– a splendid spin out on the Tiger today under perfect conditions. Being a Holiday the roads were fairly clear and an early autumnal feel to the air. Color just about to turn with the dusty scent of vegetation heading into dormancy wafting across the highways.
– Pleasant Friday evening ride north to Zion and back through dragonfly blazed forest preserves in the deepening dusk.
– half way around yesterday’s circle tour was a shady spot under some Oaken woodland. Cool verdant breeze gives a promise of colorful Fall rides ahead.
– late summer weather is spot-on today. So a new loop added to the local repertoire. Out along Ogden Ave to Oswego then north along art 25 which follows the Fox River through the historic towns of Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, St Charles, Elgin and Algonquin. Finally turning for home back down the leafy swoops of Gilmer Road from McHenry. This building is a hint of the various levels of decrepit industry that supported the River corridor in the past.
– Triumph company advertising photo of a couple of adventurers parked up in the woods with their Tigers getting a fire going to boil up for a brew.
– there are many places along the 18.5 miles of Lakefront to stop and enjoy a view across to the changeable waters of Lake Michigan. This particular day it was flat with a hint of turquoise.
– Early Sunday morning ride down LDS to a near deserted Loop. Millpond-calm Lake on the drivin’ side and glistening buildings lit up by a bright and crisp sunlight.
A grainy b&w photo reminds me of countless hours spent in darkrooms developing 35mm negatives into sheets of glossy Ilford multigrade. Ah I love the sharp smell of Stop Bath under a red safe light…
-The Tiger looks quite at home under the leafy canopy of a tree’d lane. A clear understory offers near distance glimpses into the bower of a stand of oak trees. The sunlit glad ahead provides a beckoning destination.
– standing proudly on the east bank of the Fox River near Geneva IL a mid Nineteenth Century Dutch mill offers an historic backdrop to my early morning ride along the Tri-City region between Elgin and Aurora. The all wood structure is fully functional driven from its fabric covered sails. This pre-industrial age technology was a stark contrast to the particle accelerator at nearby Fermilab with its circular Tevatron which runs its circular path around a prairie grassland.
To close the week off in a high point we took the bikes or a circle of the North Shore. Woodsmoke wafted across tree lined suburban backroads and cooling air refreshed a work worn mind. First time I’ve had the new Tiger out at night. Lights work great!
Lunch Stop at a side road alongside brow-high corn. Just off I-55 near Towanda IL
Near my garage where the bikes are kept is this old garage and loft. The old doors, siding and shingle are great time worn vintage features that are only seen along this Evanstonian alley.
Back Roads
– A winding route up through Lake County saw our wheels rolling along this narrow gravelly lane through shoulder-high corn crops, blanketing soy bean fields , horse pastures, and arching oak trees. Away from the City’s hustle and bustle; at least for a morning.
– as part of yesterday’s City tour we dropped kickstands just outside of the Wrigley Building. 35 W Wacker, The Jewelers Building, looms beacon-like over Michigan Avenue Bridge.
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