Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - CHI: Unsanctioned Pre-BFFG Ride Thursday Night

Not an official Meat & Greet event! Don't bother Naz about this one!

Friday is TBA, but I know some folks are getting in as early as Wednesday, so hell, let's go for a ride on Thursday. If you live in Chicago but don't know anyone from the boards, this is a great opportunity to meet...well, me, at least. Absolutely everyone on every imaginable kind of bike is welcome.

I don't care where, how fast, or how far. Open to suggestions, or we can figure it out. There will probably be some beer involved.

Let's see who's in, and figure out the details in the next few days. This info will be updated as plans are made. But, for tradition's sake:

Thursday, November 10
8 PM or 9 PM
Wicker Park (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=wicker+park&ll=41.907424,-87.677245&sll=41.850000,-87.650000&spn=0.004392,0.008256&sspn=0.148073,0.278091&iwloc=A&hl=en)
Chicago

PS: Sean, apologies for stealing your modus operandi part-and-parcel.

any chance of kickin' it back to 9? I might even be able to convince Sarah to come out and ride if we wait until 9.

Barring unforseen weather or health issues, I'm totally in.

im in, i dont think i've met you yet.

grab and go night is kinda blurry anyways, who knows who i met

any chance of kickin' it back to 9? I might even be able to convince Sarah to come out and ride if we wait until 9.

Imagine it'd be fine. Maybe we can have a poll thread on Wednesday about it.

right on.

Wish I could go. The lady's Mom will be in town though.

Wish I could go. The lady's Mom will be in town though.

You do know to take them to Lula Cafe (http://www.centerstage.net/restaurants/lula-cafe.html), right? Ira Glass's fave.

You do know to take them to Lula Cafe (http://www.centerstage.net/restaurants/lula-cafe.html), right? Ira Glass's fave.


good call.

Lula is kickass. My buddy is the bartender there, which is....handy.

Also: were any of y'all at, uh, pizza place on North Ave (Sararamunitelillos or whatever the ----) yesterday afternoon? There was a grip of fixies parked outside and a bunch of dudes with their pants rolled up. Big dude with a impressively large beard and another guy with elaborate facial hair. Anyone?

lula is average.

I'm arriving in Chicago Wednesday night, so I could be up for a ride Thursday night, depending on whether I have plans with a friend or not.

Never been to Lula, but we'll probably wait to go there just the 2 of us. Jess' Mom has specific tastes I think.

If we finish up with dinner early I'll give you a call, Nat. PM me your number.

Lula is great. Organic, fresh ingredients, etc.

If you want to go and have French - really good French in a cozy homestyle (when I mean homestyle, I mean in the tradition of the Parisian bistros of France), then go to Kiki's Bistro on Franklin, just off Chicago.

Very affordable, high quality and really good dishes. Make reservations.

No pretense there either.

Lula is the go-to, impress-those-who-need-impressing place that makes adults feel less sketched out about Logan Square. Their carrot cake is the one dessert in Chicago that I care anything about.

Alright, who else's in?

No pretense is key.

How are the prices? Should I not wear jeans and my bright green track wars tshirt?

You can wear anything there; another perfect aspect. If you go casual/sloppy though, make sure it's hip casual/sloppy. Things referencing bikes are good.

nat I'ma come. can I come?

No pretense is key.

How are the prices? Should I not wear jeans and my bright green track wars tshirt?

personally, that is what i wear everywhere. and if i dont look classy enough for them, then they dont deserve my money. i dont care how good the food is. if im ****in payin to be somewhere, they shouldnt be the ones to tell me what to wear, i mean, im providing them with a ****in paycheck right? i wouldnt go to work and tell my bosss that im not gonna do my job that day because his clothes are not good enough for me.

thats just the way i see it

Check for yourself: http://kikisbistro.com/

Though, I clean up very well.

In some circles, the word "metrosexual" abounds.

I beat them down.

nat I'ma come. can I come?

Hells yes. If I'd have known, I would have advertised as such.

personally, that is what i wear everywhere. and if i dont look classy enough for them, then they dont deserve my money. i dont care how good the food is. if im ****in payin to be somewhere, they shouldnt be the ones to tell me what to wear, i mean, im providing them with a ****in paycheck right? i wouldnt go to work and tell my bosss that im not gonna do my job that day because his clothes are not good enough for me.

thats just the way i see it


I agree, but I've been socialized to not look like a ****ing turd if everyone else looks at least half way decent. I don't want to show up with greasy hair and dirt tinged jeans when everyone else is wearing a shirt with a collar and nice pants. But that's just me, I suppose.

I live two blocks from Lula. I have to disagree with almost everyone here and say that it was just average. I will probably never go back there because in a city this big I want to have good food nightly. So if that means going back to a place that didn't impress than I am probably not going to go there again. So far only two places in this city have met that criteria for my girlfriend and I:

El Cid #2 on Kinzie in Logan Square
and
McNamara's on Irving Park Road across the street from Get a Grip cycles.

Both of these places have fantastic service and fantastic food.

Lula's has mediocre food and lousy pretentious service.

eSaRe

p.s. I do like amdream's comment on how it is the place to bring your parents to assure them that logan square is okay!

I agree, but I've been socialized to not look like a ****ing turd if everyone else looks at least half way decent. I don't want to show up with greasy hair and dirt tinged jeans when everyone else is wearing a shirt with a collar and nice pants. But that's just me, I suppose.

guess thats a differance between you and me, i just dont care.

McNamara's on Irving Park Road across the street from Get a Grip cycles.

