When Chicago cyclists take to the road they do so with a fistful of reasons, and a variety of fabricated parts, poised to move through the urban environment under human-pedaled power. Between the personal and the political, the practical and the philosophical, the working bikes and the racing bikes, Chicago’s cycling culture spans myriad reasons, ideologies, and neighborhoods.

But at its core, bike culture helps shape identity, build community, and engineer alternate versions of our urban experience. Join us to hear a wide range of cycling stories and meditations — and contribute your own!

Included in the ticket price of this event, group bike rides will be organized from five starting points across the city:

North Lakefront Trail  
Meet at the Chess Pavilion at 2:45 p.m., just south of North Avenue Beach.
Leave at 3:00 p.m.  

Wicker Park  
Meet at the Nelson Algren Fountain (Milwaukee/Ashland/Division) at 2:45 p.m.
Leave at 3:00 p.m.  

Downtown  
Meet at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington Street) at 3:00 p.m.
Leave at 3:15 p.m.  

Pilsen  
Meet at Tenochtitlan Plaza (Blue Island/18th St./Loomis) at 3:00 p.m. Leave at 3:15p.m.  

South Lakefront Trail  
Meet at the South Shore Cultural Center entrance (South Shore Drive and 71st St.) at 3:30 p.m.
Leave at 3:45 p.m.

Also included is a delicious boxed meal, featuring all-natural food items, courtesy of GoPicnic. 

Following the picnic meal, a panel discussion will take place moderated by Zack Furness, author of One Less Car: Bike Culture and the Politics of Cycling (Temple University Press), which explores the ways that cyclists in the United States have politicized bicycles and everyday cycling as a response to the proliferation of car culture and the ideology of automobility. Panelists will include Alex Wilson, founder of West Town Bikes and Ciclo Urbano, Chicago Bicycle Activist Kathy Schubert, and Adolfo Hernandez, Director of Advocacy, Active Transportation Alliance

This event has been produced in partnership with the Illinois Humanities Council.

Velosophie
The Velosophie program of the Illinois Humanities Council is a reading-discussion program that combines physical, outdoor excursions in natural settings with evening reading and reflection. The program utilizes 'motion' as its organizing concept and serves people interested in thinking and talking about what it means: to be fully alive in the world; to be fully human in their environment; and, to stand in relation to, and in balance with, the mind, the body, the land, and those around us. This year’s readings include a variety of formats such as short stories, essays, memoirs, poetry, philosophy, and longer works of fiction.

“Hubs & Spokes: Threading the Wheels of Chicago's Bike Culture" is taking place as part of the Hyde Park Art Center's celebration of its 70th anniversary, 70 Days for 70 Years, taking place April 25-July 4, 2009. Visit their website for more information about the 70 days of dance, music, food and of course art scheduled throughout this event.