Chicago Cycling Club
The Chicago Cycling Club is a social group that promotes safe bike riding and plans group rides around the city. During the warm season, from April to October, the club plans three or four rides per week held every Saturday and Sunday and on various evenings and weekdays. The club welcomes riders of all experience levels from beginners to Tour de France vets, and its rides are usually between 15 and 100 miles. Twenty-mile training rides are held the first, second and third Wednesday of every month, while the fourth Wednesday is reserved for a "get acquainted" ride where you can meet your fellow cyclists. Some rides are planned during the colder season, and the group's website has up-to-date information on all rides.
Chicago Cycling Club
P.O. Box 1178
Chicago, IL 60690
(773) 509-8093
chicagocyclingclub.org
Chicago Critical Mass
Critical Mass is a nationwide movement of cycling enthusiasts who get together for large group rides on planned dates. The Chicago Critical Mass meets the last Friday of every month at 5:30 p.m. on Daley Plaza, at Dearborn Street and Washington Street. The routes vary each month, but typically the rides last around three hours during which riders say "Happy Friday" to people they meet. Chicago Critical Mass prides itself on the fact that there is no governing body that regulates the club; anyone and everyone is welcome to come, join, participate and plan a route.
Chicago Critical Mass
chicagocriticalmass.org
Active Transportation Alliance
Active Transportation Alliance is the new name for what began as the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation in 1985. Though the organization now includes walking and public transit issues, it continues to work for safe, non-automobile travel. Despite its broadened objectives, the membership-based alliance continues to organize bike rides and cycling-centric events throughout the year. Come to one of its cycling workshops to learn more about the activity, or join a ride like the Bike the Drive ride in May or the Boulevard Lakefront Tour in August. There are also a variety of social events planned by the organization, so you can meet other cycling enthusiasts when you get involved.
Active Transportation Alliance
9 W. Hubbard St., Ste. 402
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 427-3325
activetrans.org
Article Written By Ashley Talley
Ashley Talley has been a professional writer for more than 10 years, specializing in travel and health. Her work has been published in "Coastal Living" magazine, "Wrightsville Beach Magazine" and "Choice," an anthology praised by "Vanity Fair" and the "LA Times." She graduated from Brown University with honors and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of North Carolina.
