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- Wednesday Night - Extra MileageNeeds location
As an experiment we are adding a new ride offering 15 extra miles for medium and fast riders who can start riding at 4:30 PM (aren't you glad you're retired now?).
- meet in the usual Harms Woods North parking lot and be ready to start riding at exactly 4:30 PM
- ride on the trail south to Devon Avenue then turn around returning by 5:35 PM in time for the usual Wednesday night ride, giving you a total of 30 miles for the night
- the ride will be 16-18 mph (that's cruising speed not the average speed), and there will only be time for a 2 minute break at the turnaround point
- check the ride on Meetup before coming, it will be cancelled in case of rain or other unsuitable weather
Now that the weather is perfect, this will be fun for medium/fast riders, please consider joining us so you know you've earned that drink you know you are going to have afterwards!
As always, a helmet is required, bring water, riders participate and ride at their own risk, and Meetup.com, Let's Ride and/or its organizers are not responsible for your safety or well-being.
- Weekly Wednesday Night "Let's Ride!"Harms Woods-North, Morton Grove, IL
Please join us for everyone's favorite Wednesday night ride!
Meet at Harms Woods North parking lot (link/map provided) and ride up & back down the North Branch Trail to either Tower (10 mi round trip) or Dundee (15 mi) Roads. Meet by 5:45 so we can roll at 6. But if you must come late, feel free to head north and catch us, it's hard to get lost on this trail!
Full 15 Mile Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37252684
We welcome a variety of riders and bike types, who can maintain a 10 MPH riding pace, and we typically divide into 2-3 groups, riders of all abilities can be comfortable!
Remember to check this Meetup the day of the ride, in case of cancellation for weather or other extenuating circumstances (message a ride leader with any questions).
Some other basic info for you: (a) HELMET IS MANDATORY (b) bring a well-maintained bike (c) no earbuds/earphones (d) bring ID/emergency contact/insurance card (e) carry spare tube/air (f) consider other items such as extra layer/raingear/bug spray/sunglasses/sunscreen/water (we're not your Mom... figure it out!). And lights always recommended.
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.
- Blue Star Memorial Woods to Superdawg & Barb's Retirement CelebrationBlue Star Memorial Woods, Glenview, IL
We will ride the North Branch Trail to Superdawg on Milwaukee Ave, Chicago for lunch.
There are two ride options (tap a link to see the route):- 16 miles round trip from Blue Star directly to Superdawg
- 24 miles round trip will go to the south end of the North Branch Trail to Foster before turning back to Superdawg
- After ride, there will be cookies and drinks to celebrate Barb's retirement. Mostly just to celebrate another year of riding together!!!
We welcome a variety of riders and bike types, who can maintain a 10 MPH ride pace, and we typically divide into 2-3 groups, so slower pace riders can be comfortable!
HELMET IS MANDATORY, as is a properly maintained bike. Moreover, we do not allow earbuds, earphones, or speakers on this ride.
Other things to bring: (1) photo ID, emergency contact info & insurance card, (2) spare tube & pump/CO2 (3) water bottle. Goes without saying but please dress for weather including sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, rain poncho. While this is a daylight ride, headlight and taillight are recommended to make you more visible.
Contact ride organizer with any questions.
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.
- Weekly Wednesday Night "Let's Ride!"Harms Woods-North, Morton Grove, IL
Please join us for everyone's favorite Wednesday night ride!
Meet at Harms Woods North parking lot (link/map provided) and ride up & back down the North Branch Trail to either Tower (10 mi round trip) or Dundee (15 mi) Roads. Meet by 5:45 so we can roll at 6. But if you must come late, feel free to head north and catch us, it's hard to get lost on this trail!
Full 15 Mile Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37252684
We welcome a variety of riders and bike types, who can maintain a 10 MPH riding pace, and we typically divide into 2-3 groups, riders of all abilities can be comfortable!
Remember to check this Meetup the day of the ride, in case of cancellation for weather or other extenuating circumstances (message a ride leader with any questions).
Some other basic info for you: (a) HELMET IS MANDATORY (b) bring a well-maintained bike (c) no earbuds/earphones (d) bring ID/emergency contact/insurance card (e) carry spare tube/air (f) consider other items such as extra layer/raingear/bug spray/sunglasses/sunscreen/water (we're not your Mom... figure it out!). And lights always recommended.
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.
