Back on the Bike, Courtesy of The Wheel Thing

As a kid, I rode my bike everywhere in Western Springs. To the park, to White Hen for candy and slushies, to friends' houses. 

As an adult, I started riding my bike again. Not everywhere, though. I lived in New Lenox for a couple of years and was steps from the bike trail, and now that I'm living back in Western Springs, we've got the Salt Creek Trail nearby. 

I had been riding my dad's bike for some time when the back wheel began to feel wobbly, so I took it into The Wheel Thing in La Grange. After hearing suggestions that I should get a tune-up, a new chain and new tires, it made sense to get my own bike and return my dad's home. 

We featured The Wheel Thing's new owners, Kevin and Ginger Stephens, earlier this year. They took over the bike shop about one year ago after meeting on a cycling team. 

This time I stopped in and was able to get Kevin's advice for a new bike. I wasn't exactly sure what I was looking for. I wanted something with thinner tires than the mountain bike I was riding, but I didn't know if a true road bike fit my style or my budget.

Write a review of The Wheel Thing in La Grange. 

So Kevin suggested a hybrid—a Specialized Sirrus that would allow me to ride quickly on trails for exercise, but also feel comfortable cycling around town for recreational use. And it fit my budget and was in my favorite color, green.

I used the bike immediately that weekend for Chicago's LATE Ride event. If you aren't familiar, it's a casual 25-mile ride through the city that starts at 1 a.m. I rode it last year and had a great time, so I did it again. We start around Buckingham Fountain, weave through Chinatown and up to the north side of the city, and finish down the lakefront. 

After the ride, I sat at the lake to watch the sun rise, then took a leisurely ride through the empty city streets and through Lincoln Park at 5 in the morning. 

It felt great having a new bike that rode well, and I just wanted to say thanks to The Wheel Thing! Yesterday, instead of taking it on the trail, I put use to the hybrid bike and took a page from my childhood and rode my bike to White Hen (well, 7-Eleven now) for a slurpee.

If you're looking to get involved with cycling, The Wheel Thing also holds group rides on Friday evenings. Learn more here. 

TELL US: Where's your favorite place to ride a bike around the area?