Final Outdoor Farmer’s Market Trip

October is drawing to a close far too quickly and today was the last outdoor farmer’s market of the season. Luckily, Chicago’s Green City Market continues year-round indoors. Still, I will miss spending time outside in the fresh air of Lincoln Park. This is my last hurrah post with pictures I took using my vintage film camera.

After the market, I met up with Melissa and Chanh for the somewhat lackluster Rally to Restore Sanity (the main event was in D.C.). Afterward, we went to lunch. They were dressed up for Halloween as a redneck and a hippie. The waitress, after remarking on their costumes, turned to me and said, “I know who you are. From the Wizard of Oz. You’re Dorothy.” Hmm, I thought, this is actually how I dress everyday (in my new thrifted outfit). Aloud I said, “Yes, I am Dorothy.” A true statement, but not in the way she understood it. :)

And now, In Memorium: Summer 2010 Farmer’s Market.

Bicycling to the Farmer’s Market
Simple Pleasures
Farmer’s Market by Bike
Farmer’s Market on Film

How are you spending the last weekend of October?

Farmer’s Market by Bike

Another farmer’s market visit by bike. You’ll be seeing a lot of these this summer. Today Mr. Dottie and I rode down to Green City Market in Lincoln Park with Arielle. This is a relatively big market, so there’s always something new to capture my attention. This week: sunflowers, rainbow chard, raspberry pie and a bluegrass band.

Me and Arielle

Sunflowers

Rainbow Chard

Hoosier Mama Raspberry Pie

Blue Grass Band

Flower Specials

Mr. Dottie aka Greg

Betty My Love

I love riding in the summer to do stuff outdoors. Even though I sweat buckets during the ride, I’m not compelled to rush to a restroom and freshen up. I walk around and naturally cool down a bit, while dust and grass enter the mix with my sunblock. Being a little grimy is good for feeling like a kid again, back when I hated taking baths :)

Simple Pleasures

Sustenance and transportation are two necessities of daily life. People need to eat and need to get from one place to another. How one chooses to fulfill these needs greatly affects one’s life. Our society in general is going about it all wrong. Pleasure, health and happiness can be derived from these tasks. I don’t mean by eating steak and driving a porsche; I’m not talking about anything money can buy, but about simple pleasures.

Just some thoughts after another beautiful Saturday at the farmer’s market, eating fresh food in the shade of old trees and then hopping on the bikes for a quiet ride home. The price for hours of entertainment, quality time, exercise, transportation, fresh air and happiness – nada. For local food (cherries, cheese, arugula, croissant, mushrooms) – ten dollars per person.

I’m no master of simple living, but I know what makes me happy. Bicycles and fresh food are so obviously good, their near-invisibility in society boggles the mind.

What is your take on simple pleasures and how they affect your life?

Social Cycling Week 1 Roundup

One week into the Summer Games, things couldn’t be off to a better start. We continue to be amazed and impressed at the number of people who are playing along! If you need some inspiration, here are links to the entries we’ve gotten so far.

Go on a group ride

Wondering what would be considered a group ride? Try one of these: dropping off the kids at school by bike with another family;  touring Munich by bike; attending a bike rally; tour your home city by bike; or join a Ride of Silence or the Tour de Cure.

Kara of Knitting Lemonade and her friend bikepooled to work in matching helmets!

Leave a friendly note or say “hi” to another cyclist

This one is a little harder than it sounds–we cyclists move fast and not everyone carries a pen and paper in their panniers! Still,  Sox at Pedal and Coast managed to snap a pic of the cyclist she said hi to at a red light.

Carolyn took the opportunity to leave a note telling another cyclist about Critical Mass.

Ride with your family

How cool is this picture of Xander from 416cyclestyle on a ride with his wife & kids?

Mark took his family to dinner on an ebike, while E at academichic went with her husband and baby to pick up their CSA share.

Recruit a non-biking friend

Claire in Toronto convinced her husband to give bike commuting a try.

Go on a bike date–dress up!

S. and her husband T. took in the sights of Munich by bike.

Cyclin’ Missy grabbed a beer and dinner with friends.

It’s not too late to start–the Social Cycling event is going on through June 7. Check out our Flickr pool for more inspiration.

p.s. if you don’t see a link to your entry here, and you blogged about it: we don’t have it. Email us at LGRAB (at) letsgorideabike (dot) com with the details.