Take your place at the line

This weekend's springlike weather drew nearly 60 sun-craving cyclists to the xXx Racing - AthletiCo Saturday ride.  It's an incredible number for early March, especially considering much of the team's core is at training camp in San Luis Obispo until next weekend.

Just a share under half were new or non-team members, and a sizable percentage of them had never been on the ride before, let alone raced a bike.  Nerves, shyness, and self-doubt were overcome by curiousity, competitiveness and a sense of adventure; the result was a rewarding experience that's hopefully ignited a fire that should last until the conclusion of the Chicago Cross Cup at Montrose Harbor in early December.

Getting past the nerves and reservations is the biggest step towards fulfulling your dream of finally racing a bike.  Once that registration is completed online or mailed, the goal you've set for yourself is almost self-fulfilling. Now is the time to get out on your bike and ride hard in the warming temperatures, honing your skills in one of the dozens of group rides in the Chicago area.  To rest and recover and replace all those calories you're burning.  To meet new friends and cycling ethusiats.  And, of course, to pick your first race.

Below are several excellent choices for someone new to bike racing to take that first step.  These races are local, with beginner-friendly courses - such as wide turns and smooth pavement - and may have beginners-only fields.  Online registration is or will be available for all of these races.  Category 5 (beginner) fields tend to close faster than most as competitive-cycling's popularity grows.  Don't let that discourage you - there is almost always day-of registration and very rarely does the entire pre-reg'd field show to a race.

  • Gapers Block Crits (March 22-26) – Low key, low tech, low cost racing. Ride to the races each day of the week at Calumet Park on the far South Side.
  • Vernon Hills Grand Prix (May 2, a link will be added registration opens) – A nearby criterium on a four-corner course with smooth pavement.
  • Monsters of the Midway (May 15) – A fun local race on the University of Chicago campus at the Midway Pleasance, a simple four-turn rectangular course amid a beautiful academic setting.
  • Fox River Grove Cycling Challenge (May 16) – The word “challenge” does not do justice the hill that greets the racers immediately after the first turn.
  • Sherman Park Criterium (June 12) – Held in the South Side oasis designed by the Olmsted Brothers of Central Park fame, this 1-mile lap was designed for bicycle racing, feature wide, sloping turns.
  • Glencoe Grand Prix Criterium (August 14) – The newly announced site of the U.S. National Criterium Championships, this challenging course is within riding distance for both spectators and racers alike, just off of famed Sheridan Road along Chicagoland’s North Shore.

New to racing?

Be sure to take advantage of the many online resources at your disposal:

  • Chicago bike racing – Features up-to-date race calendar with links to registration, plus race and local coverage, includes plenty of tips for new riders.
  • USA Cycling – Information on licensing requirements and purchase, as well as rules and regulations.
  • Illinois Cycling Association – The state governing body for racing in Illinois.
  • Be sure to check back here, at the Active Trans Racing Blog, for events, racer profiles, and racing basics. Also be sure to check out training tips at the Coach's Corner, by Randy Warren of xXx Racing.

Take your place at the line this year and open up a whole new world in cycling.  Good luck and go fast! 

Submitted by bmorrissey on Sun, 03/07/2010 - 9:53am
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$5 discount extended until March 9!

We annonuced today that MB Financial Bank will be the title sponsor of Bike the Drive. To celebrate, we have decided to extend the $5 discount to March 9. Sign up today!

Submitted by mkohara on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 3:54pm
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Criminal trial of driver who killed local cyclist is Thursday, March 4, 2010

In April, 2008, Mandy Annis was on her bike and on her way home from school when she was struck and killed by a car just a few blocks away. It's not clear who, if anyone, disobeyed the traffic light but the driver was cited for reckless driving and failure to reduce speed. She was a teacher at Humboldt Community Christian School in Chicago.

The information for the criminal trial of the driver that struck and killed Mandy Annis is as follows:

Thursday, March 4, 2010*
9:00am
Daly Center, 50 W. Washington, Room 405, Chicago IL
*There is a chance it will extend into March 5, 2010

This trial is open to the public and high attendance is expected.

Active Transportation Alliance will be present at the trial to support the friends and family of Mandy Annis.

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Submitted by Rebecca Resman on Tue, 03/02/2010 - 4:30pm
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Signatures needed for 18th and Halsted improvements

Active Transportation Alliance Help make 18th and Halsted safer for pedestrians. Add your signautre to this petition so Ald. Solis, Chicago Dept. of Trans. (CDOT) and Office of Emergency
Management and Communications (OEMC) press forward on improving the intersection.

Add your signature here.

Submitted by mkohara on Tue, 03/02/2010 - 10:26am
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Oak Forest Fleadh: St. Patty's Parade, Open Streets, 5k, adult tricycle relay race and party time/excellent - Saturday, March 13

Get ready to jog, bike and partay…

The Active Trans Planning Team has been working on a non-motorized transportation plan in Oak Forest and we have grown mildly obsessed with that city. On Saturday, March 13, Oak Forest is having a super fun event and we'd love it if you joined us in the celebration. Oak Forest is taking the opportunity celebrate St. Patty's Day in the absence of the usual South Side Parade. This all-day/night event includes a 5k race, a morning of Open Streets, a St. Patrick's parade, an adult tricycle relay race and an Irish Soda Bread contest and lots of specials at bars and restaurants.

