"Lasso the Lake"

"Lasso the Lake"
I began this trip with the idea of rounding up the forces of nature (tour de force or tour de nature) that we in the Midwest have a reciprocal relationship with. The lake could be considered the center piece of these forces, formed by glaciers and affected by civilization. I wanted to catalogue the powers of nature. For a random book on the Great Lakes, try "The Living Great Lakes," by Jerry Dennis. It was interesting, but not great. Along with the lake, we have wind, rain, sun, geothermal, dams, seasons. etc.... All of these forces are part of our lives.
Leading up to the trip, I plucked knowledge and tools from wherever I came across them. It was an "ecological," preparation, where I synthesized all the tips, tricks, hardware, and well wishes that I could. I got books from the Chicago Public Library with Tara (which I have been meaning to return.) I learned that Adam Clark had made the trip around the lake in 14 days (clockwise, or counter-clockwise I don't know. Thanks for inspiration Adam.) Mike Morell and co. are taking a counter-clockwise route as this is being written. I had the bike run over that I was going to use for the trip, but I ended up using my Cannondale Silk Road (a semi-worthy aluminum touring bike with a front steel fork shock that was locked the entire time. The check is in the mail to replenish my bike fund.) I got panniers from RRB in Kenilworth (thanks Ron.) I had the trailer for a couple years that I got at Yojimbo's (thanks Marcus and Brean.) I got the legs from my mom and dad. I had made several trips to the Indiana Dunes in the past.
There were no major problemsn. I didn't even lose my cell phone or wallet. No bike problems or layover while the shop fixed bike.
Prelude:
The first leg of my trip was about 65 miles, from Winnetka to the Indiana Dunes "Dunewoods" campground. I cut through Scary Gary instead of taking the longer bike path route.

Daily Interludes:
Food.
Food was one part of the trip that I didn't want to slack on. I wanted to eat comfortably and as independently as possible, with novel ingrediants and dishes that melded with the season. I think I scored an 8 out of 10 with some good hints on improvement.
First off, my timing was great. Everything good was in season. Local produce was my mantra. I was very lucky with this. Blueberries... I stopped at orchards to pick my own produce many times on the trip. The blueberries tasted great. I decided to pick the darkest, richest ones that would otherwise spoil on the way to my plate at home. They were way too good. Raspberries.... Raspberries were in season as well. Cherries too. When you pick raspberries they come straight off away from the stem. Blackberries, which I also picked, need to be pried off with your thumb and index finger at a right angle. I missed strawberry season. I carried my days supply in a nice cooler bag that fit just snugly into my side rear pannier. It's funny how some items always prove to be useful in different situations.

Head 'em up and move 'em out. Some places that seem to be headed in the right direction.

Trillium Haven - I found out about Trillium Haven in Grand Haven at a their farmer's market. The seller had organic produce. They told me about Michael's 400 acre, energy self-sufficient farm just outside of Fennville. This is somewhere I'd like to tarry at for a while on my way back to Grand Rapids.

Word of mouth.
Someone told me that Holland is working with micro-algae biofuel.

There are wind farms here and there with no rhyme or reason.



More food. Pan-sized breakfast cakes.

Around Holland, I found Kestling maple orchard. No one was selling syrup as the sign promised, but I rounded some up in Ludington at a health food store. It came in a standard glass bottle in the shape of a maple leaf.
Also at the health food store I began to put somewhere on my mental register that I had to make pancakes. I packed in some buckwheat pancake mix and I had the maple syrup. Then I went about my business, tracing a route out of Ludington to Manistee National Forest. I had to checkerboard my way northwest to get to the entrance of the park. The mechanic at the shop rattled off a few street names and hopelessly traced a route out with his finger. It was not a huge problem, but next time I'll remember. Just remember to get on Angle street 'cause it goes at an angle to where you wanna git.
Seem like I'm forgetting my pan-sized breakfast cakes. I am. But just when you think that, "it'll never happen," I duck into a ranch house driveway with signs for two dollars for a dozen eggs. Eggs... Syrup... Mix.... Still not registering. As I pass the time with some conversation with Sarah, I completely forget about pancakes. I learn about her part-husky dog that can run ahead of a bike on a leash. Her goat parades around the pen with the hair on his back legs that look like knickers. The chickens start a racket. "By the way, I have a liter of goat's milk if you want it. I drink it because I'm lactose intolerant. I don't pasteurize it." Bingo. Pancakes are made possible. They were gooooooood.
p.s. Later on, I fell into the vice of taking shots from the maple syrup bottle.

Manistee. The summit of my trip.
The first night, I tried camping without a tent. Just my bag, a pillow and a mat. It was really niiiiice. Second night I was treated to some whooping large bird. It was like a short gobble and then an ascending whoop. The laughing coyote pups were also charming and invigorating to listen to.

