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- 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.
- Wednesday Early RideHarms Woods-North, Morton Grove, IL
Double your fun on a Wednesday night with an early ride going South on the trail to Devon and back, before doing the regular Wednesday ride at 6PM.
We start riding at 4:00 PM and go 15 miles getting back to the Harms Wood car park by 5:30 in time to join the usual Wednesday night ride.
- this is only for riders who can maintain a 16-18 mph cruising speed.
- check the ride on Meetup before coming, it will be cancelled in case of rain or other unsuitable weather
- please sign up so we know who's coming and can contact you if you're running late or the ride changes
This is a perfect ride for fast riders who want a few extra miles and can start at 4 PM
As always, a helmet is required, bring water, 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.
- A Day at the Races: Lake Bluff CriteriumTighthead Brewing Company, Mundelein, IL
This is a "quasi-offical" ride.
I am riding from Tighthead Brewing Company in Mundelein to Lake Bluff for the Chicago GRIT Criterium Races. I will spend the entire day and will ride back to Tighthead after the last race is finished after 8:00 PM.
Anyone is welcome to ride over to Lake Bluff with me and I will be riding approximately 14ish MPH AVERAGE. The same pace can be expected on my ride back to Tighthead. You can also ride to the event at your own pace.
If you choose to join me, be ready to ride at 10:00 AM when we will join other riders coming from Hawthorn Woods.
The round trip route is 18 miles and can be found here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40263739
Of course, you're welcome to drive or take the train to the event and join us if you don't wish to ride. You can typically find us at the Beer Garden or the Food Court or the park or the race course along the start-finish line.
There is racing throughout the day with the final, professional, races having 40-50 riders each. The speeds achieved on the track are 36 mph+!
There is a community "Family Fun Ride" is at 6:15 PM and is a blast as we take a couple laps around the race course. Riders for this event need to sign a waiver, and pick up your rider number, available at the volunteer checkin at the Lake Bluff Public Safety Building.
The ride to Lake Bluff will be "no drop" and anyone is free to return whenever they wish. Please be able to maintain 13-14 MPH AVERAGE on this ride. Riders may ride "off the front" at a faster pace but are on their own. Any guests you bring are your responsibility and you are there "ride buddy".
You may return to Tighthead whenever you wish and, again, I will be staying for the finish of the men's professional event and bicycling back at dusk. As such, if you intend to stay for the last event, we recommend you bring a head and tail light for your bike.
Also, 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.
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 you've chosen to ride. While this is a no drop ride to the races, we'd like to average at least 11+ MPH.
As 'situational awarenesss' is critical to safe bicycling, EARBUDS, EARPHONES and LOUDSPEAKERS will NOT be ALLOWED on this ride.
You should also bring the normal accoutrement (ID and Insurance cards, spare inner tube, pump, etc.), head and tail lights, 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.
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.
