Please click on the "read more" link at the bottom of each news or event entry. I try to update each of the events afterward with pictures, results, and ride reports.
Sorry, I had to share this video with everyone! Too cool!
We are a family-friendly, community-oriented cycling group who loves to enjoy a good ride. Be sure to check out our website and our listing of helpful bicycle links.
For more information about the Blue Island Bicycle Club, Contact Jane Healy.
Also, please scroll to the bottom of this page for updated schedules, event listings, etc.
The kids "Friday Night Bike Crew" is an expansion of the BIBC. Every Friday night at 4 pm, about 15-25 children show up for an organized bike ride. Routes include going to local parks, Memorial Park pool, Stony Creek, the Major Taylor Trail, the Lakefront Bike Path and other exciting locales.
Note: we *usually* do not have rides on the last Friday of the month, or when Mrs. Healy is on vacation.
To get the old schedules, simply click on the link in the second paragraph above (look for underlined "schedule" word, scroll your mouse over it, and click).
Thank you for your interest in the BIBC. We hope to see you soon on one of our rides!
Friday Night Bike Crew!
Every friday night (except, generally, the last Friday of the month), you can join us for this free, fun bike ride.
Rides are geared for children up to about 15 years old. Children under 8 must have a parent accompany them.
All rides must be on a safe bicycle with functioning brakes and riders must wear a helmet.
It goes without saying, but your child should be able to ride a bike safely and for a significant distance. While we tailor each ride to the needs of the weakest rider, if your child has just started riding a bike, chances are, they are NOT ready to join this club yet. Riders should be comfortable with riding a *minimum* of 3-4 miles at a decent speed. We frequently do closer to 8 miles, and in the full summer months, we sometimes do 12-14 mile rides (although that is planned well in advance!).
From mid-August until June 1st (ie. fall, winter and spring), riders MUST have a white headlight for their bicycle. This can be as simple as a small flashlight attached to the handlebars with rubber bands. IL law *requires* cyclists to have a white front light if they are riding after dark. We prefer riders to have a white headlight at all times--regardless of the time of year.
Rides go from 4:30 until 6 to 8 pm, depending on the length of the ride, time of year, the destination, and the ability of the children on the ride.
*Make sure children eat before they arrive* or have them bring a snack and water in a backpack. Many times our target destination has water available, but don't assume so. All of the parks shut off their water fountains on Nov. 1, and they remain off until April or May, depending on the park district. It's not a bad idea for kids to bring a water bottle for each ride.
Rides are at an easy pace (~8 miles/hour) and can be as short as 2 miles or as long as 10 miles, depending on the weather, the time of year, and the experience of the kids who show up for that day's ride. All rides have a destination in mind: a park, playground, waterway, forest, public pool, etc.
Participants must have a signed waiver on file with the Blue Island Bicycle Club. This can be handled just before your first ride (but it must be signed by a parent or guardian).
All riders are required to go through a brief road safety skills and group riding skills presentation before each ride.
For more information about the Blue Island Bicycle Club, Contact Jane Healy.
Also, please scroll to the bottom of this page for updated schedules, event listings, etc.
SATURDAY MORNING RIDES
BIG kid Bike Club
Now that 27 kids have successfully graduated from the Cal-Sag Cycles program, we have a lot of folks in town with good, swift bikes. With the need for faster, longer rides, the Blue Island Bicycle Club has formed a new group that rides on Saturday mornings, 2-4x a month (depending on outside commitments). These rides are frequented by adults as well as kids ages 12 and up.
The rides are generally 15-25 miles long at a pace of about 12-14 mph. Most originate from Blue Island, but if we have a small enough group and/or enough transportation, we trek to trails and routes farther afield such as the Old Plank Road or Waterfall Glen. We have taken some much longer rides--up to 40 miles, and the intention is that riders will build up capacity as the season progresses.
Rides start at 8 am in the summer, and at 9 am in the cooler months. We leave from the garage at 12056 Maple Avenue; riders are expected to get their tires pumped--every ride--without supervision. We generally return around noon, later if we are driving to the route, or the route is exceptionally long. Riders are encouraged to wear safety vests or brightly colored t-shirts. Riders under the age of 18 are required to wear a safety vest. All riders must also have a well functioning bicycle as well as a helmet.
Please bring plenty of water and a few bucks cash to pay for any snack stops that *might* occur after the ride.
Any questions? Contact Jane Healy.
Also, please scroll to the bottom of this page for updated schedules, event listings, etc.
Fall Schedule 2012
Friday Night Bike Club Schedule of Events: Fall 2012***All bikes must have a white front light: This is the law in IL!***
Dress for the weather: rain gear, gloves, hats, warm coats, snow pants
Friday, Oct. 19-- Halloween Fun Ride. Ride starts at 5:30 pm and ends by 8 pm.
Sunday, Oct. 21-- Co-Ride with the Friends of the Major Taylor Trail. Meet at 1:30 pm, return around 4 pm. Bring water.
