Had a nice bike ride with a friend the other day on a beautiful, warm, spring evening. We rode a couple of miles from east-central Oak Park to Fatduck in Forest Park. Lovely evening. We enjoyed drinks and a basket of fries in the outdoor patio. The french fries were very good, lots of flavor, but I like my fries a little crispier. I found myself digging around for the smaller, crispier fries at the bottom of the basket. Anyway, we had an equally nice ride home under a full moon later that evening.
That outing got me wondering how we came to this state where our cars are the default go-to choice for nearly every destination, even those within a few blocks. I used to drive to the hardware store five blocks from my house. What was I thinking? I understand the appeal of speed, convenience and comfort we get with our cars, but what have we given up? We’ve largely traded outdoor life for indoor creature comforts and in so doing have become more and more disconnected from the natural world. Perhaps a little more time outdoors would ease some of our modern physical and mental ailments.
I do realize bikes are not for everyone, but for me that bike ride over to Forest Park was terrific. I’d take that over a ride in my car any day.
David Hammond recently wrote about the fries at Parky’s. Perhaps that will be my next local biking destination.
Karl Lauger
Oak Park