CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. When you see the identical issues each single day, fairly quickly chances are you’ll not even really see them anymore. To some extent, you’ve got most likely skilled this. It could possibly undoubtedly be that approach you probably have a commute you get used to, too.
However in the event you want a change to that routine, a straightforward approach of doing it’s to strive doing all of your commute a unique approach.
For years, I used to commute to work, in addition to to high school, in Chicago. And I used a number of other ways to do that: Public transit, public transit and a folding bicycle (actually), a bicycle, a scooter (the straddle-type that requires an M endorsement), a motorbike, and a automotive. But it surely’s been a bit since I’ve carried out so, as RideApart would not require any in-person something. I’ve no commute.
What about that outdated one, although? Might a first-gen Royal Enfield Hunter 350 assist me see the town I grew up in with new eyes?
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
Although Chicago was my playground, Milwaukee was my first vacation spot, as I took an Amtrak prepare as much as decide up the Hunter 350 and experience it dwelling from Royal Enfield’s North American HQ. There, the crew ran over the very easy controls and I discussed that I’d had the chance to spend quality time with the Hunter 350 on its international launch in Bangkok.
It isn’t a tough bike to get to know by any stretch. However on this case, it was like assembly an outdated pal somewhat than making the Hunter’s acquaintance for the primary time. Once I was driving the Hunter 350 in Bangkok, I used to be seeing the town of my household in a a lot completely different approach from having beforehand solely seen it out a automotive window.
What sights would the Hunter present me again at dwelling?
When you’re from Chicago or the overall space, then you definately’ve most likely made the pilgrimage throughout the Cheddar Curtain to Wisconsin not less than as soon as. You’ve got little question seen the Mars Cheese Citadel (and even stopped there to bask in unspeakable dairy delights), and felt the stress rise in a virtually palpable approach in the event you or anybody you are touring with is a Chicago Bears fan, operating amok deep in Inexperienced Bay Packers territory. And you’ve got most likely heard many and varied opinions on essential subjects starting from find out how to inform in case your cheese curds are recent, to only precisely how good a New Glarus Noticed Cow on faucet can style on a scorching summer time day.
Cermak Highway Bridge
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
This can be a bike that is happiest weaving by means of tight metropolis streets, or ambling amiably down B-roads, although; not munching thousands and thousands of freeway miles. And that is OK.
What it means is that you could be find yourself discovering completely different paths to get to the place you are going. You want taking the good distance, do not you? That is why many people experience bikes, in any case. We like our bikes, positive, however we additionally get pleasure from lovely surroundings, good meals, and new experiences. The Hunter 350 is right here that will help you scope out all three, along with operating your each day errands and commutes with ease.
I am a rider who often avoids interstates once I can, it doesn’t matter what bike I am driving. As I hopped on the Hunter 350 and wound my approach by means of downtown Milwaukee to move again south, I could not have requested for higher climate. The solar was shining, the skies have been blue, I had on my finest ventilated driving gear, and I used to be able to get pleasure from a pleasant experience again dwelling. With a key cease to convey some New Glarus again for a pal’s cookout, in fact; when within the Badger State, proper? Proper.
Have bungees, will transport all of the issues.
And whereas some bikes is likely to be earmarked for large adventures, the Hunter 350 is clearly meant for the on a regular basis variety, nearer to dwelling. Those you won’t all the time consider as adventures, however which completely might be in the event you have a look at them a bit of in another way. What higher approach of doing that than my outdated commute down Lake Shore Drive at dawn?
Southbound & down LSD.
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
If I’ve one factor I miss about that commute, it is seeing the town get up and witnessing the solar pushing its first tentative beams throughout Lake Michigan. I am satisfied there’s nothing else prefer it, and you’ll’t inform me in any other case.
Now, the Hunter 350 is as clean a bit of single-cylinder machine as you could possibly need (smoother than some parallel twins I can consider, the truth is), because of its counterbalanced crankshaft. The clutch is cable-actuated, however each the levers and the sunshine pull make it tremendous simple and pleasant to make use of, even when you end up caught in site visitors.
When you’re out early sufficient within the morning on LSD, site visitors is not actually an issue. However like rush hour site visitors virtually anyplace, in the event you depart even 5 minutes later than you often do, you will typically discover a a lot completely different, extra probably irritating site visitors state of affairs ready for you. One you will simply should suck it up and cope with if you wish to get the place you are going, muttering in your helmet the entire time.
Whether or not you (appropriately) name it Comiskey, otherwise you name it Charge Area, it is a candy experience.
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
Or you could possibly go up north and see the Cubs with out even having to steal your dad’s 1961 Ferrari 250 GT!
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
This is the place I be aware that in Bangkok, you may lane filter. The Hunter 350 excels at lane filtering, so in the event you reside someplace that is legally allowed, you will have a fair higher time on this bike than on some others I’ve ridden. It’s extremely nimble and agile, even at sluggish speeds; it is prefer it was constructed for rigorously threading in between rows of vehicles.
Sadly for me (and this piece), you may’t do this in Chicago, or Illinois. So whereas I do know from previous expertise that the Hunter is excellent at doing precisely that, I needed to content material myself with sitting in site visitors and ready to crawl by means of at instances, as I’d on another bike. It is a charming bike with a persona of its personal, however being in a spot the place filtering is not a factor does sort of really feel such as you’re tying one among its arms behind its again.
There isn’t a Shermer in Illinois.
Picture by: Joseph C. Lucente
We acquired scooterbombed getting the opposite photographs on this piece, and it was superior. 🙂
Picture by: Joseph C. Lucente
What about enjoyable city-living? Chicago has no scarcity of alternatives for that, no matter your favourite factor is likely to be to do. If baseball’s your factor, you may head to Comiskey Park (sorry, Charge Area, I assume) to see the White Sox, or on as much as Wrigley Area to see the Cubs.
When you’re a film fan, hitting up the various Shermer Highs within the North Shore space is a snap (you’ll want to cease at any Pita Inn location for one of the best pitas and baba gannouj of your life in the event you do). By the way, the House Alone mansion can be up that approach in the event you’re planning a day journey, however you will should map that one out for your self.
Have YOU seen the sunshine?
Picture by: Joseph C. Lucente
Previous Joliet Jail.
Picture by: Joseph C. Lucente
Brief hike from Chicago, with tons of scrumptious meals close by on your day journeys.
Picture by: Joseph C. Lucente
Are you additionally on a mission from God?
Picture by: Joseph C. Lucente
Questioning if the Previous Joliet Jail as seen in the Blues Brothers movie is basically haunted? Why not discover out for your self with a go to, or not less than a ride-by?
Need to go crate digging and discover some new music to fill your ears? We’ve loads of locations to try this, too, together with a number of completely different conveniently situated outposts of what is been a hang-out of mine since highschool, Reckless Records. When you love discovering wonderful new meals, it doesn’t matter what sort of meals you are into, you can too discover it right here. I promise you, now we have extra than simply scorching canine and pizza, although you are all the time welcome to get an earful at the Wiener’s Circle in the event you completely cannot management your self.
By no means change, Reckless.
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
Who is aware of, you would possibly even make a two-wheeled pal at your favourite spot, like I did at Jennivee’s!
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
Otherwise you would possibly be taught the arduous approach that a spot you wished to strive is closed the day you go. NEXT TIME, 2D Restaurant! NEXT TIME.
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
And the excellent news is that avenue parking on a motorbike could not be simpler. Simply keep in mind to pay on your parking in the event you’re in Chicago, as a result of ever since Mayor Daley infamously signed away the revenue rights to the city’s parking meters back in 2008, each resident and customer alike has been doing nothing however pay ever since.
What’s that, you say you are a fellow girl rider and also you wish to get your arms on some bike gear and equipment that suit your vibe? Chicago additionally occurs to be dwelling to a very wonderful little unbiased store run by girls riders, for girls riders. It is known as Tarnish, and it is best to completely test it out in the event you get the possibility.
Tarnish is a rad retailer for girls who experience.
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
At all times keep in mind.
Picture by: Janaki Jitchotvisut
Chicago is a metropolis of distinct neighborhoods, and the Hunter 350 was completely made to weave all of them collectively. It has a vibe and a mode all its personal.
Certainly, the place the Hunter 350 actually shines is in its maneuverability in tight areas, together with parking nearly anyplace it’s worthwhile to. It is lifeless easy to place it precisely the place you need it, and since it is so small, it takes up little or no area. Curbside parking, even in tremendous congested neighborhoods, is a breeze. You virtually do not even have to consider it; as an alternative, you simply do it.
In a wierd approach, it is virtually prefer it’s spiriting you from place to put. Some bikes are very bodily, such as you’re disconnected from them and should sternly inform them what to do as an alternative of simply going with the circulation. The Hunter 350, in the meantime, is simply joyful to go outdoors and do what you need. The best way it carries its admittedly diminutive weight is simply easy, letting you pay extra consideration to no matter’s round you.
That is actually the fantastic thing about a pleasant, small-displacement machine like this. It is easy to experience and get snug with, so that you inherently pay extra consideration to what’s round you rather than considering a lot about what you are going to do subsequent in your bike. You spend extra time simply being, and having fun with the place you’re.
I discovered myself taking a bit of extra time to concentrate to the small print of my unique commute, of my hometown, of the town than I may need carried out earlier than. It is lots simpler to try this on a pleasant machine just like the Hunter 350.
Trending Merchandise
