Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
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Friday, March 29
Today's the first day you're officially allowed to take your bike on Metra trains. A few tips (since I got kicked off this morning by an ignorant conductor): bring a bungee and schedule or print-out that shows bikes are allowed on the train. Some conductors still think that no rush hour commuting is allowed, which isn't true -- reverse commuting is OK. Also, it helps to have your bike be neat and tidy. The conductors on my line have not been helpful; let's hope it gets better.