Put on your safety helmet and let the good times roll. Whether it is for fun or the ol’ cardiovascular system (or to make a fashion statement with all the nifty outfits available), it’s that bicycling time of year.
The neophyte might want to start with an organized bike tour. One of the most popular is the scenic “Chicago Boulevard Lakefront Tour ’93.” Now in its fifth year, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s noncompetitive bicycle ride is set for Sunday. Starting at the University of Chicago at Midway Plaisance, the route goes west, north and east before returning south along the glorious lakefront, completing a 35-mile loop past historic sites and handsome architecture and through ethnic neighborhoods.
There are three designated rest stops as well as the opportunity to refuel at no cost on fruits, water and other good-for-you goodies. And if you’re the occasional rider who neglects maintenance, there are plenty of repair folks for hire. There are also trained medical staff at the stop/finish lines and rest stops. And speaking of the finish line, a post-ride “Chicago-style” party (barbecue and a band) will await participants.
Pre-registration deadline was May 31, but you may show up the day of the race to jockey for a spot. The outing is limited to 5,000 riders. The fee is $15 ($12 for federation members). But don’t mail your fee in advance because it is nonrefundable. Just have cash or check in hand.
Check-in is 6 to 8 a.m. and start times are at various intervals between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. Plan to finish by 1 p.m. And plan to be there rain or shine! (312-42-PEDAL).
Other tours and races are listed below. This survey is by no means a complete guide, but just something to get you started.
Racing the wind
The Midway Plaisance is also a focal point for the University of Chicago Velo Club, a 40-member organization sanctioned by the U.S. Cycling Federation.
The Velo Club (French word for bicycle) was born about seven years ago. Membership is about 50-50 serious and occasional bikers. The split is for the 50 percent who paid $20 for membership and $32 for a racing license and those who are content with just being members.
President Ed Desjardins says Velo members compete in races across the Midwest but the most-frequented established events are in Illinois.
“The most exciting is the `Tour of Illinois,’ ” says Desjardins. “It’s much like the Tour de France with the winner determined by the points (accumulated) in a series of races.”
The “Tour of Illinois” was held in the early spring, in spite of lousy weather.
“We have fair-weather riders. The weather has been harsh, but race turnouts have been good.”
For July, Desjardins recommends “Super Week International ’93” held in Wisconsin on weekends from the 9th through the 25th. It is one of the Midwest’s biggest races, with about $135,000 in prize money at stake. For more information, send an addressed, stamped envelope to Entry Form Request, Super Weekend International, 13635 W. Old Oak Lane, New Berlin, Wis. 53151.
For more information on the Velo Club and other events, call the University of Chicago’s Student Activities Office at 312-702-9554.
By the book
Derring-dos who need no physical guide or signposts will enjoy the recently released publication “Chicago Bicycle Guidebook.” Author and Chicago native Michael Palucki takes on the city. Adventurous (and safety-minded) cyclists will enjoy his specially designed neighborhood routes that include the Great Chicago Pizza Ride, West Side Story and the North Side-Wrigleyville Ride.
In the introduction to each route, Palucki’s illustrated guide provides in a snap a start/end point, distance, time, difficulty/safety level, shortcuts, area bicycle shops, activities and historical highlights.
Palucki takes great pains to detail architectural highlights and history. Lots of history. You see, Palucki was a history teacher. The full-time vocation came to an end when he got word his wife was to be transferred to Los Angeles by 1992.
It was in January 1991, that he knew he had to prepare for the move to the West Coast. It was then he decided change his occupation. After the snow had been cleared from streets, he took off on his bicycle.
“It was neat. There was no one outside since it was 20 below. I said to myself, `This is an idea for something.’ “
So he went from full-time to substitute teacher while doing research for the book. This allowed Palucki to test all routes. And that’s a good thing since a funny thing happened on State Street. . . .
“I thought the (State Street) Mall would be an ideal area. The mayor had then declared Chicago a bicycle-friendly city. I was cycling with two others who were messengers. But at that time there was a backlash against those guys (messengers).”
So a police officer put Palucki and the messengers-bikes and all-in the paddy wagon for pedaling down State Street.
“It was the best ticket I ever got because the book would have been in error. I even thanked the officer.”
Palucki’s self-published book (which is a perfect size for a backpack), can be found at Kroch’s & Brentano’s, at area bike shops or by contacting the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation (312-42-PEDAL).
Rails to trail
The next time you travel down your local bike trail, listen closely and you may hear-amid the chatter of birds-the whistle or clang of a trolley calling you to the past.