The Metra runs from the LaSalle Street station straight to Oak Forest! We will have an Active Trans booth so stop by and say hi!

Lots more info below and here: http://www.oak-forest.org/community/OakForestFleadh.asp

Happy (almost) St. Patrick's Day!!
Katie Tully

 

---------------------------------

What is the Oak Forest Fleadh?

The Oak Forest Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the
City of Oak Forest, will host the 1st Annual Oak Forest Fleadh
(pronounced “flah”) on Saturday, March 13, 2010 on Cicero Avenue between 151st Street and 159th Street. The Fleadh – Gaelic for “festival” – will include a 5K race, open bike ride, family parade, customer appreciation celebrations, and the 2nd annual pub and restaurant open house.

Customer Appreciation Parties - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hosted by local businesses, you’ll enjoy free parking, refreshments and entertainment while watching the open bike ride and parade.

Fleadh 5K Run - 9 a.m.
Midlothian Meadows
Sponsor: National City
Register Below www.signmeup.com/68268

On Cicero Avenue from 151st Street to 159th Street...

Open Bike Ride - 9 a.m.
Sponsor: Active Transportation Alliance

Family Parade - 11 a.m.
Parade Honoree: Chicago Gaelic Park

Pub & Restaurant Open House 5 p.m. - 3 a.m.
A free shuttle will take you to local pubs and restaurants offering food and drink specials and free entertainment.

The shuttle will stop at the Best Western Oak Forest Hotel, which is offering a special rate of $69.99 + tax.

Parking
Free parking is available in the Arbor Commuter Lot at the southwest corner of 159th Street and Oak Avenue. Access to the lot is from Oak Avenue. The free shuttle bus will be making stops at the Metra train station. Gaelic Park will also be offering free shuttle service from their parking lot to Cicero Avenue.

Street closures and traffic control
Cicero Avenue, from 151st Street to 159th Street, will be closed on Saturday, March 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The city's Emergency Management Agency has a plan in place to redirect non-local traffic and allow local traffic to get through the adjacent neighborhoods.

Please drink responsibly
The Oak Forest Fleadh is a family-friendly event. Alcohol is only permitted inside designated areas such as beer tents, beer gardens, pubs, and restaurants. The city's public intoxication and open containers ordinances (135.00) will be strictly enforced.

For further information and to register your group for the parade visit
http://www.oak-forest.org/community/OakForestFleadh.asp

There's something for everyone at the Fleadh (flah)!
 

Submitted by kmtully on Tue, 03/02/2010 - 9:01am
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Your Advocate in Springfield

Have you checked out our newly updated legislative page? Here you can learn about current efforts to make crossings safer for pedestrians, increase funding for Safe Routes to School and protect red light cameras. 

We welcome your comments on our legislative agenda. Please email us at info@activetrans.org. 

 

Submitted by dpersky on Mon, 03/01/2010 - 6:55pm
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Lakefront Trail Conditions March 1

The Oak Street Bend to Ohio Street section of the Lakefront Trail has seen some attention recently. A plow has been run through this section and although it has not scraped the snow and ice completely away, it won't take much warm weather to have bare pavement in this section of the Trail. I was able to ride this section of the Trail this Monday morning with a front cross tire and a rear road tire on my cross bike but I did have to ride over some snow and ice.

The section of the paved Trail just south of Fullerton has also been plowed and is now rideable. The south-bound lane has bare pavement while sections of the north-bound side still has some snow and ice.

Submitted by rwarren on Mon, 03/01/2010 - 1:24pm
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Hear that screeching noise?

That's the sound of the entire federal transportation program coming to a complete standstill, thanks to the political posturing of one lame-duck senator. Please note this post does not represent any endorsement of one particular party over another.

Yes, last Thursday Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) decided to hold up not only the Highway Trust Fund extension (the transportation bill that funds nearly all federal roadway projects - it expired in 2009, but Congress hasn't gotten around to reauthorizing it yet), but federal unemployment benefits, too. In the middle of a recession. Seriously.

The fallout, according to the U.S. DOT:

  • 2,000 DOT employees furloughed;
  • all transportation projects on federal lands halted, due to the recall of federal inspectors;
  • federal drunk driving programs suspended;
  • stoppage of hundreds of millions in reimbursements to states for transportation projects;
  • COBRA and unemployment insurance benefits suspended for 400,000 people

Satisfaction from political payback to a party that wouldn't back your re-election bid: temporary and fleeting.

Cost to the country for holding hostage much needed aide and employment during a financial crisis: priceless.

 

Submitted by mgeraci on Mon, 03/01/2010 - 11:40am
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Your Input Needed – Take Our Survey for a Chance at a $100 Prize!

If you’re reading this, then we want your feedback! Active Trans is doing a survey to learn how to better serve our community of bikers, pedestrians and transit riders. This is our primary way to keep our fingers on the pulse of our movement, so we hope you can find 10-15 minutes to click through our questions for us. Plus, not only is your input a great way to strengthen our work, but you’ll also be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a $100 REI gift certificate! Be sure to fill it out soon for your chance to win – the survey closes March 21.

Take the 2010 Active Trans Survey: 

Submitted by lcrandell on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 10:40am
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