Ride Information
DGBC rides on roads, trails, bike paths, gravel, dirt, snow, and other suspicious surfaces.
We use road bikes, hybrid bikes, fat tire bikes, mountain bikes, electric bikes, and pretty much anything with two wheels.
We wear cycle-specific clothes, street clothes, and sometimes Halloween costumes.
The only thing we ALL wear is a helmet.
Our Regular Rides
These are our regularly scheduled rides. If you're not sure which ride is perfect for you, visit our Start Here page.
Rides are always subject to leader availability and weather conditions, so please check our calendar for the latest information prior to the ride.
Monday Nite Ride
Leader: Bill Chalberg
How Long: 10-15 miles | 60-90 minutes
How Fast: C 10 m.p.h.
Season: Mid - April to late fall…riding with lights
Good for: beginners and more experienced riders who enjoy social ride followed by a stop at a local pub.
Why ride on Monday night? 1. To have fun. 2. To relax and chat as you ride. 3. To learn what group riding is like.
Note: if you are a woman who is new to group riding this ride offers the opportunity to learn from other women,
The ride starts Fishel Park in Downers Grove at 6:30 pm and will end there. We will ride with lights when sunset gets earlier. To use the words of transportation planners, we ride on low stress streets. If you are a woman who would like t
Wednesday Night Ride (WNFRR)
Leader: Show and Go
How Long: 25 miles | 75 minutes
How Fast: A | 20 - 21 mph
Season: Mid–April to Mid–August
Good for: Anyone who wants to ride fast in a paceline and build endurance.
The Wednesday Night Frontage Road Ride (WNFRR) starts at the main Waterfall Glen trailhead parking lot off Cass Ave. and Northgate at 6:00pm. There is no designated leader on these rides, which always follows the same route every week. The goal is to ride competitively and increase your endurance and speed. Ride re-groups at stoplights and on Davey Rd. after the Joliet Rd. climb. Riders should be prepared to make their own way back to the Cass Ave. parking lot if necessary.
Wednesday Night Ride (WNFRR B+)
Leader: Matt Yackley
How Long: 23 miles | 80-90 minutes
How Fast: B+ | 17 mph
Season: Mid–April to Mid–August
Good for: Anyone who wants to ride fast in a paceline and build endurance.
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41357065
The Wednesday Night Frontage Road Ride (WNFRR B+) starts at the main Waterfall Glen trailhead parking lot off Cass Ave. and Northgate at 6:00pm. The goal is to learn how to ride in a paceline, work together as a team and increase your endurance and speed. Ride re-groups as needed and at the top of the 355 connector climb. Riders should be prepared to make their own way back to the Cass Ave. parking lot if necessary.
Thursday Night Escape (TNE)
Leader: Various
How Long: 15-30 miles | 90 minutes
How Fast: Typically 3-4 ride speeds offered | C, B, B+, A
Season: April to October
Good for: Newer riders looking to improve skills and intermediate riders looking to get faster.
The Thursday Night Escape (TNE) starts at 6pm at McCollum park on Main St. in Downers Grove. Various members lead a lively ride that will help you build speed and fitness. This is the most popular ride each season for the DGBC - often 25-30 riders and 3 groups…a great place to start!
Saturday Morning Ride(s)
Leaders: Various
How Long: Various ride lengths | B and B+ Rides: 25-45 miles | A Rides: 50-100 miles
How Fast: Typically 2-3 ride speeds offered | B, B+, A
Season: April to October
Good for: experienced riders who want to build speed on a longer distance ride.
Saturday Morning rides generally leave at 7am (to beat the heat) from the Downers Grove Library parking lot. The rides are usually split up among A, B+, and B ride pace. Ride distance will build over the course of the summer and these rides are rarely less than 30 miles long.
Saturday Beginner Ride (Limited Series)
Leader: Susan Hayse
How Long: 10 miles or less | 90 minutes
How Fast: Slow, 9-11 mph
Season: June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Be sure to check our calendar for updates and cancellations.
Designed for beginners and people who want to get back into riding their bicycles.
The Saturday Beginner Rides will take place every Saturday during the month of June and ride at low speeds on quiet side streets around the area.
Sunday Easy Ride
Leader: Susan Hayse
How Long: 15-30 miles | 120 to 180 minutes
How Fast: Slow, 9-11 mph
Season: May to September. Be sure to check our calendar for updates and cancellations.
Good for: beginners, riders who prefer riding on bike paths, or experienced riders who want a more social ride.
The Sunday Easy ride starts from a variety of start locations (check the calendar). The rides focus on bike trails and paths with time for a snack break. The ride is usually about 20 miles long and will increase in distance over the course of the summer.
How can I tell how fast I'm riding without a speedometer?
If you know how far you went and how long it took you, you can easily calculate how fast you rode using this formula:
D/T = R
where:
D = distance (how far you rode)
T = time (how long it took you to ride that far)
R = rate (how fast you rode)
If you rode 10 miles (D) in 1 hour 15 minutes (T), then R = 8 mph
If you rode 10 miles in 1 hour, then R = 10
If you rode 10 miles in 45 minutes, then R = 13.33
If you rode 10 miles in 30 minutes, then R = 20
Other Ride Leaders
These club ride leaders will post rides occasionally on our calendar.
Loni Wiedemann
Jeff Bolam
Jeffrey Rauch
John DeLand
Larry Grubart
Matt Yackley
Scott Burstein
Gary Bolton
Tom Drexler
Debra Wesley
