Sunday on the Illinois Prairie Path!

Starting in Maywood, into the wind for an easy ride back!

At the junction in Winfield...

Muddy Path Returns!

Morning ride to DesPlaines River off Thatcher Road in River Grove. The water has subsided and the muddy path revealed!

Des Plaines River, River Grove

The Des Plaines River spends much of the time flooded. Thus southern section is regularly impassable. The trail goes far north, to Wisconsin. It ends a few miles from the Bristol Renaissance Faire.

Another New Spring!!

This is the 2020 Spring, marked by the quarantine of the COVID -19, a new reality. I hope everyone reading this is staying safe and healthy and caring for their loved ones.

I’ve been getting out most early mornings to stretch my legs on new side street routes I’ve discovered that are uncluttered with car traffic. I found a nice way to the Illinois Prairie Path and am looking forward to more rides stretching further.

I spent some time cleaning and maintenancing my bike. The Brooks C15 All Weather has worked out well. It’s been more comfortable than the B17 Flyer I had. I don’t miss the springs of the previous seat. This seat is also much lighter and can get wet. The narrower width is actually fine, if not better for my sit bones. The only other seat I would try from here would be the Berthoud.

I’m looking forward to making more posts of jaunting around this wild onion region! 🧅 stay safe!

A New Spring!

I broke out of hibernation this morning and headed out on an hour-long ride to River Forest. I crossed over to the DesPlaines River passed through the grounds of the Trailside Museum of Natural History.
After seeing the owls and the hawk, I returned home via Thatcher Avenue.

When I arrived home, invigorated, it occurred to me I should post feedback on my new Brooks All Weather C15. When I looked at my bicycle, I realized I had made a few updates over winter and I should have fun reviving Wild Onion Bicycle to share my review.

I had had known for some time I needed to replace my 14 year-old Brooks Champion Flyer. The leather had stretched beyond adjustment, causing me to drill new holes and using Allen-headed bolts to replace the rivets. Despite my best intention, the nuts worked loose several times and I'm not a loc-tire person. I had also doubted for many years the efficacy of the seat springs, especially for my light frame. I was also enthusiastic to have a lighter seat, too!

along the way, I had admired the Brooks Cambiums when they first came out but ended up not taking the plunge for reasons I've forgotten, but recent reviews showed they looked pretty terribly threadbare after a few years use.

Buying a seat is a difficult proposition because unless you have access to a bike shop with loaner seats, you have little idea how a seat will work out. I had tried the various methods for measuring my "sit bones" with little luck. Even studying the indentations on my old seat provided uncertain data.

Even whether to buy a carved or uncarved seat provided more uncertainty. I knew I would like the benefits of a carved seat, but the plethora of reviews shared mixed thoughts at best.

Despite this confusion, my first choice was definitely the Berthoud Aspin. And despite the price, the only aspect keeping me from the purchase of this beautiful honey brown French saddle was the weather proofness. This last characteristic kept placing me in the Cambium doldrums.

Then I happened to see the new Brooks All Weather Cambium with the nylon cover which promises to be much more durable. Then, I came across a carved C15 which is a little narrower than the C17 Cambium I had assumed to get despite suspecting I could be more comfortable on a narrower seat. At  the price it was being offered at, I decided to buy it and find out. Mostly, I would have a seat that wouldn't cause me to worry about moisture.

So far, so good! It doesn't feel too narrow, my bars are a little lower than my seat anyway. It does feel a little harder, even with cycle shorts, but I do feel less perineum pressure. My initial impressions are this promises to be a decent seat for my long commutes and hopefully century-length rides. However, I have a feeling the Berthoud is the superior saddle for comfort and see one in my future...

Postlogue

Waiting for the last train in Joliet to Chicago. It's a little funny that I carried this reserve bag of trail mix for the entire trip.

What can I say? It's important to do, not just dream, we learn best by doing and I can hardly wait to do it again!

Eastward on the I & M Pt.5 - Finishing...

A bane of my fender mudguard. I couldn't help but think of "cow catchers" on trains. My home made mudguard turned out to be rather good at picking up dead leaves and twigs that made annoying squeeling noises that only ceased when I halted and let the debris fall out...

Dissection of another washout...

Modern wooden bridge, very soaked in a creosote- like preservative...

Curses...this broken bridge required a proper and annoying detour...

The near water is the water if the canal being carried through an aquaduct. The far bridge is a train trestle.  Below the far bridge is the creek the canal travels over.

Sumac. Makes a rich vitamin C tea...

Wide expanse of the Illinois River

Our passions are us- do not reset to default...