Me: “Oh man, so disappointed I couldn’t make the group ride, but hey, Zach already posted a Chicago video!” *proceeds to watch myself ride by on the opposite side of Milwaukee.
Wow! Great stuff! I am Chicago kid at heart. I have been riding fixed gear since 2000 and grew up in the south side. Before leaving Chi-Town in Dec 2022 I lived in Andersonville. I biked through Logan Square, Bridgeport, Hyde Park. Pretty much throughout the City and more. The Lake Shore Drive biking is good. Much thanks to my Filipino brother for the video. 😊
I've never ridden in Chicago so I can't speak to those in particular, but in general the bike lanes that go the wrong way on one-way streets are some of my favorites. Anyone who might turn across the bike lane is positioned such that you can actually see the person driving, and you can see what they're looking at (and accordingly if they see you).
Chicago is amazing, I was born and raised in Chicago. I just recently got my first home in the city and do tons of cycling out here. Great fixie community and tons of great trails and paths. Check out the North Branch bike trail next time. It's connect to tons of other trails and bike friendly communities, hope you're enjoying your time out here!
Consider Austin as a home base...and visit NYC to experience the mecca for fixed gear cycling and just sensory overload of amazing visuals thruout all 5 buroughs...
Hey Zach. Yes, they do have a hipster bike scene. Years ago, I volunteered at Working Bikes on Western Ave. We repaired old bikes and shipped them to 3rd world countries. Recyclery in Evanston is a cool neighborhood bike shop. Both shops are good bike shops with programs for the community. I also have a buddy co-owns Blue City Cycles in Bridgeport. My university years were at The University of Chicago and Northwestern University. I would bike from Evanston to Chicago (Hyde Park neighborhood) on my black fixed gear with a big, fat Joy Division sticker. 😉 While in Chicago you should try 11 Degree North near Belmont & Halsted (Venezuelan cafe) in the Lakeview area. They have really good breakfast sandwiches. Fyi.. The 1st Michelin Star Filipino restaurant is in Chicago at Kasama. Peace and be safe 😊
Exactly like you said Chicago's bike infrastructure isn't great, but for America it's good. One of the things that really makes Chicago shine are the backstreets. There are a ton of wider one lane, one way streets that are great for getting around once you know them. Every rider here has their preferred east-west routes for getting around since most of the infrastructure is made to go north-south. Being so flat can be great but the wind cancels it out a lot of the time, especially if you're on the east side near the lake. Funny when you got to the part about being more worried about being doored than the crime here. Crime is an issue but I have so many people who were worried about it when I moved even though with the problems the crime rate here is lower than where I moved from. They just refuse to accept it though.
You inspire me to ride my bike, I have sold my car and fixing to build my first fixed gear. Right now I ride a Diamondback road bike converted to a single speed. I live 6 hours from Chicago, so if you move there I would like to meet you and ride with you sometime. I have watched all your videos on TH-cam and I can't Waite til you post more.
Cool. I'm the opposite, first got hooked on fixed gear, and then a girl from my class told me about windbreaker, because I was going to uni on my fixie. She was also amazed by my skidding skills and that I can do fish n chips :P
Philly has all you want except bike friendly. Taking your space makes for better riding imo. There are a lot of paved paths too. I imagine geography to your Sac fam factors in, but Philly would be great to relocate to. It’s very affordable comparably, and not as cold & windy as Chicago. I’ve ridden in nyc and they aren’t that nice. You also have a very sunny disposition, especially for for a fixed rider too though.
Welcome to Chicago! This very old and slow rider didn't make the first group ride -- 30s temps, evening, and South side (I'm north shore) didn't add up for me -- but I hope to meet you if there's more to come, particularly north side. I think it's time to lose the studs.
It looks like you are staying near one of the historical centers of Chicago cycling. Wastyn Cycles was originally at 2221 Milwaukee. Besides being a dealer they were framebuiilders of note, particularly for track bikes. They actually built the frames fro Schwinn's Paramounts until Schwinn brought it tin house. Wastyn's is now located nearby at 2634 Fullerton. No connection, but I think you may find it interesting.
And that's when you need the studded tires! I tried taking my mountain bike once in sunny, zero-degree weather on the lakefront trail with the regular tires; given the park district's snow clearance, it was fine until I got to the underpass near the aquarium and planetarium, at which point it was completely iced over. Tried to pick my way across but spun out and fell over and ripped my pants. Never again in that kind of weather without studs.
If you're already looking at snowy places I'd strongly recommend Minneapolis. Lived there 11 years and really loved it. Cool city, good and constantly improving bike infrastructure (and transit), great cycling / fixie communities. For my part 10/10 would pick MPLS over Chicago, and would head back there if I was looking to relocate to a city that I can afford with longevity
You gonna relocate to chiraq ? You should check out some Bike channels regarding infrastructure, there is a few good cycling cities in the U.S Notjustbikes etc
San antonio is the shit!! But not bike friendly like Chi Town. We have amazing greenways for biking but riding on the streets no Bueno. We're working on a 100 mile bike trail too austin which I can't wait til it's done. Cheers love the videos!
Another factor to consider is bike thieving. When I lived in the UK (London and Leeds) anything would be nicked. In Australia (Gold Coast and Cairns) less stealing but not very good for biking. I'm in Tokyo now, decent bikes can get nicked but my POS FG is pretty safe with the most basic of locks. I was in LA for a while but not for me.
@@Ponder_lust It is very rare but happens. If you left an expensive road or mtb at the same place every night unlocked it is at risk. Less risk than many other places but still at risk. From what I understand there are a few gangs that sell the parts.
California you hace to earn over 200,000 per year to have sufficient money for growth, normally done when 2 successful people marry, i say successful because … minimum wage here is nearly 25k/ yr… if your an engineer, cop, RN, or firefighter… without overtime your hitting between 60-75k per year … so option B is Marry another person who earn that lower mid tax bracket, and rent a room or garage out …. Because property tax in Los Ángeles is about 10-15k per year … not including house insurance … California is cheap outside of the main cities such as the desert 🏜️ region, or places in the mid of nowhere like Rialto … but if your going to WASP area in the mid of no where it’s the same disparity that you’ll find in a city …. Many Californian have left to arkansa, Nebraska, Arizona, and Texas …
For a North American city, Montreal probably impressed me the most with their bike-ability. Bu unless you speak French and are willing to move to Canada it's probably off the list. 😂 If Chicago wasn't as prone to bike theft, it would probably be higher on my list.
Uh….have you been there in mid winter? That’s not fun snow! 😂 And warning: you may get fat-have you tried the pizza? But I agree that California is crazy expensive, and LA is a death wish when it comes to cycling. Did you try those nice bike paths on a weekend or weekday? Weekdays are a very different animal.
Do you have to live in a big city? Lots of small towns have housing cost a fraction of what it is in the big city. Lancaster, PA (My old stomping ground has good bike lanes, Amtrak, bus service and fixed gear folks.) Give it some thinking. P.S. your girl friend and you make a nice couple. Does she ride a Fixie? Extra Fixie points to you if she does.
"a city where you get more bang for your buck in terms of walkability, bikeability, and even community." Early April Fool's joke? lol Zach, I seriously suggest you do further research. Unfortunately Chicago is one of the most violent cities in the country. Chicago constantly makes the news as one of America's most unreasonably dangerous and violent cities. With a population of roughly 2,746,388, Chicago has a crime rate of 3,926 per 100,000 people, making it 67% more dangerous than the US average. Perhaps that changes with the new mayor, but it remains to be seen. I could easily name 10 other cities more affordable and bike friendly. Maybe it sounds "trendy" to live there but personally this is one of the last cities I would ever consider moving to. -Gio Dezera
Congrats, you sound like a fearmongering suburbanite and/or someone who's never even been to chicago. The crime thing is really blown out of proportion
Absurd comment from someone with absolutely no practical experience of Chicago. However, in terms of biking, if you don’t remember to look down at your bike while you’re riding it, it will be stolen out from beneath you.
