August Bike Rides and Races in Chicagoland 

Below we highlighted some fun rides or races within a two-hour drive from Chicago (in light traffic, bleh) along with a comprehensive list of events in the table at the bottom. Thanks to Cycling Index – Northern Illinois Cycling for assembling this data.  

Looking for a bike shop near you that can get your bike ready for any of these events? Talk to the Tailwind crew to get your wheels in shape (round, ideally) or hit us up for fitting.  

If you’re looking for a regular weekly group ride, Tailwind sponsors the Half Acre Wednesday night group ride. It’s roughly 20 miles from Winnemac Park to the Half Acre brewery – and there’s a slow group or a fast group.

Highlighted Rides in Chicagoland

Annual Velodrome 4k Time Trial

• Date: Sunday, August 9, 2025 
• Type: Time trial – velodrome 
• Location: Northbrook, IL 
• Details & registration:https://www.wiilcycle.org/event/2nd-annual-velodrome-4k-tt/

Little Apple Gravel (20k-40k) Time Trial

• Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025 
• Type: Gravel TT 
• Location: Manhattan, IL 
• Details & registration:https://www.bikereg.com/littleapple

Palos Meltdown CAMBR 

• Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025 
• Type: MTB Race 
• Location: Palos MTB trails, IL 
• Details & registration: https://cambr.org/news_manager.php?page=24504

Tri-State Tour Chicago Century

• Date: Sunday, August 23, 2025 
• Type: Non-competitive entury ride (also non-century option) 
• Route: Whiting, IN → Kenosha, WI 
• Details & registration:Bicycle Illinois – Illinois’ Bicycle Touring Company

Return to Cherry Valley 20k Time Trial

• Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025 
• Type: Time trial (20k) 
• Location: Cherry Valley, IL 
• Details & registration:https://www.wiilcycle.org/event/return-to-cherry-valley-20k-tt/

Relay Cross Chicago

• Date: August (date TBD), 2025 
• Type: Cyclocross relay race 
• Location: Chicago, IL 
• Details & registration:Relay Cross – xXx Racing – Athletico

Chicago Triathlon

• Date: August 23-24, 2025 
• Type: Triathlon (includes cycling) 
• Location: Chicago, IL 
• Details & registration:Chicago Triathlon

Bike the Drive

• Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025 – 6:30 AM start 
• Type: Car-free city ride along Lake Shore Drive 
• Location: Grant Park (Butler Field), Chicago 
• Official site & registration: Active Transportation Alliance event info REGISTER – Bike the Drive

Event Summary Table

Event	Location	Date	Type
CowaLUNGa	Gurnee, IL	8/2/2025	Road/General
Bryce Master 19k TT	Harvard, IL	8/2/2025	TT (Time Trial)
Night Owl Bike Ride	Crystal Lake, IL	8/2/2025	Road/General
Illinois Road Race Championship	St. Anne, IL	8/3/2025	Road/General
Little Apple	Manhattan, IL	8/3/2025	Gravel
Naperville Sprint Triathlon	Naperville, IL	8/3/2025	Triathlon (Tri)
New Glarus Road Race	New Glarus, WI	August 2025	Road/General
Annual Velodrome 4k TT	Northbrook, IL	8/9/2025	TT (Time Trial)
Palos Meltdown	Palos Park, IL	8/10/2025	Mountain/Fat Bike
Double Bong 20–40 km TT	Kansasville, WI	8/10/2025	TT (Time Trial)
Rotary Ride	Naperville, IL	August 2025	Road/General
Ride Like An Egyptian	DeKalb, IL	August 2025	Road/General
Fast Fitty	Charlotte, MI	8/16/2025	Gravel
core4	Iowa City, IA	8/16/2025	Gravel
10 Mile TT National Championship	Maple Park, IL	8/17/2025	TT (Time Trial)
Race the Lake	Fond du Lac, WI	August 2025	Road/General
Ride Across Wisconsin	Southern, WI	August 2025	Road/General
The Coon Fork 40	Augusta, WI	8/23/2025	Gravel
Return to Cherry Valley 20k Time Trial	Cherry Valley, IL	8/24/2025	TT (Time Trial)
Tri-State Tour	Tri-State (IL/WI/IN)	August 2025	Road/General
Treadfest	Lake Geneva, WI	August 2025	Mountain/Fat Bike
Relay Cross	Chicago, IL	August 2025	Cyclocross
Chicago Triathlon	Chicago, IL	August 2025	Triathlon (Tri)
Fall Fling Stage 1	Wood Dale, IL	8/30/2025	Criterium
Fall Fling Stage 2	Wood Dale, IL	8/31/2025	Criterium

