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.
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- Wheeling Wheelmen Weekly THURSDAY Morning Bakery RideWillow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove, IL
Welcome to our THURSDAY morning bakery ride, one of our 9+ hosted weekly rides! It starts at 9 AM, rolls with multiple pace groups, and for 32 or 40 miles.
We have rides in the morning and after work hours from Tuesday to Thursday and a morning ride from Friday to Sunday. Each ride has multiple pace groups with an avg 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: 9:00 AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL
Show up earlier if you need time to prepare before the ride. The host may also spend five minutes before the ride reiterating ride etiquette and making any special announcements. The ride will start promptly at 9:00.
͏ - ROUTE: Here is a link for the route with 32 miles and with 40 miles.
- Both are paved road routes. 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 GPS, 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: 33 miles and 40 miles route.
- PACE: There will be multiple pace groups, 14/15 to 16/17 and 18/19mph average speed.
If you are new, ask for one of the ride hosts or one of the other riders at the beginning of the ride so s/he can advise you which group of riders to ride with. More importantly, the s/he will let one or more frequent riders know who you are and make sure you won’t get lost. The ride host is usually one or more of the following: Neal Barg, Emily Qualich, Johannes Smits, Deb Wilson, or Nhat Tran.
It will be a no-drop ride within each pace group, i.e., the pace group will keep everyone together. You can always drop back to a slower group if the current group is too fast for you. Do let someone know before dropping back so that no one will need to look for you.
Be prepared to roll at a speed of two to three miles above the speed of the pace group. The final average will be the targeted speed after stops and slowdowns for traffic signs.
- REST STOP: Speedway Gas or Cuba Township. Toilet facilities and water will be available. It will be about 20 miles into the ride. Willow Stream Park also has toilet facilities and a water fountain.
- POST RIDE: Join us for pastry/coffee/lunch after the ride at the Deerfield bakery about 1/2 mile from the start of the ride.
- 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: 9:00 AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL
- Wheeling Wheelmen Weekly TUESDAY / THURSDAY Morning HALF-BAKED RideWillow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove, IL
Welcome to our TUESDAY/THURSDAY morning HALF-BAKED ride. It's one of our nine-plus hosted weekly rides. It starts at a later time of 10 AM, rolls at a slower pace of 11 to 13 mph, has a shorter distance of 20 to 25 miles, on one of the four possible routes. Leverage this ride to build speed and to learn group riding if you are a new rider. This is a joint ride with the Arlington Heights Bike Club.
If you want to ride at a faster pace, The Wheelmen have rides in the morning and after work hours from Tuesday to Thursday. We also have 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 or new to riding, 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: 10:00AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL
Be prepared to show up earlier if you need time to prepare before the ride. The ride will start promptly at 10:00
͏ - ROUTE: There are four route options for this ride. Each route is between 20 to 25 miles. The host and the group can collectively decide at the beginning of the ride on which route to take.
1) Bannockburn
2) Lincolnshire
3) Echo Lake
4) Cuba / Hillside .
All routes are paved road routes. A road bike is recommended. Hybrid/gravel/cross bikes are welcome, just be prepared to ride at the speed of your chosen pace group.
- PACE: 11 to 13 mph average. The rolling speed will be around 14 to 15 mph; with traffic signs/signals, the final average will be 11 to 13.
If you are new, let others know so they can make sure you are with the group and not lost.
- REST STOP: There is no planned rest stop for these short routes. The group will stop if anyone articulates a need to stop. Note, the Willow Stream Park also has toilet facilities and a water fountain.
- POST RIDE: Join us for pastry/coffee/lunch after the ride at the Deerfield's bakery about 1/2 mile east of the start of the ride.
- 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: 10:00AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL
- Wheeling Wheelmen 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 link.
- 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
- Wheeling Wheelmen Weekly SATURDAY Honey-do RideCrank Revolution Bike Shop, Hoffman Estates, IL
Welcome to our SATURDAY morning Honey-do ride, one of our nine weekly rides! It starts at an earlier time of 8AM , rolls with multiple pace groups, and for 30 to 72 miles, depending on the chosen route.
Since we don't have a host, it'll be a show-n-go; no cue sheet will be provided, and no paper sign-in. Use a link below for directions or download a route to your GPS (if you are a Wheelmen member.)
Do add a comment after RSVP on your desired route so others may plan to ride with you. Alternatively, you can decide at the start which group of riders to follow.
Here is the detailed info for this ride:
- START TIME/LOCATION:
8:00 AM at Crank Revolution Bike Shop in Hoffman Estates.
Be prepared to show up earlier if you need time to prepare before the ride. The ride will start promptly at the designated time.
͏ - ROUTE / REST STOP: Multiple routes are available. The most popular are the Algonquin and the Cary routes. The rest stop for each route is labeled with the rest stop sign
* 36mi - Short
* 36mi - Dundee
* 44mi - Algonquin
* 46mi - Gary
* 72mi - Extended
All are road routes. 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 GPS, become a Wheelmen member to download the route from our route library. Click here to join our club.
Club members can access turn-by-turn GPS routes here:
* 36mi - Short
* 36mi - Dundee
* 44mi - Algonquin
* 46mi - Cary
* 72mi - Extended
- PACE: There will be multiple pace groups, 14/15, 16/17, and 18/19mph average. The riders will naturally split into different pace groups during the first three miles. Stay with the group you are most comfortable with.
If you are new, let the group know so that the group can make sure you are not lost.
- OTHERS:
- Cancellation: We will cancel for inclement weather.
A cancel message will be sent via the Meetup app 1hr 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 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:
