Lizzie, N State St & E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL

I am very excited to have time again to work on Bike Fancy. I had to take the month of September off from blogging but I am back, so please check back and comment often!

~martha

What are you wearing?  The dress I've had for at least 5 years, it comes from a company called Sweetskins, which does organic cotton clothing. The shoes are Fluevog. I started stalking the sales page when I saw some super cute Fluevogs in the "Thought You Knew" bike calendar. http://thoughtyouknew.us/
Make/model color of your bike, and where you got it? It's a Trek which I inherited after an old housemate left it in the basement after she moved out. After 5 years of languishing there I fished her out, fixed her up, and claimed her for my own.
Where are you going? A dive bar!
Why ride? I'm not super patient and I love the constant motion. I've never owned a car, and it's often faster and with less waiting around than the CTA.
Favorite ride? Lakefront path.
While riding you …? If I'm on the lakefront trail I listen to music and sing and dance. If I'm street biking I've got my helmet on, my ears open, and if there's heavy traffic I'm usually muttering "please don't kill me" under my breath.
How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or be more bike friendly? More protected bike lanes and/or lanes with fewer potholes. I got the opportunity to go all over Stockholm last summer on my bike and they have miles and miles of protected lanes, it was glorious.
And other cool, funny tips or stories? I started biking more (and heard about Bike Fancy) because of my bff Kellie, who you photographed back in 2010! http://bikefancy.blogspot.com/2010/11/n-broadway-uptown-chicago-il.html

Guys Week at Bike Fancy

Its that time again, when Bike Fancy turns her camera towards the men of Chicago.  So guys– pick up that suit from the dry cleaners, and shave this week.  Or better yet don't, we like a little scruff.

Daehee & Matthew, E Jackson & S State St, Chicago, IL 

Daehee (left), and Matthew (right)

Daehee

Where are you going? I and headed back to school after lunch.
What bike are you riding and where did they get it?
I am riding a Tommaso D&D fixie.  I bought this online last summer and loving it!
What are you wearing? something cheap? haha i don't know i just wear whatever... i'm a super big fan of Adidas classic
Why ride? for commuting and for fun! riding in the city...is just much better than paying $2.25.
Favorite ride? Bianchi Pista
While riding you …? I'm a painter and graphic designer, so I see the perspectives of this and that... and use them as my resources/references for my works
How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or make Chicago more bike friendly? NEED A BETTER ROAD!

Matthew
Where are you going?  I am going back to work from lunch break.  I work
for NYSE as a developer.
What bike are you riding and where did they get it?  I ride a  Bianchi Pista.  I got it used 3 years ago.  I primarily use it for commuting but recently got a road bike for my first triathlon this year!  
What are you wearing? I’m wearing a Patagonia windshield jacket, Chrome loop pro
knicker, alife everybody low canvas shoes, new era white sox cap!
Why ride?  it's usually faster than cabbing in the city, plus it's
free.  I own a SUV so I feel obligated to ride whenever I can.  =)
Favorite ride?  my serotta tri-colorado!
While riding you …?  I constantly check my surroundings for cars.  I've
had a few accidents with cars, and once my bike got totalled. Since
then I assume everybody's the worst driver when I'm riding.
How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or make Chicago more bike
friendly?  Fix those nasty potholes!!!
Anything else you want to share?  I run asnowboarding group in chicago called Windy City Boarders with around 400 members.  We're planning on group riding session in the off season. 

Tanya, S State & Madison St, Chicago, IL

Tanya rides a a Copper 1983 Schwinn that she got from A Nearly New Shop on Irving Park and Broadway

What are you wearing?  A Turquoise dress and some Vintage Levi cutoffs.
 
Where are you going? Alluya Spa

Why ride?  I ride for a few reasons:   I like it for the access: with a bike you can go places and do things that pedestrians and automobiles can't, like zip through a green light, weave in and out of traffic.  I like that it is fast and that you can always avoid start/stop action by just taking another street if you see a red light up ahead.  And I like the feeling of freedom -- wind hitting your face, all of that!