Both of these places have fantastic service and fantastic food.


i gotta agree with SR here... McNamara's is excellent! good place to just lounge or have a fantastic dinner.
as far as french bistros... Le Bouchon (on Damen) is good. they have decent prices and a really good onion tart appetizer.

I live two blocks from Lula. I have to disagree with almost everyone here and say that it was just average. I will probably never go back there because in a city this big I want to have good food nightly. So if that means going back to a place that didn't impress than I am probably not going to go there again. So far only two places in this city have met that criteria for my girlfriend and I:

El Cid #2 on Kinzie in Logan Square
and
McNamara's on Irving Park Road across the street from Get a Grip cycles.

Both of these places have fantastic service and fantastic food.

Lula's has mediocre food and lousy pretentious service.

eSaRe

p.s. I do like amdream's comment on how it is the place to bring your parents to assure them that logan square is okay!


My tummy is now grumbling for El Cid's Chimichanga. God damn that is deep fried heaven on a plate.

So will there be riding this weekend, or just a bunch of eating?

I vote for eating.

SR - that is the difference between tastes, service aside.

I'll agree on El Cid, but that's a different kind of comparison. Just like how you don't care for the Handlebar but I do.

You're entitled to your opinion and I, mine.

That is what makes the world go round.

My opinion is supreme to all others! Bow down and never go to Lula's again!

Beat Pedler....you turn 21 yet? because I haven't been to a 21st birthday party in a long time and I have lots of experience...i am sure others would love to join in! I will bring the o'douls!

I am just right and you and all others know it! I am never wrong! If I was wrong you and the rest of this mighty bike forums gang would know it! Because I would admit it! I am always right when it comes to opinions.

Beat Pedler....you turn 21 yet? because I haven't been to a 21st birthday party in a long time and I have lots of experience...i am sure others would love to join in!

dec. 23




I will bring the o'douls!

you've been known to do that in the past...

dec. 23


you've been known to do that in the past...

Damn that has to suck to have your birthday so close to Christmas! I was always happy having mine in July because I got gifts spread out throughout the year! But, I might be intown. If not a few of us will make sure you have a grand time on new years!

Can you say shots?

noone tell rhombus about the 21st birhtday party, we dont need to worry about his safety on his ride home again!

guess what today is my b-day....hehe....ihavent celebrated a b-day in like ten years..

Can you say shots?
oh...I am in on this one for sure. Pray now, beat: the gods do not understand drunks (all that well). :)

i'll be in town on thursday night, i'm thinking. ****ing wasted as ****.

damn. you would swear by looking at my posts that i am just an idiot talking to myself....

ha....

thursday night might be done by hereNT and i depending on how well he feels by pulling an all nighter back in minneapolis to make the train...

eSaRe

thurs nite should be cool for me. looks like i won't be able to finish my new track build in time for the weekend tho.

:(

oh, and on the restaurant tip, we went to an above average turkish place called
Turquoise Caffe up in Roscoe village. Amazing food, service, atmosphere. White table cloths, but didn't feel uncomfortable in Jeans.

oh, and on the restaurant tip, we went to an above average turkish place called
Turquoise Caffe up in Roscoe village. Amazing food, service, atmosphere. White table cloths, but didn't feel uncomfortable in Jeans.

Turkish breakfast at Turquoise on Sundays is A M A Z I N G--one of the most slept-on breakfasts in the city. All of $12 gets you what works out to be about a 10-course parade of salads and omelettes and baked goods and fruit--all served with a glass of champagne. No menu: you sit, it starts. Last time I went it was completely empty. Wholly ridiculous on all fronts.

Whats up, Im new to this forum and would like to come out for the ride. I ve been riding with a bunch of 40-50 year olds on their Colnagos and Merlins for the past 4 years and I need to meet some younger crowd, closer to my age (26). I am assuming the meeting place is actual Wicker Park so I will try to make it. I will follow up to see what the departure time is.

thurs nite should be cool for me. looks like i won't be able to finish my new track build in time for the weekend tho.

:(

did you get a new frame schloe?

ill keep my eyes peeled, i get off work in oakbrook at 9:30 on thrusday and then I am devoted to the MNG until I have to go back to school Tuesday of next week, one week from today!

did you get a new frame schloe?

woah, sorry for the late reply. time flies.

i won a carlton track frame on ebay but it has not yet shown up in the mail.

woah, sorry for the late reply. time flies.

i won a carlton track frame on ebay but it has not yet shown up in the mail.


keepin' it british I see. Jolly Good!

keepin' it british I see. Jolly Good!

not trying to be a collector, but i guess it will be cool to have 2..

a lucky find really.. every once in a while i do an ebay search for Carlton parts for my chrome one, and this thing popped up.. wasn't listed as Track in the title so i think it was largely missed. got a pretty good deal on it.

i'm sure i'll be bringing it by the shop when i get stuck on the build!

woah, sorry for the late reply. time flies.

i won a carlton track frame on ebay but it has not yet shown up in the mail.

Oh, my God.

damn. you would swear by looking at my posts that i am just an idiot talking to myself....

ha....

thursday night might be done by hereNT and i depending on how well he feels by pulling an all nighter back in minneapolis to make the train...

eSaRe

I just woke up from a drunken nap inspired by Jameson and Sparks... Haven't started packing yet...

I'll make the train in the morning! Sure I will!!

And, as I was typing this and putting on my shoes, I broke a lace on my left shoe. Still need to go get a second lock from my brother...

I'm doing really good at this whole procrastinating thing...

here's the previous owner's FGG post
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/july/REClassicBikes_aol.htm

i'm a little worried about the rust around the BB, but hopefully it's restorable. maybe a new paint job, we'll see.