Commuting - Chicago- Winter Bike to Work Day is January 20

I'm getting me some free cheesecake! Whooooooo! :)

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Winter Bike to Work Day is January 20

Celebrate the anniversary of Chicago's coldest recorded day! The official temperature at O'Hare was -27° on January 20, 1985. 36 mph wind gusts produced wind chills as low as -93°.

No matter how cold or snowy January 20 is in 2005, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is encouraging everyone to commute to work by bicycle. If you work in downtown Chicago, stop by our tent in Daley Plaza (Dearborn and Washington) between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. for a warm drink and treat, compliments of Eli's Cheesecake, as well as prizes from Bokoo Bikes. If you work elsewhere, ride to work and then send us an e-mail at wintercycling@biketraffic.org to tell us about your experience.
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Good post, thanks for the heads up. I remember the coldest day--I was driving overnight to Minnesota.

Unfortunately (?) my current project involves mostly work at home. If the weather is good (none of this 5 degree high stuff) maybe a ride downtown to get some dessert.

Wonder if Metra will have a table at the event? ;)

I'm going after I do my ride and run. :) I love Eli's cheesecake.

Koffee

let us not forget the other events as part of the iCICLE bike fest this week and all winter long posted on www.bikewinter.org

see you all around on thursday

Check it out:

http://www.chibikefed.org/

Chicago pretty much outdoes St Louis in every way . . . geez, we suck.

My first thought was "Bike to Work Day" in the middle of January, are they crazy?! Then I looked at the site and saw that the cold was the point, and that it was portrayed as kind of a fun and macho Chicago winter thing. Still, part of me thinks it's kind of irresponsible. Normal winter temps are one thing, but what we've been seeing the last two mornings is a whole 'nother level. I hope they're also educating people about how to do it safely.

Mid-30's today, feels like a heatwave compared to the sub-zero windchills we've had the past week.
Tomorrow should be the same, so it won't be too bad.

My first thought was "Bike to Work Day" in the middle of January, are they crazy?! Then I looked at the site and saw that the cold was the point, and that it was portrayed as kind of a fun and macho Chicago winter thing. Still, part of me thinks it's kind of irresponsible. Normal winter temps are one thing, but what we've been seeing the last two mornings is a whole 'nother level. I hope they're also educating people about how to do it safely.


I think what you've been seeing out east is something we've been experiencing for a while. That's our normal, even if for you guys, it's not normal or comfortable. People still ride to work in weather when it's below zero. I don't think it's irresponsible to invite them for a cheesecake and coffee.

They really do work to promote year round cycling in Chicago. Dressed properly, you can pretty much ride in any temperature, although it will get unsafe when you're in the higher negatives. Check out the website they have for Chicago bike riders here: http://www.bikewinter.org/

I think we're good here in Chicago.

Koffee

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Winter Bike to Work Day is January 20

Celebrate the anniversary of Chicago's coldest recorded day!
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-- I applaud you hardy midwestern cyclists (from the comfort of my mild California winter)

..

Well I went this morning. I had to teach this morning, so I did my 2 classes, then jumped my bike and rode through the snowstorm. I thought for sure they'd be closed out since the snow was getting pretty bad and it was freezing, but when I got there, they were in full swing.

There was a guy there passing out flyers about upcoming events for the Chicago Bike Federation, which was cool. I was pretty tempted to attend at least one event.

I also met a couple of women from Cycle Sisters. They were fun to talk to.

I got a slice of the Eli's Cheesecake with chocolate chips and some cocoa, and a bunch of us walked around and just talked to other folks. I finally met the "Hi" guy- this guy that rides around with a poster on his back that says "Hi" and has a big smiley face on it. I told him I'd seen him around town when I ride around the Sears Tower area, and we had a fun chat. He actually was thinking of putting an electric motor on his bike, and I screamed "No!". He laughed and was like "well, what should I do with my front wheel then?", and I said something like "use leg power?". We were all laughing. Turns out someone stole his other bike, and this was his new bike, so he wants to fix up his new ride (which is still a pretty old looking bike).

We all stood around and sucked down the cocoa until 9am, and as soon as it turned 9am, the guys started breaking down the tent and table, and I snagged one last piece of cheesecake, then rode with one of the Cycle Sisters for a few blocks.

All and all, it was a fun time. I'm glad I went.

Koffee

[QUOTE=koffee brown]I'm getting me some free cheesecake! Whooooooo! :)

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QUOTE]

Koffee I thougt you were the cheesecake!
Joe

No, I'm the koffee! ;)

Koffee