May 10, 2019 at 4:47pm
Grab a helmet, hop on your bike and pedal your way through the Northbrook Park District!
May is National Bike Month and a great time to celebrate the many bicycle-friendly amenities and activities offered throughout the Park District. The District’s Ed Rudolph Velodrome—a unique cycling track featuring steeply banked curves— is located at Meadowhill Park, 1479 Maple Avenue. The Velodrome is available to the public and serves as a site for cycle racing and training. On Thursday nights through September 5, the Velodrome attracts top cyclists from the Midwest for races.
“Cycling is an excellent way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors while experiencing our scenic parks and trails,” said Recreation Supervisor Caterina Mackowiak. “We have so many cycling programs and events to enjoy the thrill of biking this summer.”
Upcoming activities include:
1. Goodbye Training Wheels, May 18, 9-10am, West Park, 1730 Pfingsten Road. The Park District is teaming with the Northbrook Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force for this free event to teach children to ride bicycles on their own without training wheels. Registration is required.
2. Safety Town, May 22-31, 10am-Noon or 1-3pm, Indian Ridge Park, 3323 Walters Avenue. Children ages 4-6 are invited to travel through Safety Town and learn about traffic and bicycle safety. Registration is required.
3. Youth Summer Cycling Program, June 12-August 23, Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm and Fridays,7-8pm, Ed Rudolph Velodrome. Youth cyclists ages 7-16 will focus on training and skills Wednesdays and compete in races Fridays. This is not a learn-to-ride program. Registration is required.
4. Kids’ Duathlon, June 21, 6-9pm, Meadowhill Park/Ed Rudolph Velodrome. Youth ages 5-14 will test their biking and running skills. Divisions and distances are determined by age. Registration required.
5. Youth Triathlon, August 3, 8-11am, Meadowhill Park and Meadowhill Aquatic Center. Youth ages 7-14 are invited to a challenging multi-sport adventure of biking, swimming and running. Registration is required.
To support cyclists, the District also offers bike repair stations, located at the District’s major parks, including Meadowhill Park, Techny Prairie Park and Fields, 1700 Techny Road, Village Green Park, located at Shermer and Meadow Roads and Wood Oaks Green Park, 1150 Sanders Road. Stations are sponsored by George Garner Cyclery. As a reminder, helmets are required for riders 16 and younger in the Village of Northbrook, per village ordinance.
Visit nbparks.org to register for programs.