Chicago. 50km on Michigan lake.
Travel notes of a world tasted by bicycle.
It is morning, the alarm clock announces that it is time to break away from the warm tangle of sheets: in the kitchen for a quick coffee, get dressed and take on the helmet to face Chicago who welcomed me, chaotic and busy but it fits me like a glove. I live by night dj and during the day I love getting lost among its streets aimlessly, I explore what the randomness gives me.
I bought an Italian bike, a Scatto Italiano, I love with his clean and truthful design, its contemporary line, the hot style but dry of the wooden handlebar I chose and the cold purity of the steel elements. A bike made of contrasts, between natural and industrial materials, between tradition and innovation, a bike made like me. I made more gaunt than I could in its elements because I am a “purist” of cycling, I wanted “brakeless”, just like how I am.
Ph. Scott Kaplan
This morning the spring sun bathes the Ukrainian Village streets in a white light, clear: I zip along in front of "The Winchester", one of the 10 most popular restaurants in the city. I ride fast and soon I reach the Logan Square Auditorium, a live music club, that I love, and that in the morning offers a great American breakfast in the shade of the gazebo overlooking Kedzie Boulevard.
Cutting the light air of the morning with smoother rides through the busy streets quickly slipping between cars and traffic lights. I chose the handlebar Barra for my build, the extremely narrow width allows me to free myself in traffic from any obstacle and its weight has convinced me like its high mechanical performance listed on the site. I step on one of the many movable bridges of the "Windy City" that connect the two shores of Lake Michigan, the wind you're feeling ... the sensation is indescribable, you can feel on top of the world at times, in situations such "normal" as riding your bike: straight shoulder, outstretched hands on the handlebars, wind against, full breath life.
I plan the next two stages: the first is the Ricahrd Joseph Daley Center, I'm always curious to see live sculpture that Pablo Picasso donated to the city in 1967, the second is Agora, massive army of men without head or arms Magdalena Abakanowicz. It is 106 in high iron sculpture 2.85 meters that stand motionless south of Grant Park. One of the largest installations in the world of this remarkable Polish artist who already knew and that once again leaves me completely speechless in front of his work.
" II travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. "
Robert Louis Stevenson.
I alight from my Scatto and I stop to observe the colored skyscrapers of the violet light of the evening, the sun is an orange ball that fades on the jagged skyline of the city. I look at its direction to get home.
I love Chicago. The windy city, the third most populous of America, where everyone finds “his place” and alleys tell stories of gangsters in the 30s were vying for alcohol market and at odds gambling with modern skyline symbol of the new power, the high finance one.
Bike Configuration
Bicycle configuration: configurator model, Columbus steel frame, double color paint blackish with pearl details, Barra model handlebar, H+Son TB14 black rims, Grancompe SS white tires, Brooks B15 black saddle, fixed gear brakeless.
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