545am

It’s the 2025 kickoff for Friday Morning Ride! Depart the shop, heading north to meet the start of the ride at Fullerton. FMR rolls out at 630am, heading south to a turnaround at the Point, before flipping north and then west to Metric Coffee.

From the Point, some folks will go home, others continue to Metric, and those looking for something longer may continue south to Calumet.

Pace: 16-18mph, conversational paceline.

6pm departure, north to Turin Bikes, 32mi

Track Cats is Chicago’s most important youth development program for track cycling! It exists to lower the barriers to the sport we love for the diverse communities all around our fine city.

Let’s raise some money, and have a great time watching and racing some GOLDSPRINTS!

What are Goldsprints, you ask?

Departing at 8am SHARP.

Come join us for a SLOW ride to Panaderia del Refugio for delicious pan dulce! 9mi total.

For those of you new to group cycling, gentle instruction will be provided to ensure a safe and low stress journey.

Bring your friends! Loaner bikes & e-bikes are available for this ride.

7am departure, casual chill pace, 19mi

Let’s saunter over to the West Loop for military lattes at Sawada, Chicago’s strange & beautiful Japanese cafe. Faster folks, feel free to shoot off for a workout afterwards. Also convenient to folks working in the loop!

For those of you new to group cycling, gentle instruction will be provided to ensure a safe and low stress journey.

Bring your friends! Loaner bikes & e-bikes are available for this ride.

6pm departure to Bridgeport, chill casual pace, 12mi round trip. Bring lights and a lock if you have em.

Dinner at Taipei Cafe

followed by

Vegan Ice Cream at Runaway Cow

For those of you new to group cycling, gentle instruction will be provided to ensure a safe and low stress journey.

Bring your friends! Loaner bikes & e-bikes are available for this ride.

Departs at 8am SHARP

Route: South to Crown Point with a coffee stop at the surprisingly impressive microroaster Smalltown Coffee. 70mi.

Pace: Novice/intermediate. 15-18mph, faster if the group allows it. If you are interested in this ride, but unsure about the speed or your endurance, please reach out and we’ll see about truncated options!

Familiarity with basic group ride protocols and full self sufficiency is required. Classic chain gang paceline style.

Roll out at 8am, back by 10:30, chill no drop pace.

Jackalope in Bridgeport for coffee.

Come out for a bit of exploration, meet new bike friends, and visit one of Chicago’s quirkiest cafes.

545am

It’s the 2025 kickoff for Friday Morning Ride! Depart the shop, heading north to meet the start of the ride at Fullerton. FMR rolls out at 630am, heading south to a turnaround at the Point, before flipping north and then west to Metric Coffee.

From the Point, some folks will go home, others continue to Metric, and those looking for something longer may continue south to Calumet.

Pace: 16-18mph, conversational paceline.

SOLD OUT.

Location: Tamago!

In this 60 minute clinic, you will learn the basic theories behind traditional hand laced bicycle wheels using the methodologies of Wheelsmith and Jobst Brandt. We will cover rims, hubs, spokes, nipples, and the tools necessary for the job.

In Parts II and III you will engage in a step by step construction of a wheel including lacing, lateral & radial true, dish, and final spoke tension. We will also cover troubleshooting, long term maintainence, and the replacement of components as they wear or when they are are damaged in use.

Limited to 4 students, please RSVP.

Departs at 7am SHARP

Route: South to Wolf Lake and back.

Pace: intermediate. 16-20mph, faster if the group allows it.

Familiarity with basic group ride protocols and full self sufficiency is required. Classic chain gang paceline style.

6pm

Casually paced ride to Atotonilco in Little Village. 10mi r/t.

Join us this warm evening on a trip west for a refreshing papaya con leche licuado and a couple of tasty tacos. Some say the place is worth it for the typography alone, but the food is pretty ok too.

Departs at 7am SHARP

Route: South to Wolf Lake and back.

Pace: intermediate. 16-20mph, faster if the group allows it.

Familiarity with basic group ride protocols and full self sufficiency is required. Classic chain gang paceline style.

11am

Casual pace, 14mi round trip

Channel your inner Anthony Bourdain, hop on your bike, and join us for a ride to the best little fish shack in the world. Please note that it’s cash only, and you will very likely want to bring home some smoked trout.

9am

Swing by for some croissants & coffee for the final 30 minutes of this year’s men’s LBL followed immediately by the finale of the women’s race. Whether you’re rooting for Remco or Pogi, Pidders, Skelmose or even Bardet you’ll be among fellow fans of this Ardennes classic. (As for the women’s race surely we’re all Puck fans?)

Although I couldn’t watch the race live, as a cycling-addled teen I just about wore out a VHS tape of the 1980 race when Bernard Hinault took the race by the scruff of the neck.

Departs at 7am SHARP

Route: South to Wolf Lake and back.

Pace: intermediate. 16-20mph, faster if the group allows it.

Familiarity with basic group ride protocols and full self sufficiency is required. Classic chain gang paceline style.

SOLD OUT.

Location: Tamago!

In this 60 minute clinic, you will learn the basic theories behind traditional hand laced bicycle wheels using the methodologies of Wheelsmith and Jobst Brandt. We will cover rims, hubs, spokes, nipples, and the tools necessary for the job.