Favorite ride? I have a friend with a super cool, super fast bike.  I thought that I really wanted a bike like that, but then, he let me take it on a test ride and I realized that my favorite ride is mine!  I like my bike for so many reasons:  it has the capacity to go really fast, but I still have to put some leg action into it.  I get the speed I crave and the work-out I need at the same time.  Also, my bike is super durable and resilient.  It can weather anything!

While riding you … While riding I like to listen to music.  Depending on my outfit, I'll make-believe that I am a bike messenger.

How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or make Chicago more bike friendly?  Personally, I think that Chicago has a pretty good biking system.  There is the lakefront path that travels the entire north/south axis of the city and a lot of streets have that bike lane.  I think it is a matter of helping people realize how fun it is to bike!  I just finished a book called "The 90 Day Solution:  How to Save the World in 90 Days"  where I offer suggestions (such as biking) that encourage people to engage in activities that are not only healthy, but good for the earth as well.  Hopefully, it will help to get more bikers on the road!

Lorene, Wells St. at the Chicago River, Chicago, IL

Lorene rides a single speed maroon Panasonic

 
What are you wearing?  I got this polka dot pattern shirt dress from H&M

Tell me about your bike:   My bike is a single speed put together by an old friend of mine (actually an ex); he found the old maroon Panasonic frame at a thrift store

Where are you going?   I am heading to the UIC School of Architecture to meet some friends to go to an architecture lecture at the AIC

Why ride?? So many reasons...the sense of freedom, the money and time saved, the stress avoided from driving, the ability to see more of the city and feel a part of it in a completely different way, the exercise, and more time outside !!

Do you have a favorite ride? I love riding under the el tracks downtown when it's not too insane (or just down Franklin St. between Chicago Ave. and the merchandise mart).

While riding I...never listen to music, that just seems insanely dangerous to me. I like to try to people watch when I don't have to look for giant-sized potholes in the road.

Chicago could improve biking by fixing up some major potholes on the sides of roads. They seem to disregard those. It's funny to me how Halsted Ave is designated as a major biking street, but the potholes and overall paving of the street are ridiculous...especially between Chicago Ave and Lake St.

Anami, W Armitage Ave & N Humboldt Blvd, Chicago, IL

Stephanie, 700 Block of W Adams, Chicago, IL

How about a little sunshine on this dreary day.

Stephanie rides a Fugi Track that she bought from Cycle Smithy and then repainted.

What are you wearing? A motley assortment of clothing, I'd say! I like to mix-and-match discount/vintage pieces of clothing when I go to work. That way, it doesn't bother me much if I spill coffee (which I always do) all over them. 
I love your paint job tell me about it? I repainted it black with glow-in-the-dark green and yellow splatters.
Where are you going? To sling coffee and pancakes at work in the South Loop.
Why ride? The elements in your face and the rush of speeding through cars and dodging buses. It makes you feel alive. It's also a great contrast - exercise wise - to the yoga I do.
Favorite ride? Down Milwaukee to the Loop from Logan Square in the very early morning of the weekends. It's like a ghost town in the Loop and nothing stops you.
While riding you …? Sing. It doesn't sound good, but it's pretty fun to sing with the wind blowing in your face.How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or make Chicago more bike friendly? More bike lanes! Another lady biker said this on your site as well, but it is sad and scary when you turn down a street in Chicago and there isn't a bike lane.

W Monroe St & S Desplaines St, Chicago, IL

So I stopped Jennifer (not sure that is her name) on the street and then completely lost her name and email.  Email me if you know her.  That said, Totally diggin' the sheer tights with motorcycle boots.

Lucia, 200 Block of W Monroe, Chicago, IL

Lucia rides a gold Schwinn Cruiser. 

Kristine, East Randolph, Chicago, IL

Kristine rides a Gravity Avenue B Road Bike

Cycling Tip from Kristine:  I love wrapping long scarves many times around my neck to help shield from the cold.  And it's a playful way of adding color and style while riding. Especially with a red one and pretending to be the Red Baron!