Recumbent Recovery, One Day at a Time

Chicago is a bike-friendly city, as witnessed this morning when "Bike to Work Week" Cheerleaders were offering free smoothies to cyclists. I politely declined by completely ignoring their overture, but this didn't stop them from yelling that I was "totally awesome" for riding my bike. This I also politely ignored by not even acknowledging them. I'm clearly not that nice a person. But I think the valuable lesson you should take away is that Chicago is, in fact, bike-friendly and you shouldn't render judgment based on my anti-social and unfriendly behavior. It takes a village, as our delightful pant-suited secretary of state once said. And from what I could tell this morning, that means it takes a whole lot of volunteers to give out a handful of smoothies.

On this morning's commute, I also confirmed that summer is indeed upon us, as I saw my first recumbent bike commuter of the season. I tried to snap a picture with my phone, but as you may or may not know, recumbent riders are deceptively quick (when compared with pedestrians). But for "actual reenactment" purposes, here's the bike, and the rider looked not unlike this fellow.

Now I don't look down on any types of cyclists and I support cycling in all its forms. This is exactly why I don't consider riding a recumbent a "type of cycling." I look at this in the same way that cities across the country swept the crack cocaine epidemic under the rug, even if the siren's song does have a sinfully soulful voice:


But as I read somewhere once, recovery is a lifelong process. My stepfather is a perfect example. No, he doesn't wear eyeliner or show up in the tabloids smoking crack, but he is a former recumbent owner and rider. It has been one-and-a-half years since his last recumbent ride, before he sold his "bike" to an eager buyer in Japan (complete with orange flag for the back), but my stepdad freely admits that he "has not gotten the recumbent out of his system." It is a daily struggle for our entire family to keep him on a conventional bicycle.

As I feel my eyes welling up, I want to encourage you to help those in need. Next time you laugh profusely at a recumbent rider, remember that his or her dignity has spiraled out of control and you should probably laugh and stare just a little less. And if you happen to ride a recumbent "bike," please remember the potential effect of your actions.

One other personal note/half-assed (pun intended) product review before moving on. I rode this morning for the first time with my new WTB Speed-V Comp saddle and was duly impressed. You'll note in the image below that WTB uses a patented technology called the "Love Channel," which the company describes as having one very important task: "protecting your body from unwanted pressure. The central depression provides soft-tissue relief without sacrificing the structural integrity of the saddle."

Personally, I would call it more of a "taint protection section," but that's why I'm not a marketing genius. Anyhow, it's been only one ride, but it's an improvement to say the least.

Now on to some links (in no particular order because I'm lazy):

Tonight is the first race of the season in the Soldier Field Cycling Series, if you're looking to catch some steamy spandex action.

Coming up in a couple weeks is L.A.T.E. Ride 2009, which will kick off July 11 at 11 p.m. and wrap up at 6 a.m. the following morning. This event is perfect for the recreational meth user.

It's nearly two months away, but mark your calendars for the "Bicycle Film Festival," coming to Chicago Aug. 12-15. I think someone famous said once that "being there is half the battle," but there should be some good films (that were most likely shot on digital video).

@bikechicago earlier today on Twitter linked to a good article with tips for biking in wet weather.

Metromix has a listing for "Open Streets." On Aug. 1, sections of the boulevard system running through Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Garfield Park, North Lawndale and Little Village close to motorized vehicles, allowing cyclists, walkers and others to hit the streets. Activity stations along the 8-mile route include exercise classes, performances and kids' activities.

Not news, per se, but the endeavors of avid cyclist Mayor Daley continue to spread cheer.

You can find various Chicago bike route maps online and at local bike shops, but here's a link to one created by someone with Google Maps.

Until next time, D.A.R.E. to keep kids off recumbents.

-TGOTB