Illinois – Page 4 – VeggHead BeerCyclist

Bicycle Ride

Posted on July 16, 2017July 17, 2017 by jeffreylatty

Every single opportunity prior to yesterday has been an impossible mission to partake in an organized ride. Weather or job has disrupted every ride. Somehow, someway this weekend that I normally work was ironically switched to work more in my favor. Yesterday, was a perfect day in Northern Central Illinois. The day finally reached mid eighties when our 5-10 mph wind metric century (65 ish miles) was complete. I rode with a great group of guys and had a lot of fun. Z Tour 2017 was my first ever organized ride.

Vegan food/snacks were consumed, multiple beers were enjoyed and a curious kitten was saved from bicycle trampling by yours truly.

Z Tour

#RideOn

Mexicana Rigatoni

Posted on July 9, 2017 by jeffreylatty

I dare you to diffuse normality, confusingly infusing uncommonly concocted ingredients. Mexican-style ingredients and dishes are most comforting, to me. Also, usually inexpensive. Dream it up, prepare it and destroy it. Learning, adapting and evolving the realm of thought that went into an adaptation. Here are a few pictures in attempt to inspire others to make something differently delicious.

Independence Daze

Posted on July 5, 2017 by jeffreylatty

Spontaneity is amazing. Spontaneity breaks free from routine, altering the normal series of events and, if lucky, realigning planets in your favor. Breaking free from your norm, truly opens your eyes to how well the world can click away from the comforts of familiarity. A brain thinking optimistically obviously helps, but let’s sacrifice sleep to bike to a night of fireworks….

#RideON

#DrinkON

#AdventureON

Ⓥ Chipotle Chocolate Cucumber Chilaquiles

Posted on June 25, 2017June 25, 2017 by jeffreylatty

I’ve been dreaming of Euphoria. Mexican-style bliss may possibly bring myself the closest to that state. Infusing ingredients. Confusing palates. Enthusing and bemusing, let’s tip one back and have fun.

This Chilaquiles concept has evolved from its original normality. I baked Flax, Oat Bran & Whole Wheat Lavash Bread pieces taking away the fried corn tortillas to be flavorfully healthier.

Water was heated and seasoned with bay leaves (later removed), SeaSalt/Pepper/Garlic, Cucumber, Cocoa, Tomato Paste, Chipotle Powder, a drop of Vanilla, Meatless Crumbles, Tofu, Onion, Green Pepper, Jalapeño, Cilantro, Chocolate, Lemon & Lime Juice, Corn and Sugar.

Interlaying baked Lavash pieces with the Chipotle Chocolate Cucumber Sauce like a pyramid ready for demolition. Garnishing with Lemon and Lime slices, the dish was destroyed along with the plate and fork and table.

Tofurky-Daiya Crescently Infused

Posted on June 2, 2017 by jeffreylatty

Aldi Veggie Patties

My link above dives deeper into the quality of these Veggie Patties:)

Using prepared dough, I seasoned with Onion & Garlic Powder and Crushed Red Pepper before infusing/confusing with slices of Tofurky & Daiya.

This concoction was rolled up and formed into a croissant form, topped with Sesame Seeds and then baked.

BBQ Sauce was lightly added to this ordeal.

Veggie Patties were also involved.

Deliciousness.

CHEERS.

Super Ⓥ-Dawg

Posted on May 5, 2017 by jeffreylatty

The climate in north central Illinois this late April-early May has not been the most friendly. Normally, I would be riding a bicycle with most of my free time. The cold wet wind needs to settle down. I don’t like to spend tons of time in the kitchen on the nicer days. Creating faster Ⓥ options leaves more time to get outside and play:)

In a skillet, (dry) minced Onions, Mustard Seed and Crushed Red Pepper were lightly sautéed in light oil before adding Morning Star glory (Ⓥ Seitan, Ⓥ Cheitan, Ⓥ Pulled Peirk). Canned Ⓥ Chili was added after a bit with Liquid Smoke, Sea Salt, Pepper, Sugar and Garlic Powder. Ⓥ Smart Dawgs were added and simmered.

In a separate pot, Jasmine and Wild Rice were cooked. The Rice was added to the Super Ⓥ Chili. Frozen Fries were baked. The Super Ⓥ-Dawg was built and Daiya was melted on top. BBQ Sauce and Mustard made the Dawgs even more Super.

CHEERS

RADIUM CITY BREWING

Posted on April 25, 2017April 25, 2017 by jeffreylatty

The Illinois Valley is actually quite historic. This area is often escaped upon and taken for granted from from diversely working class immigrant heritage wishing to live the “American Dream”. We have Germans, Polish, Irish, African American, Mexican, Italian and many in-between and more mixed heritage.

I leave town for a few days and of course Radium City is going to release a new brew. Calling around to a couple of liquor stores, one of which, Rudy’s Liquor, where my buddy purchased a Baptism By Vampire (the new brew) at. They claimed that they were out. BUMMER. Getting off of work, I call it a day in preporation for the following morning shift. Work is always fun for me. If you don’t like your job, it is your fault and you’re a fool being stuck somewhere that you do not wish to be.

