I spent this past weekend visiting my sister in Chicago. Since it's summer, and the weather in Chicago is beautiful, we decided on a bike along the lake. Sounds healthy doesn't it? Of course, we had our own twist. After I rented a bike at the McDonald's Cycle Center, we stopped at Green City Market for lunch.
It was an amazing day for a picnic. We had sweet cherries, mint tea, spinach and cheese crepes, and portabella sandwiches. I picked the portabella mushroom sandwiches, and my friend Denise brought back the spinach and cheese crepe to share. If I visit Green City again, I would choose the crepes over the sandwich. Just saying. Go Denise!
This is my little sister. Isn't she the cutest?
This is my post-picnic view: aahh, serenity now.
We sat for a while and then got back on our bikes.
We biked all the way to Roger's Park. I think it was seven miles, but it seemed like twenty. I hadn't been on a bike in a quite some time. There was inevitable discomfort in certain regions.
It wasn't long before we found Heartland Cafe, an old leftie joint that serves delicious beer and perfectly greasy onion straws with spicy dipping sauce. Their mantra is "good wholesome food, for the mind and body."
I'm a fan of Goose Island "Chicago's craft beer." I tried the 312, urban wheat ale. It was the perfect foil for a hot day: light, lemony, and smooth.
After some time at Heartland Cafe, we decided against "drinking and biking," and hopped on the train to bring us back downtown.
If you are in Chicago as a resident, or mere visitor, I strongly advise this bike ride. It was the best summer activity I've done so far. The views are breathtaking, and there's plenty of tasty places to stop along the way.
"Brace yourself for beauty." ~my friend Denise.
