I like backpacking and climbing! Done some backcountry hikes with friends in Washington, Texas, Newfoundland, Utah. Hoping to do more but it’s been almost a couple years since my last trek now. There’s really nothing like getting way out from the main trails and staying in the backcountry for days at a time. Excellent opportunity for landscape and wildlife photography, too, which I used to be passionate about but have kinda dropped after I had some creative differences with… myself lol.
I’ve been climbing for the past couple years, mostly at a bouldering gym because I live just barely in Flatland USA, but roped climbing is my favorite stuff. I went on a five-week road trip last year, working from my phone’s hotspot in the American Southwest, partly to meet friends in Utah for a backpacking trip in Zion but also to do some sport climbing in Colorado, Utah and Nevada. Red Rocks is absolutely crazy, and the climbing there is so breezy and enjoyable. Loooved it.
I wish I were still into running but I can never stay jogging for more than, like, a month at a time. I’ve never worked myself up to even a 10K! I just keep… getting bored and wishing I were doing something else, while on the run!
I really oughta get back to lifting. I’m thankful that weight maintenance and dieting are mentally chill for me, because it’s made it easy in the past to lose weight or put on muscle when I wanted to. But these days I’m having trouble resuming my previous two-or-three times weekly drive to the bouldering gym for some climbing practice and a lifting session.
Here’s the truth of it: I am bad at finding time for things that aren’t cooking and gaming. I’ll gladly sit and game for a whole afternoon and evening. But I really need to work myself into a mood to do a different hobby, whether that’s physical activity or language-learning (broke my three-month Japanese streak when moving earlier this year and oof it’s SO hard to get back into flash cards) or anything else. But I know it’ll come again in time, just gotta wait for the malaise to settle. Then the urge to Change It Up will slam me once more.
Over Covid I got into the best shape of my life, so much running and kettlebell lifting since there was nothing else to do. I have been trying and failing to get back to that level since, busier and older do not help. I joined a yoga studio for the summer and it’s been great, definitely recommend if you can find a good one! Helped jump start my workout routine, got the running going relatively consistently (albeit significantly slower than where I was…). Broke down a bite sized kettlebell routine to hopefully carry me thru the summer and forever after.
I am hoping to clean up my road and mountain bike this weekend (it’s been on the too do list for a year…) since I really love being in the saddle especially up in the mountains. Road biking in my area scares me.
Hoping to get in better shape for snow season, really want to have the legs and flexibility to shred at my best on the slopes this winter. Remembering that goal helps me more than just losing weight (especially when it’s getting more difficult to do that).
Earlier this year, I started a new job in the town next to mine which is about a mile from a paved rail-trail that also goes right by my apartment. So a few weeks ago, I took the mountain bike that’s been in my parents’ shed for the past 20 years into a repair shop for a tune up, and last week I biked to work for the first time!
I’m pretty seriously out of shape so even though it’s only 5 miles each way, I was pretty tired and sweaty afterwards. Still, it felt good and I’m aiming to try again this Friday. I’m aiming to get to a point where I can bike there three days a week.
Unfortunately, the trail closes at sundown, so I won’t be able to bike in the winter, but I look forward to doing what I can.
I’m close to the northmost point of the trail, so I took it till about Belmont harbor, then rode it straight back. Maybe a skill issue but the riding against the wind tires me out quite a bit.
I rode the trail til the Aquarium and Field Museum last Sunday, so much farther. It tired me out but it was such a good ride. It was my first time riding that trail since moving here so it was like a dream come true. Part of me is still thinking “I can’t believe I’m doing this”, because a couple of months ago I was just visiting and dreamt about riding the trail on my green bike pictured there. But yeah that first ride I was tired but kept going as I approached Downtown, I felt like I kept unlocking new and different parts of the trail. Feels like such a privilege to have access to something like this, for real.
You are probably right, I’m just in denial lol. Part of me doesn’t want to believe that I’ll lose access to my #1 form of therapy for a couple of months. I guess thats the price to pay for moving here, plus I am from the tropics and might be underestimating the cold. Even though 100% of my friends and family back home have warned me lmao. In any case, these bike rides in the autumn evenings with the nice breeze, music blasting on my earphones, zooming past and stopping to take in the views. I feel in heaven. I’m willing to pay the price of not riding in the winter.
I’m rooting for you! I’m aiming to ride the whole trail at some point before it gets too cold. Its a challenge but its something cool to work towards.
wow congrats on the big move! No doubt you’ll get to it at some point as a matter of course but the south side segment of the trail (basically everything past the Shedd area) tends to be the more pleasant stretch. Worth loading your bike on a bus down to the South Shore Cultural Center, then riding back north from there
As for the weather: it’s really only when there’s snow and ice on the ground that prevents biking, and that’s not that often.
