the bike etiquette and communication

o racing smarter not harder

o race tactics

o on the bike skills, like pedal stroke, sprinting, cornering

The 2013 Women's Road Clinic is going to be highly educational for all attendees.

It should not be missed!

Day-of registration will not be available so you MUST pre-reg if you plan to join us!

We cannot take any onsite registration for any reason.

As this clinic will be FREE, PLEASE let us know if you cannot attend, so we may open your spot to someone else.

4222 W Foster Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60630

Green Living Fair

Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Council

The next meeting of the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Council is Wednesday, March 13th in City Hall. This council is led by Chicago Department of Transportation staff members, and the council is comprised of various municipal stakeholders and community members. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Generally CDOT provides updates and news, and there is ample opportunity for the community to ask questions.

If you aren’t able to attend, there is generally good coverage provided on Streetsblog Chicago (formerly Grid Chicago) after the meeting.

Wedsday, March 13, 2013, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street, Room 1103

UIC Bike Planning - Campus Input

Date Mar 12, 2013

Time 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Location Latino Cultural Center

Cost Free

Sponsor Office of Sustainability

Contact Kate Yoshida

E-Mail kyoshi3@uic.edu

Phone 312 355 0089

All UIC cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to drop in between 11 and 1 to give feedback on bikes on/around campus. Share your experiences, comments, complaints, and ideas! Participation takes 15 minutes or less. First 25 participants receive a free bike light set!

Chicago Clean Energy Alliance

Illinois Renewable Energy at a Crossroads: Why 2013 will be a make or break year.


March 11, 2013

The Chicago Clean Energy Alliance, in partnership with the Illinois Coalition to Advance Renewable Energy, Wind on the Wires, the Illinois Solar Energy Association, Clean Energy Trust, Clean Energy Illinois PAC, Environmental Law & Policy Center and hosted by Baker & McKenzie, invite you to attend a critical discussion about why renewable energy development in Illinois is in jeopardy – and how you can help.

As part of its quarterly networking series, CCEA is excited to partner with these important clean energy organizations for a discussion of why critical legislation is needed to “fix” the state Renewable Portfolio Standard and why everyone supportive of clean energy needs to get involved.

Going Green Matters

Go Green Wilmette and the Village of Wilmette present


GOING GREEN MATTERS 2013

MORE TO EXPLORE!

New Exhibits

Expanded Eco-Zone

Electric Cars & Bicycles

Cooking Demonstrations

Conversations with Policymakers

Electronics & Bicycle Recycling

Free Admission

Sunday, March 10, 2013

1:00pm - 5:00pm

Woman’s Club of Wilmette

930 Greenleaf Avenue

Wilmette, Illinois

St Patricks Parade

March 9, 2013 10:00 am


Downtown Forest Park

7554 Madison St

Forest Park, IL 60130

Growing in popularity each year, this annual parade is one of the largest in the western suburbs. The 70-plus entries include several bagpipe bands, the award-winning Proviso Marching Band, local businesses, Medinah Shriner's Mini Choppers, Roaring 57's and Clown Unit, area police and fire vehicles, floats, Irish Dancers, Forest Park Dog Park, Toys for Tots and more. The festivities continue after the parade as local and area residents, friends and families spend the day on Madison Street.

A good time will be had by all

Celebrate International Womens Day

Bicycle-O-Rama, North of the Border

Bicycle vs. Car Production

As recently as 1965, world production of cars and bikes was essentially the same, with each at nearly 20 million, but as of 2003 bike production had climbed to over 100 million per year compared with 42 million cars. Bicycle production was 105 million units globally in 2004, a 1.5% increase over 2003 (WorldWatch Institute).

Chicago Bike Swap 2013 anticipates more than 75 bike shops, businesses, nonprofits, bike clubs, bike teams and bike people will exhibit and sell bikes, bike parts, gear, clothing, bike event registrations and more.

Admission for the public is just $10. Kids 12 and under get in free.

i-card holders get in for just $5.

Saturday, March 9, 2013


10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

UIC PHYSICAL EDUCATION BUILDING

901 West Roosevelt Road

Chicago, IL 60608

We will see you there!

