Monday, December 5, 2011

Larissa, W North Ave & N Leavitt St, Chicago, IL


Every time I think I've got winter riding all figured out, someone shows me something new!  Furry hood over helmet, not a bad solution to winter riding.


Where are you going? To work, which is at an elementary school.
Why ride? It's the fastest and most fun way to get around. I am definitely a late bike bloomer. I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary of cycling being my primary way of getting around the city. I am a part-time filmmaker, and the cinematic view from a ride never gets old.

What are you wearing?  Costco's finest imitation down puff coat with gigantic faux fur lined hood, my boyfriend's bike helmet that I think he got in high school, brown and peachy-stiped skirt, grey tights, and my greybrown Game of Thrones-esque tall boots.
Tell me about your bike, and where you got it? I ride a Schwinn Passage. I think it was made in the late or mid 80s, and is "one of the last good Schwinns" according to various bike friends and message boards. The color is midnight blue with a few gold and red accents. If it had a human name I think it would be something in the male tennis star family.
Favorite ride? Through Humboldt Park at night, and the cruise to my house on my own block.
While riding you …? Alternately feel like I am cheating death/am going to be cheated by death. And I sing sometimes!
How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or make Chicago more bike friendly?
Lately I have fantasized about street parking only being allowed on one side of the street, and having bike lanes be on the non-parking side. The lane on Kinzie is a dream, so more clearly marked/divided lanes like that make me feel more safe when riding. And posting gigantic signs that say hitting pedestrians equal a huge fine might help as well.

Any thing else? Immediately after this picture was taken a lady screamed at me for being in her way by saying "You think you pay plates?!" I kind of wish there were bike licenses you could pay a small yearly fee for so I too could be entitled to shouting this at people. You think you pay plates?!

*** Martha says: I can get enough of these old catalog pictures! Click to read.

2 comments:

  1. Do you think your bike's "human" name would be more Nadal, McEnroe, or something in between?

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