What we’re about
The Wheeling Wheelmen Bicycle Club - founded by Phyllis Harmon, had its first meeting on April 26, 1970, with over 100 members in attendance. Since that time, the club has grown to almost 300 men and women serving the Northwest Chicagoland area with organized rides, social outings, informative meetings, bicycle advocacy, and a lot of friendship.
During the cycling season, from April to October, we have over nine hosted rides every week; a morning and an after-hours ride on Tuesday through Thursday, and a morning ride on Friday through Sunday. In addition, we host numerous special rides such as the Harmon-100 ride or the Memorial Day ride. See our events listing on Meetup for details on each of those rides.
Each of those rides usually has fifteen or more riders. Each usually has multiple pace groups from 15/16mph to 17/18mph and 18/19mph.
During the offseason, from November through March, we host mountain/gravel rides, cross country skiing, and hiking activities to keep our members in shape … for the coming cycling season.
Throughout the year, we host numerous social activities for our club members. We host a club meeting on the first Thursday of designated months, where we often feature programs to enhance our cycling knowledge. We also host an annual picnic, banquets, and holiday parties. You are welcome to join our hosted rides or club meetings regardless of your club membership status.
If you are a new rider, join our morning rides on Tuesday through Friday. Each of those rides is between 35 and 40 miles and has multiple pace groups from 15/16 to 17/18 and 18/19-mph. If you want a shorter ride and a slower pace, join our half-baked morning rides for 20 miles with 11 to 12-mph average speed. If you are new, leverage those half-baked rides to build fitness and learn group riding.
Reach out to one of us for advice on cycling equipment, cycling accessories, nutrition during riding, riding techniques, or group riding skills … if needed. Message one of the following people via the Meetup app: Nhat Tran, Emily Qualich, or Deb Wilson.
In summary, if you are new to our group, more than likely that we would have an activity that will fit your schedule. And more than likely you would be able to do that activity with someone with a similar fitness level as yours.
Hope to see you on the road!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Wheelmen's Weekly FRIDAY Social RideWillow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove, IL
Welcome to our 10AM FRIDAY 33-mile, slower, no-drop social ride. It's one of our 5 off-season SHOW-N-GO rides!
SHOW-N-GO rides run every TUES, THU, FRI, SAT, and SUN during the off-season from November into March. They all start at 10:00 AM, with no host, and usually for a shorter 32ish mile ride. Use this ride to maintain your cycling physical condition during the off-season.
You will ride with whoever shows up for this show-n-go ride. It is very important to RSVP at least on the day before so others can plan to ride with you. The more people RSVP, the more others will tend to RSVP and join the ride.
Make it a practice to RSVP for all four weekly rides the week before. And un-RSVP a ride if your schedule changes. This will help others to organize and ride with you.
Do use the Meetup COMMENT section to further coordinate with others for this specific ride.Below is the detailed info for this ride:
- START TIME/LOCATION: 10:00AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL
Be prepared to show up earlier if you need time to prepare before the ride. The ride will start promptly at the designated time.
͏ - ROUTE: The route will vary depending upon who shows to ride. It's a paved road route. A road bike is recommended. Hybrid/gravel/cross bikes are welcome, just be prepared to ride at the speed of your chosen pace group.
Current Wheelmen Club members can access the turn-by-turn GPS routes with this Social Ride via Old School Rd..
- PACE: This is a slower, no-drop ride, usually at 15 to 16MPH average. We may split into multiple groups if the group is big enough.
If you are new, let another rider know so s/he can keep an eye out for you and make sure you won't get lost.
- OTHERS:
- Cancellation: This being a SHOW-N-GO ride, it will not be cancelled.
- Self-support: We're on our own. Bring what you need for nutrition, hydration, mechanicals, and punctures.
- Safety: A helmet is required. Headlight and taillight are recommended.
- Personal liability.
In accepting to participate, I hereby make known that I will hold blameless the Wheeling Wheelmen, its officers, members, and volunteers in the case of accident, injury, or damage of any kind. I recognize that bicycling is potentially dangerous, and I represent that I am a competent cyclist with safe equipment. I understand that I participate in club activities at my own risk. I further recognize that safety is my personal responsibility, and I agree to participate in keeping all Wheeling Wheelmen rides safe. I agree to hold the club harmless and indemnify the club for all costs, judgments and awards that may be claimed, including the cost to defend such claims. I have read and understand this waiver and agree to the terms. I further certify that if I am signing for a minor child under the age of 18 that I have legal authorization to do so.
In participating in Wheeling Wheelmen rides and events, I acknowledge that Wheeling Wheelmen and its officers and members are not responsible for my possible exposure to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. I voluntarily assume the risk that I may be exposed to and infected by the coronavirus or any other infectious disease as a result of my participation in Wheeling Wheelmen outings and events and agree to hold harmless the club, its officers, and its members.
- START TIME/LOCATION: 10:00AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL
- Wheeling Wheelmen Weekly Show-n-Go Bakery RideWillow Stream Park South, Buffalo Grove, IL
Welcome to the Wheelmen weekly SHOW-N-GO bakery ride. It runs every TUES, THU, SAT, and SUN during the off-season, from November to mid-March. It starts at 10:00 AM, with no host, and usually for a shorter 32-mile bakery route. Use this ride to maintain your cycling physical condition during the off-season.
You will ride with whoever shows up for this show-n-go ride. So, it is very important to RSVP at least on the day before so others can plan to ride with you. The more people RSVP, the more others will tend to RSVP and join the ride.
Make it a practice to RSVP for all four weekly rides the week before. And un-RSVP a ride if your schedule changes. This will help others to organize and ride with you.
Do use the Meetup COMMENT section to further coordinate with others for this specific ride.
