Introduce Yourself: Names, Face, Bikes, Interests

We have a few threads here and there with introductions, but nothing organized. For this thread, post your picture, pics of your bikes, and a small blurb about yourself (favorite foods, commuting routes, etc).

yes, this was ripped off from chifg...

Tags: hello, introduction, social

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Permalink Reply by maryrachel on December 29, 2012 at 12:40pm

I'm Mary Rachel. I live in Ukrainian Village and work/teach in Columbia College land in the South Loop.

I primarily bike to get around town and commute. This is my first "bike winter."

After an 8 year hiatus when my bike was stolen right when I moved here from Boulder, I decided to go for it again this past Spring. This is the first bike I ever had in Chicago. I call it my "dutch-lie" bike :) Totally fun and easy ride when you've been off the saddle for a long time and are still learning Chicago bike infrastructure and how to ride with traffic.

She's now covered in folding baskets and racks.

Then I realized that super cargo and a 6 mile one-way commute might not be what she was meant for on a daily basis....

So I acquired something different (and a little faster) from Working Bikes and begin swapping and adding parts, like my dream porteur rack. It's hard to find used bikes with step-through geometry for tall women. If anyone ever comes across the rare, tall, mixte road bike, please contact me!

Favorite things about bikeCHI:

1. Education at West Town Bikes. Mikey's Basic Bike Maintenance class was a huge help to me and I'm really happy I discovered Women and Trans Night on Wednesdays. .

2. My favorite bike date is the Bike-Inn at The Hideout.

3. That my commute takes me through every type of neighborhood and bike infrastructure possible. When the weather is great I soak in the Vitamin D and when the weather is bad I gloat a little that I'm still on a bike.

4. The diversity of cyclists. Activists, commuters, racing, casual...overall I think the community is generally accepting of everyone (since inclusivity is the only way to grow). If you're not open to space for difference you probably shouldn't be on The Chainlink.

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Permalink Reply by Manny FU...Really!? on January 9, 2013 at 2:01am

This is my "Beast", a 2009 Schwinn Frontier (Thanks to the guys at Irv's Bike Shop), with a "few" lights, and the very excellent Topeak rack and MTX Trunk (the ones with the fold away panniers - Thanks again Irv's !), and SKS quick-release front fender (Thanks to the guys at Performance Bikes on North Halsted), and Planet Bike rear fender (Thanks to the guys at Rapid Transit North). I have had her for 2 yrs, and this will be my first bike winter.

I am a 2 branch (Army & Navy) Retired Combat Military Veteran. (Gunner's Mate - Navy, Infantry-Army) I work because I am bored. I am trying (and succeeding in) to stay young until I am 99. I refuse to get old. I have 3 children (son-22 yrs old, daughter-21 yrs old, son-9 yrs old).

I love to be outdoors !

I want to do the Apple Cider and Perimeter rides this upcoming year.

I will be giving some much needed TLC to a donated 1974 Schwinn Continental (Named either Conti or Pinky - because I will be putting pink bar tape on the handlebars, and maybe even getting her a pink seat.) that I will be using for the long rides.

I want to see & meet all of you and get your views on life, government, whatever to add to my experiences of life.

The pic of me, that is on my page, is from early May 2012 with my Little Ranger.

Respectfully,

Manny

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Permalink Reply by Michael Malone on January 15, 2013 at 1:25pm

This is my ride, I'm Michael. Been in Chicago about five years, in that time bikes have taken over my life! Help! If you see me smile or ring a bell and I'll do the same.

Attachments:

image.jpg, 830 KB

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Permalink Reply by Julie Hochstadter on March 20, 2013 at 8:11am

This is one hilarious picture. Where's your specialized :))

Bob said:

I'm Bob. This is me with my favorite comedian Emo Philips. I do most of my riding on my Specialized mountain bike because I get fewer flats that way and I do most of my riding solo. My wife has had to rescue me many times over the past few years.

I live in the northern suburbs and I do most of my long routes in McHenry County, where there's little traffic.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 12mi on March 20, 2013 at 8:26am

Who would have thought I would look up a comedian I'd never heard of before, and as a consequence of that, look up the definition of "paraprosdokian", all because of a post I read on the Chainlink?

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Permalink Reply by Julie Hochstadter on March 20, 2013 at 8:28am

it's the mysteries of the internet. When you think about it, from the picture you dont actually know who is the comedian and who is Bob....

You can infer, but don't know for sure.

Skip Montanaro 12mi said:

Who would have thought I would look up a comedian I'd never heard of before, and as a consequence of that, look up the definition of "paraprosdokian", all because of a post I read on the Chainlink?

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Permalink Reply by T.K. 6.5 mi on March 28, 2013 at 5:47pm

Hello all! My initials are TK and I was raised in San Diego, but have been in Chicago for the better part of 8 years. Went to school at IIT a few times, and currently live in Ukrainian Village. My company produces batteries, some of them for bicycles. I sold my cage 9 months ago and have never looked back. I ride my bikes to work, to softball, to marathons, to triathlons, in triathlons, to bars, to Blue City Cycles, in critical masses, in chiditarod, to Comrade Cycles and am always looking to expand that list. Recently volunteered for Active Trans and Working Bikes and am beyond stoked every time I meet someone new involved in this community. I am looking forward to meeting more of you! Here are my bikes...

This is my first road bike, Blue Thunder, in one of its states. Bought in 2009 from a guy in Orange County for $200. It is a mid-80s CyclePro 63cm steel frame. To date, the only original components from my purchase are the frame, shifters, handlebars, brake levers and brake calipers. It has been my learning bike and has served well. This beast went through 2 triathlons!

This is Tomorrow, because I am going to ride it tomorrow. (Also wanted to reference Tomorrow, the 60s psychedelic band that put out the classic "My White Bicycle") Cannondale 63cm aluminum frame with the house logo on the front. Superbe and Dura-Ace components, Phil Wood hubs! Just got this in late November and havent taken it out for anything besides commuting... yet. It is very fast, and I havent fully experienced the aluminum stiffness that everyone talks about. Going to upgrade to clipless pedals hopefully soon.

This is N=3 at McKinley park with all of my favorite geese. Schwinn Superior frame, and more phil wood hubs! I built this one up as a fixed gear recently and have been thrilled by the fixed feeling. Still learning how to track stand, run red lights, and flip off taxis.