Recumbent Ride: Lakefront Trail South
Oct
27

Recumbent Ride: Lakefront Trail South

Now that the crowds may have lessened, we’ll enjoy riding on the Chicago Lakefront Trail. We’ll meet in Jackson Park at the parking lot at 1971 E. Hayes Dr. on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 9:45 for a 10am departure. It is metered parking, $7 for 4 hours or $13 for up to 9 hours.

We’ll head north to Solidarity Drive, and make a loop around Northerly Island before heading back south to the starting point.

Highlights:

The whole lakefront is a highlight, but viewing the Chicago skyline from this perspective, and riding through the beautifully naturalized sections of the trail is a real treat.

Details:

  • Sunday, October 27 we’ll meet at the south end of Jackson Park (exact meatup spot TBD) at 9:45 am for a 10 am departure. We’ll make rest stops as needed.

  • Riding distance just under 20 miles. End time approximate.

  • Facilities available trailside.

  • Ride at your own risk.

What to bring:

  • Your recumbent bike or trike
    A limited number of DEMO TRIKES may be available to rent from us by prior arrangement. Please call/text 773-930-4076.

  • Snack/Water

Weather:

  • We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, Oct. 26.

Registration is recommended for this event:

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Recumbent Ride Old Plank Road Trail
Oct
13

Recumbent Ride Old Plank Road Trail

  • F7W8+RH8 Matteson, Illinois Matteson, IL, 60443 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This week we’ll ride on the Old Plank Road Trail from Matteson (see REVISED parking info below) to New Lenox and back, for a total of about 25 miles.

OPR Trail ins a linear rail-to-trail and offers views of oak trees and sugar maples, prairie grasses, and wildflowers, as well as opprtunities to view wildlife (including bald eagles!) while passing through nature preserves adjacent to the trail.

Highlights:

The trail passes over an award-winning, arrowhead-shaped suspension bridge, which takes trail users over US 45. Frankfort, the trail's physical and spiritual center greets riders with an archway overhead emblazoned with the trail's name.

Details:

  • Sunday, October 13 we’ll meet in Matteson at old Target lot on Cicero at Gateway Drive by the Pep Boys at 9:45 am for a 10 am departure. We’ll make rest stops as needed (see screenshot).

  • Riding distance about 25 miles. End time approximate.

  • Facilities available trailside.

  • Ride at your own risk.

What to bring:

  • Your recumbent bike or trike
    A limited number of DEMO TRIKES may be available to rent from us by prior arrangement. Please call/text 773-930-4076.

  • Snack/Water

Weather:

  • We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, Oct. 12.

Registration is recommended for this event:

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Recumbent Ride North Branch Trail (north portion)
Sep
29

Recumbent Ride North Branch Trail (north portion)

This week, we’ll ride on the iconic North Branch Trail from the parking lot at Linne Woods in Morton Grove (off Dempster) to the trail end at Dundee Road at Skokie Lagoons, and back for a total of about 24 miles.

Highlights:

The North Branch Trail is surely a gem among Chicagoland's network of bicycle trails. It has everything a great bike trail should have: distance, scenery, variety, along with excellent pavement conditions and generally well-designed street crossings. The NBT will take you through woodland and prairie, along the river and its adjacent wetlands, ending at the Skokie Lagoons (before we double back for the return trip), which can almost make you forget that you are still in the big city.

Details:

  • Sunday, September 29 we’ll meet at the Linne Woods parking area off Dempster in Morton Grove (see map) at 9:45 am for a 10 am departure. We’ll makestops for refreshments trailside (BYO, but we will have some to share!).

  • On the day of the ride, I will provide you with wait stops where we will pause to allow everyone to catch up. This is a no-drop ride, and we have riders of various abilities, riding with or without e-assist. If you prefer to ride faster, or are under time constraints, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be moving ahead of the group.

  • Riding distance about 24 miles. End time approximate.

  • Facilities available trailside.

  • Ride at your own risk.

What to bring:

  • Your recumbent bike or trike
    A limited number of DEMO TRIKES may be available to rent from us by prior arrangement. Please call/text 773-930-4076.

  • Snack/Water

Weather:

  • We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, Sept. 28.

