Chris, W Caton St, Chicago, IL

Chris rides a Surly Long Haul Trucker with waterproof panniers from a small bike shop in Amsterdam

Cycling Tip from Chris: "If you bike anywhere in or near Chicago, you should be a member of the Active Transportation Alliance (link: http://www.activetrans.org/membership). The staff members and volunteers of this non-profit work tirelessly to improve biking, walking, and transit in the Chicago Region. The greater our membership, the louder our voice, and the more resources Active Trans has to get things done. (Full disclosure: I serve on the board of directors)."

Also Follow Chris' advice and: "Get out your vote next Tuesday, February 22 (link: http://www.chicagoelections.com/), for mayoral and aldermanic candidates who appreciate the importance of biking, walking and transit. I'm on the political action committee of  Walk Bike Transit.  We help foster relationships between constituents and locally elected officials around active transportation issues.  Sign up at http://walkbiketransit.org/signup "

Ben, Thomas and Hoyne, Chicago, IL

Ben rides a Surly Long Haul Trucker Road Bike

Ben Says: "I purchased my Surly from a small bike shop in Port Townsend Washington, originally, to ride from Anchorage, Alaska to Mexico. I only got as far as Portland, but fell in love with the bike.  I still use it for long-distance touring, but it doubles as a great winter bike. I got rid of my car 4 years ago. I ride Pretty much everywhere, all the time – in Chicago and around my office in Lombard.   I love winter riding."