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. In 2024, over 400 riders participated in our ride. Their testimonials are at the end of these notes.

In 2024, we moved the on-site registration and rest stop location to Lake Zurich High School. Based on positive participant feedback, in 2025, we will be hosting the ride at that location, and we will be keeping the hub and spoke configuration. In addition, we will continue offering a wide variety of food choices.

The cumulative routes are 19.5, 40.7, 65.5, 87.0, and 100.7 miles. The routes are designated with colors on the route markers. Please ride the loops in order. We have set up a Ride with GPS event. Please click on this link to RSVP for the event. Your RSVP will enable you to get the benefits of voice navigation on your smart phone, the ability to download the routes, and print your own customized cue sheets.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44285385 This is the A (Red) loop. Please ride this loop first. 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 is the B (Green) loop. Please ride this loop next. 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 is the C (Blue) loop. Please ride this loop after the B loop. 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 is the D (Purple) loop. Please ride this loop after the C loop. 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 is the E (Brown) loop. Please ride this loop after the D loop. This 13.7 mile loop provides the final 100 mile segment. It includes a ride by Lake Zurich, Kuechmann Arboretum, and longer neighborhood stretches before returning to Lake Zurich High.

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 29

Ride Weekend On-Line Registration: $45 from May 30 until 10 AM, June 1. 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 1, 2025

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 up your check-in please have available your QR code (found at the bottom of your receipt email) or a printout of your registration receipt.

Questions?

Send email to 500@cyclearlington.com 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 required. 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 the 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 under 18 years old 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 the Arlington Heights Bicycle Club. Refunds will be processed through our registration processor in the original form of payment subject to any processing fees. Processing refunds may be delayed.

Notice of Waiver and Release

In consideration of being allowed to participate in the Arlington 500 bicycle ride, I, on behalf of myself and any minor(s) for whom I am a parent or legal guardian, hereby agree to the following:

Assumption of Risk: I understand that bicycling is a potentially hazardous activity and that injuries or property damage can occur from participation, including but not limited to accidents or negligence. I understand that route selection, route markings, Ride with GPS files, and/or cue sheets are provided for my convenience only and do not guarantee a safe route or ride.

Release of Liability: I, on behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, and assigns, and on behalf of any minor(s) for whom I am a parent or legal guardian, their heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, and assigns, hereby waive, release, and forever discharge the Arlington Heights Bicycle Club, its officers and members, the organizers of the Arlington 500, Lake Zurich School District 95, and Lake County Division of Transportation (collectively, "Released Parties") from any and all liability for any claims, demands, actions, causes of action, losses, damages, or expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees), arising out of or in any way connected with my or any minor's participation in the Arlington 500, including but not limited to any injury, illness, or property damage, even if caused by the ordinary negligence of the Released Parties. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties for any and all claims, demands, actions, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) that may be brought or asserted against the Released Parties arising out of or in any way connected with my participation in the Arlington 500.

By registering for participation in the Arlington 500, I certify I have carefully read this agreement, understand its contents, and voluntarily agree to its terms.

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.

2024 Rider Testimonials

All good.

Great ride. Can't think of anything to add

Wouldn’t change anything. Great event!

I’ll be back next year

Everything fine

It was hillier than advertised you undersold the hills

this was my first time doin it and i really liked it. having a central hub was really convenient, routes were good, food was good. i did 3 loops and they were all great. i’ll be back!

Great event that I enjoy every year! The volunteers were all so friendly and helpful. Thanks for ordering the perfect weather for us! :)

I LOVED it. It was very organized and the people were very friendly. I am from Michigan and I just happened to have to be in town for work so I signed up and came in a day early to ride.

The routes were well marked.

Greatly prefer rural roads and areas

I really liked the routes for 2024, compared to 2023. Nice rolling hills, lots of trees, scenic.

The entire experience was positive

One of the best rides in a long time. The route choices and conditions were a definite plus.

We enjoyed the ride very much and look forward to doing it again

Thank you!

A well run event, I plan to attend next year

You did a great job keep doing what you are doing.

I liked that there were different loops and options

The volunteers were so nice.

It was great!