Registration is recommended for this event:

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Recumbent Ride Tinley Creek Trail
Sep
9

Recumbent Ride Tinley Creek Trail

MONDAY, MONDAY, MONDAY!!! Another longer ride again this week! We’ll ride all the loops of Tinley Creek Trail in starting from the parking lot at Turtlehead Lake in Orland Park, IL. The trail crosses the creek multiple times, winds around several small picturesque lakes and passes through various habitats, including woodlands and grasslands.

Total distance about 24 miles.

Logistics:

We’ll head left on the main trail from the parking lot spur, riding in a generally counter-clockwise direction. However, this trail has many turns, so we’ll need to take extra care to keep the group together. On the day of the ride, I will provide you with wait stops where we will pause to allow everyone to catch up.

This is a no-drop ride, and we have riders of various abilities, riding with or without e-assist. If you prefer to ride faster, or are under time constraints, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be moving ahead of the group.

Details:

  • Monday, Sept. 9 we’ll meet at the Turtlehead Lake parking area off 135th St. west of Harlem (see map) at 9:45 am for a 10 am departure. We’ll make stops for refreshments trailside, and to allow everyone to catch up.

  • Riding distance about 24 miles. End time approximate.

  • Facilities available trailside.

  • Ride at your own risk.

What to bring:

  • Your recumbent bike or trike
    A limited number of DEMO TRIKES may be available to rent from us by prior arrangement. Please call/text 773-930-4076.

  • Snack/Water

Weather:

  • We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Sunday, Sept. 8.

Registration is recommended for this event:

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Recumbent Ride Centennial Trail
Aug
18

Recumbent Ride Centennial Trail

A bit of a longer ride this time around! We’ll ride round trip on the Centennial Trail from Columbia Woods FP the historic swing bridge in Romeoville. The trail occupies a thin strip of land between the Des Plaines River and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, and courses primarily through forested areas, and several forest preserves in Cook, DuPage and Will counties. Total distance about 26 miles.

Highlights:

A level trail with beautiful river scenery, historic swing bride, and opprotunities for wildlife viewing.

Details:

  • Sunday, August 18 we’ll meet at the Columbia Woods parking area off Willow Springs Road & Crocoran Rd. (see map) at 9:45 am for a 10 am departure. We’ll makestops for refreshments trailside (BYO, but we will have some to share!).

  • Riding distance about 26 miles. End time approximate.

  • Facilities available trailside.

  • Ride at your own risk.

What to bring:

  • Your recumbent bike or trike
    A limited number of DEMO TRIKES may be available to rent from us by prior arrangement. Please call/text 773-930-4076.

  • Snack/Water

Weather:

  • We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, Aug. 17.

Registration is recommended for this event:

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Recumbent Ride Busse Woods
Aug
4

Recumbent Ride Busse Woods

Casual recumbent group ride at Busse Woods Trail. About 12 miles of paved trails wind through woodland, meadows and around serene lakes in a beautiful Cook County forest preserve in a convenient loop. Opportunities for wildlife viewing, including an elk pasture.

Details:

  • Sunday, August 4 we’ll meet at the Ned Brown Meadow parking area off Golf Road (see map) at 10 am for a 10:15 departure. Approximately half-way through the ride, we’ll make a stop for refreshments trailside (BYO, but we will have some to share!). End time approximately 1:30.

  • Riding distance about 12 miles

  • Facilities available trailside.

  • Ride at your own risk

What to bring:

  • Your recumbent bike or trike
    A limited number of DEMO TRIKES may be available to rent from us by prior arrangement. Please call/text 773-930-4076.

  • Helmet

  • Snack/Water

Weather:

  • We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, Aug. 3.

Registration is recommended for this event:

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Recumbent Ride Wolf Lake Trails
Jul
21

Recumbent Ride Wolf Lake Trails

Join us for an easy-pace, easy-distance meet & greet ride at Wolf Lake. This will be a 12-15 mile ride on paved trails around Wolf Lake and the Whiting, IN lakefront with possible smaller detours and places to stop for photos, meet other recumbent riders, chat about the season ahead, and maybe share some treats.

Highlights:

Paved trail winds around Wolf Lake in the Illinois/Indiana border, with a section of trail making a bridge over the lake. Adjacent loop will take us along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Opprotunities for bird and wildlife viewing.

