Gearing Up For Bike & Chow

The Active Transportation Alliance is always trying to get people out on their bikes, and this year, they’re throwing a few edible enticements into their Four Star Bike & Chow event coming up on August 25th. Organizers hope that by setting up various routes throughout the North Side and Northern suburbs – including a few food stops – they’ll get a few more riders this summer.

It’s a long way from Power Bars and Gatorade, but this year’s ride includes pierogies, samosas, spring rolls and BBQ sliders, plus a post-ride Goose Island beer.

The four bike routes, designed for all riders, feature bike-friendly streets and trails; you can choose 12-, 22-, 35- or 62-mile route options and then enjoy delicious Chicago food samples at their pre-designated rest stops. Every participant will receive a punch card to redeem for three samples along their route. They include:

Samosas from Arya Bhavan: These are baked, rather than fried, and the dough is made using organic unbleached flour. The samosas will be filled with potatoes, green peas and Indian spices.

Pierogies from Red Apple Buffet: Riders will be able to try three different kinds of pierogies: sauerkraut and mushroom, potato and cheese and meat. The pierogies will be lightly fried so they are slightly crisp on the outside and easy to eat on the go.

Thai food from Star of Siam: While the options listed look more Chinese than Thai, riders will get samples of vegetarian spring rolls, shrimp  shumai and chicken potstickers.

BBQ pork mini-sliders from The Smoke Daddy

What food is on what route?
12-mile: Arya Bhavan, Smoke Daddy, Star of Siam
22-mile: Smoke Daddy, Red Apple Buffet, Star of Siam
35-mile: Arya Bhavan, Red Apple Buffet, Star of Siam
62-mile: Arya Bhavan, Red Apple Buffet, Star of Siam

Here’s where you go to sign up, and if you enter the code “stevedolinsky” you’ll get $5 off your entry fee.