CELEBRATE A GREAT SEASON WITH US!

Fellow Travelers, as we wrap up a truly incredible season, we want to thank each of you for your love of cycling and the energy that is the lifeblood of Cosmic Bikes. Your exploits, your stories, your trust, and your passion keep us rolling —and keep us keepin’ on!—every day.

Let’s celebrate the miles we’ve shared and the adventures still ahead, and raise a toast to all of you who make this community vibrant, curious, and always looking for the next route.

When: Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 2 pm to 6pm

Where: Cosmic Bikes at 4641 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago

Details:

We’re throwing the doors open between 2 and 6 pm for our year-end celebration. We’ll have some chili slow-cookin’ and a few beers to get us started, but please bring potluck snacks, your favorite drinks, friends, and plenty of good biking vibes.

At 3 pm, we’ll settle in to watch the PBS documentary From Rails to Trails, then keep the party rolling with conversation, stories, and maybe a little holiday shopping for the adventurers in your life (which could be you 😉).

We’d love to see you!!

PLEASE RSVP BELOW:

Roll out for the for 4th annual two-wheeled food drive! Part bike ride, part food drive, part scavenger hunt -- and all about community.

Cranksgiving Chicago Chapter is ready to roll again in 2025!

Every year, throughout the country, shops and individuals organize Cranksgiving events to help provide thousands of those in need with a food during the holiday season. Our annual Chicago food drive/scavenger hunt by bike gets rolling on Saturday, November 24 at noon from Cosmic Bikes in Jefferson Park.

Over the last three years Cranksters here on the NW side contributed hundreds of pounds of holiday food, pantry staples and personal care items to folks in need through New Hope Pantry.

The event will begin with registration and check-in at 12 noon at Cosmic Bikes (with some energizing beverages and snacks on hand). The event is free, but you will need money to purchase food and other items to be donated. All riders will receive a list of items to buy from specific grocery stores around the NW Side, all accessible via local roads and trails.

Once you've acquired everything you're able to on the list, haul it back for the closing party at Lake Effect Brewing at 3073 N. Milwaukee. Cosmic Bikes people will be at the brewery from 2:30pm to greet you! When you arrive with your bounty, we'll count, weigh and sort your catch, buy you a drink and celebrate, and then we'll award prizes for the heaviest haul!

We will deliver the mountain of your donations to New Hope Community Food Pantry for distribution to needy families and individuals through their food pantry and aid programs.

Questions? See below, or contact COSMIC BIKES with any questions about Cranksgiving Chicago: 773-930-4076 (voice or text) or justyna@cosmicbikes.com

Registration is encouraged but not required! Day of registration accepted!

FAQ’s

Is there a fee to participate?

There's no fee to participate in the event, but you must bring at least $20 (or more at your discretion) to purchase groceries for donation.

You may need some more funds for additional drinks or snacks at Lake Effect. Your first drink’s on us!

What should I bring?

Your bicycle, helmet and lock, plus a pack to haul your purchases in: backpack, panniers or bike trailer. You can also bring friends!! The more the merrier!!!

How will I know what to buy?

When you come to register at Cosmic Bikes on the day of the event, we will provide you with an up-to-date list of items requested by New Hope Pantry. The list typically includes shelf-stable foods, personal care items, and sometimes even clothing. What you choose to buy is entirely up to you.

Is there a set route?

Nope. You can ride alone or with a group of friends, and choose your routing to a list of suggested stores we'll provide. You can hit as many or as few stores as you choose. When you finish shopping, ride over to Lake Effect Brewing for closing ceremonies.

LAST RIDE OF THE SEASON!!

We’re coming back to the iconic North Branch Trail for the last group ride of 2025. We’ll ride from the parking lot at Linne Woods in Morton Grove (off Dempster) to the trail end at Dundee Road at Skokie Lagoons, which will be our turn-around.

For those who wish to join, after the ride back at Dempster, we’ll stop across the street at Moretti’s for lunch and refreshments.

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, November 16 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.

• At Tower Rd. we’ll head north along the east side of Skokie Lagoons, and return on the west side at Dundee Rd.

