Oak Leaf Trail construction

So, the convenient bridge over Capitol Drive that turns the Oak Leaf Trail into a magical Bicycle Superhighway is under construction (heavy sigh with exhalation of ozone action alert air).

Yes, I can manage the detour through the Baker's Square parking lot. Yes, I still get to avoid getting run over by people racing to get Egg McMuffins at the drive-thru. But, man.

City streets are much more interesting than a bunch of trees anyway, right?

Here is the mockup of the new bridge. It looks pretty. It is supposed to be done by November. Besides, all the clear-cutting required by the project reveals this long-hidden masterpiece, below.

Construction details and updates are available here and here.

Speaking of trains...

I mentioned in my last post how so many train tracks in Milwaukee have been abandoned and/or removed.

Below is one such site.

This is the back side of Downtown Auto Body (which is not downtown, really, but behind Holton and Townsend). There used to be a train track along the area at the bottom of the photo, and until the mid-1990's, the Circus Train from Baraboo, WI would stop right there and unload all the circus paraphernalia to head down to the parade site. This was quite a spectacle. This mural, painted last year, commemorates that time. It's really much nicer looking than in my poor photo. You will just have to go see it for yourself.

These tracks were removed a couple of years ago after becoming an attractive place to dump mattresses and construction debris, and a weird curvy trail that appears to be some kind of meandering bike path that goes nowhere was laid down. Stray cats use it, too.

Santa Cycle Rampage!

Weather was fantastic for the Santa Cycle Rampage today. Throngs of Santas (and reindeer and elves and a fairy [?!]) participated. Cops were on hand just in case Santa was naughty.

Santa brought toys to pass out too- effigies of himself.

In a sea of Coca-Cola Santas, Father Christmas stands alone.

Bike Path diversion

I don't know why this threw me for a tizzy today.

I use the bike path for transportation rather than recreation, so oft I am in a hurry to actually get somewhere on it. The detour was not well marked and there was a dude sort of half sleeping in a car right on the other side of the orange block-my-way thing, who gave me a weird look when I let out a very unladylike utterance. I figured out how to get back onto Wilson Drive and then back onto the bike path from the Culver's lot. This is until September 20-something or so. Bleah. The awesomest part of the bike path is, of course, being able to sail over Capitol Drive traffic.

Bike thefts

Just a reminder to lock your bike wisely...The best way is with a cable through the wheels, and then a U-lock through the frame onto a sturdy rack like the U-shaped city ones. It's kind of a hassle, but then, so is being stranded because some mofo took your bike.

This was outside where I work. It was there a few days before getting gradually stripped of parts. The bumper sticker on the railing is just the icing, no?

For some reason, the street outside this building is kind of like the Bermuda Triangle. People lock up their bikes and then...seem to disappear. Months later, the last remaining piece of the bicycle disappears, without a trace.

Don't judge me (or others, either)

Well, it's finally bike-to-work week in Milwaukee. I'm writing this flat on my back, wishing I could go to work, wishing I could ride my bike. Between my (severely arthritic) knee acting up, and tearing/pulling a muscle in my back so badly that I can't even put on a pair of shoes or take my Mel jacket off by myself, I just wanted to use this AFGO opportunity to remind people not to judge others. That's right. Have you seen me driving six blocks lately? On a nice, sunny, perfect-for-biking day? Why yes, I would rather be on my bike. So, please remind yourself not to judge others.
This public service announcement was brought to you by the letter V.**

**(Valium and Vicodin.)

Bike to Work Week

OMG bikes!!! Squeeee!
Milwaukee's Bike to Work Week, traditionally in early May, has been moved to June 6th-12th this year, in hopes of warmer weather and greater participation. Don't let that stop you though. Be an early adopter.

Here is a link to some downloadable Milwaukee bike maps.

A few common-sense tips for bicycling safety: stay alert; dress in layers appropriate for weather; wear a properly fitted helmet; obey traffic signals; install a front light and a flashing back light; and give parked cars a three-foot berth to avoid getting "doored." Likewise, if you are getting out of a car parked on a city street, check for bicyclists to avoid dooring them! Use the best lock you can and lock it to one of the city "U" racks. Watch out for children and drunken pedestrians who might step out right in front of you, apropos of nothing. Most of all, have fun, feel good about saving gas costs and emissions, and enjoy getting exercise and an intimate view of the city you just can't get from a car.

Here are a couple links to my favorite bike repair shops, to help you get your bike ready for The Season:
Cory The Bike Fixer on Murray just north of North Avenue, and Rainbow Jersey on Wilson Drive south of Hampton. I have always gotten excellent service at both places.