Details:

  • Sunday, July 21 we’ll meet at parking area at the Wolf Lake Pavilion at 9:45 for a 10am departure. Approximately half-way through the ride, we’ll make a stop for refreshments trailside (BYO, but we will have some to share!).

  • Riding distance about 12-15 miles. End time approximate.

  • Facilities available trailside.

  • Ride at your own risk.

What to bring:

  • Your recumbent bike or trike
    A limited number of DEMO TrIKES may be available to rent from us by prior arrangement. Please call/text 773-930-4076.

  • Snack/Water

Weather:

  • We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, July 20th.

Registration is recommended for this event:

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Breakfast Outside
Jun
18

Breakfast Outside

Breakfast Outside is a fantastic way to get a tiny dose of camping life on a regular weekday before work. We’ve been cooking our morning meal outside whenever we get a chance, and this season we invite you to join us!

Breakfast outside is an informal monthly gathering with others who enjoy cooking food and coffee outdoors. It’s also a great opportunity to see different types of cooking gear, swap camping recipes and meet like-minded outdoor enthusiasts.

Plus, it feels like a mini-vacation!

You do not need to be a seasoned outdoorsman (or even a biker!) to participate. You can make an elaborate omelette with all the trimmings if you like, or go minimal with instant oats —your call! There will be plenty of hot water for coffee and usually some goodies to share.

BYO cooking gear, a mug and utensils. You can also bring a ready-made breakfast, but we think it’s more fun to cook it up right on the spot.

We’ll meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 8am at the pond near North Park Village Nature Center. Directions: On your bike, enter NPV at Pulaski & Ardmore, and follow the main drive until you get to the park fieldhouse (past Gymnastics center and admin buildings). At the fieldhouse, make a sharp left. You’ll see the pond about a quarter block down on your right.

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Breakfast Outside
May
21

Breakfast Outside

Breakfast Outside is a fantastic way to get a tiny dose of camping life on a regular weekday before work. We’ve been cooking our morning meal outside whenever we get a chance, and this season we invite you to join us!

Breakfast outside is an informal monthly gathering with others who enjoy cooking food and coffee outdoors. It’s also a great opportunity to see different types of cooking gear, swap camping recipes and meet like-minded outdoor enthusiasts.

Plus, it feels like a mini-vacation!

You do not need to be a seasoned outdoorsman (or even a biker!) to participate. You can make an elaborate omelette with all the trimmings if you like, or go minimal with instant oats —your call! There will be plenty of hot water for coffee and usually some goodies to share.

BYO cooking gear, a mug and utensils. You can also bring a ready-made breakfast, but we think it’s more fun to cook it up right on the spot.

We’ll meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 8am at the pond near North Park Village Nature Center. Directions: On your bike, enter NPV at Pulaski & Ardmore, and follow the main drive until you get to the park fieldhouse (past Gymnastics center and admin buildings). At the fieldhouse, make a sharp left. You’ll see the pond about a quarter block down on your right.

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Brompton Maintenance Workshop (Copy)
Apr
26

Brompton Maintenance Workshop (Copy)

Special FREE maintenance class for Brompton Folding Bike owners in an informal setting. We'll go over wheel removal and flat repair, drivetrain cleaning & maintenance, hinge care, and Brompton-recommended scheduled repairs.
CLICK IMAGE TO RSVP

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Hike: Cowles Bog
Apr
21

Hike: Cowles Bog

Cowles Bog is the birthplace of ecology, and our favorite Chicago day hike in any season Total trail length is about 5 miles, but the main loop is just under 4 miles over highly variable terrain.
CLICK IMAGE FOR DETAILS & REGISTRATION

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Breakfast Outside
Apr
16

Breakfast Outside

Breakfast Outside is a fantastic way to get a tiny dose of camping life on a regular weekday before work. We’ve been cooking our morning meal outside whenever we get a chance, and this season we invite you to join us!

Breakfast outside is an informal monthly gathering with others who enjoy cooking food and coffee outdoors. It’s also a great opportunity to see different types of cooking gear, swap camping recipes and meet like-minded outdoor enthusiasts.

Plus, it feels like a mini-vacation!