The risk of living in Chicago is exaggerated. Is it perfectly safe? No, most of the US isn’t either. Safety depends heavily on your lifestyle choices (member of a gang? Sell drugs? Choose to break laws or harm others?), what neighborhood you’re living, the class and poverty level you were born into, etc. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_crime_rate Chicago shows up as #55 on this list of US cities by violent crime rate (sorted by Total). Mainstream news slanders this city incessantly but it focuses on a narrow, misleading statistic and patently ignores all the good that happens. News especially ignores the efforts to prevent crime, the underlying social and economic causes. All they ever suggest is the small-minded throwing more police at the problem because it sounds intuitive to the gullible and the ignorant
@@petermccafferty9230 First of all, you have absolutely no idea what experience I have in Chicago. Secondly, It’s unfortunate that this triggered you but Absurd is a strong word. Perhaps the crime stats are inflated or exaggerated by the media and outlets reporting shootings every weekend in South Side but I didn’t come up with the reporting nor the stats. These aren’t my crime statistics, so if you don’t like them, go take it up with the bureau.
Me: “Oh man, so disappointed I couldn’t make the group ride, but hey, Zach already posted a Chicago video!”
*proceeds to watch myself ride by on the opposite side of Milwaukee.
Showed my girlfriend the video and she cried out “I know those chickens!” Awesome to have you around the neighborhood.
Yes! Welcome to the city! I do hope you stay!
Wow! Great stuff!
I am Chicago kid at heart. I have been riding fixed gear since 2000 and grew up in the south side. Before leaving Chi-Town in Dec 2022 I lived in Andersonville.
I biked through Logan Square, Bridgeport, Hyde Park. Pretty much throughout the City and more. The Lake Shore Drive biking is good.
Much thanks to my Filipino brother for the video. 😊
I've never ridden in Chicago so I can't speak to those in particular, but in general the bike lanes that go the wrong way on one-way streets are some of my favorites. Anyone who might turn across the bike lane is positioned such that you can actually see the person driving, and you can see what they're looking at (and accordingly if they see you).
Chicago is the heart of Fixed Gear ⚙️
Chicago is amazing, I was born and raised in Chicago. I just recently got my first home in the city and do tons of cycling out here. Great fixie community and tons of great trails and paths. Check out the North Branch bike trail next time. It's connect to tons of other trails and bike friendly communities, hope you're enjoying your time out here!
downtown chi population went up 45% from 2010 to 2020. seems to be a LOT of bang for the buck + actual public transport.
And the homicide rate with it.
@@G_Ozare that's the bang part^
@@G_Ozare The loop is still safer than most southern cities.
Bike friendly is a loose term in chicago lol
Fr. Really depends on where you bike at. Some streets I just avoid completely.
At least it's a term for Chicago lmao. In my town if you're riding a bike you're either a crackhead or homeless.
You haven't been to California
I live in the stick of NC. You better carry something to protect yourself with out here. These bumpkins don't care about you at all.
You need to go to Minneapolis, that’s IS the most bike friendly town in the US
Consider Austin as a home base...and visit NYC to experience the mecca for fixed gear cycling and just sensory overload of amazing visuals thruout all 5 buroughs...
It was great to meet and ride with you! The vibes were immaculate!🤘🤘🤝
Should have done the 606 path just for funsies since you were close by.
Im actually enjoying these vids. More of these. 🤙❤️
Hey Zach.
Yes, they do have a hipster bike scene.