The Tailwind E-bike Service Policy Explained

As electric bikes become more popular, we’re seeing more riders discover how fun, fast, and functional e-bikes can be. We’re big fans of this growing community—and we’re here to support it safely and responsibly. That’s why we’ve had to put a few boundaries in place when it comes to which e-bikes we service.

We want to explain our current policy, not to turn anyone away unnecessarily, but to be transparent about our limits and prioritize the safety of our shop, our staff, and our neighbors.

Our Current E-Bike Service Policy

We will only service e-bikes that meet these criteria:

• Electrical systems from Shimano or Bosch we are a certified Shimano and Bosch servicer. 
• UL-certified e-bikes can be brought in for mechanical service – like shifting issues, wheel, tube, or tire replacement, or other minor mechanical repairs. We will not service any e-bike without UL certification (Standard UL-2849).
• Electrical service is only provided if the brand supports independent bike shops – meaning they have a shop network or provide service documentation and parts.
• No scooters or electric motorcycles – if it doesn’t have working pedals, it’s outside the scope of our shop.
• No e-bike conversions or bikes with unsafe brakes – rim or drum brakes can’t safely handle e-bike speeds and weight.

We assess each e-bike individually and reserve the right to decline service based on safety concerns.

Why We’re Careful with What Comes In

There’s been a wave of cheaply made e-bikes flooding the market through Amazon, Walmart, and similar outlets. These bikes often look great on paper—but we’ve seen serious flaws up close. One disturbing trend: misaligned brake mounts welded onto frames, which leads to premature pad failure and, eventually, total brake failure. The specific issue is that the lower part of the brake pad wears away and leaves a tab. The tab on each brake pad side eventually meet, and when that happens the brakes can’t contact the rotor and stop working. This happens suddenly and without warning.

Even more alarming is the risk of battery fires. Poor-quality batteries without UL certification can experience thermal runaway, a dangerous chain reaction that causes extreme heat and fire. While this usually happens during use or charging, it can happen while the battery is sitting. As our shop is located in a residential building, we simply cannot risk the lives and property of others by bringing unregulated batteries into our space.

We’re Here to Help – Within Reason

We know this policy may feel limiting, but it’s built on years of experience and a deep commitment to doing things right. If you’re unsure about whether your e-bike qualifies, stop by or give us a call – we’ll be honest and helpful, even if we can’t take on the job ourselves.

We appreciate your understanding and your passion for riding. The safer we all are, the longer we get to keep enjoying the ride.

The Santa Cruz HighBall GX AXS

The Santa Cruz Highball GX AXS is a lightweight, race-ready carbon hardtail built for speed and efficiency. It’s a great Chicagoland XC slayer because it can handle just about any trail within a day’s drive of the metro but can also air off an alleyway speed bump or whip through downtown traffic. This specific build was set up to be a jack-of-all-XC for a self-described “gizmo afficionado” rider who wanted the latest technology for racing, commuting, and goofing off at the bump track, but didn’t want to deal with occasionally cleaning the pivots of a full-suspension rig.

And before you ask, here’re the weights for this size medium:

• Out of the box: 25.4 lbs
• Trail ready (dropper post, pedals, bags, sealant, computer, bottle cages, bell): 26.5 lbs

Build highlights

The star of the build is the SRAM GX Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain, which delivers crisp, consistent, cable-free shifting under pressure in all sorts of conditions. AXS is ideal for riders who put on a lot of miles and don’t want to mess around too much. Once tuned, the only maintenance is cleaning, lubing, charging the battery, and occasional chain or cog replacement. It attaches to the frame using SRAM’s “Full Mount” system, instead of the traditional derailleur hanger, for a more rigid and durable connection. This robust system is necessary because the rear derailleur is humongous. Check out the comparison photo below to see it compared to a mountain derailleur from 30 years ago.

The RockShox SID SL Select+ fork with 100mm of travel looks good murdered out in all black. It comes with a remote dropper switch in the form of SRAM’s patented Gripshift design (renamed the TwistLoc), allowing riders to switch between locked, pedal, and fully open settings. Why? The up-and-down of the suspension robs you of some forward energy. Over a long race a few watts lost here or there add up, so being able to deploy shock-absorption when needed, then turn it off, saves the rider some strength for consequential moments. Also, it’s fun to play with.

Most XC bikes do not need the added weight and complexity of a dropper seat post, but this rider specifically mentioned their preference for sitting comfortably on the saddle while flat-footed at stoplights, so the dropper post was a must-have. It also comes in handy at the pump track. This build went for the American-made Thomson Elite dropper with 125mm of action. Thomson posts do not jiggle as much as some other posts near their price-point, plus they have a long history of producing quality components that goes back to the early days of mountain biking. The Highball frame comes with internal cable routing for a clean look. Speaking of the early days of MTB, a unique feature of the Highball is the skinny 27.2mm seatpost, a size standard that’s usually reserved for lightweight road bikes. This provides a noticeable level of flex between the saddle and frame, which is a nice comfort add for an otherwise stiff racing hardtail.

Here’s a more comprehensive build list:

2025 Santa Cruz Highball GX AXS – Standard Build plus Tailwind Extras

• Frame: Santa Cruz Highball Carbon C hardtail frame (for 29″ wheels) – features a threaded bottom bracket, internal cable routing, and three water bottle mounts.
• Fork: RockShox SID SL Select+ suspension fork, 100 mm travel, with handlebar-mounted remote lockout (RockShox TwistLoc).
• Rear Suspension: None – hardtail design (no rear shock).
• Wheelset: RaceFace ARC Offset 27 (29″) alloy rims laced to DT Swiss 370 hubs (Boost spacing: 15×110 mm front with torque caps, 12×148 mm rear, XD driver, 28h).
• Tires: Maxxis Rekon Race 29×2.35″ tires, EXO casing, tubeless.
• Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type 12-speed wireless electronic system – includes a SRAM GX Eagle DUB T-Type crankset and Sigeyi power meter (34 T chainring), a SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type rear derailleur, wide-range 10–52 T SRAM GX Eagle T-Type cassette, flattop GX Eagle T-Type 12-speed chain, and the SRAM AXS Pod wireless controller (shifter). (No front derailleur.)
• Brakes: SRAM Level Bronze Stealth hydraulic disc brakes (4-piston calipers) with 160 mm SRAM HS2 rotors (front & rear) – custom sized lines, cut to customer preference.
• Cockpit: Santa Cruz carbon flat handlebar (760 mm width, 7 mm rise, 31.8 mm clamp) with TwistLoc lockout remote; SRAM Atmos alloy stem (~60 mm length); Thomson Elite dropper seatpost (27.2 mm diameter × 125mm x 400 mm); SDG Bel-Air V3 saddle.
• Headset: Cane Creek 40, integrated IS headset (internal cartridge bearings).
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB 73 mm threaded BB (MTB Wide).
• Pedals: Time ATAC XC 10

Chicago Bike Races and Rides in May

Here is a list of bike races in the Chicago area, plus things to do on a bike for May of 2025. Events are divided into races for competitive cycling, and rides for social outings or non-competitive endurance events (like brevets).

If you’re looking for a regular group ride, check out Half Acre Cycling’s group ride finder.