If you do hear it, there’s no need to fall off your bike. It’s just a ghost-well sort of.
As Chicago’s bike trail users are getting their regular dose of exercise and recreation, many don’t realize that the same path 40 years ago supported 200,000-pound trains.
In the 1930s, trolleys or interurban passenger trains were the only way to commute from suburbia to the Windy City. They were on the streets, underground and overhead. These trains, powered by electricity in a way similar to the CTA’s third rail, ran on a catenary or electric power wire.
In the ’50s and ’60s, interurbans nationwide lost ridership to automobiles and the newly constructed expressways. All but a small number of these were abandoned and their rails removed.
Today, their history has been preserved in some of the Chicago bikeway system’s bicycle and hiking trails.
If you’re near the north suburban area’s lakeshore, take the Green Bay Trail. Beginning on Lake Street in Wilmette, this trail will take you on the former right-of-way of the old Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad all the way to Milwaukee. Keep a sharp eye on your surroundings, but don’t crash into other trail users.
Remains of station platforms, relay boxes and catenary posts can be seen by an aware observer. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a spike or railroad tie in the ground. Notice how the trail goes from street level to above street level and back to street level. This engineering feat, among others, made the CNS&M the nation’s fastest and most reliable interurban. As you travel Sheridan Road in Lake Forest on the “Insull Spanish”-style concrete bridges, look for the letters CNS&M engraved on them. Again, do not attempt this while riding; get off your bike first.
Should you desire not to end up in Wisconsin, exit the trail at Illinois Highway 176 in Lake Bluff, where the CNS&M RR Mundelein Branch once existed. Giant steel catenary posts, identical to the ones on the CTA’s Skokie Swift, signature this 10-mile trail. This branch also connected with the Skokie Valley Route, which soared to Howard Street in Chicago via what is now called the Skokie Swift in 1 hour and 35 minutes (fast for the ’50s).
Are the north suburbs too far for a moving history lesson? Try the Illinois Prairie Path, originating in west suburban Elmhurst and branching out to Elgin, Batavia and Aurora.
The Chicago, Aurora and Elgin R.R., sister of the CNS&M, last rumbled over the CTA’s Congress Branch to the far west about 35 years ago. Now it’s gone. But most of it has been preserved as the Illinois Prairie Path.
In Wheaton, this trail splits in two, going northwest to Elgin and southwest to Aurora. Much of the former CA&E right-of-way is difficult to discern because of all the landscaping in the area during the last 30 years. But be not distressed; the trail still follows where rails once existed.
In Aurora or Elgin, you meet with the Fox River. Decades ago, people hopped on the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric interurban from as far south as Aurora and as far north as East Dundee and connected with the CA&E to Chicago.
This railroad too, is preserved in one of the most scenic bike trails in the Chicago region. While you’re on this path, take some time to visit the Fox River Trolley Museum near St. Charles. For a small fee, you can even ride a trolley on a preserved segment of the AE&FRE as the conductor talks about its history. When the AE&FRE went out of business, it left its commuters stranded; the trains were running that morning and simply shut down that afternoon.
Whether or not you are a railroad enthusiast, Chicago’s bikeway system will provide you with an enjoyable and historic experience. And unless you get a flat tire, or your running shoes burn up, you don’t have to worry about a route back home.
A few more for the road
Here are a handful of smaller outings that may be of interest. Call 312-42-PEDAL for a host of others:
The Apostolic Church of God’s Walk-Run-Bike-A-Thon, June 26. Begins at 8:30 a.m. in front of the church at 6303 S. Kenwood Ave. Advance registration is $15 for 18 and over and $10 for seniors and all others. (312-667-1500).
MS 150: Ride to the Rock Bike Tour, sponsored by the National MS Society, June 26-27, held in Naperville, Peoria, Joliet. Call Tina Garbin, 312-922-8000.
RAIN (Ride Across Indiana), July 17 in Terre Haute. Call Steve Merry at 812-339-4717.
Rules for the road
Here are some safety tips courtesy of the “Chicago Bicycle Guidebook”:
– Always wear a helmet.
– Obey all traffic laws.
– Always ride on the right side, never against traffic.
– Wear light-colored clothing, vests and other reflective gear.
– Be predictable by riding in a straight line and always using hand signals when turning.
– Be alert for car doors opening and cars pulling into traffic from the curb.
– Check brakes before each outing.
– Use red reflectors for night riding and a headlight in the front.
– Yield to pedestrians.
– Never challenge cars.
