This morning, Ken and Micky gave Jeffrey breakfast and advice.
The mug recites our rules of the road.That’s us, rolling down the driveway …… and waving our thanks to our wonderful hosts.Most of our route through Chicago was on bike lanes.At Union Station, Jeffrey pedaled us onto the sidewalk to avoid a traffic jam.We passed LaSalle Street—Chicago’s Wall Street. Jeffrey was a summer associate at a LsSalle Street law firm 45 years ago. View from a bridge leading to the bike path along Lake Michigan.
Jeffrey took a wrong turn on the lakeshore path.
We biked about a half mile before dead-ending at a pile of rocks.Never mind the detour; the view was special.
Back on the proper route, Mary and her ICE trike—a different model of our English machine—caught our eye.
Mary immigrated from Croatia as a child. She ran her late husband’s medical practice; he did surgery, she did the rest. Mary told us an eye-opening tale of her husband’s evident murder during their vacation in a Caribbean island nation. She and Jeffrey like seeing our country on 3 wheels and by car. Mary likes Croatia too: it’s quiet and safe.Mike is a pediatrician who lived in NYC during his medical training. For better and worse, he considers NYC to be unique in the world. Mike is sympathetic to migrants—and concerned. Jeffrey reminded him that immigrants cause less disease and crime than American natives like Jeffrey.We passed the Museum of Science and Industry, near the UChicago campus.After another hour of winding paths and bumpy streets, our GPS announced at this unmarked spot, “Welcome to Indiana”.The Indiana bike path crosses Wolf Lake.An hour later, Jeffrey had had enough of bumpy bike paths. We could go much faster on main roads. So we did.
Some of the Indiana roads are scary: concrete curbs, rumble strips, narrow shoulders or none. Evidently their laws aren’t very protective of cyclists. Drivers gave us little clearance. One driver yelled at us to get on the sidewalk—although soon after, we saw a bicycle sign, meaning that we had the right to be on that road.
Still, lots of people showed support with thumbs up, waves, friendly horn toots, and calling out encouragement. A truck driver saw us eating a snack by the road and stopped to ask whether we needed anything.
A bit of Gary, Indiana.
Our road choices worked out. Taking bike paths got us safely through Chicago traffic. Leaving them in Hammond, Indiana, shaved an hour off our journey.
In Valparaiso, Amanda saw our sign and asked whether we have a social media presence. We gave her one of our calling cards.
Amanda will spread news of the Ride among her friends.
Ride for Human Rights 
Great job biking through Chicago, staying dry and getting to see the Lake as well.
LikeLike
beautiful scenery and it looks like you have met nice people , carry on 🙏🏻
LikeLike