What we’re about
Anyone interested in bike riding is welcome to join this group. This group is for people age 40+ who love to ride, see the sites of Chicago and its suburbs, and socialize. We also do rides in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana. Our group consists of casual, intermediate, and advanced cyclists. We currently host at least 3 rides every week. We have Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after work rides and always have a Saturday ride. We also often do Sunday rides.
Worried about being too slow, or not experienced enough? We usually break our rides up into groups, with the fast riders going first, then medium speed riders, then the slower folks.
Past rides included trips to the Botanic Gardens, the Bahai Temple, Navy Pier, Promontory Point, Northerly Island, plus exploring the Greenbay Trail, North Branch Trail, Great Western Trail, 606 Trail, Des Plains River Trail, and the North Shore Trail. We also do muti-day rides like a Lake Geneva group tour, Ragbrai, and Pedal Across Wisconsin!
Want to learn more about bikes, equipment, and clothing- come to one of our rides. Bring any type of bike and we'll help you get the most from it! We will bike together on area trails and roads throughout Chicago and the suburbs at a casual to moderate pace (10-16 mph) for 15-50 miles at a time. We start out at a slower pace and shorter distances at the beginning of the year and increase the distance and pace as we get more riding in. We never leave anyone behind. Many rides include both beginner and intermediate riding options. Choose what's best for you.
This coming year some of our riders are training for a bike tour from Spain to Portugal!
By joining the Let's Ride meetup group you agree to all of the following:
1. Your profile must include at least your first name and a picture of YOU.
2. Helmets are required.
3. No head phones or music.
4. No guns or weapons of any kind may be carried or in your vehicle.
5. Everyone rides at their own risk.
6. Bring the following on every ride- helmet, water, lock, cash, ID, emergency contact name & number, and insurance.
7. If you RSVP for a ride and can not come, please CANCEL your RSVP. Everyone has to wait for no shows! Ride leaders determine how long to wait for people who are late, typically no more than 10 minutes. If you have more than 2 no shows (without cancelling your RSVP) you will be removed from the group.
You should also bring the normal accouterments (ID, emergency contact name & number, and Insurance cards, spare inner tube, pump, etc.), proper attire based on the weather forecast, facemask, hand sanitizer, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, money for food and/or beverage, a bicycle lock and a good attitude!
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lets.ride.40plus/
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Sunday Morning Road Ride | Hawthorn Woods StartHawthorn Woods Community Park, Hawthorn Woods, IL
* WEATHER PERMITTING
* 30 MILE ROAD RIDE: ZONE 2-3 • 13 - 15 PLUS MPH AVERAGE SPEED
* ONE REST STOP
* NO DROP - ADVANCED BEGINNER OR INTERMEDIATE RIDERS
* ROLL AT 10:00 AM
* FRONT & REAR LIGHTS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
* BRING A CHAIR FOR AFTER THE RIDEMEET at HAWTHORN WOODS COMMUNITY PARK
Join us for a 30 mile ride on the winding roads of Lake County!
20 Mile RECOVERY Route (self lead)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/5126304030 Mile Route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50255664Our Co-Host:
Lake County Cycling Collective
https://ridewithgps.com/clubs/14830-lake-county-cycling-collective-lc3/eventsWell into the season now, we've achieved our target distance of 30 miles and we're all maintaining a 13+ MPH average. From here on we will work on increasing our speed to a 15 mph average and beyond!
This is a "no drop" ADVANCED BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE RIDE. Faster riders can ride off the front but they are on their own. We will regroup at major intersections (stoplights).
While no one will be dropped outright, you should be able to maintain a 13+ MPH AVERAGE speed.
If you invite and bring non-member guests, you are their ride leader. It's your responsibility to marshal your guests and stick with them.
If you are uncertain if you can maintain this speed over the course of the ride, please contact me to discuss your concerns.
Road, race, fitness and solid fork hybrid bikes are your best weapon of choice on this ride. We do not recommend any bikes which incorporate front, or rear, active suspension. Knobby tires are not your friend on this ride.
A HELMET IS MANDATORY for all Let's Ride bicycle rides. Also required, a working and properly maintained bicycle that will allow you to travel the distance and pace you have elected to ride.
As 'situational awareness' is critical to safe bicycling, EARBUDS, EARPHONES and LOUDSPEAKERS will NOT be ALLOWED on this ride.
You should also bring the normal accoutrement; (ID with Emergency Contact and insurance card(s), spare inner tube, pump, etc.), proper attire based on the weather forecast, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, money for food and/or beverage, a bicycle lock and a good attitude!
Feel free to contact me with any questions. Please make certain you have "email communication turned on" in your meetup account settings.
NOTE: All riders participate and ride at their own risk. Meetup.com, Let's Ride and/or its organizers are not responsible for your safety or well being.
- An Evening at the Races: Mundelein Grand PrixTighthead Brewing Company, Mundelein, IL
This is a general announcement/quasi-offical ride.
I am riding from North Barrington to Mundelein to watch the Mundelein Grand Prix criterium races. I'll arrive in Mundelein about 3:00 pm and stay until the end of the men's professional race at 8:00 pm. If you'd like to ride along with me I'll send you my route and you can jump on somewhere along the way.
The Chicago Grit, Mundelein Grand Prix, is sponsored by Tighthead Brewing Company and is always a great time. If you are available earlier, the racing begins at 10:20 a.m. and runs throughout the day with the final, professional, races having 40-50 riders each. The speeds achieved on the track can reach 36 mph+!
Of course, if you don't wish to ride, you're welcome to drive or take the train to the event and join us. I begin the evening hanging out by the start/finish line and eventually head over to the cul-de-sac to watch the more advanced races. There is a "beer garden" (of sorts) in the cul-de-sac along with some portable facilities so it's a self-contained environment to watch the races.
There is a community "Family Fun Ride" at 6:15 PM that is a blast as we take a couple laps around the race course. You may need to sign a waiver to ride in this event.
If you're feeling restless and need some saddle time, The Bicycle Club of Lake County hosts their Monday Night Ride out of Tighthead at 6:00 pm.
While this is an extremely bike friendly event we suggest you bring a bike lock to secure your bike if you choose to leave it unattended for any length of time.
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
If you've read this far, the race organizers are always looking for volunteers to be race marshals or other volunteer positions. If you are interested, visit the link below.
NOTE: All riders participate and ride at their own risk. Meetup.com, Let's Ride and/or its organizers are not responsible for your safety or well being.
