What we’re about
The Wheeling Wheelmen Bicycle Club - founded by Phyllis Harmon, had its first meeting on April 26, 1970, with over 100 members in attendance. Since that time, the club has grown to almost 300 men and women serving the Northwest Chicagoland area with organized rides, social outings, informative meetings, bicycle advocacy, and a lot of friendship.
Our mission is to increase the physical and mental health of members in the community.
During the cycling season, from April to October, we have over nine hosted rides every week; a morning and an after-hours ride on Tuesday through Thursday, and a morning ride on Friday through Sunday. In addition, we host numerous special rides such as the Harmon-100 ride or the Memorial Day ride. See our events listing on Meetup for details on each of those rides.
Each of those rides usually has fifteen or more riders. Each usually has multiple pace groups from 15/16mph to 17/18mph and 18/19mph.
During the offseason, from November through March, we host mountain/gravel rides, cross country skiing, and hiking activities to keep our members in shape … for the coming cycling season.
Throughout the year, we host numerous social activities for our club members. We host a club meeting on the first Thursday of designated months, where we often feature programs to enhance our cycling knowledge. We also host an annual picnic, banquets, and holiday parties. You are welcome to join our hosted rides or club meetings regardless of your club membership status.
If you are a new rider, join our morning rides on Tuesday through Friday. Each of those rides is between 35 and 40 miles and has multiple pace groups from 15/16 to 17/18 and 18/19-mph. If you want a shorter ride and a slower pace, join our half-baked morning rides for 20 miles with 11 to 12-mph average speed. If you are new, leverage those half-baked rides to build fitness and learn group riding.
Reach out to one of us for advice on cycling equipment, cycling accessories, nutrition during riding, riding techniques, or group riding skills … if needed. Message one of the following people via the Meetup app: Nhat Tran, Emily Qualich, or Deb Wilson.
In summary, if you are new to our group, more than likely that we would have an activity that will fit your schedule. And more than likely you would be able to do that activity with someone with a similar fitness level as yours.
Hope to see you on the road!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Wheelmen Wedenesday NO-DROP RideWoodland Trails Driving Range and Miniature Golf Course, Mt Prospect, IL
Welcome to our WEDNESDAY morning ride, hosted by Dennis Ellertson.
Starting at 9:00 from Woodland Trails Park, Mount Prospect IL The expectation is for participants to stay together as one group and be able to hold a 14-mph average. To maintain a 14-mph average, the rider needs to ride at 16-mph or higher for extended periods of time.
Below is the detailed info for this ride:
- Be prepared to show up earlier if you need time to prepare before the ride.
͏ - ROUTE: We have two possible routes, one to Independence Grove and the other to Fort Sheridan.
- Both routes are about 40 miles on paved roads. So, a road bike is recommended. Hybrid/gravel/cross bikes are welcome, just be prepared to ride at the speed of your chosen pace group.
For turn-by-turn directions on your bike computer, become a member of the Wheelmen bike club to access and download the route from our route library. Click here to join our club.
Current Wheelmen Club members can access the turn-by-turn GPS routes here: Independence Grove or Fort Sheridan.
- PACE: If there is a big enough group, we may split into multiple groups with different paces. Regardless, each pace group will ride at the pace of the slowest ride in that pace group.
- REST STOP: Independence Grove or Mobil Gas for the Fort Sheridan route. Toilet facilities and water will be available. It will be about 20 miles into the ride.
- OTHERS:
- Cancellation: It is unlikely that we will cancel this event. At times the Ride Host may choose not to ride. When this occurs, the event becomes a Show-m-Go ride, meaning that at the departure time, each attendee is on their own and, as in every event, makes their own decision to ride or not.
- Self-support: We're on our own. Bring what you need for nutrition, hydration, mechanicals, and punctures.
- Safety: A helmet is required. Headlight and taillight are recommended.
- Release and Waiver of Claims for Personal Injuries and Other Damages - By saying yes to attend this event you are signing a release for yourself, and/or a participant under the age of 18, I understand that the WHEELING WHEELMEN, its officers and members are not insurers of any participant’s personal safety during the above activity. While bicycling is an outstanding recreational sport, it also involves risks. Some of these risks include but are not limited to: traveling on or crossing heavily traveled roads, winding roads, steep descents, potholes, accident, unexpected moves of another rider, physical exertion fatigue, flat tires and motorists. The undersigned acknowledges that the risk inherent in recreational bicycling and the undersigned agrees to assume all risks associated with participation in the WHEELING WHEELMEN activities. I acknowledge that the WHEELING WHEELMEN encourages the wearing of helmets and agree to save and hold the WHEELING WHEELMEN harmless for any injury resulting from my failure to wear a helmet. I freely and voluntarily accept all risks of injury, death, or property damage. The undersigned further agrees to save and hold harmless the WHEELING WHEELMEN, its officers, members, coordinators, employees, volunteers, agents and/or other ride attendees from any and all liability for any injury, illness or damage resulting from, or in any way connected with, participation in the WHEELING WHEELMEN events. I release and waive all claims for negligence against the WHEELING WHEELMEN, its offices and members for all damages incurred at or associated with any WHEELING WHEELMEN activity for myself, my heirs and executors. I hereby agree to operate my bicycle in a manner that is safe to me and those around me, to observe all the rules of the road, and conduct myself in a manner that will be complementary to the sport. I hereby consent to and permit any emergency treatment in the event of injury or illness.
