Grid Shots: Weekend cycling events

There were two whacky events on Saturday: the Afterglow post-season cyclocross race in muddy and snowy Humboldt Park, and the Dreidel & Santa Rampage!, an event with seemingly no other purpose than to have a fun bike ride and perpetuate the tradition (you must be dressed as Santa, an elf, or a dreidel to join).

A cyclocross race is like riding a souped-up road bike on a track people would normally ride mountain bikes on. And there’s always jeering and costumes.

[flickr]photo:6529944179[/flickr]

Audrey can often be found at races with a megaphone “encouraging” riders to stop going so slow.  Continue reading Grid Shots: Weekend cycling events

Grid Shots: The CTA’s holiday train

The Chicago Transit Authority’s holiday train began service the day after Thanksgiving last month and continues through December 22, 2011. You pay the same CTA fare to ride it; find where it will run next on the holiday train webpage. The next run is Wednesday, December 7, 2011, on the Pink Line (see the detailed schedule). All photos are from frequent Grid Chicago contributor, Jeff Zoline.

[flickr]photo:6427558873[/flickr]

The holiday train at 63rd/Ashland on the Green Line East/63rd branch.  Continue reading Grid Shots: The CTA’s holiday train

Grid Shots: Best and worst intersections

Update December 2, 2011: Mike Stephen asked me for the Outside The Loop radio broadcast some more questions about these choices. 

[flickr]photo:4825411303[/flickr]

Halsted Street and Roosevelt Road (worst)

Because of its proximity to two on-ramps and two off-ramps of the Dan Ryan highway, traffic is very congested through this intersection. Many times it negatively affects bus transit and sometimes semi-trucks are stuck blocking cross-direction traffic. Possible solutions include eliminating some of the ramps or ramp traffic or enforcing a “don’t block the intersection” rule. Continue reading Grid Shots: Best and worst intersections

Grid Shots: Vintage Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago photographer Oscar Arriola posted these old Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) map and brochure covers to his Flickr photostream. Jared Kachelmayer posted even older brochures to our Flickr group.

[flickr]photo:6349313703[/flickr]

System map from February 1993, which includes the rail system reroutes that created the Red and Green Lines.  Continue reading Grid Shots: Vintage Chicago Transit Authority

Grid Shots: Pedestrian access edition

[flickr]photo:6342617572[/flickr]

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) began construction Thursday, November 10, 2011, to restore a lighted signal and crosswalk at 500 S Lake Shore Drive. 

I went on a four-hour bike ride today to gather photos of interesting things, including people walking and cycling in the 65°F warm and windy weather. I came across several places where pedestrian access had become an issue. These issues were manufactured by construction projects, clashing with the City of Chicago’s Complete Streets policy. Continue reading Grid Shots: Pedestrian access edition

Grid Shots: Bicycle Film Festival

What a busy weekend! One that I was mostly sick for, but I still made it out to 3 of the 5 screenings, a few minutes of Goldsprints (John stayed longer), and the BMX BBQ JAM.

The Bicycle Film Festival was held at the Logan Square Auditorium (2539 N Kedzie Blvd) and the BMX BBQ JAM (with free veggie burgers from River Valley Kitchens) was held at the Logan Square skate park (2430 W Logan Blvd). I’ll be writing reviews of some of the films in a couple weeks.

[flickr]photo:6320794219[/flickr]

Alexis Finch (left) and pinup girl Jana Kinsman (right) talk to filmgoers about the Thought you Knew (TyK) project and sell calendars. Continue reading Grid Shots: Bicycle Film Festival