Chicago Transit Authority aka: CTA, The El, L, Elevated Train

I rode the CTA everyday from June 2006 when I moved here, to the first week of April 2007. I would take the Grand bus into town, and come home on the Chicago bus or the Green Line.

I bought a bike about 4 weeks ago, and I have taken the CTA only once since that day. I even rode my bike in a hails storm and I think I will take it all winter long at the end of the year.

I live at 2000W so its not even 3 miles for me to get to the Magnificent Mile where I work..

I don’t miss the bus. I am just as fast and I don’t have to wait around for it. Some days I am faster. Some days the wind makes me slower, but I don’t care. I move my body 6 miles a day on a bike and I love it.

I missed a 65 Grand bus today just as I approached. I was mad at first as I knew I was running late for work. I have to be in early for the next few weeks as my company is moving we are working out of two facilities until it’s all complate so my 2nd shift is now a 1st/2nd shift.

As I’m standing there freezing a guy walks up and waits with me. We start talking, all bundled up and both hoping it comes soon. We both recently moved to Chicago, him in September, me in June. We’re both creative types and are getting along pretty well.

We get on the bus and take off our hoodies.. and we know each other. We met LAST week on Michigan Ave.. and didn’t even realize it because we were so bundled up.

Navigating the CTA is like an artform. When I first started using it I was a complete idiot. I think I have it down now.. lived here 6 months now…

I put this as one of “My Favorite Chicago Hangouts” as kind of a joke, so I hope it made someone laugh somewhere.