7 Reasons To Get On Your Bike This Weekend
By Julia Weeman in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 8, 2012 3:00PM
The forecast promises a beautiful weekend for biking and with some help from the Chainlink, we've got the highlights of all the bike-related happenings. With a diverse mix of events, there's something for art appreciators, beer lovers, local foodies, nude activists, and those who seek refinement and afternoon tea. There's a ride for everyone this weekend and all of them are completely free, so pump up your tires and get out in the sunshine!
Friday
RE-CYCLE: Presented by EuroCHI
In addition to the video they made for Bike to Work Week, advertising agency Euro RSCG Chicago has organized an art exhibit featuring 6 artists' interpretations of a bicycle. Check out work by Juan Angel Chavez, Peter Buczynski, Dee Duncan, Scott Rench, Craig Shimala, and Bryan Sperry from 5-8 p.m. today at 36 E. Grand.
North Side Critical Mass
Head over to Senn Park for this monthly ride, ending with food and drink. Meet up at 7 p.m. under Young Lincoln Statue at Ridge and Thorndale and expect to bike about a dozen miles.
Saturday
Bike to Work Week
The Bike Commuter Challenge runs 6/9-6/16. Participation is free - just check out the Active Transporation Alliance's site to create a team or join an existing one and track your rides.
Summer Beer Run to Three Floyds
A joint ride with the Chicago Cycling Club, this ride was conceived by Mark Sinclair in 2006. It normally takes place in January, but the weather is much kinder to cyclists this time of year. The plan is to leave the Clock Tower in Lincoln Park at 9 a.m.. make a stop at the 31st Street Beach House at 9:45 a.m., take a break at Wolf Lake, and head to the Three Floyds brewpub and back. The trip is 70 miles and will be along the Daniel Burnham Centennial route on the way there and the traditional winter route on the way back. There's even a Metra station about 10 miles away for those who don't want to bike round-trip.
Urban Farms Ride
Check out 4 Urban Farms - City Farm, Hull-House Kitchen Farm, Windy City Harvest, and tour the Open House at the Plant, Chicago's first off-the-grid vertical farm and food business incubator. The tour of the Plant costs $5 and includes burgers & brats (including the veggie kind), a beer tasting, and music. Helmets are required for this ride. The ride starts at 9:30 a.m. at City Farm.
World Naked Bike Ride
An annual event that "celebrates the end of the oil era, and promotes positive body image," this ride features cyclists in various stages of nudity - from body paint and beachwear to costumes to au naturel. Bare it all or bare whatever makes you feel free. The location of the ride is not disclosed publicly, but it runs from 8-11 p.m. and you can join their Yahoo Group to find out where to meet up.
Sunday
The Manor & Meadow Tour
Organized by British Bicycles Chicago, this ride starts at 1 p.m. at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook and travels the paths near Fullersburg Woods with stops at Graue Mill and York Tavern. The ride is free, but a $5 donation to Working Bikes gets you a spoke card, run book, and a chance for raffle prizes. Arrive early to picnic on the lawn and expect to return to Mayslake Hall for afternoon tea at 4 p.m.