• Riding distance about 24 miles. End time approximate.

• Facilities may be available trailside.

Ride Guidelines:

• These rides are somewhat exploratory in nature. We have not pre-ridden all of the trails, and while we are on the lookout for announced trail closures and obstructions, there can a bit of guesswork involved. Sometimes, we rely on other riders who are more familiar with the trails for guidance. Please maintain the spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness about last-minute route tweaks.

• These are NO-DROP rides. We ride with participants with widely differing abilities, and it is our goal to keep a cohesive group. We will stop periodically throughout the ride to allow everyone to catch up. If you need to make an unplanned stop, the group will wait for you at the next rest stop.
  If you prefer a faster pace, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be going ahead without us.

• Please observe trail etiquette by staying in the right lane except when it is safe to pass.

• Ride at your own risk

What to bring:

• Your recumbent bike or trike

• Water / snacks

• Funds for lunch if you decide to join us at Moretti’s

Weather:

• We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, November 15.

Registration is recommended for this event:

RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, OCT. 26

We’ll ride on the Oak Savannah Trail starting in Griffith, IN to Hobart, IN for a total distance of about 22 miles, with the possibility of a mid-ride picnic at a lakeside park outside of Hobart.

Details:

• Sunday, October 26 we’ll meet at the parking area at the western end of Oak Savannah Trail where it joins the Erie Lackawanna, across the road from 739 S Arbogast Ave, Griffith, IN 46319 (see map) at 9:45 am for a 10 am departure.

• Riding distance about 22 miles. End time approximate.

• Facilities available trailside.

• Ride at your own risk.

What to bring:

• Your recumbent bike or trike

• Portable food and refreshments to enjoy at our picnic spot.

• Water

• Sunscreen

Ride Guidelines:

• These rides are somewhat exploratory in nature. We have not pre-ridden all of the trails, and while we are on the lookout for announced trail closures and obstructions, there can a bit of guesswork involved. Sometimes, we rely on other riders who are more familiar with the trails for guidance. Please maintain the spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness about last-minute route tweaks.

• These are NO-DROP rides. We ride with participants with widely differing abilities, and it is our goal to keep a cohesive group. We will stop periodically throughout the ride to allow everyone to catch up. If you need to make an unplanned stop, the group will wait for you at the next rest stop.
  If you prefer a faster pace, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be going ahead without us.

• Please observe trail etiquette by staying in the right lane except when it is safe to pass.

• Ride at your own risk

Weather:

• We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, Oct. 25.

Registration is recommended for this event:

Come on out for Cosmic Cruise!

Social bike ride on October 25th!

We’ll meet up with us at Cosmic Bikes whe we close at 4pm. We’ll aim to ride by 4:15. We'll ride on side streets through Forest Glen and Sauganash to the Sauganash Trail and it’s continuation through the suburbs, stopping anf at Emily Oaks for a sort break (bring SNACKS).

Then we'll continue to Sketchbook Brewing Co 🍺 on Main St. in Skokie at the end of the trail for locally crafted beer or kombucha, or just hang out with us! They have outdoor seating.

Afterwards you can split off, or ride back to the shop with us.

What to bring:

• Your bike! (All types of bikes are welcome, but we will observe a safe speed limit. This is a social hang, not a race 🙂).

• Helmet

• Lock

• $$ for drinks and snacks at Sketchbook

• Bring your friends (and kids? dogs!? —in suitable carriers, of course :D)

• LIGHTS!!!!
  
  

No rsvp necessary, just show up!

We’ll ride on the Des Plaines River Trail from Independence Grove in Libertyville to Half Day Forest Preserve for a total distance of about 23 miles, with the scenic loop around the lake at IG, and a ride finale at the Beer Garden for those who wish to join.

The trail is unpaved, but consists of smooth crushed gravel and dirt. It’s well maintained and very wooded in sections so there will be leaves, acorns and other droppings from trees and greenery in some areas.  The trail is not striped or divided into two way traffic. On a Sunday there will be a fair amount of cyclists and pedestrian traffic. Possibly a person or two on horseback.

