Anne Alt, President, Chicago Cycling Club

Say Hi to Anne!


1) How/when did you get into cycling as a profession?
After living out of state for a number of years, I moved back to Chicago in 1997 and tried club riding as a way to get re-introduced to the city and meet people. I was living in Rogers Park and was a member of both Chicago Cycling Club and Evanston Bike Club. I started leading club rides around 1999, beginning with relatively short and easy rides, and working my way up to longer, more complex ones. After getting more involved with CCC, I became treasurer and later president.

I rode the Boulevard Lakefront Tour (BLT - www.boulevardtour.org) for the first time in 1998, and it was a fabulous experience. I started volunteering for CBF (later Active Trans) after that. The BLT has remained my favorite Chicago area bike event. As volunteer commitments go, it's my labor of love.

2) How does your organization directly benefit cyclists?
The Chicago Cycling Club got its start in 1994. Since then, it has grown and adapted to the changing needs of its members and the creative ideas of ride leaders. We've offered a wide variety of themed rides (historical, architectural, green, sports, chocolate, and Chicago blues, among others), camping rides, paceline training rides, casual rides for seniors, xxx.
If you've never tried a CCC ride and you're curious to learn more about us, check us out at: www.chicagocyclingclub.org
Also, this is my second year of involvement with Friends of the Major Taylor Trail (www.majortaylortrail.org). We are working to improve trail conditions, promote the trail, and eventually add some amenities. My time with the clubs and volunteering on the BLT and Bike the Drive has given me a lot of relevant experience for this latest challenge.

3) Do you specialize in a certain type of cycling?
I do whatever type of riding suits me on a particular day. In the course of a week, I might do a club tour of Chicago neighborhoods, ride my folding bike to Metra and bag it to take downtown, hitch a cargo trailer to my mountain bike for a ride to the grocery store, take my recumbent out for a longer ride, and ride the mountain bike to an environmental workday at a nearby forest preserve.
I've long appreciated the CCC tradition of offering many types of rides to a wide variety of riders. I've met so many people who seek a variety of riding experiences, as I do, and wouldn't be satisfied with just one type of ride. We've got everything from very short, casual rides to 80-100+ mile days.

4) What are your “must-have” items for cycling (this could be a tool, an accessory, a food, etc.)
A multi-tool with Allen wrenches in several sizes plus screwdrivers, a spare inner tube and tire levers, a handlebar-mounted mirror, and my helmet.

5) What do you see as the biggest area of opportunity in your niche market?
Giving riders who are new to the city or new to riding in the city a two-wheeled introduction to all that Chicago has to offer. Many people follow the same path that I did, joining the club when they've recently moved to the city. Sometimes we get guests who are visiting from other cities. I've shared rides with visitors from California, New York, London, Florida and other locations.
I really enjoy offering Chicago hospitality to riders, whether they're new in town, visiting, or just getting to know the city better.

6) How do you think the cycling community has changed in the last year or two?
The Chainlink has been a great venue to help create a broader cycling community in Chicago, connecting individuals, clubs and organizations. It's come a long way in a short time.

And Finally.....

7) If you could go on a bike ride with anyone (living or dead), who would it be?
It would be interesting to ride with Major Taylor and get his perspective on how cycling has evolved since his racing days 100 years ago.