The Chainlink

Be careful and have fun out there kids!

https://chi.streetsblog.org/2018/06/29/hot-weather-bike-commuting-t... 

It’s going to be in the mid-nineties this afternoon and tomorrow, but there’s a Critical Mass Ride tonight, with a proposed route memorializing longtime participant Karl Szwet, meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington, departing a little after 6. And Saturday is the fabulous Tour de Fat, the major fundraiser for West Town Bikes education center, starting with a bike parade that meets at 10 a.m. at the Humboldt Park boat house, departing at 11.

So, assuming you’re healthy enough to handle the heat, you might not want to stay cooped up inside with the A/C blasting. Obviously if you’re saddling up in this swelter, you’ll need to drink plenty of hydrating beverages (no, Tour de Fat attendees, beer doesn’t count), use adequate sun protection, and immediately seek shade or shelter and rehydrate if you experience symptoms of heat exhaustion.

Assuming you’ve got that all under control, here are a few more tips to chill out a hot Chicago bike commute that will come in handy this weekend:

  • Avoid sun-baked main roads in favor of shady side-street routes. Getting away from gasoline-burning motor vehicles also cools things down. Check out the Mellow Chicago Bike Map at to see some of the best low-traffic backstreet itineraries.
  • It really is “cooler by the lake,” so if detouring to the Lakefront Trail is an option, the lower temperatures (and gorgeous views) are more than worth the extra mileage. Of course, the shore is going to be crowded with beachgoers seeking heat relief this weekend, so it’s fortunate that the Chicago Park District has already completed separate paths for pedestrians and bicyclists along much of the lakefront, including the notoriously congested stretch from North to Fullerton.
  • Slowing your usual cruising speed by a mile or two per hour can help you avoid breaking a sweat.
  • On sweltering days, following the letter of the law at stoplights is an opportunity to take a breather. Just be sure to stop far enough away from the intersection so that you’re in a shady spot to wait for the green.
  • If using panniers or a milk crate to carry stuff, or strapping items to your rack is an option instead of wearing a backpack or messenger bag on your back, that will help keep you cooler and dryer.
  • Thermos-style bike water bottles work great. Or try the old-school trick of putting your bottle inside a clean, wet sock – the evaporation will keep your drink cool.
  • At the end of your rope from the sweltering temps? There’s no shame ditching your ride and hopping a CTA bus or ‘L’ carMetra train, or the South Shore Line to finish your trip in air-conditioned comfort. You can also order a minivan or SUV from Lyft and Uber to transport you, your friends or family, and your bikes home.
  • As we experienced on Wednesday’s “Chicago’s Mellowest Bike Tour,” nothing chills out a summer bike ride like smooth music. Check out this yacht rock mix we broadcasted during the trip.

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John-

Thank you for  sharing this  excellent advice.  

Tomorrow I  plan to ride  to the rally.  I  will  use my  touring bike which has two bottle holders rather than the one on my commuter.   I will have  two  Polar insulted bottles One will have  been frozen overnight and will be my second bottle.The first will simply be filled  with ice and then topped with water. By  the time I  finish that one #2 will have defrosted enough to drink but still be chilly.   In my pannier (yes,no backpack) I will have  a  sun  hat for the rally, SUN BLOCK, a couple of  food/cereal/energy type  bars, a spare  jersey and  a couple  bandannas for  wiping my eyes on and off the  bike. I normally avoid  trails  but  find the  tree cover on them helps on  blistering days like tomorrow. I  am likely to be on  the Channel trail on the way home. If I feel terrible I  will  follow your  advice and lock up or  lug  the  bike on the train.

I bailed out of the Critical Mass ride early, got on the Brown Line at Washington & Wells.  On my way to Kimball, I paused at Montrose (for the price of a transfer) and stopped at Margie's Candies to get a cold Ice Cream Soda!

That looks SO good. I love Margie's on Montrose. Looks like a good call to me. :-)

It was so friggin hot at the Tour de Fat, some guy walked around in his tiny speedos! LOL.

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