Fourth Step (and Dark Lord Day) Ride

No, this isn't about making a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

It's about trying to ride to Three Floyds every month this year.

We'll take the lakefront trail south from the clock tower. If you don't want to start from the clock tower, you can join up anywhere along the lakefront trail. Just let me know where so we can look for you.

Special beer this time: Dark Lord, a gargantuan Russian imperial stout with a reverse cascading head that billows the color of burnt oil, like the Dark Lord rising from his black primordial beginnings. Its resonant vinous aroma is of cherries, sweet malt, molasses, burnt currants, and plums with a port wine undertow. Mochachino notes are buried within. It has the consistency of hellishly yet divinely smooth motor oil. The first sip coats your palate with a thick charred-fruit-and-chocolate blanket. Alcohol burn then wiggles its way down your throat.

Dark Lord Day is a festival where participants can meet other beer enthusiasts, sample beers from all over the world, eat, listen to live music, and generally have a great time. It's also the only day of the year you can buy Dark Lord. The festival requires a ticket (but the ride doesn't). No admission to the festival will be granted without the original purchaser being present to validate their ticket with their state or federal ID. Tickets are non-transferable.

45 miles if you take the Metra back, 70 if you ride both ways. 16-19 mph.