In Parts II and III you will engage in a step by step construction of a wheel including lacing, lateral & radial true, dish, and final spoke tension. We will also cover troubleshooting, long term maintainence, and the replacement of components as they wear or when they are are damaged in use.

Limited to 4 students, please RSVP.

Departs at 6pm SHARP

Route: North to Northerly Island and back.

Pace: Beginner. 12-14mph. All novices are welcome, even if you are unfamiliar with group riding. 13mi total.

While the wildflowers of Northerly Island have not yet bloomed, there’s never a bad time of the year to visit this jewel of the Chicago waterfront. We’ll toodle up the lakefront path for a quick exploration of the former Meig’s Field. And if we’re lucky, maybe see a cormorant or two and take in one of the very best views of the Loop.

For those of you new to group cycling, gentle instruction will be provided to ensure a safe and low stress journey.

We’ll return south as the sun sets and show newcomers a couple of hidden special garden sculptures along the way. Bring your friends! Loaner bikes & e-bikes are available for this ride.

PLEASE RSVP if interested. Some night's we’ll ride up, and others will drive.

Come join us for the premiere (and only) weekly criterium racing series in all of Chicago!

Brought to you by our friends at xXx Racing.

It’s a long night, but thoroughly worth it for the miles & smiles! This event is designed for those of you curious about road racing, but have not had the opportunity to witness it in person and/or would like to give it a go in a safe and low stress environment. It is also for experienced racers looking for a fun night!

Ride Leader: Dr. Andre Neves

Departs at 7am SHARP

Route: South to Wolf Lake and back.

Pace: intermediate. 16-20mph, faster if the group allows it.

Familiarity with basic group ride protocols and full self sufficiency is required. Classic chain gang paceline style. Come out and enjoy the weather, and bring your conversational Portuguese… or knowledge of very very very advanced mathematics!

RAIN PLAN!!!

Due to Sunday’s rainy forecast, we’re truncating the trip and will do a DAY TRIP TO MILWAUKEE, departing Saturday morning and returning that evening. Please reach out if interested in this event.

***

More details coming soon. This is a casually paced, highly approachable introduction to bike packing and bike camping! This event is open to novices :)

Saturday morning: Amtrak to Milwaukee. Visit the Art Museum & get brunch. Ride south 50mi to Zion State Park, where we will stay in cabins right on Lake Michigan!

Sunday morning: Breakfast & coffee over fire on the beach, and two return options. Ride south 50mi to Hyde Park, or Metra home.

Please reach out if interested in this event.

RAIN DOESN’T CANCEL. It’s spring classics season, my friends. Stick a casquette under your helmet and come ride.

Departs at 7am SHARP

Route: South to Wolf Lake and back.

Pace: intermediate. 16-20mph, faster if the group allows it.

Familiarity with basic group ride protocols and full self sufficiency is required. Classic chain gang paceline style.

Weekly Thursday Night Social Hour: 6pm at tamago, come by and chat about bikes and the weather with snacks and drinks

Special topic of the evening: SAGADA PENANO will lead a chat about the Velo Club’s new direction and emphasis on local racing.

Don’t forget about the free wine tastings across the street @57th St Wines!

Departs at 7am SHARP

Route: South to Wolf Lake and back.

Pace: intermediate. 16-20mph, faster if the group allows it.

Familiarity with basic group ride protocols and full self sufficiency is required. Classic chain gang paceline style.

Location: Tamago!

In this 45 minute clinic, you will learn how to diagnose and repair flat bicycle tires.

It’s not magic! All that is required: patience, practice, and some very simple tools.

Space is limited, to please RSVP.

1pm - Womens Replay

3pm - Mens Replay

PIZZA & Beverages provided.

Departs at 8am SHARP.

Casual pace north to Andersonville for the finest little scandi-bakery in all of Chicago. There’s a tiny hidden, tree-covered courtyard in the back for our coffees and to stash the bikes. If the weather is nice & folks are interested, we’ll take a little detour on the way home through Montrose Harbor and climb Cricket Hill.

33mi round trip.

Don’t forget, Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder!

Departs at 8am SHARP

Route: South to Wolf Lake and back.

Pace: Novice-intermediate. 14-16mph.

Basic group ride protocols will be followed, but novices are welcome and will receive instruction & encouragement! Come along for a beautiful ride along the lake, south & across the Indiana border. Quick coffee stop at Grindhouse in Whiting.

Interested in cycling for adventure, but not sure where to start? Confused by the sub disciplines of bike packing, gravel racing, cyclocross, and all the rest? Whether you’re interested in riding in nature purely for fun & exploration, or toodling around Jackson Park to peep some cherry blossoms, or training to race off-road - this is the the clinic for you!

For those of you who aren’t novices - swing by to socialize & meet more bike friends!

• HALEY COLEMAN will recount her first experience at the Rough Road gravel/road race this year

• Representatives from local racing teams Indigo, Evolution, and xXx will be on hand to answer questions

• For those of you interested in the novice-friendly TAMAGO bike adventures & road trips, I’ll be here to help.

Refreshments will be provided.

REFERENCES

• A History of Bike Packing

• Introduction to Cyclocross Racing

• xXx Racing

• Evolution

• Indigo

• Tamago Road Trips & Rides