Years ago, I volunteered at Working Bikes on Western Ave. We repaired old bikes and shipped them to 3rd world countries. Recyclery in Evanston is a cool neighborhood bike shop. Both shops are good bike shops with programs for the community. I also have a buddy co-owns Blue City Cycles in Bridgeport.
My university years were at The University of Chicago and Northwestern University. I would bike from Evanston to Chicago (Hyde Park neighborhood) on my black fixed gear with a big, fat Joy Division sticker. 😉
While in Chicago you should try 11 Degree North near Belmont & Halsted (Venezuelan cafe) in the Lakeview area. They have really good breakfast sandwiches.
Fyi.. The 1st Michelin Star Filipino restaurant is in Chicago at Kasama.
Peace and be safe 😊
Cool to see you bike on some of my daily routes. I’m sure the fixed gear community here would welcome you with open arms.
The bike meet was so fun hope you make another meet soon
Exactly like you said Chicago's bike infrastructure isn't great, but for America it's good. One of the things that really makes Chicago shine are the backstreets. There are a ton of wider one lane, one way streets that are great for getting around once you know them. Every rider here has their preferred east-west routes for getting around since most of the infrastructure is made to go north-south. Being so flat can be great but the wind cancels it out a lot of the time, especially if you're on the east side near the lake.
Funny when you got to the part about being more worried about being doored than the crime here. Crime is an issue but I have so many people who were worried about it when I moved even though with the problems the crime rate here is lower than where I moved from. They just refuse to accept it though.
Speaking of the snow, Chicago is pretty good about cleaning it up, so if you can bare the cold, there’s probably not many days you can’t ride
You inspire me to ride my bike, I have sold my car and fixing to build my first fixed gear. Right now I ride a Diamondback road bike converted to a single speed. I live 6 hours from Chicago, so if you move there I would like to meet you and ride with you sometime. I have watched all your videos on TH-cam and I can't Waite til you post more.
Amazing city! I love here and love biking through the city!
Wow Zach. So much traction for the go. Rocking the winter tire on the road. 🫡
I recently just got hooked on fixie because of a manhwa Windbreaker. I love Vinny Hong's violet fixie.
Cool. I'm the opposite, first got hooked on fixed gear, and then a girl from my class told me about windbreaker, because I was going to uni on my fixie. She was also amazed by my skidding skills and that I can do fish n chips :P
Just wait until you take those studded tires off... You're gonna feel like superman!
While you are in the area, check out milwaukee. Not quite as bike friendly as Chicago, but not terrible and absolutely dirt cheap.
If you do come to Boston, you're gonna want a mountain bike for sure! These potholes and dips seem pretty tame by comparison.
Next bike group ride in Chicago should be the whole lakeshore trail in the summer in the morning. Nothing like it!
Philly has all you want except bike friendly. Taking your space makes for better riding imo. There are a lot of paved paths too.
I imagine geography to your Sac fam factors in, but Philly would be great to relocate to. It’s very affordable comparably, and not as cold & windy as Chicago.
I’ve ridden in nyc and they aren’t that nice. You also have a very sunny disposition, especially for for a fixed rider too though.
Welcome to Chicago! This very old and slow rider didn't make the first group ride -- 30s temps, evening, and South side (I'm north shore) didn't add up for me -- but I hope to meet you if there's more to come, particularly north side. I think it's time to lose the studs.
One like for a Filipino to finally appreciate chickens! Your roots are showing.
You could say that Zach is the manok
It looks like you are staying near one of the historical centers of Chicago cycling. Wastyn Cycles was originally at 2221 Milwaukee. Besides being a dealer they were framebuiilders of note, particularly for track bikes. They actually built the frames fro Schwinn's Paramounts until Schwinn brought it tin house. Wastyn's is now located nearby at 2634 Fullerton. No connection, but I think you may find it interesting.
5.50 smell the chocalate! You need to check out the Desplaines RIver Trail next time your in Chicago.