As for winter clothes: you want to remember to wear
base layer
Mid layer (worth investing in a good fleece)
Shell
Then footwear with a thick enough sole that your feet are insulated from the cold pavement
And a hat that covers your ears/gloves/scarf
NOTE: if you’re going to be exercising and perspiring avoid cotton bc it retains moisture and if you sweat you’ll get soaked and could wind up w hypothermia
Also; when winter really sets in remember to visit the Garfield Park Conservatory and the winter garden on the top floor of the Washington library. Important for your sanity
edit: and here’s a good resource for cycling routes
I was being a bit facetious, & definitely encourage year round riding if the winds/snow physically allow it. I prefer winter rides sometimes bc the streets are less crowded with other bikers, and it’s nice to not sweat when I ride to work.
Also not sure if the Chi winters are still what they used to be with all this climate change n such. NYC winters definitely have warmed up in recent years.
That lakeshore path is the best. I love it in the fall particularly. Glad you’re enjoying it!
I used to bike in the winter there — More as needed commuting than exercise, but definitely manageable with layering. On top of yeso’s advice, make sure you have appropriate tires and be VERY cautious of ice if you do decide to ride.
Thanks all – wild to sit in my apartment and look back at your wonderful replies to my Chicago post on the travel thread from when I visited.
Yeah as a complete beginner to winters I’ve been searching around for what kind of boots to get for when that time comes. As I understand it it’s worth it to invest in a good pair of waterproof boots that also keep your feet warm. If you or anyone have any brand recommendations/suggestions I would appreciate them. I was considering some Dr. Marten’s boots but as I understand it their quality has dropped significantly in recent years.
Yeah getting appropriate tires is a priority as I think my tires have very little traction on anything other than dry pavement! And yes I’m a sucker for the change of seasons, another thing I’ve been missing out on but am very excited about. Autumn is my favorite time of the year so I’m quite happy these days lol.
I’m looking forward to using my bike as a utility a bit more. I have some pannier bags I can clip to the back and take places. Since selling my car my visits to the grocery store happen more frequently, perhaps I’ll take my bike one of these times and see how it goes.
Re boots. Depends on how much you want to spend, but I think in general you don’t need pricey waterproof boots. I have a pair of waterproof danner mountain lights, but that’s because backcountry hiking is a pastime, I only wear them here if it’s like a rare blizzard and even then it’s sort of a luxury. I think your best served if your main investment is something like a Red Wing 6 inch moc + wear wool socks when it’s cold. Those or something similar will give you thick enough soles and you can wear them indoors/all day. Waterproof boots will get too hot if you keep them on inside. Plus they’ll last forever. If you feel like you need something waterproof as well, just get some cheap rain boots or muck boots. There’s a Red Wing store on Clybourn and another out west by Harlem iirc you can stop at Rich’s for Polish groceries if you head out to that one highly recommended
First slightly chilly day + even a couple brief periods of hail here in Chicago and I don’t think I’ve seen bonsai posting. R.I.P. seemed like a nice person
Went on a pleasant evening walk a couple of hours ago, a bit of rain and wind but nothing too bad but it was chilly. It’s been a couple of weeks since moving and I think I’m still in the honeymoon phase wrt Chicago and my neighborhood specifically. I like the rain and having the outside be moody like that is nice. Maybe the shine will wear off now that I live here but I’m off to a good start I think.
Definitely have to improve my walking attire as my ears froze despite wearing a beanie, and need to get some gloves too. Waterproof jacket came in clutch as umbrellas seem useless in this windy weather. But yeah nice walk along the lakeshore, at 6pm a church on the Loyola campus rings its bell and you can hear it in the area, lovely sound and I look forward to hearing it, even plan my walks accordingly.
I’m a bit intimidated about actual winter, but I think these next weeks/months will allow me to prepare both mentally and physically. I start a new job at the end of the month and the commute is close to an hour (mostly on the metro), so I’m interested in how that will go.
Still trying to figure out the winter meta in some ways, looking at what other people are wearing and when, etc. Living without a car also has a certain learning curve to it, but I’m enjoying it.
tendinitis free and back running. Took my own advice and south-sided the trail. Good not the be hobbling around everywhere + right in time for may favorite running weather
Won our roller derby bout tonight. Our team is 2 for 2 on the season, after not winning a single game last season. We’re a rec team, so the wins and losses don’t matter. It would have been ok if we lost tonight, but also… It’s nice to win some, and have an obvious benchmark of our progress.
