Friends of the Parks

Be Prepared Wear a helmet! It's required to participate in McDonald's L.A.T.E. Ride. (You may buy a helmet at Sports Authority during packet pick-ups and on-site from Village Cycle Center while supplies last.) We recommend that you equip your bike with a headlight and reflectors, too. If you don't have a headlight, you may attach a flashlight with heavy tape onto your handlebars. People of all fitness levels can participate! We encourage you to ride your bike a little before McDonald's L.A.T.E. Ride. If 25 miles is more than you've ridden in a while, do some training a few weeks before the event. Do a safety check to make sure your bike is in good operating condition, Tune up your bike and pump up your tires BEFORE the ride. You don't need to be an expert bicyclist, but your bike should be in good operating condition! Bring your driver's license, extra money, a spare tube, patch kit, pump and tools for minor repairs. (Village Cycle Center will provide repair help along the route, if you need it.) We recommend that you wear your McDonald's L.A.T.E. Ride t-shirt - be smart, be safe, be seen in your white event t-shirt. Mid-summer temperatures in Chicago can vary, so please be prepared. McDonald's L.A.T.E. Ride will take place rain or shine. There is no rain date for this event, so be prepared and bring gear fir rainy or chilly weather. Wear your Rider Number. With a few safety pins (provided in your Goody Bag), attach your Rider Number to either the back or front of your T-shirt. (You'll need it for breakfast anyway.) Bring a water bottle and fill it at home with cold water. Bring two water bottles if you can. We'll provide water and other beverages, but we ask your cooperation, too. Note: If you want to buy a helmet at Buckingham Fountain, you may do so at the Village Cycle Center repair station, while supplies last. Sports Authority and Village Cycle Center will have helmets available for purchase at Packet Pick-Ups. If you need to rent a bicycle for the night, you must reserve one in advance. You can rent bikes from Bobby’s Bike Hike and from Bike Chicago. Check out the Bike Rentals section for details.