So, I rode my bike. Give me money.

Crazy right?

Yeah, I don't have the excuse that Steven has for not riding bikes.

I have plenty of bikes, and the weather has been gorgeous, and I like riding bikes. Nope, no excuse. Just busy with work and my semi-professional bridesmaiding gigs.

But, finally, on Sunday, I broke through the laziness and took the Mother Trucker out for a spin. My pals Jessica and Q invited us over to their south side estate for some Bears v. Packers.

I don't love watching football. I kind of like watching football, but I do like the excuse to socialize, day drink, and eat multiple kinds of dip.

Also, it is especially hard to watch Bears football because every time I watch them they lose. If I don't watch, they win. So, there you go.

Anyway, there's a trail that heads down to the southside, along the river. I'd never ridden it before, so I thought I'd check it out. It was a glorious day, I had brass band music on, and I was rocking a t-top to work on my wedding arms tan. (Gave up on the wedding arm muscles).

I met my pal Steve-Oh, who was riding a sexy new all silver All-City. I drooled a bit on it, then rode on. Mullet's was hopping as the Oakley Night Cap cross was still going! I didn't stop because if I got into cross-watching I would never make it to Jessica's party.

The trail was really nice. Mostly flat, and actually, made the trip to the south side seem way closer than driving. Plus the trail winds along the river, with great views. There is a stupid climb up to the ball park followed by a stupid down hill back down to the street. What the what?

I stopped at the Git and Go at the corner of 22nd and Park to buy some PBR and ice. Thankfully, I can get a lot of junk in my trunk. Then, I slogged that extra weight up the hill to Jess and Q's house, which, weirdly, is like 2 blocks from where I grew up.

Cycling tip: when you have a half rack of beer and five pounds of ice in one pannier and just ice in the other pannier be careful on the standing climbs. Things get a bit wobbly.

Junk in the trunk! 

 I also brought some clothes to change into while I watched the game. Two words: classy.

I know.

The Bears were packed and shipped by 3, or so. So I wiped my tears, resolved to watch not another game this season, and changed back into Lycra. On the ride home, I heard a weird buzzing ahead of me. What was it, then I rounded a bend and saw two kids on mopeds screaming towards me. They swooped right next to me, and I slowed drastically and holler at them, but to no avail. They were not chastised.

I got back to the 'hood just in time for the tail end of the DSMove Open Streets Project, where they close down University, from Dog Town to 42nd street so people can hang out, ride bikes, skateboard, eat snacks, listen to music, etc. I loved cruising down the middle of University, a street I would normally avoid like the plague.

All in all, a glorious 16 miles! Want to see me and hear about me riding bikes more? Well, then, please, please, pretty please donate to Steven and my H-Bomb Hundred Miles of Nowhere Challenge.

We still have lots of miles available, and lots and lots of shenanigans not thought of, or purchased. And it all goes to a good cause: sending some tough little girls out to have some fun of their own.

Need the details?

Go here. Steven will explain it all.