Weather perfect? Check! Dapper dressed folk? Check! Many splendid bikes? Check! A lovely gathering in the City for a good cause. Nigh on 300 people on nearly as many Triumph’s, Ducatis, BMW’s, Guzzi’s, and many other marques took to a route through Chicago’s Loop and along Lake Shire Drive.
Fulton Street and the Cobra Lounge
Getting a good send off from Johnny & Larry before stands up and the cacophony of motorcycles head down Ashland and through the intersection lights en masse.
Through The Loop
Eastbound on Jackson (Route 66) took us to the Lake and southbound LSD. Horns honked, engines revved and onlookers smiled.
Museum of Science and Industry
Big gathering and group photo on the steps before heading back north. Grand outing had by all!
This Bianchi single speed was locked to a bike rack in the City near a pizza joint we went to. The brown leather Brookes saddle adds a serious note to the bike. Repurposed lugged steel frame. What’s not to like?
Beautiful burgundy P1800 Volvo passed before my eyes just as I was leaving work. Designed by Pelke Peterson whilst a student under the Italian carrozzeria Pietro Frua. The P1800 was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961, the same year as the E-Type Jaguar. The Saint TV show starring Roger Moore as Simon Templar used the Volvo as his car after Jaguar declined to offer their XKE.
Another year helping take the photographers and race marshals around the cycling course up and down Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Weather just right for the dry stages but the swimming outset was canceled due to choppy conditions.
An early morning scoot down DuSable Lake Shore Drive before 4th of July crowds started to make their way to the beaches and parks. Stopped for my favorite view of the skyline. Warm day but a cool breeze wafted from a still Michigan.
This years biker gathering in the old meat packing district saw upper 80’s temperatures but a good crowd of folk out to listen to some rockabilly, look at some cool motorcycles and cars, drink some locally brewed ale, and chow of burgers. A good way to spend a summer Saturday afternoon in Chicago.
With quieter roads on this Juneteenth holiday the Tiger became my wheels into the City. Nice spin along the lakefront on LSD and riverside on Wacker. Pleasant light through the buildings too.
An early morning sprint to the far South Side with a good friend. Destination was a loop of Lake Calumet, an older material port amidst a lost industrial area. Mostly marshes now attracting many birds and habitat for fish, amphibians and insects. Perfect weather too! David was riding his Aprilia Dorsoduro, the perfect urban tool.
Spring weather on a Sunday means “let’s get the bikes oot!” Oil change then a spin north to Lake Bluff for a coffee and scone. Many bikers were out too!
“Ooh. Stop!
With your feet on the air and your head on the ground Try this trick and spin it, yeah”
Spotted by Dean yesterday in Chicago. A slight warm-up sees this rider out and about on a nicely fettled Bonneville. Short pipes and wide wire laced wheels are the business. Bud needs a lid to replace his baseball cap.
The poster for this years biker and band gathering in Chicago. A couple of streets in the Fulton Market district closed down for a long weekend for open air noise with Mods and Rockers. Something to look forward to! Be there or be square!
Another good find in the City yesterday. This was a Kawasaki 500 that some student at the University of Chicago must use as their runaround. I had one similar to this when I lived in London. Great twin engine powering a very useable bike. EX500 in the ‘States, GPZ500R in the UK
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