What are you wearing these cozy fall days?

From here on out I think that Fall will forever be knows instead as Cross Season.  Today I spent a sunny day drinking beer, hanging out and watching CYCLOCROSS! at Sloss Furnace.  Sloss is the only publicly held industrial site in the world, as well as a killer spot for a cross race.   I, unlike Anna, was not racing so I came out ready to take in all the glory that is a bike race. Glorious it was.

Bici Coop team did very well, with Sam (took 2nd!), Alan (flatted out 2nd lap and had to run it in), Jesse Heath, Heath, Aaron Lane and Sean Malone in the mens 4-5 class and Anna (got 4th, maybe 3rd…jury is still out!) for the ladies.

The course wasn’t too muddy but had it’s share of gravel, hills, switchbacks and obstacles.  The site of bikes kicking up dirt in front of the huge foundry was beautiful.  Add beer and some good friends and I had a Sunday to write home about.  Oh and lots of bloody knees and elbow.  I am weird, sue me.

Anna will be writing about her experiences during her first cross race in Part 2.  Thanks to everyone at Bamacross for putting this together.  Besides the beer situation (Blackwell’s I am looking at you for your no show!), everything seemed to go off without a hitch.

How was your weekend?

I haven’t been talking much about my own riding.  Being out of town for a month will do that to you.  This week I am back (for a good while) and have been riding a bit.

The weather here is ridiculous…waking up to 40 degrees to warm to 75 by midday.  Rainy off and on…I have to keep a rainjacket in my bag nearly every trip.

I finally attached a rack to Freddy and am loving it.  Thanks P-clamps!  A friend (who also owns a Bakfiets and 2 Dutch bikes…more to come on he and his wife) gave me a laptop bag/briefcase for the rack and Heath ordered me some of these wonderful straps that I first saw on Dottie’s bike in Chicago. Much better than bungee cords and look a bit classier as well.  The three straps make carrying things of various sizes much much easier. $5 well spent.

3 straps are better than one bungee cord

One bad thing going on has been looking at my checkbook.  As this is my first fall and winter car free, I needed to get a few things…rack, straps, merino wool clothes stuff, boots for riding, tights, rain jacket, fender, warm baselayers, hat… and these things are not cheap.  However, the total of them has been less than one car note (well, maybe not if you include the clothes.  oops).  some of these things, ok most, were not essential but make being car free a lot more enjoyable.  A lot. This week I need a new headset as mine is in bad shape.

I rented a car to go to my sisters house and it was EXPENSIVE!  4 days was $230.  That is a lot when you are unemployed.  Hell, it is a lot for anyone.  This was my first car rental and I don’t think I will be doing as much as I had originally thought.  Hello Greyhound, Amtrack, Southwest.  I had to pay for the supplemental insurance as I cancelled my own car insurance.  All this to say, renting a car is an option but an expensive one.  If you keep it to weekends only it is a bit cheaper but not much.  Lesson learned. Has anyone else dealt with this?  we need a zipcar!!

My knee is acting like a bitch, so my riding this week has been sporadic.  Hopefully that changes soon.

What has your October looked like?

These are photos that I have taken from the saddle of my bike in the past few weeks, between travels here and there.

Future site for Railroad park

Sloss Furnace as seen from 4th Ave on a clear fall day

cycling fellow enjoying Brunch at ZaZa's (I couldn't resist)

This fellow looked so very Judd Nelson ala Breakfast Club

Seen anything good in your city lately?

Dottie and I on our way Downtown on Oma and Betty

I am having a simply lovely time here in the midwest.  I have been here less than a week and may just stay for a while (don’t worry Bham…I am still coming home).  The weather is glorious, the people friendly and the coffee incredible.  A quick rundown on the trip so far (very quick…a longer post to come).

I spent the first few days walking around downtown Milwaukee and making plans, as well as see the people and drink the coffee (oh and shopping!). I was with Carrie Rollwagen for the first few days and that was so fun. 

Today I am in Chicago with Dottie from Lets Go Ride a Bike.  We spent the afternoon sightseeing, bike riding and eating.  I got to ride Betty Foy and we are fast friends.  Riding an upright bike took some getting used to, but I am getting the hang of it.  Chicago is so flat!  The ride downtown was raining the entire way, but we kept and on and had a lovely time.  Drinks at the top of the John Hancock building, shopping the Magnificent Mile and dinner at Giordano’s for Chicago Deep Dish Pizza!  Yes, I would say this has been a good day. 

Tomorrow we head to Wicker Park for bike shop visiting, meet up with some fellow Alabamian cyclists then it is time for the Cocktail Party Ride.  I hope to see some of you there. 

Phew…I am exhausted.  will report back more soon.  Look forward to a post about the Milwaukee Bicycle Collective, a bike shop tour of Milwaukee, test rides of Dutch bikes in Chicago, Cocktail Party round up, and more.  I am sucking the life out of the vacation (in the very best way)

Chicago on a rainy, foggy day

bike love from Chicago!

We’ll meet at a cocktail lounge in Wicker Park at 7 p.m. The ride will meander around the north side and stop at a few fine places for refreshments. Check back here for more details.

Dottie is so sweet to organize this to introduce me to the city and the awesome folks who live and ride there.  I am very excited!

Alas, Ellen won't be there.

Now…what to wear?  Must go shopping…

OH…and Saturday morning, Cyclin’ Missy and I will be celebrating Dottie’s birthday with a lovely ladies only brunch in Chicago.  It is like a dream come true; lovely ladies, bikes rides, brunch, birthday and blogging!  Please join us if you can.  Details coming for that as well.

Hope to see many new and friendly faces.  Boys, I want to see you in your best Friday night!  Ladies, Saturday will be just lovely.

To bikes and (new) friends!

My question for you:  What should I see?  Especially in Milwaukee, as I am sure Dottie is well in the know in Chicago; stay tuned for details about a possible cocktail party ride Oct 10!.  Bike shops, trails, coffee shops, restaurants, pubs etc. Of course I will be keeping an online journal of this for everyone to read, so I want to make it interesting.  I would also love to visit a bike coop or collective to see how things are run in other places.  A few cyclists from Huntsville, AL will be in Chicago that weekend as well, so it will be one fun meet up (we live 1 hour apart and have never met in person…such is life when neither of you use a car much!)

I will be there Oct 4-14, email me if you want to meet for coffee, beer, bike ride, etc (although I reserve the right to turn you down if you seem creepy!). elisa@bikeskirt.com.  I think I have a bike for both places, but the one in Milwaukee is a bit dodgy, so anyone with the hookup on a bike for a TALL person to borrow, let me know.  Think 58-60cm.

I am looking forward to cooler weather (tights! boots! hats!) and seeing how other folks bike and live. Some things on the agenda:

Copenhagen Cyclery in Chicago
Dutch bike Company in Chicago
**I have heard about a great neighborhood revitalization project in Chicago…does anyone have any details on that?  I can’t remember the name, but they are using transit and urban development to revitalize a blighted area to great success…**

Ben’s Cycle in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bike Collective
Mocha Coffee Bistro

So Milwaukee and Chicago readers, show me what you got.