The Chainlink

I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

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Permalink Reply by Scott Stelzer on March 14, 2012 at 9:32am

I agree, I hate riding on the LFP when it gets full of people, however commuting between Rogers Park and the loop, I don't know any alternatives that are any safer and/or faster.  Between the unsafe drivers and the traffic lights/stop signs, I take longer, use more energy (accelerating/braking) and am at more risk on any street route I can identify. So a cautious ride on the LFP it is, *sigh*. Maybe a compromise exit at Fullerton into traffic before the path gets really packed. 

 

I'm really enjoying the sunrises over Lake Michigan these days though.

Steel Driver said:


Iva


Nice you made time to ride today Howard.  The LFP is rapidly filling with running bi-peds.  I'll be off of it in thirty days or less at this rate.  I'd rather drive with traffic on asphalt than with inconsistent joggers.  I'm certain it's mutual.  ; )

One observation, South of Oak St. beech the runners stay low, bikes on the 20 degree incline.  That's a fantastic segregation tool.  Expensive as all get out but highly effective. 

My tires are picking the most convenient places to go flat on the bottoms.  Home from the P.M. commute, topping off the air, the rear goes flat.  Can't beat that for timing!  

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 14, 2012 at 9:37am

LOL

Lee said:

I braved the elements today, pretty sure I'll be the only one...

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 14, 2012 at 9:38am

yes!  You should start one.

Melanie K said:

Considering this weather, shouldn't this thread be re-named to "Why I did not ride today."

It's too damn nice out not to at least take a short ride, even if you have no where to go. 

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on March 14, 2012 at 10:14am

Scott,

I get off the lakefront path at Fullerton and take the path next to the lagoon to North Avenue and then State Pkwy/St south to work. In the morning State is pretty light.

In warmer climes, the lakefront path chokes up with head-in-their-* tourists, twice-per-year cyclists, occaisional joggers and oglers between North Avenue Beach and Navy Pier. There is always a way around this North-to-Pier clog, you just gotta explore some and find what is right for you. North of North Avenue Beach can get crowded, but it is usually okay. South of the Museum Campus is lightly trafficked.

I am never in a hurry anyhow, so I just grin, bear it and enjoy the view that the slowness affords me; and with the lakefront, every view is a spectacular one, particlarly sunrises and sunsets. We are fortunate.

 

Scott Stelzer said:

I agree, I hate riding on the LFP when it gets full of people, however commuting between Rogers Park and the loop, I don't know any alternatives that are any safer and/or faster.  Between the unsafe drivers and the traffic lights/stop signs, I take longer, use more energy (accelerating/braking) and am at more risk on any street route I can identify. So a cautious ride on the LFP it is, *sigh*. Maybe a compromise exit at Fullerton into traffic before the path gets really packed. 

 

I'm really enjoying the sunrises over Lake Michigan these days though.

Permalink Reply by JeffB on March 14, 2012 at 10:28am

Mornings are never bad on the LFP for me.  Its the evening crowds that really clog things up.  I had a near miss last evening northbound just south of Belmont.  I'm riding on the left side of the right lane past some peds when two bikes scream past me with no warning.  Then a third guy tries to pass but is blocked by oncoming traffic and he yells "Passing!" just as his handlebars tap mine.  Its a miracle we both stayed vertical.  Note to speedsters: Calling out that you're passing is only useful if you do it before you reach my space.

Gene Tenner said:

Scott,

I get off the lakefront path at Fullerton and take the path next to the lagoon to North Avenue and then State Pkwy/St south to work. In the morning State is pretty light.

In warmer climes, the lakefront path chokes up with head-in-their-* tourists, twice-per-year cyclists, occaisional joggers and oglers between North Avenue Beach and Navy Pier. There is always a way around this North-to-Pier clog, you just gotta explore some and find what is right for you. North of North Avenue Beach can get crowded, but it is usually okay. South of the Museum Campus is lightly trafficked.

I am never in a hurry anyhow, so I just grin, bear it and enjoy the view that the slowness affords me; and with the lakefront, every view is a spectacular one, particlarly sunrises and sunsets. We are fortunate.

 

Scott Stelzer said:

I agree, I hate riding on the LFP when it gets full of people, however commuting between Rogers Park and the loop, I don't know any alternatives that are any safer and/or faster.  Between the unsafe drivers and the traffic lights/stop signs, I take longer, use more energy (accelerating/braking) and am at more risk on any street route I can identify. So a cautious ride on the LFP it is, *sigh*. Maybe a compromise exit at Fullerton into traffic before the path gets really packed. 

 

I'm really enjoying the sunrises over Lake Michigan these days though.

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on March 14, 2012 at 10:35am

You raise an interesting point, Jeff. I have always assumed that "on your left" or "passing" were to alert a rider of your presence, not an I-claim-this-space-so-stay-where-you-are declaration. Am I correct/wrong? I seem to notice an increasing number of people using it as a dibs.

JeffB said:

Mornings are never bad on the LFP for me.  Its the evening crowds that really clog things up.  I had a near miss last evening northbound just south of Belmont.  I'm riding on the left side of the right lane past some peds when two bikes scream past me with no warning.  Then a third guy tries to pass but is blocked by oncoming traffic and he yells "Passing!" just as his handlebars tap mine.  Its a miracle we both stayed vertical.  Note to speedsters: Calling out that you're passing is only useful if you do it before you reach my space.

Gene Tenner said:

Scott,

I get off the lakefront path at Fullerton and take the path next to the lagoon to North Avenue and then State Pkwy/St south to work. In the morning State is pretty light.