I see you've also been watching City Nerd and Alan Fisher videos lol
In my city, Boston, for reference, a 2bed condo is about 800k at the _minimum_
What kind of bike computer were you using in this video? I like the noise it makes lol
Hey that’s my city
Wish I could have made it Wednesday- come back again on a Weekend!
Damn I miss riding there so much even the winter riding was fun but yes very cold
New series! Visit all the "bike friendly" cities and rate them!
That would be seriously cool.
Bucktown is also neighborhood! If you move here you’d probably need to get a winter bike. The salt does a number on your bike!
And that's when you need the studded tires! I tried taking my mountain bike once in sunny, zero-degree weather on the lakefront trail with the regular tires; given the park district's snow clearance, it was fine until I got to the underpass near the aquarium and planetarium, at which point it was completely iced over. Tried to pick my way across but spun out and fell over and ripped my pants. Never again in that kind of weather without studs.
There are bike lanes like that in Philadelphia near the UPenn and Drexel campuses in Center City.
I had a nice time watching this video :)
If you're already looking at snowy places I'd strongly recommend Minneapolis. Lived there 11 years and really loved it. Cool city, good and constantly improving bike infrastructure (and transit), great cycling / fixie communities. For my part 10/10 would pick MPLS over Chicago, and would head back there if I was looking to relocate to a city that I can afford with longevity
That's what I've been saying. Zack would love it in MN. I used to ride only fixed during the winters. So much fun.
Zach Gallardo Hotline when?
@terry_b
You gonna relocate to chiraq ?
You should check out some Bike channels regarding infrastructure, there is a few good cycling cities in the U.S
Notjustbikes etc
Zach being friendly to chickens.
Me, Knowing how chickens peck like a bee sting 🥹
That’s a nice camera!!!
How about Brevard NC?
Missoula MT is a nice place to ride, too, but is pretty expensive.
San antonio is the shit!! But not bike friendly like Chi Town. We have amazing greenways for biking but riding on the streets no Bueno. We're working on a 100 mile bike trail too austin which I can't wait til it's done. Cheers love the videos!
The camera has me struggling to figure out where you are on the video.. lol
Another factor to consider is bike thieving. When I lived in the UK (London and Leeds) anything would be nicked. In Australia (Gold Coast and Cairns) less stealing but not very good for biking. I'm in Tokyo now, decent bikes can get nicked but my POS FG is pretty safe with the most basic of locks. I was in LA for a while but not for me.
Wtf I thought japanese ppl don't steal shit
@@Ponder_lust It is very rare but happens. If you left an expensive road or mtb at the same place every night unlocked it is at risk. Less risk than many other places but still at risk. From what I understand there are a few gangs that sell the parts.
You should totally come check out salt lake city!
Are you running studded tires? A little noisy
In smaller NZ cities traffic like this isn't so common. Watching you weave between cars is anxiety inducing 😲
US still has some things to work on when it comes to cycling, Chicago compared to any larger city in Europe is very mediocre.
Zach you should come down to Evanston it’s on the north of Chicago
6:22 that same condo would run you almost half a million in London lmao
Damn, this is not only bike friendly, thats genius how they made this.. You literally are Foster than any cars going through city.. damn
Aren't those gang colors in Chi-town? Did you get initiated already?
Chicago's pretty sweet
What is that weird roadnoise when you're off the green pant? It almost sounds like you're still running the spiked tires???
