Day 137. Sept 8th. Saturday. Road trip to Chicago

Got up at 5, on the road by 6, and arrived around 10.  Drove out of the rain to dry roads about half hour or so from Chicago.  That was nice.

First thing I noticed once off the interstate in town was the number of impatient drivers who honk their horns.  My gosh, that is irritating.  If you don’t move when some one thinks you should, the driver behind you goes Beserk.  How rude.

I walked in with my bike and immediately met three other riders who were putting their bikes together and getting ready to go for a test ride.  So I changed my clothes right away and rode with them on the Lake Shore bike path.  That sure was better than sitting around until 4 when I could check in.  As we left the hostel, I was thinking I needed a jacket which the guys agreed.  Never did I think it would be any less than 80+ degrees but it was almost chilly.  We were ok once we started riding.  Why couldn’t we have had that cool weather on the farm.  We could have accomplished so much more.  The high today here was 69.

I have to say I am impressed so far with downtown Chicago.  The streets are clean, they have huge planters planted very nicely, and even an heirloom garden a block from the hostel.  Not what I was expecting.  There are over 150 different heirloom flowers and vegetables in those plots.  Really nice.

Also, a block from the hostel is a huge water fountain on the edge of the park.

Went to dinner with five of the guys.  An interesting group so far.  Should be a fun group.

Author: bikeral2000

Retired musician, now gardener and cyclist. View all posts by bikeral2000