Meet Julie Hochstadter
I'm a community organizer at heart. I value the strength of community
and what people collectively can do to make change and grow with or
without heavy pockets. It has helped me in so many aspects of my life;
when my mom died, when I decided to sell my car, helping elect local
officials and sharing the love of diversity and peace through
partnerships with the Jewish and Muslim communities. It simply feels
right to be around people who have similar interests and values.
Of all the wonderful experiences I’ve had in my 33 years, once I learned
the benefits of the bike, I’ve been hooked ever since. It has
essentially taken over my life, in a positive way of course.
Why? In our world of immediate gratification and everyone (including
myself) always in a rush, riding a bicycle helps me stay attuned with
the world’s speed, and enjoy it at the same time. I can travel
throughout my beautiful city and not have to sit in annoying traffic,
look for parking, all in a gas guzzler that I have to pay for and is bad
for the environment. Oh… and it is keeps me healthy and fit. In the
country I can appreciate the beauty of nature with my two feet.
Why would I not want to spread the love of one of the world’s ultimate
pleasures?
Before The Chainlink came along, the Chicago cycling community was extremely fragmented; there was the racing community, critical mass, the advocates, etc. Few of them socialized or interacted. Each group communicated via closed listserves and separate websites, hence one had to search out numerous sites to find rides and events. Then, in 2008, The Chainlink came alone, and created a diverse community of cyclists supporting each other. It has been growing and spreading the love of all types of cycling to the Chicagoland community since. It is a social network in the truest sense–a social venture that has filled a need by helping Chicago area cyclists both get on the bike and stay on the bike, and support each other through the process through sharing information including a full calendar rides, an active forum, specific interest groups, photos, links to routes and routes, a marketplace and more. Greg Borzo, acclaimed Chicago author of numerous cycling-related books wrote, “Until The Chainlink came along, none of us had any idea that the bike community was so big, diverse and vibrant. You have really helped that community come together.” Another active user wrote,” I like to check out Chainlink even when I know that I can't do all the riding that I would like. It helps keep me feeling like I’m still part of a movement even though I'm rapidly growing old and out of touch. Chainlink helps me keep focus on the bike world, and the emerging world as well.”
Before The Chainlink came along, the Chicago cycling community was extremely fragmented; there was the racing community, critical mass, the advocates, etc. Few of them socialized or interacted. Each group communicated via closed listserves and separate websites, hence one had to search out numerous sites to find rides and events. Then, in 2008, The Chainlink came alone, and created a diverse community of cyclists supporting each other. It has been growing and spreading the love of all types of cycling to the Chicagoland community since. It is a social network in the truest sense–a social venture that has filled a need by helping Chicago area cyclists both get on the bike and stay on the bike, and support each other through the process through sharing information including a full calendar rides, an active forum, specific interest groups, photos, links to routes and routes, a marketplace and more. Greg Borzo, acclaimed Chicago author of numerous cycling-related books wrote, “Until The Chainlink came along, none of us had any idea that the bike community was so big, diverse and vibrant. You have really helped that community come together.” Another active user wrote,” I like to check out Chainlink even when I know that I can't do all the riding that I would like. It helps keep me feeling like I’m still part of a movement even though I'm rapidly growing old and out of touch. Chainlink helps me keep focus on the bike world, and the emerging world as well.”