Below is the detailed info for this ride:
- START TIME/LOCATION: 10:00 AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL.
Do show up earlier if you need time to prepare before the ride. The ride will start promptly at 10:00.
͏ - ROUTE: The group will collectively decide on one of the routes below at the beginning of the ride.
- Bakery route for
Tues with 33 miles or 40 miles
Thurs with 32 miles or 40 miles
.
- Half-baked route for
Bannockburn
Lincolnshire
Echo Lake
Cuba / Hillside
.
All are paved road routes. A gravel or crossbike is recommended for the colder season.
.
For turn-by-turn directions, become a Wheelmen member to download from our route library. Click here to join our club.
.- PACE: There will be multiple pace groups, 14/15 to 16/17 and 18/19mph average speed. If the group is small enough, the ride will tend to become a no-drop ride to keep the group together.
- REST STOP: As needed at any location along the route
- POST RIDE: Join us for pastry/coffee/lunch after the ride at the Deerfield bakery about 1/2 mile from the start of the ride.
- OTHERS:
- Cancellation: We will not cancel this ride and expect each person to make their own decision if it is safe to ride on the event day.
- Self-support: Bring what you need for nutrition, hydration, mechanicals, and punctures.
- Safety: Helmet is required. Headlight and taillight are recommended.
- Personal liability.
In accepting to participate, I hereby make known that I will hold blameless the Wheeling Wheelmen, its officers, members, and volunteers in the case of accident, injury, or damage of any kind. I recognize that bicycling is potentially dangerous, and I represent that I am a competent cyclist with safe equipment. I understand that I participate in club activities at my own risk. I further recognize that safety is my personal responsibility, and I agree to participate in keeping all Wheeling Wheelmen rides safe. I agree to hold the club harmless and indemnify the club for all costs, judgments and awards that may be claimed, including the cost to defend such claims. I have read and understand this waiver and agree to the terms. I further certify that if I am signing for a minor child under the age of 18 that I have legal authorization to do so.
In participating in Wheeling Wheelmen rides and events, I acknowledge that Wheeling Wheelmen and its officers and members are not responsible for my possible exposure to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. I voluntarily assume the risk that I may be exposed to and infected by the coronavirus or any other infectious disease as a result of my participation in Wheeling Wheelmen outings and events and agree to hold harmless the club, its officers, and its members.
- START TIME/LOCATION: 10:00 AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL.
- Wheeling Wheelmen Weekly Show-n-Go Bakery RideWillow Stream Park South, Buffalo Grove, IL
Welcome to the Wheelmen weekly SHOW-N-GO bakery ride. It runs every TUES, THU, SAT, and SUN during the off-season, from November to mid-March. It starts at 10:00 AM, with no host, and usually for a shorter 32-mile bakery route. Use this ride to maintain your cycling physical condition during the off-season.
You will ride with whoever shows up for this show-n-go ride. So, it is very important to RSVP at least on the day before so others can plan to ride with you. The more people RSVP, the more others will tend to RSVP and join the ride.
Make it a practice to RSVP for all four weekly rides the week before. And un-RSVP a ride if your schedule changes. This will help others to organize and ride with you.
Do use the Meetup COMMENT section to further coordinate with others for this specific ride.
Below is the detailed info for this ride:
- START TIME/LOCATION: 10:00 AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL.
Do show up earlier if you need time to prepare before the ride. The ride will start promptly at 10:00.
͏ - ROUTE: The group will collectively decide on one of the routes below at the beginning of the ride.
- Bakery route for
Tues with 33 miles or 40 miles
Thurs with 32 miles or 40 miles
.
- Half-baked route for
Bannockburn
Lincolnshire
Echo Lake
Cuba / Hillside
.
All are paved road routes. A gravel or crossbike is recommended for the colder season.
.
For turn-by-turn directions, become a Wheelmen member to download from our route library. Click here to join our club.
.- PACE: There will be multiple pace groups, 14/15 to 16/17 and 18/19mph average speed. If the group is small enough, the ride will tend to become a no-drop ride to keep the group together.
- REST STOP: As needed at any location along the route
- POST RIDE: Join us for pastry/coffee/lunch after the ride at the Deerfield bakery about 1/2 mile from the start of the ride.
- OTHERS:
- Cancellation: We will not cancel this ride and expect each person to make their own decision if it is safe to ride on the event day.
- Self-support: Bring what you need for nutrition, hydration, mechanicals, and punctures.
- Safety: Helmet is required. Headlight and taillight are recommended.
- Personal liability.
- By saying yes to attending this event, you are signing a release for yourself, and/or a participant under the age of 18.
I hereby make known that I will hold blameless the Wheeling Wheelmen, its officers, members, and volunteers in the case of accident, injury, or damage of any kind. I recognize that bicycling is potentially dangerous, and I represent that I am a competent cyclist with safe equipment. I understand that I participate in club activities at my own risk. I further recognize that safety is my personal responsibility, and I agree to participate in keeping all Wheeling Wheelmen rides safe. I agree to hold the club harmless and indemnify the club for all costs, judgments and awards that may be claimed, including the cost to defend such claims. I have read and understand this waiver and agree to the terms. I further certify that if I am signing for a minor child under the age of 18 that I have legal authorization to do so.
In participating in Wheeling Wheelmen rides and events, I acknowledge that Wheeling Wheelmen and its officers and members are not responsible for my possible exposure to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. I voluntarily assume the risk that I may be exposed to and infected by the coronavirus or any other infectious disease as a result of my participation in Wheeling Wheelmen outings and events and agree to hold harmless the club, its officers, and its members.
- START TIME/LOCATION: 10:00 AM at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove IL.