Escaping from your job, love or hate, is essential. Ideally, freedom is our way of life and must be utilized. Nothing sets me free more than riding my bicycle wherever I want to have fun and Live. I stop at Rudy’s Liquor after work to become absolutely surprised by their Baptism By Vampire bombers in the cooler and on the shelf. These bottle tops were dipped in a sexy red wax. I bought two:) Jumping onto the I&M Canal on my bicycle, I rode excited and thirsty until Split Rock where I took a little hydration break.

And stopping at the next town, Utica, IL – home of the Starved Rock State Park, I was ecstatically surprised to find BAPTISM BY VAMPIRE on draft at Duffy’s Tavern. A hard days work, a fun bike ride and a beautiful day was enhanced by Good Beer, Food and company courtesy of the Illinois Valley. Local greatness is local pride. If you can’t find it, get the f*ck out.

soloCUBSparade III

Posted on April 16, 2017 by jeffreylatty

Unfortunately, my rear wheel broke at some point yesterday. The hollowing wind may have silenced the noise of a usual broken spoke for a good while. Not too far from civilization, I brainstormed a way to somewhat secure it so it wasn’t just flopping around. A pre-glued patch mended the floating broken spoke to another. I rode to the nearest town and rode in around 6:30pm. This is where things sprinted downhill. The closest bike shop was 10 miles without any posted hours online nor reviews. My reserved hotel room was 40+ miles south with horrendous headwind remaining.

There were hotel options 5-10 miles from where I was, but do I trust riding on a broken bike? Do I trust riding a broken bike at night? If I stay in a hotel, will this bike shop be open on Easter? Are they able to repair a broken spoke?

I weighed my options and decided to not risk incident nor further damage to the bike and stranding myself further away from civilization in the dark. The decision to cancel the remaining hike of my soloCUBSparade and arrange teleportation home was made. My hotel reservations were non-refundable. My Amtrak ticket was refundable after a fee.

To recap, I went pretty far in a few days as quickly as the elements allowed. I may not have completed, but wow, did I overcome difficult obstacles. I’ve gained knowledge, as well, to better prepare my next bike hike:

Do not make hotel reservations. Make sleeping arrangements on the road.
Bring battery backup.
Carry backup water, always.
Do not get caught up in tinkering every single road while losing sight on the bigger map.
Always bring rear lighting.

soloCubsparade I

Check out “soloCUBSparade I” on Relive!

Relive I

soloCUBSparade II

Check out “soloCUBSparade II ” on Relive!

Relive II

My Garmin died 37.4 km prior to my arrival. I used Strava to map it out exactly. Ride II totaled 192 km (roughly 120 miles), 796 m (2,612 ft.) elevation gain and I’m going to guess around 12 hours of ride time – 14 ish hours of elapsed time.

soloCUBSparade III

Check out “Morning Ride” on Relive!

Relive III

Take the harder road. Strengthen your mind and body by avoiding pampering. Be optimistic and have fun. Life is what you make of it.

Happy Easter!

RIP, Mike Hall

You truly are an inspiration.

soloCUBSparade II

Posted on April 15, 2017 by jeffreylatty

Originally today was going to be my 100+ mile day to honor Mike Hall. This has changed due to the chaos from yesterday. My garmin died, so it’s just my word to prove it. My garmin died around 155 km and the sun died shortly after. It’s easy to quit. It’s easy to think negative. It is difficult to overcome obstacles. Yesterday’s obstacles were sunlight, rain, headwind, traffic, dogs, battery life, mud, wet and loose gravel, boulder loose gravel, Apple maps, and thirst. Mike would be proud.

Apple maps saved my ass taking me away from heavy traffic in heavy rain to take a mud/grass road to safety. Apple maps also helped me get lost and waste time. Apple maps did tell me how to get to my destination.

Not a lot of hope remains after your garmin bike computer dying and a sunset almost simultaneous. There is not a lot of hope of being 20ish miles still from your destination.

Something happened that I have never experienced before. I’m not sure if it was survival mode or if I’m finally on a new level. I overcame complete exhaustion and marched on. My saddle sores stopped hurting and I felt absolutely comfortable on my bicycle, in the dark with my light dim to conserve battery life battling vehicle traffic.

Garmin shows 155 km. I rode roughly 185 km in 14 hours. I had many stops and I did walk a few spots to ensure my wellbeing.

My ride could’ve been better, but the challenges overcome like a surviving soldier sprinting into battle, was damn victorious.

I slept in this morning until 8:09 am. I will ride out around 11am. I need battery life for my phone, garmin and light. My goal for today is to find sunscreen!

Happy Saturday!

soloCUBSparade I

Posted on April 14, 2017 by jeffreylatty

I ride to honor the 2016 world champions, the Chicago Cubs. I ride in honor of the tremendously inspiring life of Mike Hall, whom lost his life this March riding his bicycle. I ride to overcome challange. I ride to predetermined destinations without the certainty of an exact route.

The obstacles in my first portion of this soloCUBSparade were sunlight, vehicles, small bugs, suicidal butterfly bombers, one dog (I won the standoff), thirst, dying Garmin and extreme fun.

Food could’ve been more healthy, but the Destihl brews were delicious. I listened to much of the CUBS game with intervals of good music through most of my 126 km ride. The wind was loud, but I’m assuming my legs will be screaming louder than the wind tomorrow. I may be dealing with storms tomorrow. I will also deal with new roads. Gravel is, by far, the safest route and will be utilized as much as possible.