Farmer's Markets. Perfect timing.
Every town I landed in had a farmer's market going on. Also, all the fruit was in season. Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and cherries. I only bought cartons when I didn't have time to pick my own. I picked the super ripe ones that you can't buy at the supermarket because they will spoil to soon. That's what I think.

ToDo list.
Buy a fixed gear and tour with that.
Build a bamboo trailer or one made out of parts salvaged from the ReBuilding Exchange in Brighton (Chicago.)
Thankyous to follow.

Pats and hugs Grand Rapids

Sam et al,
Thankyou so much for your Grand reception and thrilling evening. Your bed, breakfast and concert was great. Grand Rapids was my favorite stop on the tour.
I continued my "swath" through Southwest Michigan eating local produce along the way. I have a knack for landing in towns when they have their farmers' markets. I did have one breakfast out and two doughnuts. I took the chance to pick blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. I also had a lime phosphate at a drugstore in Martin.
Could you thank Faloud et al again for me. I didn't find a restaurant quite like it anywhere else in Michigan. If you have the chance, I'd check out "Chicago Diner" in Boy's Town, "Soul Vegetarian," on 75th and Indiana in Chatham, and/or "Uru Swati," on Devon on the north side.
If you could put me up again, I might make another bike trip to Grand Rapids before the summer is through. You are welcome to stay at my parents' house or my girlfriend's place in Logan Square.
Though it's difficult to say, I think I did about 750 miles total.

Hope all is well and Grand Rapids is rockin out,
Nate
p.s. You could even pass this on to Faloud.

Books that traveled 800 miles in my bike trailer:

Silent Spring - Rachel Carson

Milles Plateaux - Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari

Pulling Down the Barn - Anne-Marie Oolman

Reflections and plans

I've made it to Chicago.  The trip was great.  Not epic, or an odyssee, but great.  I saw some great vistas and made friends along the way.  Of course, I would like to share this experience with anyone who would join me.  Another person might have ideas I didn't think of.

I will make my way back to Grand Rapids, most definitely.  Sam,  a great musician.  I would have liked to have spent more time there, but I didn't plan that.  I feel welcome there.  Check out Commute Bike Shop and Mary Catrib's restaurant. 

Well on my way... to Manistee

It's been five days now. I have spent the night at Indiana Dunes, Warren Dunes, a Saugatuck hotel, a Holland campground and am on my way to Muskegan tonight. I am looking to head to a park to sleep. I am at a library in Grand Haven.

My twitter is "fastvenison."

I will try and map my "root" but this library computer won't let me use google maps or map my ride.com.

Heard of a couple wind turbines and algae projects. Viability Energy didn't call me back in Saugatuck.

I've been eating local produce and even picking. I've been to a farmer's market where I learned of a 400 acre farm in Fennvile. It's organic. They've also got their own energy system.

Again, "fastvenison."

Leave Saturday

I will be leaving on Saturday to start the trip. If anyone is at Clybourn and Division the green ride can start.
-Nate

North Shore Pouches

I have three north shore pouches.  I have rear panniers and a trailer.  Cables are all new.  Derailleurs are in top shape.  Build wheels a week ago (36 spokes.)

Green Ride courtesy of Kathy Schubert

Green Ride 3 9AM Saturday, October 11, 2008
0 - Start at 1113 W Webster
0.23 - Left on Clifton
0.24 - Right on Armitage
-.30 - Left on Racine
0.35 - Right on Cortland
1.17 - Left on Honore
1.43 - Right on Wabansia to 1825 W.
Wis Tavern Building/Mauceri Project
Wind Turbines, Geothermal, green roof solar electric system 
http://www.aerotecture.com/projects_mau.html
Left on Damen
Right on North Ave
I-GO Car Sharing http://www.igocars.org/
Center for Neighborhood Technology
http://building.cnt.org/ Platinum LEED building
Left on Leavitt
Right on LeMoyne
Left on Luis Munoz Martin Dr 
Left on N. Humboldt Dr./Sacramento Blvd.
Bypass Center for Green Technology
Right on W. Franklin Blvd.
Left on N Central Park Ave. to 
5.67 Garfield Park Conservatory
www.garfieldconservatory.org
Stop for bathrooms and demo garden
Continue on Central Park
6.90 - Right on Fillmore (1024 S.)
7.06 - Michael Thompson’s Chicago Honey Coop - Bee Keeping and Community Gardens
http://www.midwestpermaculture.com/ChgoHoneyCo-op.php
U-Turn here and back to Central Park
7.15 - Right on Central Park
7.47 - African Heritage Garden on the Left 12th
http://www.neighbor-space.org/pg_african_heritage.htm
7.54 - Left on 14th (Douglas Blvd)
8.22 - Right on Sacramento 
8.76 - Slight right onto Marshall Blvd
Continue on Marshall to 2358 S. Marshall
http://hubcoop.org/
9.30 - Green Roof on The Hub Housing Coop
View roof from Carrillo Grocery Store behind
9.38 - Continue East on 24th Blvd
9.66 - Left on California
10.06 - Right on 21st (use sidewalk at underpass
11.66?- Right on Loomis
11.70?- Right on Cermak, 
11.80? - Left on Laflin to 2401 S.. 
  Loop Paper Recycling - U-turn back to
11.70?- right on Cermak
11.86 - Right on Loomis (1400 W)’
12.94 - Left on Lyman 3000 S
13.16 - Right on Throop (2900 S)
14.05 - Left o n 29th
  Dogleg Rt on Stewart
14.15 - Left on 29th Again
14.21 - Right on Princeton 300 W 
14.40 - Left on 31st (cross over 90/94)
15.27 - Right on Martin Luther King Drive
16.92 - Left on 44th St. to 454 E.
17.06 - Julian Dawson Hybrid House
http://greenbean.typepad.com/greenbean/
2007/01/hybrid_house_i.html
Continue on 44th St. to 
17.07 - U-Turn to King Drive
18.14 - Right on 31st St.
18.64 - Enter Bike Path on 31st St
Return via Lakefront Path
 - Exit at North Ave.
 - Right into N. Clark St.
 - Left onto N. Lincoln Ave
- Left onto Webster Ave.
28.68 - arrive at 1113 W Webster

