The Most Fun You Can Have off a Bike

Aside from the recent spate of wet and unseasonably cool weather, statistical analysis sits right up there as one of the few things that can completely sap the enjoyment out of cycling in Chicago (the others being meteor-size sinkholes scattered through our city's streets and CTA bus drivers). But as blogger Stuart Tiffen points out, the lovable eggheads over at the Metro Chicago Information Center have a new project around Chicago cycling. The Chicago-based not-for-profit research and consulting organization, which among other things can make custom maps based on its data, will be taking part in Chicago's Bike to Work Week and, ahem, examining Chicago cyclists and their habits. So if you're planning to bike to work next week, you'll be helping some really good people "doing good...do better," or so the MCIC site tells me.

What they'll do with their statistical "porn" once they capture it remains to be seen (although it might not be something we'd want to watch).

Speaking of "doing good," if you're looking for an excuse to get your bike out on Sunday, The Make a Wish Foundation of Illinois will hold its 5th Annual Ride and Stride for Wishes at Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center. Cyclists can choose from a 35-mile or 10-mile ride, and walkers can, well, walk. There will also be a children's parade. It's a good cause, so check it out. You'll find the typical goods: food, entertainment and fully staffed rest stops including refreshments along the bike routes. Registration is $35 per adult and $10 for each child under 10. Online registration closes today, though.

And as CBS2 reported, you can go out to support and cheer on wounded veterans in the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride. It's pretty inspiring stuff. The cycling veterans will be working their way back from Waterloo, Wis., and will end their Midwest tour in Chicago on Sunday with a picnic.

Bonus for next weekend that you can file under "You heard it here first, unless you saw it in the paper, which I where I snatched it from":
If you're a bit more self-involved and the do-gooder lifestyle isn't what you have in mind (trust me, I understand), you might be interested in this Chicago Tribune piece about a developing rail line path on the Northwest Side. While this sounds like the people behind this plan have a lot of chutzpah, I'm having trouble picturing anything other than this. Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail will hold a tour of the elevated rail site at 10 a.m. on June 20 in Churchill Park. Be sure to bring at least a five-spot, the suggested donation. For info, call: 312-427-1979.

And lastly, for those of you who are completely vain and want nothing to do with your peers who ride bikes, you can lose yourself amid the "68,000 acres of adventure" that is the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. After all, there's "no membership required," and you could get yourself plastered on a bus, and countless Chicagoans can watch you exert yourself -- and you won't have to talk to a single one of them.


In closing, I'd just like to thank the political machine of accuweatherbugchannel.com for being way off its game this week. However, after recalibrating my expectations, I now know that "partly cloudy with periods of sun" means "we're rolling on the floor laughing at you because you're gonna get F-ing soaked," and "25% chance of showers means "we're just keeping you on your toes because there's no precipitation within 200 miles."

Enjoy this afternoon's "party to mostly sunny" commute.

-TGOTB