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Bike takeover! It's happening in August—the big, beautiful diverse community of cyclists—commuters, couriers, racers, environmentalists, survivalists, people from every point along the political spectrum—are all taking responsibility, calorie-for-calorie, for getting themselves around town. Burning dead dinosaurs is certainly no way to roll, not in this fine weather! Slowly the worldwide trend is turning around, fewer people are idolizing the internal combustion engine as a symbol of freedom and are getting back to that sweet, beautiful formula, the most efficient form of transportation known. Two wheels, one chain, and the open road. Open Streets Saturday, August 1, 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m., various locations on Chicago's West Side www.activetrans.org/openstreets Inspired by the popular “Cyclovia” events that have transformed cities throughout South and Central America, the City of Chicago has paired up with the Active Transportation Alliance to open a long span of our city streets for walking, biking, playing, dancing, blading, jogging, and activities. The route starts in Logan square and winds through the west side through Humboldt Park, Garfield Park, Douglas Park, and ends down on 24th Boulevard. Performances, games, art activities, and fitness classes will be featured along the route. Free! Join in at any part of the route, see the website for the full map. First Friday Critical “Mini-Masses” Friday, August 7 The fun festive monthly bike rides Chicagoans have come to know and love on the last Friday of each month have grown to the point that smaller “mini-masses” have sprouted up and are growing in neighborhoods and suburbs. Several mini-masses happen every first Friday of the month, with others organizing periodically. If you live or work near Wicker Park (north side of Chicago), Hyde Park, Oak Park or Evanston, bring your self-powered transportation mode and hook up with your local mass for a smaller, more intimate experience with fellow velorutionaries! If you're interested in starting a monthly ride in your town or neighborhood, the webmasters at chicagocriticalmass.org will publicize your ride. As the weather warms and gas prices rise, no doubt we'll see quite a few spring up over the next few months. Watch this space for updates. Free.
Blue Island Kiddie Mass Fridays, August 7, 14, 21, 4:00 p.m., 121st and Maple, Chicago “Mass up” with the kids, their bikes, and meet like-minded families at 121st and Maple Ave. Running April–October, this south-side family friendly group bike ride happens every Friday except the last Friday of the month. Free! Fork and the Road Local Vegetarian Chicago Tour Saturday, August 1, 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Lincoln Park, Chicago Get to know Chicago in an up-close and personal way. Explore the city's neighborhoods by bicycle with us as your guides. Experience a wide range of unique food. Talk with restaurant owners, cooks and shopkeepers passionate about what they do. This 22-mile ride starts at Lincoln and Clark and travels through the Green City Market. You'll meet an artisanal cheese provider in historic Oak Park, and chefs using local, seasonal ingredients to prepare cuisine from around the world. $60. Chicagoland Veggiefest 2009 Saturday–Sunday, August 8–9' 4S175 N. Naperville Wheaton Rd. in Naperville http://veggiefestchicagoland.org This year's Veggiefest is more exciting than ever. Live music, activities for kids, health talks by professionals, an “Ask the Expert” booth, cooking demos with free samples, and thousands of like-minded vegetarians and veg-curious people in the community! One hundred vendors, restaurants and exhibitors will be present on site, including two of Chicago's top veggie restaurants: The Chicago Diner and Karyn’s. Plus you can take the Metra and ride the $3 shuttle from the Lisle station. Admission is free! North Side Critical Mass Ride Friday, August 14, 7:00 p.m., Peterson, Ridge and Thorndale, Chicago http://chicagocriticalmass.org The far northside contingent of Critical Mass has started meeting for spirited group rides in the Rogers Park, Edgewater, Ravenswood, Albany Park and Lincoln Square neighborhoods. Last month’s ride took participants through some gorgeous area parks and ended at a much-beloved area gathering spot, the Fire Side Restaurant. Northsiders, come collaborate with your neighbors, and bring your wheels. Chicago Perimiter Ride Saturday, August 22, 9:30 a.m.–2:00 a.m., Wicker Park, Chicago The Perimeter Ride is a popular annual ride circumnavigating the City of Chicago. A slow, near-century ride (around 100 miles) in length, there will be plenty of time for stopping, snacking, skinny-dipping and sightseeing. Explore parts of Chicago you've never seen before! Meet at the Wicker Park fountain, 1425 N. Damen Avenue.
Critical Mass Friday, August 28, 5:00 p.m.–?, Daley Plaza at Deaborn and Washington Streets, Chicago Join up with thousands of radically individual cyclists in the heart of the loop begins this experience. Part protest, part party, part spectacle, this joyous, non-competitive ride has been happening the last Friday of every month for over ten years. Festive attire recommended, but come as you are. August is one of the year's biggest, expect to see a huge parade of 3,000 this year!
Laughing Ride to Promote World Peace Monday, August 31, 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Addison at the Lakefront Donna Nelson, northside detox guru and laughter yogini will take cyclists on a local peace tour while chanting some heehee-hahahas along the way! Smiles are mandatory, peace t-shirts recommended, as well as anything you can bring to inspire people to laugh! Red prosthetic noses, rubber chickens, goofy costumes—break out the arsenal of fun. Meet at the totem pole at Addison and the Lakefront. Free, parking is ample. Riders will start with some laughter and breathing exercises, and go for a fun ride around the area. This is a monthly event just getting underway. Go, so you can say you know it from way back when!
Is there a Green Event you’d like to see here? Send an e-mail to k@thleen.org. Special thanks to Repto for the Kiddie Mass tip!
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