An electric boost made a long-distance bike trip to the ‘burbs a breeze

On Wednesday I accomplished my first century (100-mile) experience. An affiliate of mine who I do know via my work in different drugs was providing free bodywork periods for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Individuals of Coloration.) She lives in north-suburban Grayslake and infrequently posts nice images from her bike rides within the space. I initially deliberate on taking my longtail electrical cargo bike bike aboard Metra commuter rail however as soon as I seemed additional into their insurance policies concerning bikes, it was clear to me I used to be going to should bike the 40-plus miles from my house in Rogers Park.

Metra’s bike policy states that “Bicyclists and e-scooter customers should be capable of board and detrain with out help from conductors.” On condition that my bike is over 60 lbs, it could be fairly troublesome for me to raise it onto the prepare on my own. Moreover, Metra’s bike coverage states, “The wheelchair raise can’t be used to load or unload bikes or e-scooters.” And even you’ll be able to carry a cargo bike onto a Metra prepare, its size is likely to be a difficulty, because the guidelines state that “Bikes and e-scooters are to not exceed 70 inches.” In a super world Metra’s trains would simply permit you to roll a motorcycle of any frequent measurement or form bike on board, however we’re not there but. Because it stood, I used to be going to want to get to my vacation spot by a mix of battery and muscle energy.

Courtney Cobbs along with her new electrical cargo bike at 5 Star Household Biking.

On the morning of my experience I used to be excited but in addition just a little nervous. Would I be injured? Would I make it house alive? Would I get misplaced? Would I encounter indignant drivers? I’m pleased to report my experience was general nice. The climate was excellent: sunny and 80 levels. I encountered smiles, nods, and “hellos” alongside the paths. Nonetheless, I’d have to provide the journey a B- ranking as a result of a detailed name with a dump truck driver who honked at me as I used to be driving to the fitting on a highway with “Share the Street” indicators and sharrows (bike-and-chevron symbols), Previous Inexperienced Bay Street, if I recall appropriately. I used to be so startled and afraid he’d run me over that I fell over to the facet of the highway. Fortunately I didn’t maintain any accidents, however I used to be left considerably shaken.

A motorcycle route from Rogers Park to Grayslake (not Courtney’s actual begin or endpoints.) Picture: Google Maps

I loved the bike paths I took: the Inexperienced Bay Path, the Skokie Valley Bike Path, the Desplaines River Path, and the Casey Path. Nonetheless, as a lot as I really like trails, they can’t be an alternative to on-street protected biking infrastructure. It was clear on my experience again that these trails had been solely constructed with recreation in thoughts. My expertise on the Inexperienced Bay Path on the experience house was considerably scary as a result of there isn’t a lighting alongside the path. I had the sunshine of my bike to assist me navigate, however I might have simply been attacked by considerably lurking at the hours of darkness. I did encounter a number of of us alongside the path and solely one in all them had a light-weight. It was a bit unnerving. The Sheridan Street bike lane in Winnetka was good throughout the day however at evening I felt unsafe biking within the painted lane. I largely took the sidewalk alongside Sheridan Street and noticed drivers hugging the road of the painted bike lane.

As soon as I made it house I had logged 82 miles on my odometer. So I charged my battery up a bit and went again out to log 20 extra miles to interrupt 100 miles. I loved the quiet of the streets with little automotive site visitors and imagined a world wherein we are able to all really feel calm in our nervous methods once we experience.