Missed ride this morning

Hi,

     Couldn't help but sleep in this morning.  Sorry if you showed up to the ride.  Perhaps it'd be best if people rsvp'd to let me know if people will be there.

-Nate

My profile

I thought I'd post some of my experience as a cyclist.  

I started out as a messenger.  I worked in NYC and Chicago.  I've been part of the Chicago Courier's Union from the first meeting about 4 years ago.  I have ridden in many alley cats and raced with XXX in 2001 2002 20004.

I have done overnight camping a couple times.  

Excuses

Hi,

I was at Clybourn and Division on Saturday at 7.10 but got partying Saturday night at Tour de Fat and The Gallery Block party on Armitage.  My "girlfriend" was playing a show.  Had to ride back to Winnetka, so couldn't get up in the morning. 

The map was not saved correctly.  Will remake.  I welcome comments on the ride maps.

Nate

Twitter messages

I decided to try and use twitter to make updates, ala being late this morning.  My username is fastvenison (deer are my spiritual ancestors.)

Ride tomorrow

I will ride tomorrow at 7am and again on Sunday.

Back in the saddle this weekend

Hi,
I plan on riding again this Saturday. I apologize for last weekend, but the trip was more difficult than I thought. I hope that this is not a preview of what the trip will be like. \-Nate

In the middle of a ride

I couldn't be at the ride today because I am still on my mini tour. I rode 130 miles north and camped out one night. I didn't realize it would take as long as it did to get here, so I couldn't make it back today. Sorry
-Nate

Indiana Dunes

Hi,
     Team Circadia will be going to the Indiana Dunes tomorrow and coming back Friday in time for Fat Tire fest.  The other party is not able to make it tomorrow, so I will be going solo.  She has band practice.  
I will be taking South Chicago Blv. to the trail system that goes to the Indiana Dunes.  Unless someone can suggest a better route through scary Gary.
-Nate

Inspiration

Thought I would post a book to help inspire those seeking to join this ride or start their own.  "Planetwalker" was written in thr 70s by John Francis, PhD.  It details a similar adventure around the US and Central America.
-Nate

The "Cabrini Greens"

Seeing as how the new weekly ride will be at Clybourn and Division,  It could be called the "Cabrini" Green Ride.

So I chose to head south.  I got to South Chicago Boulevard and it was smooth sailing.  Made it 45 miles to Schererville, IN.  Found a path route to the dunes.
-Nate

Training ride tomorrow at 7 am

Tomorrow, saturday, I will be at Clybourn and Division at 7 am.  The ride will be a "site-seeing ride."  About 30 miles.
See you then,
Nate\Team Circadia

Looking to get a booth at Farmers Market

In order to spread the word about this ride, I will hopefully have a booth at GreenCity Market in Lincoln Park.

As a pledge to eat local produce we will be looking for farms and livestock along our route.  Please help us procure food along the way.  We are looking for farmstands, farmer's markets. local game, restaurents and other sources.
-Nate

I believe that the health of the planet reflects our own health and our circadian rythm is complememnted in the rythm of the planet.

Rides are scheduled for 7 am Saturdays. The first one, June 20th will meet at the corner of Division and Clybourn in Chicago.

Team Circadia

This is a blog for a clean energy bicycle tour around Lake Michigan. Please leave any comments here.
teamcircadia@gmail.com