these ain't yo' gramma's cupcakes.

in honor of my cupcaking loving friend's 23rd birthday, three of us dreamed up what few women have dared to do and what shall from her on out be known as Tour de Cupcake. really, this is exactly what it sounds like.

we started off the day with a little safety session at Roscoe Village Bikes. both friends had had minor biking altercations the week prior, so instead of risking life and limb for cupcakes, one of us bought a helment, the other two filled tires, and then we rode. do you know how much easier bicycle riding is when one's tires are properly filled? good god! i was flying. effortless.

the tour commenced at southport grocery, where a round of safe favorites in the flavor of vanilla cupcakes started the sugar high. we split some solid food then rolled down to molly's cupcakes on clark. the fare included strawberry shortcake, carrot cake, and red velvet cake. the only disappointment was we couldn't sit on the swings installed inside. spirits were high, blood sugar even higher.

next stop, sweet mandy b's. we sat at the counter and watched the assembly line of baked goods. so much frosting, baking, selling, and caking i've never seen. i split a banana chocolate-chip cupcake and tried a bite of the creamsicle. both were delicious. the birthday girl struck up a conversation with this young lady and her curly curls. (imagine her turned 90 degrees.) later in the evening when coming off the high, we wished we would've asked, "hey little girl. didja momma wig ya?!"

then we fled the accumulating accusations of pedophilia. in my haste i ended up completing the bermuda triangle of biking accidents for the week. unfortunately, mine was the only one inflicted upon myself by myself. somehow in the course of attempting to use my bike peddle as a skateboard and cruise down the sidewalk, i got distracted (probably by my sugar shakes) and ran over my own foot. luckily, i avoided the large wood planter and didn't wipe out completely. i think my chuck's are a little pissed i took out part of their sole.

stop 4 was on belmont at bittersweet. european cafe style, we all split one mocha cupcake. probably the least inspired stop on the tour, their other desserts did look delicious, and i still haven't met a cupcake i won't eat.

for the grand finale we rode into bleeding heart, guns blazing and teeth gnashing.
to finish our cupcake-neutral friend got a piece of fresh strawberry pie. birthday girl got a vanilla cupcake with carmalized eggplant,cilantro,jalapeno and green curry, lemongrass frosting. woah. and i ended with one fine piece of cake-- white chocolate wasabi. this wasn't no traditional birthday party. smiles, sugar comas, and sore legs were had by all.