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 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 17-18 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.
- Dusty Rita Ride • Dos 'Ritas Por Favor!Adler Park, Libertyville, IL
THIS IS A GRAVEL RIDE
MEET IN THE "ADLER PARK DISC GOLF COURSE" PARKING LOT (this is a map link!)
- ROLL @ 9:30 AM
- WEATHER PERMITTING
- 25 MILE GRAVEL RIDE
- 11 - 13 MPH AVERAGE PACE*
- BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE RIDERS
* An 11 MPH average requires a consistent rolling speed of 13ish mph and a 13 MPH average requires a consistent rolling speed of about 14 -15 mph.
Join us on another Gravel Bandits Adventure! a 25 mile trek on the Des Plaines River Trail in Lake County.
Meet at Adler Park Disc Golf Course parking lot (an actual Google Maps "place") and we'll head north to Wadsworth Road for a pit stop at the BP gas station to refill water bottles and avail ourselves of their modern plumbing. We'll head back south to Independence Grove Forest Preserve for some food and a margarita (hand made by Christian at the IG Cafe), etc., and then ride the 2.5 miles back to our cars.
The route: 88% CRUSHED LIMESTONE 12% PAVED ROAD
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51962897
As Lake County Forest Preserve trails are well maintained, pretty much any bike can handle this route, road, hybrid, gravel or mountain.
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!
If you intend to stay after the ride, bring a lock and chain/cable, etc., to lock/secure your bike. Unattended bicycles are always a target for opportunistic thieves.
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, Let's Ride and/or its organizers are not responsible for your safety or well being.