Details:

• Sunday, October 12 we’ll meet at Independence Grove parking area K ($6 entrance fee for non-lake county residents) 16400 Buckley Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048 (see map) at 9:45 am for a 10 am departure.

• Riding distance about 23 miles. End time approximate.

• Facilities available trailside.

• Ride at your own risk.

What to bring:

• Your recumbent bike or trike

• Funds for refreshments if you decide to join us at the Beer Garden after the ride.

• Snack/Water

• Sunscreen

Ride Guidelines:

• These rides are somewhat exploratory in nature. We have not pre-ridden all of the trails, and while we are on the lookout for announced trail closures and obstructions, there can a bit of guesswork involved. Sometimes, we rely on other riders who are more familiar with the trails for guidance. Please maintain the spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness about last-minute route tweaks.

• These are NO-DROP rides. We ride with participants with widely differing abilities, and it is our goal to keep a cohesive group. We will stop periodically throughout the ride to allow everyone to catch up. If you need to make an unplanned stop, the group will wait for you at the next rest stop.
  If you prefer a faster pace, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be going ahead without us.

• Please observe trail etiquette by staying in the right lane except when it is safe to pass.

• Ride at your own risk

Weather:

• We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, Oct. 11.

Registration is recommended for this event:

Join us for an easy-pace, easy-distance social ride at Wolf Lake. This will be a 12-15 mile ride on paved trails around Wolf Lake and the Whiting, IN lakefront and pier, with possible smaller detours and places to stop for photos.

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. Opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing, plus the iconic Horseshoe Casino neon sign.

Details:

• Sunday, September 28 we’ll meet at parking area at the Wolf Lake Pavilion at 9:45 for a 10am departure.

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

• Facilities available at area parks.

Ride Guidelines:

• These rides are somewhat exploratory in nature. We have not pre-ridden all of the trails, and while we are on the lookout for announced trail closures and obstructions, there can a bit of guesswork involved. Sometimes, we rely on other riders who are more familiar with the trails for guidance. Please maintain the spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness about last-minute route tweaks.

• These are NO-DROP rides. We ride with participants with widely differing abilities, and it is our goal to keep a cohesive group. We will stop periodically throughout the ride to allow everyone to catch up. If you need to make an unplanned stop, the group will wait for you at the next rest stop.
  If you prefer a faster pace, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be going ahead without us.

• Please observe trail etiquette by staying in the right lane except when it is safe to pass.

• Ride at your own risk

What to bring:

• Your recumbent bike or trike

• Snack/Water

Weather:

• We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, Sept. 27.

Registration is recommended for this event:

We’ll ride on the Thorn Creek Trail starting near its north-eastern end at North Creek Meadow, to Sauk Lake Loop near the southern end, and back. The trail winds through woodland, meadows and south suburban towns, with traffic signals at the major street crossings.

Details:

• Sunday, September 14 we’ll meet at the north end of North Creek Meadow parking area off Glenwood-Lansing Rd. west of Torrence Ave. in Chicago Heights (see map) at 9:45 am for a 10 am departure. We’ll make stops for refreshments and bathroom breaks.

• Riding distance about 23 miles. End time approximate.

• Facilities available trailside.

• Ride at your own risk.

What to bring:

• Your recumbent bike or trike

• Snack/Water

• Sunscreen

Ride Guidelines:

• These rides are somewhat exploratory in nature. We have not pre-ridden all of the trails, and while we are on the lookout for announced trail closures and obstructions, there can a bit of guesswork involved. Sometimes, we rely on other riders who are more familiar with the trails for guidance. Please maintain the spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness about last-minute route tweaks.

• These are NO-DROP rides. We ride with participants with widely differing abilities, and it is our goal to keep a cohesive group. We will stop periodically throughout the ride to allow everyone to catch up. If you need to make an unplanned stop, the group will wait for you at the next rest stop.
  If you prefer a faster pace, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be going ahead without us.

• Please observe trail etiquette by staying in the right lane except when it is safe to pass.

• Ride at your own risk

Weather:

• We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, Sept. 13.

Registration is recommended for this event:

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. We’ll stop at the Chicago Botanic Garden for a mid-ride picnic and a bit of socializing mid-ride, along lakeside views of the Japanese Gardens (there’s no admission fee for stopping at the picnic glade).

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, August 14 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.

• At Dundee Rd. we’ll ride into the Chicago Botanic Garden for a mid-ride picnic.

• Riding distance about 24 miles. End time approximate.

• Facilities available trailside.

Ride Guidelines:

• These rides are somewhat exploratory in nature. We have not pre-ridden all of the trails, and while we are on the lookout for announced trail closures and obstructions, there can a bit of guesswork involved. Sometimes, we rely on other riders who are more familiar with the trails for guidance. Please maintain the spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness about last-minute route tweaks.

• These are NO-DROP rides. We ride with participants with widely differing abilities, and it is our goal to keep a cohesive group. We will stop periodically throughout the ride to allow everyone to catch up. If you need to make an unplanned stop, the group will wait for you at the next rest stop.
  If you prefer a faster pace, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be going ahead without us.

• Please observe trail etiquette by staying in the right lane except when it is safe to pass.

• Ride at your own risk

What to bring:

• Your recumbent bike or trike

• Picnic food for yourself (but feel free to bring something to share if the spirit moves you 🙂).

Weather:

• We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, August 23.

Registration is recommended for this event:

We’ll ride round trip on the Fox River Trail from East Dundee, and continue north to Crystal Lake via the Prairie Trail. Back in East Dundee, those who wish can join us for lunch at the famed Duke’s Blues-N-BBQ.

Details:

• Sunday, Aug 10 we’ll meet at the trail parking area adjacent to Fox River Trail between Railroad St. and Barrington Ave. in East Dundee (see map and screenshot) at 9:45 am for a 10 am departure. We’ll make stops for refreshments and bathroom breaks.

• Riding distance about 22 miles. End time approximate.

• Facilities available trailside.

• Ride at your own risk.

What to bring:

• Your recumbent bike or trike

• Snack/Water

• Sunscreen

• Funds for getting food if you decide to join us at Duke’s

Ride Guidelines:

• These rides are somewhat exploratory in nature. We have not pre-ridden all of the trails, and while we are on the lookout for announced trail closures and obstructions, there can a bit of guesswork involved. Sometimes, we rely on other riders who are more familiar with the trails for guidance. Please maintain the spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness about last-minute route tweaks.

• These are NO-DROP rides. We ride with participants with widely differing abilities, and it is our goal to keep a cohesive group. We will stop periodically throughout the ride to allow everyone to catch up. If you need to make an unplanned stop, the group will wait for you at the next rest stop.
  If you prefer a faster pace, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be going ahead without us.

• Please observe trail etiquette by staying in the right lane except when it is safe to pass.

• Ride at your own risk

Weather:

• We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, Aug 9.

Registration is recommended for this event:

We’ll ride round trip on the Centennial Trail from Columbia Woods FP to 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.

Highlights:

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

Details:

• Sunday, July 27 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 make stops for refreshments and bathroom breaks.

• Riding distance about 26 miles. End time approximate.

• Facilities available trailside.

• Ride at your own risk.

What to bring:

• Your recumbent bike or trike

• Snack/Water

• Sunscreen

Ride Guidelines:

• These rides are somewhat exploratory in nature. We have not pre-ridden all of the trails, and while we are on the lookout for announced trail closures and obstructions, there can a bit of guesswork involved. Sometimes, we rely on other riders who are more familiar with the trails for guidance. Please maintain the spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness about last-minute route tweaks.

• These are NO-DROP rides. We ride with participants with widely differing abilities, and it is our goal to keep a cohesive group. We will stop periodically throughout the ride to allow everyone to catch up. If you need to make an unplanned stop, the group will wait for you at the next rest stop.
  If you prefer a faster pace, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be going ahead without us.

• Please observe trail etiquette by staying in the right lane except when it is safe to pass.

• Ride at your own risk

Weather:

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

Registration is recommended for this event:

Join us for our Brompton ride this month on Saturday, July 19 along a scenic route ending up at at Alarmist Brewing. We’ll gather at Cosmic Bikes at 4pm for a 4:30pm departure. This will be a low-key, no-drop social ride heading up Milwaukee to the North Branch Trail, and follow ing the the trail to the brewery.

The ride there will be about 7.5 miles. We’ll stop for refreshments and snacks (food trucks and pop-ups are usually available on weekends).

For those who want to ride back with us to the shop, the return trip will be about 4.2 miles via Sauganash streets and the NBT.

• No worries if you don’t have a Brompton. ALL BIKES WELCOME!

• End time approximate

• You may ride with us back to the shop, or head home on your own

• What to bring:

  • Helmet

  • Lights

  • $ for beverages and food

• Ride at your own risk.

No Brompton? No problem! Join us with the bike you have, o text us to check loaner Brompton availability (min 48 hour notice required).

PLEASE RSVP FOR THIS EVENT

We're thrilled to announce a very special recumbent ride with Matt Galat, a world traveler and recumbent rider, known for his JaYoe website and YouTube Channel with colorful video accounts of his adventures. We’ll take him out on the quintessential Chicago Lakefront tour along its less crowded (and in many ways more beautiful) southern portion, with the turn-around point at Northerly Island.

We’ll meet in Jackson Park at 63rd Street Beachhoue parking lot (east of LSD & Hayes Drive) on Friday, July 11 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 with a stop for some skyline photos, before heading back south to the starting point.

For those who want to join us after 3pm at the shop for a chance to talk with Matt about his bike, his van and his extensive travels, come on down! We’ll continue the Chicago theme with classic pizza and locally brewed beverages (donations welcome). Pizza arriving at 4pm. Please register below!!

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:

• Friday, July 11 we’ll meet at the south end of Jackson Park (see map) 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. (No recumbent? No problem! All bikes are welcome!!)

• Snack/Water

Weather:

• We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm the day before.

Registration is recommended for this event:

REGISTRATION IS REQUESTED FOR THIS EVENT:

RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 29

This week we’ll ride on the Old Plank Road Trail from Matteson (see parking info below), to the scenic Hickory Creek Trail detour, and back, for a total of about 28 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.

On the return trip, those who wish can stop with us at the Farmers Market in Frankfort for snack and refreshments.

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, June 15 meet at 9:45am for 10am departure. Parking and route details coming soon. Ride end time is approximate.

• Riding distance about 28 miles

• Facilities available trailside.

• Ride at your own risk

What to bring:

• Your recumbent bike or trike (no recumbent? your regular bike is welcome!!)

• Helmet

• Snack/Water

• Money for farmer’s market purchases if you decide to join us.

Weather:

• We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour or dangerous snowy/icy conditions. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, June 28.

REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS EVENT:

Join us for FAMILY PLAYDATE CARGO BIKE DEMO

We are joining with the Jefferson Park Sunday market to bring you an outdoor family playdate and cargo bike demo alongside a well- established farmers market on Sunday, June 22.

Grab the kiddos and come on out to test ride a variety of cargo and family bikes including:

• Longtail bikes

• Front loader bikes

• Electric bikes

• Urban utility bikes

• Woom kids bikes

Much more info and full details coming soon!

2ND ANNUAL CHICAGOLAND RECUMBENT FEST!

In the world of look-alike bikes.recumbents provide a healthy dose of excitement. They also fill the needs of riders who would not be well-served by a standard upright bike. 

Recumbent combine great ergonomics with excellent performance. They are fun to ride, and really, really comfortable. And, in the case of trikes, amazingly stable. This happens to make them a natural choice for people with physical limitations, or those who never learned to ride a two-wheeled bike.

Come discover for yourself the joy of riding without pain!

This year, we’re teaming us with Jefferson Park Sunday Market for DEMO DAY!

Try out three wheel recumbents form Catrike, Terra Trike, Greenspeed, HP Velo and AZUB, plus innovative tandems and delta trikes from Hase Bikes.

Come on for a meet-and-greet, check-in and coffee at 9:30, and enjoy test rides on a variety of recumbents throughout the day. And —while you’re here— don’t forget to by fresh offerings and treats from local farmers and vendors!

Bikes available for test rides:

HP Gecko 20 FX, HP Gecko 26 FX, HP Scorpion FS STEPS, Greenspeed GT20, Greenspeed Magnum, Terra Trike Rambler, Terra Trike Maverick, Catrike 559, Catrike Villager, AZUB Ti-Fly 26, Hase Pino Tandem, Hase Trigo, Hase Trigo STEPS, Hase Kettwiesel STEPS and more!

Join us for the ride on the Erie-Lackawanna Trail in NW Indiana. We’ll start at the Indiana Welcome Center at 7770 Corinne Dr, Hammond, IN 46323, which has convenient parking and restrooms (and a very interesting building). We’ll ride to the southern trailhead in Crown Point, with a short detour at the Ivan Gatlin Nature Preserve, for a total distance of about 24 miles.

Brewery lunch option: on the return trip, anyone who want to can join us for lunch and refreshments at Fuzzyline Brewing Co., which is just off the trail, about 1.5 miles south of our starting point.

Details:

• Sunday, June 1 meet at 9:45am for 10am departure. We’ll gather at the Indiana Welcome Center at 7770 Corinne Dr, Hammond, IN (see map)

• Riding distance about 24 miles

• Rest stops: We will make regular stops where facilities are available trailside, and we will wait there for any riders who may have stopped at other points.

• End time approximate

• Ride at your own risk

What to bring:

• Your recumbent bike or trike

• Helmet

• Snack/Water

• Funds for lunch if you decide to join us

Ride Guidelines:

• These rides are somewhat exploratory in nature. We have not pre-ridden all of the trails, and while we are on the lookout for announced trail closures and obstructions, there can a bit of guesswork involved. Sometimes, we rely on other riders who are more familiar with the trails for guidance. Please maintain the spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness about last-minute route tweaks.

• These are NO-DROP rides. We ride with participants with widely differing abilities, and it is our goal to keep a cohesive group. We will stop periodically throughout the ride to allow everyone to catch up. If you prefer a faster pace, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be going ahead without us.

• Please observe trail etiquette by staying in the right lane except when it is safe to pass.

• Ride at your own risk

Weather:

• We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour or dangerous snowy/icy conditions. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, May 31.

REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS EVENT:

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, May 18 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.

• At roughly the half-way point at the Skokie Lagoons, we’ll take a little rest stop to socialize, refuel and hydrate.

• Riding distance about 24 miles. End time approximate.

• Facilities available trailside.

Ride Guidelines:

• These rides are somewhat exploratory in nature. We have not pre-ridden all of the trails, and while we are on the lookout for announced trail closures and obstructions, there can a bit of guesswork involved. Sometimes, we rely on other riders who are more familiar with the trails for guidance. Please maintain the spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness about last-minute route tweaks.

• These are NO-DROP rides. We ride with participants with widely differing abilities, and it is our goal to keep a cohesive group. We will stop periodically throughout the ride to allow everyone to catch up. If you prefer a faster pace, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be going ahead without us.

• Please observe trail etiquette by staying in the right lane except when it is safe to pass.

• 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, May 17.

Registration is recommended for this event:

Join us for Third Friday Brompton Rides throughout the season.

On the Third Friday of each month, beginning in March, we’ll start gathering at Cosmic Bikes at 4:30pm for a 5pm departure to a nearby brewery or watering hole.

On May 16 we’ll ride to Une Année | Hubbard's Cave Brewery in Niles following the North Branch Trail and local streets.

• Approximate one-way distance 5.7 miles

• End time approximate

• You may ride with us back to the shop, or head home on your own

• What to bring:

  • Helmet

  • Lights

  • $ for beverages and food

No Brompton? No problem! Join us with the bike you have, o text us to to check loaner Brompton availability (min 48 hour notice required).

REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS EVENT

Join us for the scenic ride on the Fox River Trail ride between St. Charles and North Aurora. We’ll do a long, narrow “loop” exploring both sides of the river where possible.

We’ll meet at Fabyan Forest Preserve on the west side of the river, and start by heading u to Mount St. Mary Park in St Charles, and then loop back south to North Aurora, and up again to the starting point for a total of about 18 miles. We can ride both sides of the river except between Fabyan FP and Geneva downtown.

Details:

• Sunday, May 4 meet at 9:45am for 10am departure. We will meet at Fabyan Forest Preserve on the west side of the rive in Geneva, IL. Please see map and screenshot.

• Riding distance about 18 miles. Ride end time is approximate.

• Facilities available at meeting spot and along the route.

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

Ride Guidelines:

• These rides are somewhat exploratory in nature. We have not pre-ridden all of the trails, and while we are on the lookout for announced trail closures and obstructions, there can a bit of guesswork involved. Sometimes, we rely on other riders who are more familiar with the trails for guidance. Please maintain the spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness about last-minute route tweaks.

• These are NO-DROP rides. We ride with participants with widely differing abilities, and it is our goal to keep a cohesive group. We will stop periodically throughout the ride to allow everyone to catch up. If you prefer a faster pace, please let us know at the start of the ride that you will be going ahead without us.

• Please observe trail etiquette by staying in the right lane except when it is safe to pass.

• Ride at your own risk

Weather:

• We’ll ride in any weather, except steady downpour. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, May 3. Backup date is May 11.

REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS EVENT:

Join us for Last Friday Brompton Rides throughout the season.

On the last Friday of each month, we’ll gather at Cosmic Bikes at 4:30pm for a 5pm departure to a nearby brewery or watering hole.

On April 25 we’ll ride to Sketchbook Brewing in Skokie following the Valley Line Trail and local streets.

• Approximate one-way distance 7 miles

• End time approximate

• You may ride with us back to the shop, or head home on your own

• What to bring:

  • Helmet

  • Lights

  • $ for beverages and food

No Brompton? No problem! Join us with the bike you have, o text us to to check loaner Brompton availability (min 48 hour notice required).

REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS EVENT

We’ll ride the Pennsy Greenway starting in Calumet City, IL to Schererville, IN. This is a linear rail-to-trail with generally excellent surface conditions passing through a mix of suburbia, parkland and greenspace.

Details:

• Sunday, April 13 meet at 9:45am for 10am departure. We’ll gather at the north end of the trail at the parking area in Green Lake Woods parking lot by the Aquatic Center (1100 River Oaks Dr, Calumet City).

• Riding distance about 28 miles

• Facilities available trailside

• End time approximate

• 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 or dangerous snowy/icy conditions. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, April 12.

REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS EVENT:

We’re kicking off the 2025 season with Coffee Outside, followed by a casual recumbent group ride at Busse Woods Trail. We’ll cover about 10 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, April 6 we’ll meet at Busse Forest South (entrance at Higgins Rd. west of Arlington Hts. Rd. just past the bike/ped overpass — see map & screenshot). We’ll congregate at a picnic grove #5 and start with freshly brewed coffee before the ride, meet and greet any new riders and catch up on what we’ve been doing. We’ll bring everything needed to make coffee including our camp coffee making paraphernalia (you can bring yours too if you’d like). So bring your mug, and perhaps something edible to share if you’d like.
  (NOTE: I did not reserve the picnic grove, and I am banking on it being available this early in the season. If not, there are other groves available off the same parking area. We’ll be flexible 😃.)

• Ride will start at 10am. End time approximate.

• Riding distance about 10 miles

• We’re keeping fingers crossed that trailside facilities will be available. I will try to post an update.

• The official website does not mention any restroom closures at this parking area.

• 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 or dangerous snowy/icy conditions. Notification, if necessary, will be sent by 6pm Saturday, April 5. Backup date is April 13.

REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS EVENT:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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: