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
8
Fall 50 Gravel Ride! Everyone Rides!
Half Day Forest Preserve, Lincolnshire, IL, Lincolnshire, IL, USTHIS IS A GRAVEL BANDITS GRAVEL RIDE!
ALL RIDERS WELCOME
MEET AT HALF DAY FOREST PRESERVE (this is a map link)
- ROLL @ 9:00 AM*
- WEATHER PERMITTING
- 10, 15, 25 or 50 MILE GRAVEL RIDE
- 11 - 13 MPH AVERAGE PACE*
- ALL RIDERS WELCOME
- CLASS 1 & 3 E-BIKES ALLOWED
- BRING A CHAIR FOR AFTER THE RIDE
- PICNIC STARTS AT NOON-30
- CROSSPOSTED TO LCBG
* Roll times dependent on the distance you choose to ride.
* Pace for 25 & 50 mile routes. All riders are welcome to ride their own pace and distance.Join us for the Inaugural Fall 50 Gravel Ride! We will ride the Des Plaines River Trail from Half Day Forest Preserve, all the way up to Mile 0 in Wadsworth.
Can't do the full 50? No Problem. Choose the distance that's right for you!
The Routes:
The "Full 50" (9:00 AM roll time suggested)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50036614The "25 Fall 50" (Roll by 10:00 AM)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51983883The "15 Fall 50" (Roll by 10:30 AM)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51983979The "10 Fall 50" (Roll about 11:00 AM)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51985100A HELMET IS MANDATORY. Also required, a working & properly maintained bicycle that allows you to travel the distance/pace of this ride. As "situational awareness" is critical to safe bicycling, earbuds, earphones & speakers are not allowed 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 (sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, rain poncho). While this is a daylight ride, headlight and taillight are recommended to make you more visible.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
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.
21 attendees
NEW TIME, 3:10 PM. Wednesday Early Fast Ride
Harms Woods-North, Morton Grove, IL, US** NEW START TIME IS 3:10, so we can ride the usual route and get back in time for the evening ride, which now starts at 5:10 PM. And you'll need a front light if you're doing both rides.!
Now you can ride all 39 miles of the North Branch Trail in one evening!
We start riding at 3:10 PM prompt and go South on the Trail to to Foster returning to the Harms Woods car park by 5:00 in time to join the usual Wednesday night ride which goes North up the trail to Dundee.
-- this is only for riders who can maintain a 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 extra miles and enjoy socializing with the Wednesday night group.
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.
3 attendees
NEW TIME: Weekly Wednesday Night "Let's Ride!"
Harms Woods-North, Morton Grove, IL, USWell it's that time again, when days start getting shorter, so we try to ride earlier... please join us for everyone's favorite Wednesday night ride at a new time!
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 10-15 minutes before the published time, so we can roll by that time and not waste our remaining daylight. Or, if you must come late, feel free to head north and catch us as we ride, 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 may divide into slower & faster groups, depending on turnout (fall rides do get a little smaller sometimes!).
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). Also, we often go to dinner after, so bring a little money if you like.
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.
7 attendees
Past events
643
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