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- Documentary: When We CyclePark Ridge Community Church, Park Ridge, IL
This one is not a ride! It is an invitation to a documentary film being shown on Earth Day (Sat April 26th at 6:30 in the evening), about how cycling can transform communities.
Not sure if that QR code may be too small to work well, but here is a web link for anyone interested in signing up to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/when-we-cycle-park-ridge-community-church-tickets-1278239120619?aff=oddtdtcreator. (No cost is required.)
After the film the plan is to have a short panel discussion with representatives of groups like Ride Illinois & Active Trans present, as well as myself representing the Park Ridge Sustainability Commission. I know Saturday night can be a tough booking, but if you're interested & available come on out to support our push to improve biking in the area!
- Sunday Morning Road Ride | Hawthorn Woods StartHawthorn Woods Community Park, Hawthorn Woods, IL
* WEATHER PERMITTING
* This is an 18 MILE ROAD RIDE: 12 PLUS MPH AVERAGE SPEED
* 30 MILE OPTION AVAILABLE
* NO DROP - ADVANCED BEGINNER OR INTERMEDIATE RIDERS
* ROLL AT 10:00 AM
* FRONT & REAR LIGHTS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for this ride
* BRING A CHAIR FOR AFTER THE RIDEMEET at HAWTHORN WOODS COMMUNITY PARK
Join us for an 18 mile ride on the winding roads of Lake County!
18 Mile Route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50441704There is also a 30 mile, 15+ mph average, ride for those interested.
30 Mile Route (hosted by LC3)
https://ridewithgps.com/clubs/14830-lake-county-cycling-collective-lc3/eventsThis event is cross-posted to Lake County Bicycle Group. Please only RSVP to a single event.
It's spring and time to start getting those legs moving toward whatever long distance riding goals you have; whether a century or just improving over how many miles you rode last year.
Over the next two weeks the distance will increase to 30ish miles and we will all, eventually, be able to ride the 30 miles at a 15 mph average pace. Yes, anyone can ride this 30 miles at a 15 mph average. It just takes some work. This is your chance to get back in the saddle and up to speed for the riding season!
This is a "no drop" ADVANCED BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE RIDE. Faster riders can ride off the front but they are on their own. We will regroup at major intersections (stoplights).
While no one will be dropped outright, you should be able to maintain a 12+ MPH AVERAGE speed.
If you invite and bring non-member guests, you are their ride leader. It's your responsibility to marshal your guests and stick with them.
If you are uncertain if you can maintain this speed over the course of the ride, please contact me to discuss your concerns.
Road, race, fitness and solid fork hybrid bikes are your best weapon of choice on this ride. We do not recommend any bikes which incorporate front, or rear, active suspension. Knobby tires are not your friend on this ride.
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!
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.com, Let's Ride and/or its organizers are not responsible for your safety or well being.
- Bike N Beer Ride • Skokie Valley "Bunny Trail" 🐇🚲🍺🍔Target, Lake Bluff, IL
- 20 Mile Ride
- Ride Your Own Pace!
- All Abilities Welcome!
- Front and Rear Lights Recommended
- Stay after for socializing
Cross Posted to Lake County Bicycle Group. Please only RSVP in one group (either Let's Ride, or LCBG - not both)!
Meet at the SOUTHEAST CORNER of the TARGET PARKING LOT in Lake Bluff before heading over to The Skokie Valley Bike Trail - AKA "The Speedway", AKA "The Bunny Trail".
Skokie Valley Trail Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35271263
The Skokie Valley Trail runs parallel to Route 41, from Route 176 all the way south to Lake-Cook Road. There are only five road crossings, allowing you to ride for long stretches without ever seeing a car. It's the perfect place to work on increasing your endurance and speed! The entire route, round-trip, is 20 miles.
We suggest a 90 minute ride (1.5 hours) time limit for this ride. Ride for 45 minutes and then turn around and head back. This way, we all return at, approximately, the same time (7:30 pm). Wherever you are on the route at 6:45 pm, turn around and head on back to the starting point! If you're not to the end of the trail and want to finish, go for it! We'll see you at Donelli's Pub after the ride!
Join us across the street at Donelli's Pub & Eatery after the ride for an ice-cold beverage, food and some camaraderie.
For your safety as well as that of those around you, please come equipped with front and back lights.
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 cards, 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!
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.