I have read and understand this waiver. I agree to be legally bound by it.
- Be prepared to show up earlier if you need time to prepare before the ride.
- Wheeling Wheelmen Weekly THURSDAY Morning Bakery RideWillow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove, IL
We are migrating away from MeetUp, click here to RSVP on RideWithGPS, download the route, and for more info on the ride.
This is a weekly THURSDAY morning ride. It starts at 9AM, rolls with multiple pace groups, and for 32 or 40 miles.
- Wheeling Wheelmen Weekly THURSDAY Morning Bakery RideWillow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove, IL
We are migrating away from MeetUp, click here to RSVP on RideWithGPS, download the route, and for more info on the ride.
This is a weekly THURSDAY morning ride. It starts at 9AM, rolls with multiple pace groups, and for 32 or 40 miles.
- Wheelmen's Weekly FRIDAY Social RideWillow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove, IL
Welcome to our 9AM FRIDAY 33-mile, slower, no-drop social ride. It's one of our nine hosted weekly rides!
We have rides in the morning and after hours from Tuesday to Thursday, and a morning ride from Friday to Sunday. Each ride has multiple pace groups with an average speed from 14/15 to 16/17 and 18/19mph. We usually have fifteen or more riders for each of these rides.
If you are new to our group, more than likely we would have a ride that fits your schedule. And more than likely you would be able to ride with someone with a similar fitness level as yours.
Below is the detailed info for this ride:
- START TIME/LOCATION: 9:00AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL
Be prepared to show up earlier if you need time to prepare before the ride. The ride host will spend five minutes before the ride reiterating group ride etiquette and making any special announcements. The ride will start promptly at the designated time.
͏ - ROUTE: Here is a link to the route.
It's a paved road route. A road bike is recommended. Hybrid/gravel/cross bikes are welcome, just be prepared to ride at the speed of your chosen pace group.
For turn-by-turn directions on your bike computer, become a member of the Wheelmen Bike Club to download the route from our route library to your bike computer. Click here to join our club.
Current Wheelmen Club members can access the turn-by-turn GPS routes with this Social Ride via Old School Rd..
- PACE: This is a slower, no-drop ride, at 15 to 16MPH average. We may split into multiple groups if the group is big enough.
If you are new, let another rider know so s/he can keep an eye out for you and make sure you won't get lost. Ask anyone at the start for the host. The ride host is usually one or more of the following: Neal Barg, Emily Qualich, Johannes Smits, Deb Wilson, or Nhat Tran.
Be prepared to keep a sustained speed of two to three miles above the targeted speed. The final average will be the targeted speed after stops and slowdowns for traffic signs.
- REST STOP: In Libertyville, either at Conscious Cup Coffee or Cook Park. See the rest stop icon on the route map.
- OTHERS:
- Cancellation: We will cancel for inclement weather.
A cancel message will be sent via the Meetup app at least 30 minutes before the ride. Make sure to enable Meetup app notifications on your phone. - Self-support: We're on our own. Bring what you need for nutrition, hydration, mechanicals, and punctures.
- Safety: A helmet is required. Headlight and taillight are recommended.
- Personal liability.
- By saying yes to attending this event, you are signing a release for yourself, and/or a participant under the age of 18.
- You understand that the WHEELING WHEELMEN, its officers, and members are not insurers of any participant’s personal safety during the above activity.
- You freely and voluntarily accept all risks of injury, death, or property damage. The undersigned further agrees to save and hold harmless the WHEELING WHEELMEN, its officers, members, coordinators, employees, volunteers, agents, and/or other ride attendees from any and all liability for any injury, illness, or damage resulting from, or in any way connected with, participation in the WHEELING WHEELMEN events.
- You release and waive all claims for negligence against the WHEELING WHEELMEN, its offices, and members for all damages incurred at or associated with any WHEELING WHEELMEN activity for yourself, your heirs, and executors.
- You agree to be legally bound by it
- START TIME/LOCATION: 9:00AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL
