Boxing Day Ride

Quick, chilly ride thru FermiLab today. Lots of wildlife out and about and not a single biker anywhere to be seen. The trails were clear and the sun was warming, never got above 41F.

2 Mile Challenge

In the U.S. approximately 40% of urban trips are under 2 miles, yet less than 5% of of those trips are by human power. Clif Bar is sponsoring an event called the 2 Mile Challenge which encourages people to get out of their cars and onto their bikes (or feet) for trips under 2 miles. At the 2 Mile Challenge website, you can map your 2-mile radius and accept a challenge to use human power for trips under 2 miles.

First Chilly Ride of the Season

Chilly ride today, first one of the season. Temps are in the lower 40’s and it’s getting colder every day, proper layering is key. That and Windstopper-Gore. Did a 31-mile loop from Batavia to Aurora from west side to east. And for the first time I stopped at the “cave” I have pasted so many times, it was kinda cool. Very Yoda like. The Catrike was very much at home. Not sure of the full story on the cave area yet, more to come…

Silent Sports Chicago DOT COM is here!!!!!!

Well.... I started my day off today by purchasing

http://silentsportschicago.com/

the site will not be up and running for a few days so stay tuned to the blog until then.

Thanks
Chris

Fox River Trail Ride - Batavia to Elgin

This past weekend I rode from my house in Batavia to the riverboat in Elgin. This was the first time I have done this ride on the trike and the last time I made the ride I was in college and road my bike to my summer job -life guarding at the pool (ahhh).
It really is a beautiful ride and some of my favorite spots on the whole Fox River Trail are in this section. As soon as you past down town St. Charles, it really all begins, huge down hills, long empty street, and better yet empty trails. This section of the trail isn't as heavily used as the section between Geneva and St. Charles. And almost right before you go under the Rt. 20 bridge into Elgin there is the connection to the Prairie Path-Elgin Spur.
So, speaking of Elgin, this is where the trail gets a little funky. Its not like you are going to be shot, but 15 years ago in that spot, you might of. I would recommend not crossing under the Rt. 20 bridge. Why ruin a good ride.
There are a few highlights in the area around South Elgin. First being the train museum, and also a cool house with a few small rail cars and tons of switch post signs.
Also in this area, right after you past the Riverwoods area there is a HUGE downhill that ends with a great bridge that crosses the Fox River.
The ride from Batavia to downtown Elgin and back was around 34 miles and when the weather is right and the trail is empty is RULES.

New Rack System for the Baron

Just added a Old Man Moutain Sherpa rack to the Catrike. Also included a Arkel Tailrider bag that has a build in rainfly.

Album Review: Indigenous - Long Way Home

Band: Indigenous
Album: Long Way Home

So…Indigenous. Chances are you haven’t yet heard of these cats-yet. I remember listening to them and writing the name of the band down a long time ago and forgot all about them until I heard this sweet song “Leaving” on of all thing the TV show “Deadliest Catch”.
They are a band of what I like to call “old souls” deep, complex but young and lively. With heavily driven guitar work these guys just sound familiar. The sound reminds me of a blend of Los Lobos, SRV, and Big Head Todd. When I lump these kinda people to gather I like to call them -Texas Blues. Smooth, deep, complex, close your eyes and just feel it music.
Their latest release “Long Way Home” has that tubey, blues guitar that I can’t get enough of. Make sure you listen to “Rest of My Days”, “Six Feet Down”, “Things We Do”
Additional listens must include; “Evolution Revolution” from the album Circle, and
“The Way You Shake” and “Leaving” off of Chasing the Sun.

South Corner of the Prairie Path

Just finished a ride along the prairie path. Started here in Batavia, down to the river, south to aurora, north to Wheaton and then west back to Batavia. Great ride, but fall is here to stay. Kinda cool around 58F. With the leaves changing colors and falling there is a lot of wildlife to see, such as bluejays, cardinals, and a very large hawk that was also startled out of its perch by the Baron. The only thing is that Aurora is challenging, the construction, the traffic, and its a little shady in spots as well. But the plus side to all that is, that I only pasted about 3 people from the east side of the river in aurora until almost near FermiLab. There are a fair amount of horse on this stretch as well, heads up for road apples.

The Girls

Just a few pics of the girls. Guess what Lucys favorite toy is? Correct- That tennis ball Daisy has.

Tough Ride

This past friday afternoon I took a ride on the fox river trail heading south from Batavia into Aurora. Beautiful ride, fast, empty space with lots of tree cover and a nice paved path. On the way home, I came across this solo war protester and as I sat there taking pictures I became totally moved by his act. It was the end of the business day, of course I was already well into my ride, but the commuters were well into their rides home. With a light breeze to keep "old glory" a movin' an a simple sign
- "NO WAR".

New Family Member

We have added a new family member. My wife's Electra Townie 7 speed.
My wife has had a serious back problem for awhile and after a long search and riding many bikes we found this Electra Townie which has feet forward technology. This puts her feet out in front of her and geometry is just perfect. Almost zero pain.

