Bicyclists Looking For Nature-Filled Route Find It In Glenwood

Glenwood, IL - Last year, when Maxine Washington strapped on her helmet and mounted her bicycle, she had no idea of the adventure she was about to begin. Her neighbor Adam Winston noticed her riding and asked if they could make it a partnership, riding together on Saturday mornings. Other neighbors noticed and also joined the twosome. Soon, because of their enthusiasm for both the Glenwood community and biking, the Glenwood Bike Club was born.

“This is a no-pressure group,” smiles Washington. “We’re not in it to race each other or beat a certain time. We wait up for slower riders, help riders with broken chains. This is a real community feel.” The Bike Club is open to riders of all ages, from families with children to senior citizens. It is not necessary to be a resident of Glenwood to join.

“Glenwood is surrounded by beautiful forests, with newly renovated paths that are perfect for bicycling. The area is filled with wildlife; we see deer and raccoons. We ride alongside Thorn Creek which flows under the bridge at 187th Street and Main Street. That is very calming. We bike through Glenwood and the Cook County Forest Preserves - it’s really beautiful back there.”

The group is always growing and recently welcomed a former competitive biker into the fold. “We don’t have a lot of rules or bylaws at this point, but we do strongly recommend our bikers wear helmets and follow safety guidelines,” says Washington.

The Bike Club begins their ride at 8:00 am every Saturday morning at Cottage Grove Avenue and Glenwood Lansing Road. They ride for about two hours through the forests, along the back of old Glenwood to Glenwood Oaks Restaurant, and often connect to Old Plank Trail. Washington, who has been biking for many years, says, “Riders are free to join us anywhere along the path, for as long as they want. This is really a free-form event.”

For more information, email mwashington@villageofglenwood.com.

“We want our community to join us, because it’s really good to get out and ride.”