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

Boo, W Kinzie St & N Franklin St, Chicago, IL

Boo rides a built out Republic brand frame road bike

What are you wearing?
Dress: H&M, Sweater: AKIRA, Shoes: ASOS, Bag: BAGGU, Turquoise Cuff: Vintage- It was my mom's. Watch: Seiko
Make/model color of your bike, and where you got it?
My bike is 85% Republic brand. Frame: Aristole, Color: Putty. The handles, peddles, axle, and front wheel all come from various other sources, all on ebay. I'm slowly customizing each piece but the frame and aqua back wheel will never change.
Where are you going?
Home! I've just finished work at the furniture showroom next door and I'm headed to dinner with friends.
Why ride?
So many reasons. For me, (besides being able to go anywhere without parking) I bike because it is enables exploration. Biking is the pace that I like the view the world in; Cars are too fast so you can't really take in the scenery, and when I'm walking I can't cover enough ground. I could ride around the streets of Chicago endlessly, scoping out new neighborhoods, restaurants, buildings, and parks.
Favorite ride?
I love to bike from my neighborhood (Fulton Market) to Wicker Park for dinner or ice cream on summer nights. The landscape goes from old warehouses to picturesque tree-lined streets and it is the perfect distance for a casual ride.
While riding you …?
I don't know. I think I hum sometimes, but mostly I just daydream and watch the world go by.
How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or be more bike friendly?
Chicago is in the process of installing bike lanes all over the city and it seems like everytime I'm out riding there's a new lane up. It is definitely getting better, but there are still so many places where traffic gets scary. I'm eager for all the roads to have a safe space to ride in.
And other cool, funny tips or stories?
My husband always clips my bike light onto the back of my shirt for safe night riding but we both seem to forget it's there when I arrive at my destination, so I'm often walking through restaurants blinking red and wondering why I'm getting so many stares.
We actually registered for bikes for our wedding and had our friends and family pool funds to buy them for us. We just decided that what we wanted most to start our life together was a set of perfect new wheels. So consider that, if you're about to get married!
No matter how you get a bike, you wont regret it. I don't know how I lived without mine.

Guys Week– Phillip, N State St & E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL

Phillip rides a Chicago-built Schwinn Suburban from Blue Moon Bikes in Sycamore, Illinois.

What are you wearing? Jos. A. Bank bow tie, Stafford pinstripe suit (jacket in pannier), Calvin Klein fedor dress shoes.
Tell me about your bike, and where you got it? My bike is a restored 1976 Chicago-built Schwinn Suburban, it was my project bike two years ago.  I purchased the frame from Blue Moon Bikes in Sycamore, Illinois.  Blue Moon is a hidden gem for bike enthusiasts.  The owner, Rod Griffis, is a Schwinn fanatic. He maintains the largest and most complete collection of Sting-Rays I have ever seen.
Where are you going?  I am in Chicago for the Midwest Political Science Association conference this weekend.  I am heading to Wicker Park to crash at my buddy's place for the weekend.
Why ride? There is no better way to experience Chicago than by bike.  You get to see the neighborhoods, meet the people, and witness what makes this city so great.
Favorite ride? The west branch of the Great Western Trail, the Lost Bridge Trail in Springfield.
While riding you …? I clear my mind, listen to the road, try to think about the traffic around me.
How can Chicago improve bike infrastructure or make Chicago more bike friendly?  Both Mayor Daley and Emanuel made improving bike infrastructure a priority.  I am thoroughly impressed with the Kinzie protected bike lane, and hope that Hizzoner keeps pushing to complete 100 miles by 2015.  Other cyclists need to be aware of their surroundings as well.  Be polite, pass with care, don't try to be a hotshot by flying up a crowded path at excessive speed.
And other cool, funny tips or stories?  Try commuting to work every once in awhile.  No need for fancy equipment, if you need to go over three miles, bring a change of clothes and deodorant.  Also, take care of your bike!  Simply keeping the chain clean and properly lubricated (no WD-40) can extend the life of a bike by years.

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. 

Chris, Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL.

Chris on Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL.  October 2010