Haha got my answer @ 16:41 😅
I want order wabi bike but who is going to setup the bike for when it gets shipped in 📦
sweet home, chicago
17:31 my wrist had to be put together with screws and plates lol
California you hace to earn over 200,000 per year to have sufficient money for growth, normally done when 2 successful people marry, i say successful because … minimum wage here is nearly 25k/ yr… if your an engineer, cop, RN, or firefighter… without overtime your hitting between 60-75k per year … so option B is Marry another person who earn that lower mid tax bracket, and rent a room or garage out …. Because property tax in Los Ángeles is about 10-15k per year … not including house insurance … California is cheap outside of the main cities such as the desert 🏜️ region, or places in the mid of nowhere like Rialto … but if your going to WASP area in the mid of no where it’s the same disparity that you’ll find in a city …. Many Californian have left to arkansa, Nebraska, Arizona, and Texas …
zach boutta move here and work for cut cats
For a North American city, Montreal probably impressed me the most with their bike-ability. Bu unless you speak French and are willing to move to Canada it's probably off the list. 😂
If Chicago wasn't as prone to bike theft, it would probably be higher on my list.
Most important part is @ 21:56
+100 for chicago
Uh….have you been there in mid winter? That’s not fun snow! 😂
And warning: you may get fat-have you tried the pizza?
But I agree that California is crazy expensive, and LA is a death wish when it comes to cycling.
Did you try those nice bike paths on a weekend or weekday? Weekdays are a very different animal.
@Nicegram-me-ZachGallardo you are a fake...this is bullshit. you are not Zack!
You keep on saying affordable. I understand compared to California ot is but compared to the rest if the midwest it's pricy
Do you have to live in a big city? Lots of small towns have housing cost a fraction of what it is in the big city. Lancaster, PA (My old stomping ground has good bike lanes, Amtrak, bus service and fixed gear folks.) Give it some thinking. P.S. your girl friend and you make a nice couple. Does she ride a Fixie? Extra Fixie points to you if she does.
Pop out riis
You should live in Milwaukee instead it’s cheaper
streets so empty
Cuz its cold and mid day when everyone at work
★🙏🏻★
When I think about. Chicago i think of Kanye
are you crazy its dangerous and has a winter
Cringe.
"a city where you get more bang for your buck in terms of walkability, bikeability, and even community."
Early April Fool's joke? lol Zach, I seriously suggest you do further research. Unfortunately Chicago is one of the most violent cities in the country. Chicago constantly makes the news as one of America's most unreasonably dangerous and violent cities. With a population of roughly 2,746,388, Chicago has a crime rate of 3,926 per 100,000 people, making it 67% more dangerous than the US average. Perhaps that changes with the new mayor, but it remains to be seen. I could easily name 10 other cities more affordable and bike friendly. Maybe it sounds "trendy" to live there but personally this is one of the last cities I would ever consider moving to.
-Gio Dezera
Guarantee you don't even fucking live here you goober
Congrats, you sound like a fearmongering suburbanite and/or someone who's never even been to chicago. The crime thing is really blown out of proportion
Absurd comment from someone with absolutely no practical experience of Chicago. However, in terms of biking, if you don’t remember to look down at your bike while you’re riding it, it will be stolen out from beneath you.
The risk of living in Chicago is exaggerated. Is it perfectly safe? No, most of the US isn’t either. Safety depends heavily on your lifestyle choices (member of a gang? Sell drugs? Choose to break laws or harm others?), what neighborhood you’re living, the class and poverty level you were born into, etc.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_crime_rate
Chicago shows up as #55 on this list of US cities by violent crime rate (sorted by Total). Mainstream news slanders this city incessantly but it focuses on a narrow, misleading statistic and patently ignores all the good that happens. News especially ignores the efforts to prevent crime, the underlying social and economic causes. All they ever suggest is the small-minded throwing more police at the problem because it sounds intuitive to the gullible and the ignorant
@@petermccafferty9230 First of all, you have absolutely no idea what experience I have in Chicago. Secondly, It’s unfortunate that this triggered you but Absurd is a strong word. Perhaps the crime stats are inflated or exaggerated by the media and outlets reporting shootings every weekend in South Side but I didn’t come up with the reporting nor the stats. These aren’t my crime statistics, so if you don’t like them, go take it up with the bureau.
I think in chicago they have a huge engine 11 crew
Can confirm
Yo, I will probably be down to ride with you. I’ll message you on Instagram.