Buy a bike in Chicago -xoTani
I had a new obsession for the summer – getting a bike! I researched for a bit and found a very nice mountain bike worth $100 at Walmart. Getting to the closest store was a bit tedious, as there aren’t many Walmarts in the city of Chicago. I had to ride two very long bus rides, followed by a 10-minute walk, to finally get where I wanted to be. A quick glance at the bikes and I found my new ride: a purple mountain bike. I bought her immediately after a quick test drive inside the store and even made a point to get a 12-month insurance just in case. I named her “Shayli”, inspired by the latest viral “my Shayla” meme.
I loved her immediately! Over the next week, she and I went out almost every day for a ride. Thanks to the infrastructure in Chicago being bike-friendly with the biking lanes, it was genuinely awesome to get from one place to the other in a different way.
After a great day with my bike, it was time to ride back home. I was able to get back as the sun was setting slowly. I was in awe as I got to enjoy Chicago from a completely different angle, which I’ve never seen before. Being able to ride on the roads yourself is genuinely so fun. I highly encourage people who are not from Chicago to go for a ride, as the experience is truly memorable. Best part? It is eco-friendly.
I am very happy I picked up this hobby over the summer here in Chicago!
– xoTani
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One thing I keep reiterating in many of my DeBlog posts is how grateful I am for DePaul University’s tuition package, as it includes Ventra passes. It allows its students to commute to school and even between campuses promptly. The best part? We can explore the city and go anywhere we want whenever to explore. The good thing about the summer break, however, is the luxury of time we have to explore different options.
I was walking through the LPC recently and saw a family of four riding bikes in the parking lot opposite DePaul University – College of Science and Health. They had an adorable lineup – the father in the front, followed by the kids, and the mother in the end. The parents essentially shielded the kids in a way, as the two little ones followed the lead. It was a very heartwarming sight and one that reminded me that riding bikes is very fun! Between the classes and the stress of finding an internship, I forgot the classic glee of riding a bike and enjoying the breeze that hits your face.
I decided to take Shayli to Roscoe Village, Chicago, one day, as I wanted to go thrifting in “Village Discount”. It was a 30-minute ride from my house, and thanks to the warm summer breeze and the bright blue skies, I loved every second of it, despite the burning quads and the straight cardio workout. Thankfully, this was a day when the thrift gods also decided to bless me. I had a blast picking out fun clothes, such as jerseys and shorts, for the hot weather ahead of me.
By the time I was done, it was around 6 pm. It was almost dinner time, and as I was already very pleased with the day, I was enjoying it thanks to my bike and shopping. The only thing that could complement it was a nice New York warm pie. 2 minutes away from “Village Discount” is “Pizza Amelia”, a really good place to end my day. I enjoyed a yummy pizza and even got a delicious sorbet for free from the owner!
