Chicago training rides


SATURDAY
GTE Barrington Ride
Distance: 65-75 miles
Time: 5 a.m.
Location: Roger Williams and St. John's Avenue, Highland Park
Notes: Organized by Marc Zionts (Alberto's). "Fast ride with good rollers. Plenty of hill and flat sprints along the course. Well organized and safe ride, come ready to ride hard and push the pace with a solid group of riders. Helmets and good judgment required."
SATURDAY
Lake and Harlem ride
Distance: 30-75 miles
Time: 6 a.m.
Location: Lake and Harlem, Oak Park
Notes: "Cruising at 22+ mph, average pace of 18-20+ mph, with sprints up to 30+ mph."
SATURDAY
Spin Doctor Saturday Ride
Distance: 50 miles
Time: 6 a.m.
Location: Bowes and Randall, Elgin, Menards parking lot
Notes: First 15 miles at about 18-19 mph, the last 35 miles at around 22-24 with the last 5 miles at around 27-28 (for the A group). The last 35 miles are at around 20 mph for the B group. Helmet required. No-drop for the first 15 miles. B group is generally no-drop. Ride safety strictly enforced.
SATURDAY
Harper Ride
Distance: 35 miles
Time: 7 a.m.
Location: West parking lot at Harper College, Palatine
 