In warmer climes, the lakefront path chokes up with head-in-their-* tourists, twice-per-year cyclists, occaisional joggers and oglers between North Avenue Beach and Navy Pier. There is always a way around this North-to-Pier clog, you just gotta explore some and find what is right for you. North of North Avenue Beach can get crowded, but it is usually okay. South of the Museum Campus is lightly trafficked.

I am never in a hurry anyhow, so I just grin, bear it and enjoy the view that the slowness affords me; and with the lakefront, every view is a spectacular one, particlarly sunrises and sunsets. We are fortunate.

 

Scott Stelzer said:

I agree, I hate riding on the LFP when it gets full of people, however commuting between Rogers Park and the loop, I don't know any alternatives that are any safer and/or faster.  Between the unsafe drivers and the traffic lights/stop signs, I take longer, use more energy (accelerating/braking) and am at more risk on any street route I can identify. So a cautious ride on the LFP it is, *sigh*. Maybe a compromise exit at Fullerton into traffic before the path gets really packed. 

 

I'm really enjoying the sunrises over Lake Michigan these days though.

Permalink Reply by Katie on March 14, 2012 at 10:44am

I found it interesting this morning.....I always have to ride in traffic.  I'm comfortable in it and careful so no big deal.  An SUV get's caught in the intersection - not their fault and no where to go. 

Some lady on her bike gets in front of him and starts yelling at him to get out of the way.  "YAY Celebrate Wednesday - it's all about ME!!" 

Seriously?  If pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists could all just be a little more careful, considerate and patient - commuting could go so much smoother...

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on March 14, 2012 at 10:56am

Hmm. I hope that wasn't me. I usually don't tell people to get out of my way, but depending on the traffic that day, and/or if the SUV or car decides that running a red light and blocking the intersection is a good thing for them to do, I do sometimes say something.  

No, couldn't have been me, I usually go around the back of the cars/SUV's blocking the intersection, never the front of them.  I understand when it's unavoidable and they get stranded in the intersection, but I have seen way too many people "gun" their vehicles trying to make the light before it turns red, then get stuck in the middle- those are the ones that usually irk me.  Otherwise, I am usually pretty considerate. 

Katie said:

I found it interesting this morning.....I always have to ride in traffic.  I'm comfortable in it and careful so no big deal.  An SUV get's caught in the intersection - not their fault and no where to go. 

Some lady on her bike gets in front of him and starts yelling at him to get out of the way.  "YAY Celebrate Wednesday - it's all about ME!!" 

Seriously?  If pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists could all just be a little more careful, considerate and patient - commuting could go so much smoother...

Permalink Reply by Katie on March 14, 2012 at 10:58am

In this case it was clearly not the SUVs fault.  Sometimes it is - but in this case, this woman sat there and screamed at the SUV.  It certainly doesn't help drivers views of cyclists. 

Why can't we all just get along???

:D

Permalink Reply by ID on March 14, 2012 at 10:59am

I had a similar experience on my way home Monday evening. I didn't make contact, but I was moving over to pass a slower cyclist and called out on your left, and as I looked over my shoulder to make my move, there was a speeding pathlete in complete silence overtaking me as I passed.

As the weather gets warmer, the consideration gets less frequent and makes me long for those 20 degree days when everyone is friendly and considerate.

JeffB said:

Mornings are never bad on the LFP for me.  Its the evening crowds that really clog things up.  I had a near miss last evening northbound just south of Belmont.  I'm riding on the left side of the right lane past some peds when two bikes scream past me with no warning.  Then a third guy tries to pass but is blocked by oncoming traffic and he yells "Passing!" just as his handlebars tap mine.  Its a miracle we both stayed vertical.  Note to speedsters: Calling out that you're passing is only useful if you do it before you reach my space.

Gene Tenner said:

Scott,

I get off the lakefront path at Fullerton and take the path next to the lagoon to North Avenue and then State Pkwy/St south to work. In the morning State is pretty light.

In warmer climes, the lakefront path chokes up with head-in-their-* tourists, twice-per-year cyclists, occaisional joggers and oglers between North Avenue Beach and Navy Pier. There is always a way around this North-to-Pier clog, you just gotta explore some and find what is right for you. North of North Avenue Beach can get crowded, but it is usually okay. South of the Museum Campus is lightly trafficked.

I am never in a hurry anyhow, so I just grin, bear it and enjoy the view that the slowness affords me; and with the lakefront, every view is a spectacular one, particlarly sunrises and sunsets. We are fortunate.

 

Scott Stelzer said:

I agree, I hate riding on the LFP when it gets full of people, however commuting between Rogers Park and the loop, I don't know any alternatives that are any safer and/or faster.  Between the unsafe drivers and the traffic lights/stop signs, I take longer, use more energy (accelerating/braking) and am at more risk on any street route I can identify. So a cautious ride on the LFP it is, *sigh*. Maybe a compromise exit at Fullerton into traffic before the path gets really packed. 

 

I'm really enjoying the sunrises over Lake Michigan these days though.

Permalink Reply by Katie on March 14, 2012 at 11:00am

Well said Ian.

Permalink Reply by Jenn_5.5 mi on March 14, 2012 at 11:07am

Kate, if you were on Lincoln it could be the girl I 'vented' about last week. She was yelling at EVERYONE! ( http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/think-of-this-as-a-missed-...  ) I doubt it was Melanie! She is too smart to put the rest of us in danger!!

Katie said:

I found it interesting this morning.....I always have to ride in traffic.  I'm comfortable in it and careful so no big deal.  An SUV get's caught in the intersection - not their fault and no where to go. 

Some lady on her bike gets in front of him and starts yelling at him to get out of the way.  "YAY Celebrate Wednesday - it's all about ME!!" 

Seriously?  If pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists could all just be a little more careful, considerate and patient - commuting could go so much smoother...

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