Let's Ride! (ages 40+, fun & fit social riding)

4.8•2482 ratings

About us

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

See all

Ride to the Spring Open House!
Sat, Apr 18 · 11:00 AM CDT
Harms Woods, 526 Harms Road, Glenview, il, US
THIS IS ONLY A BIKE RIDE! - THE LINK TO REGISTER FOR THE OPEN HOUSE IS BELOW

RSVP TO THE SPRING OPEN HOUSE HERE!

WEATHER PERMITTING

Meet us at Bike the Preserves' at Harms Woods-North (Harms and Old Orchard Roads) for a ride down the North Branch Trail (NBT) to join the rest of the Let's Ride group for the 2006 Let's Ride Spring Open House (weather permitting).

We will leave about 10:30 a.m. in order to arrive on time at noon at The Garage Bar & Sandwiches.

This is a NO DROP RIDE (no one will be left behind) and the total round trip is just about 15 miles. I've included route links below. If we have a group that wants to ride more, we/they could continue on down the NBT to Foster either before, or after, lunch.

Route: Bike the Preserves to The Garage Bar & Sandwiches via N Branch Trail

Google Maps:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uMscYSW8qt5f9uoGA

Ride With GPS:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45703730

If you need to have your bike looked over or prepped because it's been collecting dust all winter, please arrive earlier so we/you have time to get ready to ride. BRING A BIKE LOCK to secure your bike while we are inside at The Garage.

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 (to secure your bike while we are at The Garage) 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.
21 attendees
2026 Let's Ride Spring Open House
Sat, Apr 18 · 12:00 PM CDT
The Garage Bar & Sandwiches, 6154 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL, US
Join us for an Open House at The Garage Bar & Sandwiches from noon to 3:00 PM. We’ll be on the second floor—drop in anytime and stay as long as you’d like!

We’re excited to welcome new members and reconnect with old friends after a long winter break.

We’re looking forward to sharing the rides we have planned for the upcoming season! We’re also looking for riders who would like to step up to lead or host rides.

Since we host rides of all speeds and distances, cyclists of every ability level are encouraged to join us.

Here's the link to the Ride to the Open House

https://www.meetup.com/lets-ride-ages-40-fun-fit-social-riding/events/313501002/
31 attendees
Blue Star Memorial Woods to Superdawg & Barb's Birthday Celebration
Sat, May 2 · 10:00 AM CDT
Blue Star Memorial Woods, E Lake Ave, Glenview, IL, US
We will ride the North Branch Trail to Superdawg on Milwaukee Ave, Chicago for lunch.
There are two ride options (tap a link to see the route):
1. 16 miles round trip from Blue Star directly to Superdawg
2. 24 miles round trip will go to the south end of the North Branch Trail to Foster before turning back to Superdawg
3. After ride, there will be cookies and drinks to celebrate Barb's birthday. Mostly we just want to celebrate another year of riding together and to welcome newcomers!!!
We welcome a variety of riders and bike types, who can maintain a 10 MPH ride pace, and we typically divide into 2-3 groups, so slower pace riders can be comfortable!

HELMET IS MANDATORY, as is a properly maintained bike. Moreover, we do not allow earbuds, earphones, or speakers 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 including sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, rain poncho. While this is a daylight ride, headlight and taillight are recommended to make you more visible.

Contact ride organizer 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.
21 attendees
Nueve de Mayo Ride & Fiesta!
Sat, May 9 · 9:00 AM CDT
Crank Revolution Bike Shop, 1636 W Algonquin Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL, US
WEATHER PERMITTING

Join us Saturday, May 10th, 2025 to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the beginning of the Crank Revolution Bike Shop Social Ride Season.

9:00 a.m.: 7.7 Mile Beginner Ride

9:00 a.m.: 30+ Mile Intermediate Ride (Morthond Vale)

9:15 a.m.: Mountain Bike Basics Clinic & 8+ Mile Ride

10:00 a.m.: 20+ Mile Intermediate Ride

12:00 p.m.: Food & Refreshment (Tacos, Burgers & Dogs)

This ride offers it all. Choose from a 7.7 mile, no-drop, beginner ride on the paved Paul Douglas Trail. Afterward, a 20+ mile "intermediate ride" out on the road. Or, bring your mountain bike and catch the Mountain Bike Basics Clinic and then ride single track trails in Paul Douglas Forest Prerserve. For those wanting a hotter pace and longer road ride, Lake County Cycling Collective will lead a 30+ mile ride extending the 20+ mile route.

Afterward, enjoy tacos, fresh homemade guacamole, burgers and hot dogs (while supplies last)! Bring a chair and a beverage of your choice. If you like, bring something to add to the smorgasbord (bufé en Mexico).

One "beginner" loop of the paved trail takes about 35-45 minutes.
Plan for at least 1.5 to 2 hours to ride the single track.
The intermediate ride will take at least 1.5 hours to complete the 20ish miles at 14-15 mph average pace.

The intermediate route will change depending on who is leading and who attends the ride. The average pace of the intermediate ride is, typically, 14-16 mph.

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 (to secure your bike afterward) 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, Crank Revolution Bike Shop and its employees are not responsible for your safety or well being. Please arrive early to be ready to ride and to sign the Let's Ride waiver.
7 attendees