Biking Milwaukee Ave

I've written about this before, but biking Milwaukee Avenue is such a different experience for me, I feel like I need to again.

I was heading to my sister date with my sister in Logan Square and we both had our bikes at work so we decided to bike straight there.

First of all, Milwaukee has such a great bike infrastructure, it'll spoil you quick.  On the way home, we did not take Milwaukee and the contrast was strong.

While making my way through Wicker Park one of the drivers pulled up next to the pack of bikers at a red light and said, "you guys are tough." The other bikers ignored him.  I glanced over.  "I don't usually even drive in the city.  It's crazy."  I smiled.  The other bikers still ignored him.  (They must have been focused on the light.)

As we past North Avenue I felt like I was in a little pack (lights will do that) and I started to size them up.  I was with three other bikers, they all looked like regulars, two especially.  

1. As we rode past any car who was doing the wrong thing he turned around and shot them a dirty look.  I have been known to do this on my regular bike route to work.  When you know how things are supposed to happen and how cars/bikes are supposed to interact, I understand letting someone know when they messed up.  Cars honk at bikes.  Bikers give dirty looks to cars.
2. Once I determined this girl was a regular I knew to stick with her.  (When you're somewhere you don't normally go, find someone who knows what they're doing and follow their lead.)  We were at the stop light at Milwaukee & Western and as soon as it turned green she kicked it, which was not her normal start.  I immediately knew I should too.  So I did.  And barely made it through the light at Armitage & Milwaukee.  Thank you, random regular.

It's a completely different experience than the lakefront path.

37 minutes later, I made it to dinner.  Basically the same amount of time it takes me to get home from work.