Cycling Sisters

Event Description:
Come ride on a nearby Rail-to-Trail conversion through the far South suburbs. The Old Plank Road was originally a Native American trail that was converted around 1852 into a 'plank road' (literally a road made of wooden planks), to allow early settlers to get their goods to market. By 1855, the plank road had been converted into a railroad. In 1911 an interurban trolley was built in parallel to the RR on the same right-of-way. After hard times for the railroads from the end of WWII through the early 70s, the Joliet Cutoff (as the Old Plank Road was known) was abandoned. It took 20 years of hard-fought advocacy, but eventually the Old Plank Road Trail was opened in 1997.

Location:
The ride will start at the parking lot of Target in Matteson (just S. of Lincoln Mall). Exit I-57 at Lincoln Highway (east). Travel about 1 mile to Cicero. Turn South and travel a few blocks to the Target. The OPRT is just N. of the parking lot. Look for cars/vans with bike racks to know where to park.

Event Description:
Come join us for an informal bike ride and dinner in historic Hyde Park. The ride will focus on cruising through the many large parks in the area (Washington, Jackson, the midway plaisance, etc) with a final jaunt along the lakefront bike path. Finish the outing with convivial conversation at Noodles Thai or Snail Thai (to be voted on the day of the event). Route length of approx. 10 miles; pace is moderate (10-12 mph)

Location:
Meet at the 63rd Street field house. Parking lot is large, well-lit, open, and well-used (even at night).
Contact person: Jane Healy (repto at aol dot com)
Day of event cell phone: 708-308-8662

Event Description:
Family oriented bicycle ride along Chicago's Lakefront Bike Path. The pace will be set by the slowest member of the ride, so plan accordingly. Solo children should be able to ride without training wheels (some hills involved). Ride leaders are experienced urban cycling parents who will be able to answer questions and demonstrate equipment like trailers and trailer-cycles during the ride. This is a great ride to learn more about cycling with kids in the city.
Approx. length of ride: 6 miles.
End of ride is at Navy Pier (Haagen Daz Ice Cream store).
FYI: In past years, there have been free fireworks at 9 pm on
Wed. evenings.
**Blinkie lights, headlights, and helmets are STRONGLY recommended!**

Location:
Meet at the bottom of the West steps of the Shedd Aquarium (large landing area).
Public transportation via bus, 'el' Red line, or
train (Roosevelt Station).
Car parking is usually available in lots to the East and South of the Shedd, or in metered spots (up to 8 hours; bring quarters--$1/hour) along Solidarity Drive. Since the end of the ride is at Navy Pier, some parents may prefer to park in the public parking on the N. side of the Pier (note: $22 for 3+ hours)
Contact: Jane Healy at (708) 308-8662

Event Description:
Join us for a cheery outing along the amazingly lovely Lakefront Bike Path as we mosey up to the Museum campus. After a short break for bathroom pit stops, we'll cruise over to Northerly Island to scope out the flora and fauna--as well as the new art installation. Then on to Chinatown for lunch at Evergreen Restaurant (S. end of the 'strip', on E. side). Return through the IIT campus (admiring the architecture) and Bronzeville (short stop at Stephen Douglas tomb and memorial). Ride length: about 20 miles, pace approx 10-12 mph. No rider will be dropped (left behind); if you are worried about the length, you may choose to take the CTA bus home after lunch (all buses now have bike racks in front!). Ride contact: Jane (708) 303-8662 (cell)

Location:
Ride starts at the 63rd Street BEACH house (ample free parking). Meet southwest of the main building, on the sidewalk.