SATURDAY
Endure It! Training Ride
Distance: 60 miles
Time: 7 a.m.
Location: 5th Avenue and Mill Street, Naperville
Notes: Slow warm-up through Naperville then 21+, with stretches at 25+ with stops only for lights/signs.
SATURDAY
XXX Racing-AthletiCo team ride
Distance: 36-50 miles
Time: 7 a.m., 7:30 a.m.
Location: Wicker Park and Damen (7 a.m.), Ridge and Pratt (7:30 a.m.)
Notes: No-drop to Highland Park along this route. Helmets required. In Highland Park, groups form to either return to Chicago or go longer, faster.
SATURDAY
Judson
Distance: 50+ miles
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Judson and Greenleaf, Evanston
Notes: "Team Judson is first and foremost an anarchy, and whoever is in front gets the ultimate choice about the route we take."
SATURDAY
Velo Club Roubaix
Distance: 50-70 miles
Time: Refer to Web site.
Location: Jay Cee Park, Deerfield
Notes: An A ride is an aggressive ride that has large stretches at 28 to 32 mph. The B ride is more moderate, yet follows the same route. It usually tops out at 25 mph and averages 20 mph.
SATURDAY
SATURDAY
Naperville Ride
Distance: 60 miles
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: 320 Jackson St., Naperville
Notes: Race-oriented training ride, 25 mph average west of Route 30.
SUNDAY
Lake and Harlem ride
Distance: 30-75 miles
Time: 6 a.m.
Location: Lake and Harlem, Oak Park
Notes: "Cruising at 22+ mph, average pace of 18-20+ mph, with sprints up to 30+ mph."
SUNDAY
Colavita Chicagoland
Distance: 40-60 miles
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Deerfield Metra Station
Notes: A Ride: 20-23 mph avg. B1 Ride: 18-20 mph. B2 Ride: 16-18 mph.
SUNDAY
Judson
Distance: 50+ miles
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Judson and Greenleaf, Evanston
Notes: "Team Judson is first and foremost an anarchy, and whoever is in front gets the ultimate choice about the route we take."
SUNDAY
The Mafia Ride
Distance: 50+ miles
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Lake Forest Metra Station
Notes: Extremely fast ride north with stretches above 30 mph. Not for the inexperienced.
SUNDAY
Glenview Cycle Club
Distance: 36 miles
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Dairy Bar, 1015 Harlem Ave., Glenview
Notes: 19-22 mph. Helmets required. "Often cut a bit off the tail end of the loop if the group is in the mood to stop at the Starbucks at the Glen."
SUNDAY
Alberto's Ride
Distance: 40-60 miles
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Alberto's Cycles, First and Laurel, Highland Park
Notes: 18-19 mph pace. Women encouraged.
SUNDAY
VisionQuest Wrobel Ride
Distance: 50+ miles
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Lake Forest Metra Station
Notes: Ride to Barrington or Kenosha County and back at a steady 18 to 20 mph pace.
SUNDAY
Velo Club Roubaix
Distance: 50-70 miles
Time: Refer to Web site.
Location: Northcroft Park, Lake Forest
Notes: An A ride is an aggressive ride that has large stretches at 28 to 32 mph. The B ride is more moderate, yet follows the same route. It usually tops out at 25 mph and averages 20 mph.
SUNDAY
Naperville Ride
Distance: 60 miles
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: 320 Jackson St., Naperville
Notes: Race-oriented training ride, 25 mph average west of Route 30.
SUNDAY
Turin Sunday Ride
Distance: 50 miles
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Grove and Sherman, Evanston
Notes: "This ride is for spirited, athletic cyclists seeking the camaraderie of a group ride, without the pressure of keeping up with those training for competition."
MONDAY
Chicago Cycling Club: Introduction to training rides
Distance: 30 miles
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Lincoln and California
Notes: Slower pace with emphasis on smooth riding techniques and paceline etiquette.
MONDAY - FRIDAY
Lake and Harlem ride
Distance: 20-30 miles
Time: 5:30 a.m.
Location: Madison and East, Oak Park
Notes: "Cruising at 22+ mph, average pace of 18-20+ mph, with sprints up to 30+ mph."
TUESDAY
Barrington Tuesday night ride
Distance: 30-35 miles
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: St. Matthew's Church, 720 Dundee Ave., Barrington
Notes: "About as fast as Harper Ride."
TUESDAY
Pizza Hut Ride
Distance: 45 miles
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Skokie and Sunset Ridge, Northbrook
Notes: Fast ride to Lake Forest and North Chicago.
TUESDAY
South Chicago Wheelmen Criterium Series
Distance: 3 races
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Matteson
Notes: Three officiated practice criteriums each night. Riders break themselves into two groups by ability levels. $7 a night. Prizes for placing. USCF license required.
TUESDAY
Bicycle Heaven St. Charles ride
Distance: 36 miles
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: 505 W. Main St., St. Charles
Notes: Typically around 25 mph, sometimes faster. Second rendezvous point at 6:10 p.m. at Bolcum Road and Fairway Drive. Becomes cyclocross ride in fall.
TUESDAY
Psimet Club Ride
Distance: 28 miles
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: 28W705 Penny Road, South Barrington
Notes: 5:30 p.m. in spring and fall. This is a drop ride. Pack work, pacelines, attacks/strategy, two key sprint points, multiple large climbs.
TUESDAY
Bartlett ride
Distance: 30 miles
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Petersdorf & Schick road, Bartlett
Notes: Average speed is 21-22 mph with many sprints during the ride. Helmet Required! Centerline rule strictly enforced.
TUESDAY
Naperville Bike Club Tuesday Night Blur Ride
Distance: 22 miles
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Ashbury Park (Conan Doyle Road and Book Road), Naperville
Notes: Fast ride on lightly traveled roads.
WEDNESDAY
Turin Wednesday Ride
Distance: 40 miles
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: 1027 Davis St., Evanston
  Notes: 5:30 p.m. start until Memorial Day. Bring lights in March.
WEDNESDAY
Get a Grip Cycles' Mid-Week Classique
Distance: 32-42miles
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: 4359 W. Irving Park Rd.
Notes: "The goal of this ride is to work efficiently as a group, build camaraderie and to have fun. We do like to go fast but nobody gets dropped. Speeds average 18-20 mph."
WEDNESDAY
Chicago Cycling Club: Wednesday evening training
Distance: 35 miles
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Lincoln and California
Notes: "Practice rotating pace lines, close proximity riding and advanced bike handling while building fitness at a riding pace in excess of 18 mph."
THURSDAY
Bicycle Heaven St. Charles ride
Distance: 36 miles
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: 505 W. Main St., St. Charles
Notes: Typically around 25 mph, sometimes faster. Second rendezvous point at 6:10 p.m. at Bolcum Road and Fairway Drive. Becomes cyclocross ride in fall.
THURSDAY
Thursday Night Intervals
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Arlington Heights Road and Higgins Road, Elk Grove Village
Notes: "We have roadies and triathletes doing hard intervals in a no drop ride format where everyone recovers together."
THURSDAY
Bartlett ride
Distance: 30 miles
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Petersdorf & Schick road, Bartlett
Notes: Average speed is 21-22 mph with many sprints during the ride. Helmet Required! Centerline rule strictly enforced.

NOTE: Times are for summer months. Some rides start earlier or later in the off-season.


Know a good, regular training ride? E-mail me the following information:

  • » Name of ride
  • » Location
  • » Summer departure time
  • » Distance
  • » Typical range of speed
  • » Special rules (Helmets required? No drop?)