You do not need to be a seasoned outdoorsman (or even a biker!) to participate. You can make an elaborate omelette with all the trimmings if you like, or go minimal with instant oats —your call! There will be plenty of hot water for coffee and usually some goodies to share.

BYO cooking gear, a mug and utensils. You can also bring a ready-made breakfast, but we think it’s more fun to cook it up right on the spot.

We’ll meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 8am at the pond near North Park Village Nature Center. Directions: On your bike, enter NPV at Pulaski & Ardmore, and follow the main drive until you get to the park fieldhouse (past Gymnastics center and admin buildings). At the fieldhouse, make a sharp left. You’ll see the pond about a quarter block down on your right.

LOCATION:

 
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Happy Hour Flat Fix Clinic
Apr
12

Happy Hour Flat Fix Clinic

In this hands-on Flat Fix Clinic we go over everything you need to know about bicycle tires, correct inflation, flat prevention and how to to change a flat on a bicycle. We briefly cover and preventing common causes of flats, getting the wheel off your bike, getting familiar with bicycle wheel and tire anatomy, removing and reinstalling the tube and tire, and assembling your basic repair kit.
CLICK IMAGE TO RSVP

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Happy Hour Ask the Mechanic
Mar
29

Happy Hour Ask the Mechanic

For this informal workshop, you can bring us general mechanical questions, or ones specifically related you your bike. Though this will not be the time to perform specific repairs, we can help diagnose problems, let you know what’s possible, and advise you on potential cost and feasibility of repairs or conversions.
CLICK IMAGE TO RSVP

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Hike: Dune Ridge & Beverly Shores Trails
Mar
24

Hike: Dune Ridge & Beverly Shores Trails

Come hike with us! We’ll celebrate the coming of spring with a beautiful hike at Indiana Dunes National Park Dune Ridge & Beverly Shores Trails. The 3-mile hike includes steep duneland ridges with gorgeous views, serene woodlands, and mysterious marsh with great potential for wildlife and bird viewing.
CLICK IMAGE FOR DETAILS & REGISTRATION

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Brompton Maintenance Workshop
Mar
22

Brompton Maintenance Workshop

Special FREE maintenance class for Brompton Folding Bike owners in an informal setting. We'll go over wheel removal and flat repair, drivetrain cleaning & maintenance, hinge care, and Brompton-recommended scheduled repairs.
CLICK IMAGE TO RSVP

View Event →
Breakfast Outside
Mar
19

Breakfast Outside

Celebrate the beginning of Spring with BREAKFAST OUTSIDE!!

Breakfast Outside is a fantastic way to get a tiny dose of camping life on a regular weekday before work. We’ve been cooking our morning meal outside whenever we get a chance, and this season we invite you to join us!

Breakfast outside is an informal gathering with others who enjoy cooking food and coffee outdoors. It’s also a great opportunity to see different types of cooking gear, swap camping recipes and meet like-minded outdoor enthusiasts.

Plus, it feels like a mini-vacation!

You do not need to be a seasoned outdoorsman (or even a biker!) to participate. You can make an elaborate omelette with all the trimmings if you like, or go minimal with instant oats —your call! There will be plenty of hot water for coffee and usually some goodies to share.

BYO cooking gear, a mug and utensils. You can also bring a ready-made breakfast, but we think it’s more fun to cook it up right on the spot.

We’ll meet on Tuesday, March 19 at 8am at the pond near North Park Village Nature Center. Directions: On your bike, enter NPV at Pulaski & Ardmore, and follow the main drive until you get to the park fieldhouse (past Gymnastics center and admin buildings). At the fieldhouse, make a sharp left. You’ll see the pond about a quarter block down on your right.

LOCATION:

 
View Event →
Happy Hour Flat Fix Clinic
Mar
15

Happy Hour Flat Fix Clinic

In this hands-on Flat Fix Clinic we go over everything you need to know about bicycle tires, correct inflation, flat prevention and how to to change a flat on a bicycle. We briefly cover and preventing common causes of flats, getting the wheel off your bike, getting familiar with bicycle wheel and tire anatomy, removing and reinstalling the tube and tire, and assembling your basic repair kit.
CLICK IMAGE TO RSVP

View Event →