The Arlington 500 is a recreational bike ride on scenic roads in Lake County. The Arlington Heights Bicycle Club (AHBC) has hosted this ride for over 40 years. It is attended by hundreds of riders; see the testimonials at the end of these notes.

For 2024, we moved the on-site registration and rest stop location to Lake Zurich High School based on feedback from 2023 riders, and we will be keeping the hub and spoke configuration. The new location provides access to all new routes with a variety of terrain. In addition, we will be offering a wide variety of food choices.

This fall, our members rode the new routes from Lake Zurich High School several times, including on Sundays. The cumulative routes are 19.5, 40.7, 65.5, 87.0, and 100.7 miles. You can view the new routes on Ride with GPS here:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44285385 This 19.5 mile loop route offers views of Lake Zurich and a beautiful park next to the lake. Along the way, plan a free visit to Kuechmann Arboretum if you wish. This ride includes some longer stretches and rides through residential estates.https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44127305 This 21.2 mile loop route offers a ride around Bangs Lake in Wauconda and some nice long straight stretches as you ride through Lakewood Forest Preserve.https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44127258 This 23.8 mile out and back loop offers a beautiful ride through the Village of Barrington with some rolling hills on Cuba Road.https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44432957 This 22.5 mile loop offers a continuation of Cuba Road, passes by Grassy Lake, and swings by Shores Golf Club.https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44833260 This 13.7 mile loop provides the final 100 mile segment It includes a ride by Lake Zurich, Kuechmann Arboretum, and longer neighborhood stretches to your final destination back home.

You will get all of this with our ride:

Well marked routesDownloadable GPS route and/or cue sheetRide with GPS voice directions with a Ride with GPS free account sign-up or sign-inBike shop support at our registration/rest stop location provided by:7 Mile Cycles https://www.7milecycles.com/Mike's Bike Shop https://mikesbikeshoppalatine.com/Village CycleSport https://www.villagecyclesport.com/Rest stop providing food and beverages until 3:00 p.m.Support vehicles on the route until 3:30 p.m.Spacious indoor restrooms at registration/check-in and rest stopMostly level terrain with some moderate hillsTraining? Use our multiple loop routes to get in your milesClass 1 and 3 e-bikes are allowed

The Details

Registration Fee

Early Bird Registration: $30 per rider February 1 through April 30

Advanced Registration: $40 per rider May 1 through May 30

Ride Weekend On-Line Registration: $45 from May 31 until 10 AM, June 2. Cash/check registration will be accepted on site for $50.

Starting Location

Lake Zurich High School, 300 Church Street, Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047

Google Plus Location Code: 6W38+MJ Lake Zurich, Illinois

Check-In Time on June 2, 2024

Starts at 6:30 a.m. for all riders

Closes at 7:30 a.m. for 100 mile riders

Closes at 8:00 a.m. for 87 mile riders

Closes at 10:00 a.m. for 19, 41, and 65 mile riders

To speed your check-in please have available your QR code (found at the bottom of your receipt email) or a print out of your registration receipt.

Questions?

Send email to [email protected] to see FAQ and get answers to your questions or send feedback for improvement.

For Your Safety

Use of a SNELL approved bicycle helmet is strongly recommended. Wearing ear buds is strongly discouraged. Both of these can impact your safety on the road!

Obey Traffic Laws

Please share the road in a courteous way with other vehicles and pedestrians. Ride single file when necessary and obey all stop signs and traffic control signals. Many intersections with traffic lights are equipped with cameras or metal detecting loops that may detect cyclists. Stop at the white line in the traffic lane for best operation. Police officers in communities along our routes will issue citations to bicyclists who don’t follow the rules of the road.

Ride Prepared

Bring a bike in good condition, with a spare tube, basic tools and a water bottle.Wear light or bright clothing to make yourself more visible on the roadway.Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the ride.Know and obey all traffic laws and signals/signs. Signal your turns. Ride predictably.Always pass other riders on their left and call out "On your left" or "Passing" as you do so.Carry personal identification.Ride within your ability and physical condition.Demonstrate courtesy while riding the public roads that we share with motorists.

Refund Policy

The ride goes on rain or shine. No refunds will be issued because of weather, acts of God (force majeure,) or orders issued by the federal, state, county, or local governments. Refunds will be issued should the event be cancelled by Arlington Heights Bicycle Club. Refunds will be processed through our registration processor in the original form of payment subject to any processing fees. Processing of refunds may be delayed.

Unforeseen Mitigation Notice

The ride, route, starting location and rest stop location are subject to change due to unforeseen government mitigations. Riders are expected to follow all federal, state and local mitigations in place on the day of the ride.

Our Club Purpose

Arlington Heights Bicycle club actively supports bicycle advocacy, safety, and education.

2023 Testimonials

“Really enjoyed the ride and the event. Can't thank the volunteers and support enough, I will be back.”

“Everything was great, people very nice, awesome rest stop. Well organized and I plan on riding next year.”

“It was well organized and a great group of riders! Thanks”

"Like:
- Volunteers. Cannot thank them enough for showing up and making this happen. Without them, there'd be no ride. Thank you.
- Organization - very well organized, good comm beforehand
- Routes. Liked the different options, ended up liking the "hub and spoke" configuration around the central rest stop.
- RidewithGPS - thanks for providing

Possible improvements:
- A few roads were a little too fast/busy/scary for my usual liking. If there's a way to lessen exposure on 45/50mph roads, or stay on roads with larger shoulders that would be great.
- Can't think of anything else - it was great!"

“I wanted to give kudos for the ride support team. I ended up getting a flat and one of the vans pulled up within 5-10 min of our group stopping. He was friendly and had us on our way in no time.”