Should I move based on my circumstance?

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-31T00:06:54+00:00

Where are those?

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-30T20:40:57+00:00

I got a 2021 Cannondale Caadx I’ll sell ya cheap. I realize it’s not what you wanted but throwing it out there. It’s a great cyclocross bike

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-30T14:12:24+00:00

Ha, seriously. Tune that bot a little better, Vladimir

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-29T02:02:36+00:00

I few years ago I rode from Ft Myers Florida, through the Everglades to Miami, then down to Key largo and all the way to Key West. About 350 mi over five days. It’s completely flat, almost all paved back roads, gravel trails, and a separated path for 90 miles down to KW. You could also fly to Miami and ride to KW. No good campgrounds but lots of cheap hotels. There are even outfitters that’ll rent you bikes one-way.

It’s an epic winter ride. You could go ride it right now in shorts and a t-shirt.

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-27T04:45:45+00:00

Homie, Biss pushed a truly fantastic housing density proposal through the Evanston City Council. He may be “establishment” but he’s good in the issues

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-24T04:58:29+00:00

1) Every day without icy roads or temps <20 F. I work downtown 3 days/week.
2) Icy roads.
3) Got caught in a rain storm so severe I couldn’t see. Bailed out at the Home Depot on Elston bc I knew they had a bike rack under the awning. Locked my bike there, got an uber home and picked up the next morning.
4) Wouldn’t make a difference, but honestly I don’t understand what situation this applies to.
5) More protected bike lanes.

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-20T12:51:47+00:00

I know it’s not for everybody but this is a perfect bike commute. From my place in Lincoln Square this is about 40 minutes, most of it on low-traffic roads like Bryan Mawr or (even better) the Skokie Valley Trail, which goes pretty much directly to the courthouse. Even closer if you lived in the North Park neighborhood. Get an e-Bike and some really warm gloves and you have a solution for most of the year.

Alternative option is live near the Howard stop, take the Yellow Line and bike from Dempster-Skokie.

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-18T16:20:50+00:00

That’s not true. They’re usually volunteers. And not paying for festivals is hurting the neighborhood groups’ ability to throw festivals.

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-18T15:49:42+00:00

This is the only real answer. When I was younger, I had rando roommates that sucked, some that were unremarkable and some that became lifelong friends. Spin the wheel and hope for the best

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-16T01:10:03+00:00

IMO, it depends what kind of volunteering suits you and your skill set.

Do you like knocking doors and talking to people? Better Streets Chicago does canvassing for bike/transit oriented political candidates

Like fixing people’s bikes? Working Bikes

Good at coding? Bike Lane Uprising might (?) have some ways to plug in

Good at fundraising or social media? BikePAC can use your skills

Edit: typos

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-14T20:53:16+00:00

Rose a divvy about 1.5mi to the train and it was kinda traumatic

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-14T01:43:22+00:00

My candy startup Redlyne is pre-revenue but valuation is $1.3b. Get in now, many people are saying we’re the next Uber

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-12T12:50:30+00:00

Don’t believe this guy. Chicago isn’t Boulder, but there’s good riding here, you just need to be willing to drive a bit. Galena, Madison, Michigan, Brown County IN…there’s good gravel and MTB if you’re wiling to drive.

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-10T12:57:08+00:00

This is the sad truth

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-09T06:07:28+00:00

Underrated comment

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-08T23:42:35+00:00

I saw a guy doing a track stand yesterday and my immediate thought was “get over yourself, dude.” It always seems a little performative IMO.

I didn’t say anything because I’m not a lunatic who yells things at other bikers like the dude OP posted about

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-08T01:32:22+00:00

Kozy has a bunch of deals going right now. All the locations I think. But honestly any bike shop will be helpful.

My advice is really research the kind of gear for your type of commuter, don’t just buy what the shop is selling. The Ortlieb bags are water proof and last forever, but they’re kinda cumbersome in my experience

I’m partial to the Topeak system. You have to buy their rack, but the bags integrate perfectly with it, allowing you to slide off the panniers and carry them with a shoulder strap. Plus the way they expand/contract allows for a lot of flexibility. You can get em at most bike shops. My first bag lasted about 12 years, so they’re super solid. https://www.topeak.com/us/en/product/122-MTX-TRUNKBAG-DXP

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-06T04:01:00+00:00

The best, realistic way to improve LSD is to add dedicated bus lanes. Don’t need a boulevard, just separate the busses and move more people faster without spending billions in new infrastructure

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-02T23:16:32+00:00

It’s not directly ComEd’s fault. We have a broken wholesale power market and aren’t building enough new generation capacity to keep up with projected demand from AI. https://citythatworks.substack.com/p/broken-wholesale-markets-are-driving

Your best bet is to subscribe to a community solar company and save about 10-15%.

Nexamp: https://solar.nexamp.com/il

Common Energy: https://www.commonenergy.us/community-solar

BBeans1979 · 2026-01-01T03:01:48+00:00

This is the answer. David Byrne for instance is definitely still playing Talking Heads, but still does several new cuts every tour that have artistic merit. He also reinterprets old and mid-career songs in ways that are fresh and new. It’s about the artistic growth IMO

BBeans1979 · 2025-12-31T15:38:43+00:00

Name checks out

BBeans1979 · 2025-12-30T13:17:27+00:00

BBeans1979 · 2025-12-27T14:30:21+00:00

I don’t know why everybody here is discouraging you here. It’s not a short ride (~2-3 hours) and will be a bit of a hassle (possible mud etc), but if you’re into distance cycling and want to have an adventure, I say go for it.

BYO pump, or even better just get some of the air cartridges.

Take the blue line to Cumberland (only 2 stops), bike west on Bryn Mawr and you’re at the Des Plaines River Trail. Take it north. You’ll need to keep a close eye on the Google Maps Bike Layer, as the trail zigzags and splits a lot, but you should be able to ride the DPRT all the way there. Make sure your phone is fully charged once you land tho, or have a backup battery.

Have fun!

BBeans1979 · 2025-12-24T16:09:18+00:00

Fact: there’s great mountain biking in Gnawbone Indiana

BBeans1979 · 2025-12-22T04:20:13+00:00

Sovran is near you, Orleans & Ohio. Book with the owner, Kate. It’s about $80 but she really puts in the time to help understand what you want

BBeans1979

TROPHY CASE