Just got back from a visit to SE WI and the Chicago area. Not a
biking trip, but I had some bike-related experiences that were fun.
First, I was walking around Madison and totally by chance walked past
the Yellow Jersey bike shop, so I had to stop in. My sister (non
cyclist) was with me, and had to put up with about 1/2 hour of me just
putzing around looking at the stock. Really nice stuff and frames I
have never seen before, given that my LBS's pretty much stick to the
common names. It was fun seeing some more obscure high quality bikes
and frames.
As for the knick-knacks (sp?), I had to impress my sister with the
carbon fiber bottle cage - Yellow Jersey guys, correct me if I'm
wrong, but I believe I saw a $90 bottle cage? Very nice. They also
had a great selection of the more modestly priced cages, which again,
I never see locally. All I see locally are the $6 aluminum cages of
various prices. I kind of kick myself for not buying a couple of the
stainless steel ones that are strong, light and pretty reasonably
priced.
My next step was to start talking to the staff about wheels, but since
my sister was a little antsy to get on down the road to her home and I
wasn't really intending to purchase wheels, I decided not to. But I'm
sure I would have gotten some great information and an education in
wheels, had I ventured to do that.
Nice store Yellow Jersey!
Second observation: I did some driving in rural areas north and west
of Milwaukee and went through some excellent road biking areas-
interesting scenery, rolling hills, turns and curves and nice wide
shoulders. I saw a couple of solo road bikers and envied them
immensely.
Saw some single speed riders in lycra regalia in Chicago, another
thing I don't see locally.
Fun visiting other places.