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
6
NEW LOC'N & TIME, 3:00 PM. Wednesday Early Fast Ride
6140 Dempster St, Morton Grove, Il, US** WE NOW START FROM MORETTI'S CAR PARK AND NEW START TIME IS 3:00, so we can get back in time for the evening ride, which now starts at 5:00 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, then relax afterwards with your fellow riders for supper!
We start riding at 3:00 PM prompt and go South on the Trail to to Foster returning to the Harms Woods car park by 4:45 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
Ride to the Sycamore Pumpkin Fest & Parade
The Great Western Trail - Trail Head - St. Charles, IL, Dean Street, just west of Randall Rd., St Charles, IL, USThe Pumpkin Fest is back! The parade starts at 1 pm, so we want to get there well ahead of that time. The link below will automatically "scroll down" to the list of events for Sunday and, below that is, the list of vendors.
Link to the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Events Schedule
- This ride is 38 miles round trip with an average speed of 12-13 mph.
- This average speed requires a "rolling speed" of 14 mph.
- While this will be a "no drop" ride, please be able to maintain the 12-13 mph AVERAGE speed throughout the ride.
- We will roll promptly at 10:30 a.m.
- Riders may ride off the front at their own pace but are on their own.
Google Maps Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HcrHEqxBgU5JHaz47
Ride With GPS Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51843186
Most of the trail is packed crushed limestone. (It's fine for road bikes.) It slowly climbs out of the Fox River Valley. Most of the climb is in the first 3 miles, and you get to ride downhill on the way back. We will start at the Great Western Trail Head (across the street from Lee Roy Oaks Forest Preserve) We stay on the trail for the entire ride with a short ride south on Maple Street in Sycamore. It's only 1 block from there to our rally point at the U.S. Post Office parking area.
The Pumpkin Fest Parade begins at 1 pm and there are many food vendors and tons of decorated pumpkins to see. The ride will start promptly at 10:45 am and we should arrive in Sycamore shortly after noon, have some lunch, then be ready for the parade at 1 pm.
Note the trail is crushed, hard packed, limestone and is fine for road bike tires, just a bit dirty or dusty when dry out. (About 5 miles of it is paved.) Please make sure you can change a flat. You need to bring a spare tube, frame pump or CO2, and tire irons. It's a LONG walk back if you can't fix your own bike. Bring a lock, money, ID, emergency contacts, sun screen, WATER, and a helmet. Ride at your own risk. Bring 2 water bottles if you can. The last 10 miles into Sycamore have no services of any kind.
Dress in layers as it will be chilly at ride time. You will warm up quickly once we are riding and you may need to shed layers as we go and reapply them to prevent being chilled when we stop riding.
The temperature at ride time is forecast to be 52 F (11 C) with winds from the south at 8 mph (real feel of 49 F). Full fingered gloves may be a nice addition to your wardrobe.
"Click or Tap Here" for the Local Weather Forecast!
Here's a link to suggestions for women riders (applies to men too) on how to layer for cool weather riding (courtesy of Liv Bicycles):
HOW TO LAYER UP FOR CHILLY BIKE RIDES
This ride can be cancelled in case of rain, cold weather, etc.
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.
16 attendees
Past events
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