Friday. Sunny, still, 31 degrees F. So I rode my bike to work today, and it was glorious. I had the plowed lake path pretty much to myself. All told there were about 20 runners and six cyclists on my six-mile trip. I was warm enough riding that my jacket was unzipped most of the way. I need to do this more often! And I guess I will, this evening.

I've been without my bike since before Christmas, so today with the temperature at about 30 degrees F, I went to get it from my former condo. I stopped at Metropolis for some coffee, and rode home on the lakefront path.

A surprising number of people were out enjoying the day, particularly on the lake. And here's why: 30 degrees isn't bad when accompanied by sunshine and a light breeze. My base layer was just jeans and a T-shirt. On top, I wore a breathable, waterproof shell with a fleece liner, Gore-tex mittens and a Bern winter helmet. At no point was I cold or sweaty. The cold air was bracing, but I really enjoyed being out in it.

About the helmet: this is new to me. It's a Bern Baker with the winter liner. While a bit heavy, it's quite comfortable, and flaps cover your ears, keeping your noggin warm. I recommend it. But be sure to try before you buy: Bern makes helmets for several sports and some options are not approved for cycling. They also run small. I was shocked to fit an XL - with most products I'm a medium. So enlist the help of a specialist to make sure you get the right features and fit.

The shore was stunning. When you whip cream, you're instructed to make "soft peaks." That's what the ice looked like. Big mounds, stark white, going out about a hundred yards, then the coldest water I can imagine, black as ink.

The iPhone has two obvious weaknesses: the AT&T network, and its battery. Here's a good solution for the latter. It's an external lithium ion battery for those long stretches when you can't find an AC outlet. Charge it on your computer (also USB) and you've got juice to get you through that layover at Hartsfield. About the size of an iPod nano, it's about $25 at Amazon. Here it's shown with car keys for a size reference.

(download)

If you're looking for beautiful paper and cards, these are wonderful times. There's a renaissance of small shops doing letterpress work with outstanding design, printed on rich, heavy paper. And, because our mailboxes are full of bills and cheap advertising circulars, a hand-written note is powerful. It is something that is noticed, remembered and appreciated.
 
I'm grateful that The Paper Source has made these kinds of products widely available. But one advantage of living in a city is the specialist shop, such as Greer. Located in Lincoln Park, Greer is a paen to a more civilized time. "Beauty • Wit • Civility" goes the shop's tagline. This is your store if you care about notepaper, thank-you cards or wrapping paper. If you're doing crafts, Paper Source is probably a better bet.
 
Social networking online has turned us into people who Tweet, LOL and generally butcher the English language. It has degraded the notion of "friend." It has turned us into hordes of "followers." In many ways, being social has moved us apart, not closer together.
 
Greer exists to help you get closer to the people that you care about. Write a thank-you note, or carefully and beautifully wrap a present. Go ahead, get out a good pen. Express your emotions in longhand. Lick a stamp. Wait a couple of days for the card to be received. It will have been time well spent.
 
There are other specialist paper shops in Chicago. Twosided and Foursided are near-twins and carry new cards and paper, but also found objects, antiques, frames and ephemeral paper goods like old flash cards and learning tools. You will marvel at the selection, probably wonder where these odd cards came from (many are printed in other languages), and what in the world you're going to do with them. In short, these are fun stores.
 
Resources:
 
Greer, 1757 N Wells, Chicago, IL
http://greerchicago.com
 
The Paper Source, five Chicago locations
http://www.paper-source.com/
 
Foursided
5061 N Clark, Chicago, IL
2939 N Broadway, Chicago, IL
 
Twosided
2958 N Clark, Chicago, IL
 
http://foursidedonline.blogspot.com/
(There is also a website at foursided.net, but it doesn't work)

http://inbflat.net/

The bicycle is one of the most wonderful things ever invented. And yet, the bicycle industry has a track record of selling people bikes that aren't right for them. From the skinny-tired racing bikes of the '70s to the fat-tired mountain bikes of today, it's no wonder so many people have given up on bicycling. Come on, do you really need dual suspensions on your bike?
 
But don't despair. Sensible bikes are available. And more good news: as Nat King Cole sings, style is coming back in style. Witness Dutch Bike Chicago, in Lincoln Park at 651 W. Armitage Avenue. It's a small shop filled with wonderful, beautiful, sensible bikes. Here's the path taken by Dutch Bike Company. Let someone who uses a bike as their sole transportation (the Dutch) design and build it. Make it sturdy. Give it an upright seating position. Put fenders on it (it does rain from time to time). Give it a rack or two (if it's your sole transportation, you'll need to load it up). Add lights. A comfortable Brooks leather saddle. And a ding bell.
 
In short, it's a bike for everyday life. No fads here. And no spandex. You can ride it and wear a suit (the chain is completely enclosed; there's even a skirt protector).
 
I was greeted by Susan Ramaker, who explained the paradigm of the Dutch bike and showed me around the shop. She encouraged me to take a ride, so I chose the Secret Service, one of the lighter bikes. It was strikingly finished in matte black. It was "badass" in the most gentlemanly way possible. It was a most unusual ride. Initially the bike seemed unstable. But once I got going, it felt unstoppable. Smoooooth. The bike features a Shimano internal hub (seven or eight speeds, I forget) and was super easy to shift - even when stopped. It features "roller brakes" which function like disc brakes (it's a nice advantage in wet weather, when your rims are slippery). The bike was also equipped with a generator, rear rack and a ding bell. The bike fairly screams "sensible."
 
But there is a downside: first, the bike is relatively heavy (not really an issue in flat Chicago. And it costs $1619. Cheap, compared to a car. But likely more than you paid for your last bike.
 
But consider this: it will go forever. It will make you healthy. It will make you happy. You will look damn good riding it.
 
From this perspective, can you afford not to buy it?
 
http://dutchbikechicago.com