On Saturday, September 8th we will meet in downtown Lake Geneva for our annual circumnavigational bike ride around the lake. Talk with anyone who’s been on this ride before and they’ll tell you how much fun they’ve had!

Here are just the facts: THIS IS AN ALL DAY EVENT STARTING AT EITHER 6a, 9a or 11a depending on what you want to do...

* Want to ride UP to the event (from Palatine)? This is the 6:30a start (ie. we will be meeting at Joe’s AT 6:00a). You will need to make your own return arrangements (since you’ll be sans auto). VERY IMPORTANT: this is an approx. 52-mile trip (one way); if you haven’t been riding regularly this summer, please note the subsequent start times below and plan accordingly. Maps will be provided in advance so that all can enjoy the ride up and none are compelled to maintain the leader’s pace. There is no sag available for this leg of the trip.

* Want some BREAKFAST before the ride? We will meet for breakfast at Lake-Aire Restaurant (804 W. Main Street, Lake Geneva) around 9a (maybe a bit earlier, maybe a bit later – depends if you’re one of the early riders or not). I don’t suggest bringing your bike to the restaurant – the sidewalk is small; but if it jeopardizes your ability to be READY TO RIDE at 11:00a, then bring it along with a lock.

* Just want to ride? We’ll meet in the Champs parking lot (Champs is 747 W. Main Street) READY TO RIDE at 11:00am. PARKING There are 4-hour meters all over Lake Geneva --- try to find a spot without meters. We’ve had luck with a little lot at the corner of Sage St and Geneva St. (Look for the Starbucks on the corner of Main St – aka Hwy 50 – and Center St, turn right to first street which is Geneva and turn right again to end which is Sage).


THE RIDE The ride is approximately 21 miles along a rolling landscape: some of the landscape is gentle, a small bit of it is not, all of it makes for a fun ride. There are 5 pubs for us to rest our pedals – although we try to stop at them all, the total number of stops is a fluid evaluation of the fun had at each stop. We will have lunch at either pub stop 3 or 4, depending on the hunger level of the group.

The ANNUAL GROUP PICTURE will be taken in front of the lake at our favorite stop – this is why you want to wear your new shirt!!! (see below).

We end the day c.6:30p at Pop-eye’s for dinner and chuckles of the day’s events.

CAN’T BIKE IT BUT STILL WANT TO PARTICIPATE ? ? There are lots of ways you can still join this group: Bring your motorcycle --- last year we had a few members who donned leather instead of lycra and had just as much fun! Rent a moped!! (if you can find one, let me know and I’ll help promote it to others for you!) Drive it!! If you think you can offer “sag” assistance to your biking buddies in the unlikely event that something unexpected happens, you’re pretty much guaranteed that someone will buy you a beverage of your choice out of gratitude!! Let me know if you’re driving and I can share the names of others who are driving as well in the event you’d like to car-pool!                            

COMMEMORATIVE SHIRTS: LOOK GOOD FOR THE GROUP PIC!!! Since this is the 10th Annual Ride, commemorative shirts are available with our logo imprinted on them. For the low price of $24.00 you can have a cool-looking, white embroidered short-sleeved cotton shirt that will remind you of the fun you’ve had in past years as well as will have this year! A check payable to me will reserve your shirt; including S-M-L-XL-XXL will reserve your size. I must have your check in hand by Aug 17th to secure your shirt --- sorry, no exceptions. Your pre-paid shirt will be available at the first September meeting (Weds, Sept 5th). Now don’t you want to look at cool as your friends in the Anniversary Group Pic??? Of COURSE you do!