Going South bike tour - Sunday 10/13

Are you curious about bike lanes on the far south side?  Or have you ridden them in the past but been turned off by difficult conditions?  Some of our major routes now sport fresh pavement and improved bike lanes, and conditions are much better than they’ve been in years.  Here’s your chance to check it out, with an optional stop for a special yearly treat: the Pullman House Tour. Info about the house tour is available online. 

Our tour starts  at 10:00 a.m. at Avalon Park, 1200 E. 83^rd St. (between Cottage Grove and Stony Island).  Please arrive early so we can start on time.  We will meet by the northeast corner of the fieldhouse.  There is parking available on the east side of the fieldhouse. 

Here’s a map link for the start location.

Note that Sunday is Chicago Marathon day.  Please allow extra travel time if you're starting from a location north of Hyde Park.  Here's a map of the marathon route.

The route is about 20 miles and includes South Shore, Jackson Park, Vincennes, Major Taylor Trail and more – easier and more pleasant to ride, thanks to smooth pavement and bike lanes.   If you are doing the ride but not the house tour, allow at least 2 hours, as we would like to get photos in a few locations.  

If you intend to do the house tour, allow 2-3 additional hours, depending on how long you spend visiting each house and walking.  Please bring a lock if you are doing the house tour, since it is easiest to lock up your bike near the visitors’ center or the Hotel Florence.  Food and drink will be available for purchase at the house tour, whether you are doing the tour or not.

For more information, contact Anne Alt at s4c.south@gmail.com or 312.520.1641.

Tour de Divvy

Women Bike Chicago is conducting a Tour de Divvy on Thursday, July 25, 2013 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Divvy Station on Randolph between Clark and LaSalle.  Connect with other women cyclists on a casual ride to learn about Chicago's new bike share program.  Divvy is providing free passes and an ambassador to help us all figure it out.

We will check out a few stations, and end at the always wonderful Simone's at 18th and Morgan.  Even Divvy knows how wonderful Simone's is--there is a station right there!

Sunday ride to Chinatown

Join us for a casual Sunday ride to Chinatown on 6/23.  We'll meet at 31st St. Beach at 4 p.m.

Jane Healy (708-308-8662) will lead a casual-paced ride to IIT, Bridgeport, Stearns Quarry/Palmisano Park, Ping Tom Park, and Little Village - about 15 miles, some hills.

Bring $ and your lock for a dinner stop in Chinatown.

Cherry blossom ride

On the subject of staying in touch, I'd like to propose a casual social ride for this Sunday, 4/14.  We'll meet at 31st St. beach house at 10:00 a.m. for a ride of approx. 15 miles to visit Osaka Garden in Jackson Park. After this week's rain and warmer weather, I'm hoping that we'll get to see cherry blossoms.

Osaka Garden

Bikes aren't allowed in the garden, so it's a good idea to bring a lock.  There's a bike rack right outside. 

There are plenty of lunch options in Hyde Park if you want to stop for a bite after visiting the garden.  If you want to get lunch, make sure you bring lock(s)/cable to secure your bike.

If you need transit info to get to the start, click here for CTA map, get CTA route/schedule info here (red line or green line to 35th St., or one of several buses - NOT Lake Shore Dr. express routes) or here for Metra (Rock Island to 35th St.).  If you take Metra, don't forget to bring a bungee cord to secure your bike on board the train.  (18-24" will work.)

Got questions? Give me a call.  312-520-1641

    -- Anne Alt