Chicago Revisited: Chinatown

After a 6 year absence I returned to Chicago once again for the punk rock festival known as Riot Fest.  In 2017 I stayed in with a friend in Pilsen.  This time I lodged further east in Chinatown.  Immediately after departing the train I felt the need to bicycle since this part of the city was awash with bicycles and bike lanes.  A soldier without his weapon.  I felt like Jude Law in Enemy at the Gates when he was not issued a rifle.  Planes, trains, buses and walking. Lots of walking.  But the slowest form of transportation allowed for better sightseeing.

Chinatown

We stayed at the aptly named Chinatown Hotel for a few reasons.  Namely, the price and location to the CTA lines needed to get to Douglas Park, home of Riot Fest, and the train back to O'Hare.  Located on Chicago's south side, it derived its name from the people who immigrated here starting in in the 1800s.  Our lodging is on the same street as the Chinese Cultural Center and a statue of Confucius.  The streets are lined with stores and restaurants.  We appreciated the ability to find a place to eat after 11 pm, unlike Minneapolis, our most frequent place to travel for rock & roll shows.

Confucius

Back To Bikes

Bicycle infrastructure was apparent.  Lots of bike lanes in the busy streets and people using them for their intended purpose.  On Sunday, we saw a man on an e-Bike with his child on one such lane riding through the rain.

I noted in my 2017 visit, the average commuter was an older nondescript bicycle that was not flashy but utilitarian enough to make a useful city bike.  Older roadies with wire racks.  In Chinatown it was a step toward less expensive, department store bikes.  Huffy's, Next, Magna ext.  Many step thru frames.  Racks on them, too.  Ride something not tempting to most bike thieves but if stolen its loss is an inconvenience not a financial letdown.

Bikeless, we walked a lot.  An attempt was made to use Chicago's version of B-Cycles but we could not get the ap to work so we just deleted the ap and walked on.  One day we hoofed it to Soldier Field and the lake.  Things are different here.  Bicycles are more expensive the closer one gets to Lake Michigan.  Expensive road bikes, cargo bicycles with children, disc brakes ect!  There Is even a bicycle exclusive bike path!

At Riot Fest, Douglas Park, there were facilities for bicycle parking.  Mostly nondescript 80s-90s roadies and mountain bikes.  A Trek 950 stands out in my mind.  But we took the bus there, 24 stops, and the train back 12 stops.  Having flown in on Peasant Class we did not bring bicycles with us.

Sad.  Someone's ride vandalized.  U-Lock and cable lock.

70s vintage roadie converted to commuter.  Notice both a U-Lock and a cable lock for the wheels?

One of many BMX bikes used in Chinatown.  I even spotted elderly people riding them.

Strange, one sign says pedestrians verboten yet the trail sign shows other users.

Bicycles only on this path!  This far in the city I bet it is a welcome path for cyclists.

Nice old Schwinn frame.  Chain matches the front tire.

Getting closer to Soldier Field.  More expensive bikes!

U-Lock saved the frame!