Last snow storm before Spring weather arrives

Happy 176th Chicago!

Mark your calendar and join in celebration of the City of Chicago’s 176th Birthday with a special event hosted at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street on March 4, 2013.

Tour of Logan Square

March 2, 2013 from 11am to 3pm


Illinois Centennial Monument at Milwaukee and Logan intersection

Phone: 773-255-6347

Event Type: fun, architectural, social, historical

Organized By: Lee Diamond

Welcome Meteorological Spring!

Good Bicycle Samaritans

February 24, 2013 8:28am
By Erica Demarest, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

Logan Square & Humboldt Park Newsletter

LOGAN SQUARE—The key to good health?

For one Lakeview bike messenger, it might just be cookies, marshmallows and cheddar-bay biscuits.

Dustin Valenta, 27, was critically injured Feb. 8 in a Wicker Park hit-and-run while riding his bike home from yoga. His injuries—which include a punctured lung, 23 broken ribs and a cracked skull—have kept him in the intensive care unit at Northwestern Memorial Hospital since the accident.

Valenta doesn’t have health insurance.

On Saturday, the all-female cycling group Tiny Fix Bike Gang raised more than $1,000 for Valenta with a good, old-fashioned bake sale at The Bike Lane in Logan Square.

“As soon as I heard about the accident, I put the word out,” said Lorena Cupcake, 26, who helped organize the event. “We can help him pay rent while he’s in the hospital. This money is a dip in the bucket compared to the medical bills he’ll have, but it helps.”

Cyclists across the city whipped up cookies, cupcakes and other baked goods. Those who couldn’t attend made online donations.

The Chicago Diner, Valenta’s former employer, made an unsolicited cookie donation; Chicago Vegan Foods dropped off marshmallows; and The Bike Lane offered a 15 percent store discount to anyone who bought bake sale items.

“A lot of people would give us a twenty and say, ‘Keep the change,’” Cupcake said.

None of the women organizing the event knew Valenta personally. Chicago has a tight-knit cycling community, they said. People take care of each other.

“It could’ve been any of us,” explained Karen Altes, 36, of West Rogers Park. “[Valenta] wasn’t doing anything wrong. He was riding in the right part of the street. He was wearing a helmet.”

“It’s f--ked up that in America, people making cookies is your secondary form of insurance," Cupcake said. "But we have a great community behind us."

According to Valenta's family, a parked car "doored" him on Milwaukee Avenue near Wood Street - that is, the car opened its door into Valenta's path, knocking him into the street. A truck then ran over him and fled the scene.

Despite Valenta's injuries, the Tiny Fix members still call Chicago a "very safe" cycling city. They advised knowing which roads are safer or wider than others and taking steps to remain visible at night or in bad weather.

“I still feel like riding by bike to work is better for me, for my health and mental health, than taking the CTA or driving,” Altes said.

The women urged anyone involved in a bike crash, however minor, to take photos and report the incident.

“If one person had gotten that truck’s license plate,” Altes said, “we would know who it was, and his insurance would be paying for Dustin’s bill.”

“We would kill for a blurry Instagram photo right now,” Cupcake added.

Wrigley Field Road Tour

Registration for the fourth annual Wrigley Field Road Tour opens to the public Thursday, March 7th.


The Wrigley Field Road Tour is an annual 100-mile charity bike ride led by Chicago Cubs Board Member, Todd Ricketts, and SRAM Executive Vice President, F.K. Day, to benefit the global work of World Bicycle Relief and the local work of Chicago Cubs Charities.

Registration for the 2013 Wrigley Field Road Tour is $100 plus a minimum contribution of $400. Participants have until August 22nd to fund raise the $400. (Those who prefer can make a $400 contribution at the time of registration.)

All participants who raise $1,000 or more for the global work of World Bicycle Relief and the local work of Chicago Cubs Charities will be eligible to win one of WFRT’s exclusive prizes.

We encourage creativity in raising funds. In the past, we’ve had customers who had fund-raising concerts in their home or who have had garage sales in the name of charity.

