Day 1 - Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs

At 6:30 today, I awoke to the pleasant thought that tripforthecycle had begun. With a quick shower, a bunch of sports highlights, and some last-minute packing, we were off. We hurried down into Toronto to catch our flight. I got a pair of sunglasses and a WIRED magazine, and hopped on the plane.

The flight was quick, arriving 25 minutes early. I was amazed at the size of O’Hare airport, even though I knew that it was one of the largest in the world. Massive amounts of people come in and out every day to enjoy the Windy City, as well as to connect and depart elsewhere in the world.

After a cab ride comparable to a Formula 1 car, we hit the hotel and gave our bags to the desk. We then scurried up some stairs and down a couple blocks to the conveniently located ESPN zone. What a place. With over 100 HD TV’s, and loads of video games and Chicago sports memorabilia, it was definitely a great time. The food was great too. The Smoke House Burger really hit the spot.

Okay, the game. I got my picture with Harry Caray, and got my picture of the infamous ‘Welcome to Wrigley Field’ board. I stepped into the concourse area, and to be honest, it looked more like the underside of the rusty bleachers at any local park, than the class and cleanliness of the Rogers Centre that I was expecting. I sat in the 94 year old seats, and stared into the sea of blue, rowdy fans. This is Cubs baseball. I was asked a number of times about my tripforthecycle shirt and told to have a great time. A great highlight was the Miller Lite sign across the street, but in view from Wrigley Field that read “We prefer a pennant chase to a sausage race.” This of course is ironic, as the Brewers play at Miller field.

With the manual scoreboard, minimal electronic displays and the atmosphere of a TRUE baseball park, Wrigley Field was the perfect way to start the trip.