Metro Metric Ride

This past Sunday a few friends and myself rode in the Metro Metric XXVII, sponsored by the Elmhurst Bicycle Club.
The starting point, registration and finish line was at Hampshire High School, home of the infamous “Whip-purs”.
The day started out by being greeted by a stage-5 clinger. Yes, folks the trike draws in the winners. As we waited for the rest of our riding group, I was accosted by the super geek, and his main attraction had been the Baron in the back of my Jeep. Man, it did look sweet!!. First, I would like to state, I do love to talk to people about trikes and the Baron, and especially enjoy letting people take their first trike ride on the Baron. But 90% of the group was very hung-over and hurting (myself included, see dinner at Blackbird entry) So all the questions, blank stairs and awkward silences were just about all I could handle.
Big thanks to Steve here for helping w/ super geek. Thanks my friend!
Finally, we were all tuned up and on the road. The first section after leaving the high school was on the road and mildly busy, but a few turns later we were on backcountry roads and heading west towards Virgil. The day was simply delightful, warm and sunny without being humid, barely a cloud in the sky.
One of my highlights of the ride was a long back-back country road. The only trike I was riding slower than the group that was divided into sub-bike groups. Jr. on a single speed. Which was a beautiful bike that had a tight handlebar setup with a comfortable riding position and sweet cork grips. {The more cork the better. I will write another entry about my love of cork products and my concern for the growing cork shortages throughout the world. Remember, my love of fly-fishing.} The rest of the group was riding quick and colorful Felt bikes with the exception of a super cool blue bike with TONS of carbon fiber. On this long stretch I never saw another rider, with the exception of a single motorcycle with a sidecar. Another Trike!! Both the rider and passenger gave me a wave, it was nice, and I must say even better than a Jeep wave, which is tuff to beat.
Trike riding allows you enjoy your surroundings so much more. I had the time to look at the farms that were passing by and time to slow down to check out the animals. I came across lots of goats, pigs, horses, and a few jack-asses, With my newly mounted iPod speakers jammin’,


I rode in perfect comfort, at smooth speed and loved every second of it, perfect tricycle bliss. Shortly there after, I was at the Rest Stop and the 18-mile mark. The rest area was great. People checking out bikes, eating tasty snacks of fruit, granola, gorp, Gatorade, and icy cool water. REI was even there with a small stand and mini-shop. We cooled down, topped off water bottles and took off for the final 15 miles. This final section was mostly on roads with light to medium traffic, one major road crossing (RT. 64) and thru two little farm towns.

The last stretches of the ride were along some sod farms and thru downtown Hampshire. Sod farms really let you see forever, peacefully gazing over the vast open flat fields of perfect deep green grass. These peaceful fields only made me want to run my Jeep thru there in 4WD at very high speeds, doing donuts!! Sorry grass hoarders.
After passing thru Hampshire we finished the ride with a tasty corn boil and some homemade snacks.
For the Barons first group ride it was, as Borat would say “Great Success”!!

Also, check out the youtube footage with the attached link. Its me being passed by two roadies.

Dinner At Blackbird

Had dinner at Blackbird last nite with some friends from a past life in Florida. This was the second time I have eaten at the restaurant at this time I was not disappointed by the food.
OK, as always, there were things that could have been improved on but besides the elitist attitude it was a enjoyable evening. We started with a nice round of apps including: sucking pig with a gastric-like puree of fresh forest berries, some kind of lack luster cheese plate, but the winner plate of the table was a crispy Veal Sweetbreads. Gotta love organ meat. These we crispy..most places say crispy but its usually only a thin brown layer or they go the other way and are over cooked and rubbery (nothing can be worse...rubbery guts). These had a thick crispy layer but the inside was just creamy goodness.
The majority of the table ate fish for dinner ( go figure, Floridians) each plate did looked tasty. I ordered the duck breast and daffy never tasted so good. Desserts were great, I had a milk choclate something or other, with a delicious ice cream flavored with curry and coconut. It was Awesome.
All and all, the food is good but the tight space, volume and elitist attidute of the servers will not get me back anytime soon.....also too much use of "foams" on everything!!.
There are far too many great restaurants out there. GO FIND THEM!!

The Red Baron

I ride a Red Catrike Expedition #70.
What a machine! I am the kind of geek that does TONS of background research on potential purchases. So based on a few hours (too many) of research I narrowed it down to Catrike Expedition and HP Scorpion. Being a former bike machanic, I had a short lists of must haves: awesome breaks, rims, crank, basically all the bells and whistles. Also little things like the frame design, etc.

When I seriously started to look for an Expedition to purchase the first bike shop to return my call was Amlings Cycles in Niles, IL. I searched all the bike shops in a 6 hour radis of Chicago. It was a long wait..long. But I could not be happier with Amlings Cycle and the quality and level of service.
www.amlingscycle.com or in Niles, IL

The trike got its namesake from the pedals I purchased the for my chopper bike, but after a winter ride gone bad and breaking my Sidi riding shoes I had to made some changes. At one time in my life I was into chrome and all things shinny!! But lately I am starting to dig more and more all things powder coated or just plain black. The "Rat Fink" chopper from Electra is to blame here.

www.electra.com

Wet Ride thru FermiLab

When for a wet ride today with steve thru FermiLab. Steve rode my Giant mountain bike and I was on the "Baron". This was steve's first ride thru FermiLab and even though the sky cried a little it was a good rain training ride. The buffalo were no where to be found, but we did come across a few walkers and a roadie. If you ever get out near the fox river valley, FermiLab is a great spot for fishing, biking, walking, nature photography, and to take the dogs for a run. Check it out but don't tell too many people its a great little secret.