Continental
(Alternate title: Happy Birthday Alan)
6.2.2k6

Back in '93 I got me a job on East Erie street in Chicago:


I lived a few miles north on N. Clark Street:



It didn't take me long to realize that riding my bike to and from work would rule for several reasons: It don't cost nothin'; It's good exercise; It's fun.

I developed a route I called "The Town and Country," named so because I'd go through the park along the lakefront and then cut through a smallish north-south street that ran parallel to the v. busy Michigan Ave. I stayed away from traffic as much as possible and because it was flat I didn't have much work to do so I would basically "enjoy the ride."

I left Chicago in 1996 and continued riding to work in SF. This time it was all street and half of that was up- or downhill depending on whether I was going to work or coming home. It was downhill to work and that meant rocketing down the Hyde street hill. I had learned the timing of the lights and could often make it all the way down and across Market St. without stopping. I went as fast or faster than cars and learned quickly that I had to be really careful or I'd get splattered. While this was enjoyable, it wasn't the same. Oh and in SF, it was always a cool or cold ride. Even uphill.

All of this leads to my new ride-to-work experience here in LA. I live a couple miles south of the studio and have developed a route along Santa Monica's side streets and beach. It's flat and quiet and again I have nothing to do but pedal and enjoy the ride. I had a thrilling sense of deja vu riding to work in the morning in a warm climate. It was like Chicago. I put the slick tires I've held onto for years on my auxillary bike (not expendible but not expensive) that I've held onto for years and it happens to be the CroMoly Gary Fisher I rode in Chicago. Same terrain. Same bike. Same weather. You should try it.

Tonight - Sneaky Tiki.

Here's tonight's: Find the Reference!

Rush to the tiki bar tonight and buy LinkeyLoo Coordinator Alan J. Chimenti a bev and wish him a Happy 25th Birthday again.

bye-ee!

whrr ... clik!