What great fund-raising ideas do you have planned for the 2013 WFRT? Let us know so we can brag about how creative our customers are.

New Bicycle path coming to Hoffman Estates

A new bike path and route coming to Hoffman Estates through federal funding will provide more "continuity and connectivity" for Northwest suburban bicyclists.


Mike Hankey, the village's director of transportation, said the village hopes to pick a consultant to do the Shoe Factory Road/I-90 Bicycle and Pedestrian project by the end of this year.
Construction, however, may be delayed until 2015 or 2016 due to the widening of I-90, Hankey said.

The project will include the paving of an existing trail in the Poplar Creek Forest Preserve; the creation of a north-south paved path along the Canadian National railroad tracks that will go under the I-90 and Hoffman Boulevard bridges; and the installation of bike route signs on streets through parts of Prairie Stone business park north to the Prairie Stone Wellness Center. The total length of the project is about 2.4 miles.

"It was a concept that actually goes back a number of years," Hankey said, adding that ideas for the project were mentioned in the village's 2010 bicycle plan and 2007 comprehensive plan. "One thing that was consistent among all those documents was a desire for ways for people to cross the tollway by means other than driving."

Federal funds from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program will cover $676,000 of the estimated $845,000 project, Hankey said. The remaining cost will split by the village, the Hoffman Estates Park District and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, he said.

More than 300 applications were submitted for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. Hoffman Estates was one of only 54 projects selected to receive funds.

"It seems to me like not just in Hoffman Estates, but in the larger metropolitan area, there is an increase in people walking and biking," Hankey said. "I think there is an increase and a strong interest, among some people at least, for improving connectivity and continuity."

The project will create another way for some people in residential areas to get to work, and it will provide more access to the 59/90 entertainment district, Hankey added.

"It's looking at ways to incrementally build those links in the regional system," he said. "You can't really do everything all at once."

Happy Birthday George

UCI Track World Championships

Cyclist Steven Burke (center) of Great Britain during practice ahead of the UCI Track World Championships at Minsk Arena on Tuesday in Minsk, Belarus.

Michael Steele - Getty Images

The Cold Weather Bicycle Commuter

Is this you,
or does this represent who you are?

Then God Bless You!

I get in my car,
parked outside,
and for the first 15 minutes,
I'm cold.

Then I see you.
Do you ride your bicycle because you want to
or because you have to
because you don't have a car
and you need to get places. 

I'm never as cold when I see you
Enduring all that nature throws at you

Here's to you (arm and beverage extended)
I salute you and admire you
and though we have not met
Ride on my friend

and I wish you better weather days ahead

North American Handmade Bicycle Show

February 22-24, 2013


Colorado Convention Center

Chicago Bike Winter Art Show

Happy Birthday Rihanna

Bicycle Poetry - The Two Wheeled Good by Hino Hinesy of London

hardly stopped by very much

through rain snow and heat and sleet

driven home by pedalled feet

waterproof and wind resistant

long spun limbs turn on insistent

that no bus, train or car

or suited warming post-five bar

shall deviate them from their route

as dusk stalks day-glow on their shoot

With bike lights lit like Viking torches

to guide them soon-wet porches

dashing back in one good stint

all fuelled by smugness for their

carbon foot prints

Ride your bicycle to see maple syrup harvesting

North Park Village Nature Center


5801 N. Pulaski Rd. Chicago IL 60646

(312) 744-5472

Free

Age Range: 6 years and older

Bring out the entire family to help tap a maple tree and learn the whole maple syrup story from sappy beginnings to a sweet, tasty ending. Adults & families with children age 6 and up. Registration required.

Abominable Fat-Bike Race

Abominable Fat-Bike Race

Presented by: Bradley Park Trail Crew

Bradley Park Rd

Tomahawk, WI

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Don't try this at home....

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cycling Art from Michael Valenti

From the professional peloton to rural roads and city streets, the hearts and souls of cyclists are forever connected. The shared suffering, glory, fun and passion for the sport of cycling are the subjects of Michael’s work. Welcome to a world filled with travel, whimsy, history and heart.