Friday, Oct. 26-- No bike ride (last Friday of the month)
Friday, Nov. 2-- Chili ride! Riders need $4/$8 (under 10/over 10) for dinner at St. Phillip Lutheran Church at the end of the ride. (The ride happens first, chili supper after. Riders are not required to eat dinner, but we are encouraging everyone as it supports a local institution, it's fun, and the supper is *excellent*!) Ride starts at 4:30 pm, returning around 8:00 pm.
Saturday, Nov. 3-- Whistler Woods Work Day. 10 am-noon. Clean-up event at nearby Whistler Woods Forest Preserve (131st and Halsted, just south of the canal). Everyone is welcome; families need their own transportation for this event if they are unable to ride their bike 8 miles. Riders meet at 9 am at the garage. We will be clearing brush, removing invasive plants, and possibly doing a brush pile burn (depends on weather conditions). Wear old clothing.
Friday, Nov. 9-- Normal club ride. Ride starts at 4:30 pm, returning around 7:00 pm.
Saturday, Nov. 10-- Veterans Day PARADE at 11 am! Meet at 9:40 am.
Children should meet at the garage by 9:40 am. Dress warmly, but try to wear Red/White/Blue for the event. American flags are very appropriate, as are other patriotic decorations on your bicycle (ribbons, swags, etc). Ride ends at Memorial Park. Children can be picked up at the park, or may choose to ride back to the garage with Mr. Healy.
Friday, Nov. 16--!!!CANCELLED!!! Sorry.
Normal club ride. Ride starts at 4:30 pm, returning around 6:30 pm. !!!! NO BIKE RIDE !!!!
Friday, Nov. 23-- No bike ride: Thanksgiving break
Friday, Nov. 30-- No bike ride (last Friday of the month)
Saturday, Dec. 1-- Festival of Lights PARADE at 5:30 pm. Meet at 4:00 pm.
DRESS WARMLY--this is always a *very* cold (but fun!) event for the kids. Snow pants and long underwear are strongly recommended for this ride! Bikes must be decorated with lights. Battery operated Christmas lights can be purchased at Target or Walgreens for about $7 a strand. I have a limited number of “loaners” available. After the parade, we will be going to the Library for the Christmas party, which is free. You may pick up your child there, or they can ride home with the group at the end of the party. This is always a special event, and the kids comment that it is one of the highlights of the year. This is the last scheduled ride until March.
Contact information: Jane Healy at 708-308-8662 (cell) or repto@aol.com
***All bikes must have a white front light: This is the law in IL!***
Dress for the weather: rain gear, gloves, hats, warm coats, snow pants
June 1st: The Blue Bridge and the Cal-Sag waterway 4:30 pm - 7 pm
June 8: Major Taylor Trail and Whistler Woods Cleanup 4:30 - 8 pm
June 15: Blue Island History/Mystery Tour and splash pad fun at Kennedy Park 4:30 pm - 8 pm
June 22: Memorial Park Pool Ride! Bring your swimsuit and towel, as well as a few bucks if you want to buy snacks. Free admission to pool. *Bike ride first!* 4:30-9 pm
June 29: Last Friday--NO bike club
July 3: Special Event--Blue Island Public Library event at 2 pm. Ride and exhibit. Return around 5 pm.
July 6-No bike club: Mrs. Healy is on vacation. All are encouraged to ride over to Beverly for the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic which runs from about 5 pm onward. Check out http://www.facebook.com/BeverlyHillsCyclingClassic for more information.
July 13: Bike Club to Pullman Historical Society. *4 pm* to 9 pm.
July 20: Memorial Park Pool Ride! Bring your swimsuit and towel, as well as a few bucks if you want to buy snacks. Free admission to pool. *Bike ride first!* 4:30-9 pm
July 27: Bike ride and celebration at MetroSouth park (TGIF picnic park) to honor our own Mommy Henry's Trek riders just coming in from their epic bike ride across America! Let's cheer on the home team as Jonathon, David, Carlos and Lupe stop by to fundraise before continuing their epic ride to Virginia. 4:30-8 pm.
August 3: Bike ride to Mt. Greenwood Park with Ice Cream Treat at Shawn Michelle's after the ride. Bring $3-5 for ice cream. 4:30 - 8 pm
ALL BIKE RIDES FROM HERE ON FORWARD-- UNTIL NEXT SUMMER-- *REQUIRE* FRONT WHITE HEADLIGHTS! This is Illinois LAW.
August 10: Memorial Park Pool Ride! Bring your swimsuit and towel, as well as a few bucks if you want to buy snacks. Free admission to pool. *Bike ride first!* 4:30-9 pm
August 17: No bike club: Mrs. Healy is on vacation.
August 24: Bike ride to Hurley Park. 4:30 - 7:30 pm
August 31: no bike ride--Last Friday of the month
Short YouTube video (49 seconds) of the Friday Night Bike Crew (an offshoot of the Blue Island Bike Club), just before heading out for the parade on Sat. Dec. 3rd, 2011.
On Saturday, November 12, 2011, a huge crowd showed up to support the service of our military troops and our Veterans, by coming to see the wonderful parade held in their honor in Blue Island.
