My travels to the East to show the new Easy Motion bikes took me through Chicago.  Other than a quick in and out several years ago, I have not been to Chicago since the early 1970’s when I went on the train with my mother and younger brother - a trip I’ll never forget because my brother and I fought the entire time…  I was really looking forward to exploring the city by bike because I’ve always heard what a beautiful city it is.  I spent some time with the good folks at the Rapid Transit Cycle Shop to get the lay of the land, and then headed out on the NEO Cross.  The first thing I noticed is that I was one of only a few cyclist out on the road.  I stuck to the designated bike lanes heading towards the water but I still didn’t encounter any other cyclists enroute until I reached the lake.  I hit the lake at the Lincoln Park Zoo, which on this beautiful fall day was swarming with people, and yes, a few cyclists.  Most of the cyclists were on rented bikes and were swerving along the bike path, which, next to the lake is fairly steeply slanted towards the water - kind of like a velodrome.  I encountered the ocasional lycra clad, hard core cyclist on his carbon bike with clip on TT bars, but otherwise, most everyone was walking hand in hand with their partner enjoying what could be the last of indian summer.  I covered quite a bit of ground in a short amount of time.  The NEO has a mile wide torque band and seems to want to run.  I never used anything other than the large front chainring (the NEO has standart 3x8 mountain bike gearing) but then Chicago is pretty darn flat.  I had to constantly dodge traffic of all sorts and kept thinking to myself about the handful of hard core riders out for their ride - is this really the best option they have?  We are pretty spoiled out in Boulder I guess.  The wind was quite strong and sand was blowing across the path, collecting in the low depressions making cornering hard rather sketchy.  I rode the length of the city along the water then headed inland to check out the riding situation there.  I never felt really safe on the bike anywhere.  NYC was a pleasure ride compared to Chicago.  I can see why Chicago isn’t known as the cycling capital of the US.  For those that live in the city it is doable but I would guess that the winter is long and I know they use lots of salt on the roads - which are narrow and dangerous for cyclists to begin with.  For those that live outside the city - forget it.  I didn’t find any good way to do it.  Maybe if I had spent more time looking I would find something.  One thing is certain - on a clear day you can see forever.  The skyline is stunning but the traffic is out of control.