Each of the images is original art created by Michael Valenti for the use of his clients and for reproduction as fine art prints. The cycling poster was very popular during the Paris poster period in the late 19th century with many original works still being sold by galleries around the world. With his work, Michael proudly carries on the tradition of cycling art in a poster format.

Giclée printing is the standard of excellence for fine art reproduction. All of the images are printed with this method on heavy weight watercolor paper using archival inks. Your fine art print will last you many years without fading or discoloring.

Your image is carefully rolled and shipped in a heavy tube. You should expect your print to arrive in less than a week. Frame it nicely. 

Shipping is FREE.


michaelvalenti.com

Mardi Gras

Enjoy Fat Tuesday!

Tour of Lower West Side

Community Area #31, the Lower West Side is 3 miles southwest of the loop. It is bounded on the south and east by the South branch of the Chicago River and on the north and west by the Burlington Northern Railroad. The oldest section is known as Pilsen, named for the city in Bohemia, where many of the earliest settlers to the area immigrated from. The initial popularity of the area was as a place for Bohemians to rebuild after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The area west of Pilsen was known as the Heart of Chicago, and soon became as popular as Pilsen, and as immigrants from different countries came to America, many of them settled in Heart of Chicago. Many of the residents of both main sections of the Lower West Side were laborers and worked in the city’s factories, in the nearby stockyards or meat packers, or as tradesmen. The housing is most often modest brick worker’s cottages and practical multi-unit housing, and the area is dominated by several monumental churches, whose influence and congregation’s popularity helped bring population and development to the area, including St. Paul’s, St. Pius and St. Adalbert. Beyond the churches and residences, the Lower West Side also includes grand treasures by the biggest luminaries of Chicago architecture.

Some of the scheduled stops will include visits to the Daniel Burnham designed Fisk Power Plant, the Pond and Pond designed Gad’s Hill Center, the William Carbys Zimmerman designed Dvorak Park Fieldhouse and the Schmidt and Garden designed Schoenhofen Brewery. Join them for a day on your bike digging the Lower West Side.

Happy Birthday Cristiano Ronaldo

Summer Dreamin' - Ladies, this one's for you.....

Graham Nash Photo

Wisconsin Bike Fed's Winter Carnival

Whether you enjoy riding a mountain bike, riding for sport, or riding your bike as a safe and convenient form of transportation, the Wisconsin Bike Fed’s Winter Carnival will have cycling-related fun for everyone on February 1st at Ray’s Indoor Bike Park, 8365 North 76th Street, Milwaukee. Attendees will have the opportunity to ride mountain bikes indoor, try their luck at winning cool bike gear, and enjoy great food and drink. Come mingle and network with bicyclists from across the state and learn more about the Bike Fed’s plans to move Wisconsin bicycling forward in 2013 and beyond.


The Winter Carnival will be a fun, family-friendly celebration of the large and vibrant bicycle community. Ray’s Indoor Bike Park is the perfect venue to promote the diversity and joy of Wisconsin bicycling. Please join the Bike Fed for great food, fun and bicycle camaraderie!

Individual adult admission to the Winter Bike Carnival is $25 ($35 at the door). Individual admission for children (under the age of 18 and accompanied by an adult) is $12 ($15 at the door). Carnival attendees will receive tickets valued at $10 ($5 for children) that can be used to purchase food, drink, merchandise, and participate in carnival games. Additional tickets will be available for purchase and can be won by participating in our fun carnival games.

Friday, February 1st, 2013

Noon – 5:00 p.m.: Open riding (FREE bike rental included!)

5:30 – 9 p.m.: Food, drinks, carnival games and more.

Early online registration discount only $25 ($35 at door)

Volunteer at the Carnival and ride 2 days at Ray’s for FREE! Volunteers gain free entrance to the Carnival, get to ride the day of the event AND get a free pass to Ray’s to use at a later date.

Stay the night!

The Four Points Sheraton Hotel is just around the corner from Ray’s and is offering a special rate for out of town attendees. Mention Ray’s Indoor Bike Park and you’ll get a fantastic room with a shuttle from the hotel to the event!