Rad Bike Women doing Rad Bike Things

OOFD is glad to close out March, Women’s History Month, shouting out one of our favorite Rad Bike Women in our community, Kelly Mack, Co-Owner of Mack’s Bike and Goods in Evanston.  Mack’s is a beloved neighborhood shop that hosts OOFD ride starts and ends, curates super cool bike events and shows, and does a heckuva lot of good for the community.  

Born and raised in Norridge, IL, Kelly fell in love with bikes early.  “How I didn’t lose front teeth fall off someone’s handle bars is amazing.”  But it was becoming a parent that really cemented her adult passion for travelling on two wheels.  When the wee-est Mack, Leo, was born in 2020, the freedom of getting out of the house together on her bike was freeing.  She says biking helped stay “connected to a world that was so disconnected. On a bike, you see so much of the world and connect with people (a wave, or a ring of the bell) feels so much more like we’re living.”

In 2019, she and her husband, Sam, recognized the need for a bike shop in Northwest Evanston.  And so, in March of 2020 (yes…that March and that 2020) Mack’s Bike and Goods was born. That shop brought Kelly her favorite bike, a Rivendell Platypus, lovingly kitted out by Sam.  It sits upright, makes quick runs across town, picks up Leo from school, and is also great for long days in the saddle.  She’ll also tell you her first grown up bike was a Surly and she recently added another Rivendell to the stable that she just couldn’t leave in San Francisco after a visit last fall.

The shop has also fostered a community around itself.  Bike weirdos and neighborhood folks regularly cross paths over a cup of coffee on Mack’s couch while waiting for a tube change or a quick derailleur tune.  “I’m constantly in awe of all the women around me.”  Whether that’s a quick chat in the shop, on the now annual Witches Ride just before Halloween, or on the upcoming ladies community rides around Evanston, Kelly is a decidedly RAD bike woman who is cultivating bike community in Northwest Evanston!

OOFD is grateful to partner with Mack’s.  Having done great work for our org, whether that be raising funds through a happy hour or hosting our rides, we want to acknowledge the impact they make.  They have a goal this year of weaving that philosophy of community impact as a throughline in their 15 events at the shop including markets, swaps, and the Chicago Area Alternative Bike show!

Kelly Mack, during Women’s History Month, we are grateful for you!

Interview with Kelly from Mack's and OOFD volunteer Ben Blair

Q: Tell me about your relationship with biking.

A: Grew up riding bikes, always a bike person.  Grew up in Norridge.  7 or 8 a garage sale bike.  How didn’t I lose front teeth falling off someone’s handle bars is amazing.  

Becoming a parent really brought me all the way into the bike world.  A NEED for a shop  in 2020.  Leo was 6 months.  Freedom in getting out of the house during lockdown.  

“Connected to a world that was so disconnected.”

See so much of the world and connect with people (a wave, or a ring of the bell) feels so much more like we’re living.


Q: I know you've built a community of rad lady cyclists.  Can you tell me something special about that community?

    Constantly in awe of all the women round me.  Meet for a few minutes in the shop OR 

    Witch ride (Kelly and a few moms, throwing candy to the kids)

    Opportunity for local moms to come out the night before Halloween

    Spots that stop 6th and 7th Ward in Evanston right now

    A lot of folks asking Kelly to lead a ride! 

    4th Wednesday of the Month starting in April (4/24) 5:45 meetup, 6pm rolling

    STOP AND ENJOY 


Q: What kind of bike do you ride and why do you love it? OR what's your favorite reason to ride bikes?

    Super loyal to her 2 Rivendell bikes

    Platypus

    Sit up right, comfy, long days, and across town, pickups from school!

    Clem Smith Jr. (step through), 3 days in San Fran (helped push to do thing she hadn’t done before)

    Surly Cross Check (first bike Sam built for Kelly), and felt 
    
Q: I know you are a fervent believer in the power of local community and coalitions.  You have anything fun cooking for this upcoming Spring/Summer on the biking front?

    This year, the goal is to give back to the community, $3k raised through the shop

    15 events at the shop

     Recently did a collab with NW Men’s BBall 

    Spring and Fall Markets

    Always open to collabs

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