Races:

May 3: 1904 Gravel Race – Illinois City, IL

May 4: Harvard 33.3k Time Trial – Harvard, IL

May 6: Labagh Woods Ladies’ Night Crits – Chicago, IL

May 13: Labagh Woods Practice Crits – Chicago, IL

May 15: Thursday Night Track Racing – Northbrook, IL

May 18: Kankakee 20k Time Trial – Kankakee, IL

May 24: ABD Memorial Day Weekend Omnium #1 – Wood Dale, IL

May 25: ABD MDW Omnium #3 – Wood Dale, IL

May 25: Kane County Ten Mile Time Trial – Maple Park, IL

Rides

May 3: The Chicago Tweed Ride – Oak Park, IL

May 3: Barrington Boomerang 200k – Barrington, IL

May 4: Pastry-Bike-Pastry – North Aurora, IL

May 17: Pedalpalooza – Crystal Lake, IL

May 17: Chicago-Milwaukee-Chicago300k – Chicago, IL

May 18: Everybody Rides – St. Charles, IL

May 24: Blackhawk Country Roads – Rockford, IL

May 25: McHenry County Century – Lake in the Hills, IL

May 30: Chicago Critical Mass – Chicago, IL

May 31: Aurora City of Lights 400k – Aurora, IL

Pic from The Garden, Chicago’s north side bike jumping park.

Tailwind’s Pit Tips for Criterium Racing

What is the Half Acre Cycling Skyway Crit?

Who and What: The Half Acre Cycling Team puts on an annual two-day road bike racing event called the Skyway Criterium. It’s a lap race open to anybody at any skill level. Prizes come in the form of medals and pride.

When: Saturday & Sunday, April 19 & 20, 2025

Where: The road and area around the Calumet Park gymnastics building, on Chicago’s southern edge. The course goes in a bean-shape on S. Ave G, Crilly, and 100th Dr.

Tailwind Neutral Support at the Race

We are extremely happy to be given the opportunity to help out with the Half Acre Cycling Skyway beginner Criterium series this upcoming April 19th and 20th. The importance of Half Acre Cycling’s commitment to inclusivity and effort to bring new bike racers into the Chicago racing scene is huge! 

@boxwrenchben has been a race mechanic for twelve years now, having gone to the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to obtain a professional mechanic’s license in the fall of 2012, and worked Neutral Support professionally for the first time for NRS and Events in the Spring of 2013. He has worked as a neutral support race mechanic or pro team mechanic at races every year since 2013.

The Skyway Crit Series is great for new racers because the course is beginner friendly and the focus is on the lower categories, rather than some of the bigger race series in the area that cater to Category 1 and 2. A big part of crit racing that is often overlooked by new racers is how the race pit, technical assistance, and free laps during the race all work. The foundation of providing neutral support at a race is being able to provide technical assistance to the racers while at the same time adhering to the rules of the race, and also helping racers re-enter the race safely after taking a free lap. One of the requirements of obtaining a USA Cycling mechanics license is to take and pass the USA Cycling Officials license test. This ensures that the mechanic can work with the race officials to make sure everyone can race safely and fairly.   

A lot of bike racers (new and experienced) don’t actually have a great understanding of how neutral support, the race pit, and free laps work at a race. We’ll go over some of the fundamentals here, and don’t be afraid to ask the mechanic(s) in the pit (whenever they aren’t busy) or any race official (same) if you have any questions. You can also go to the USA Cycling website and download a pdf of the official 2025 rulebook. Criterium racing rules are covered in chapter 3:

Any and all technical support must take place in the pit, no matter what point it is in the race. No rider is allowed to take a new wheel or have their bike worked on anywhere on the course other than the pit.

Fueling Your Ride with Tailwind: Nutrition and Hydration for Cyclists

The ancient wisdom says that you should be hungry by the end of a long ride, but the latest science shows that you should actually be comfortably fed the whole time. Modern cycling nutrition strives to get as much fuel into your body as possible without hitting the hard physical limit – known as your puke factor. The professionals in the world tour races eat 120 grams an hour or more, which adds up to 5,400 calories a day, almost three times the amount a normal American consumes.

Why Is It So Important to Eat While Riding?

The amount of steady energy output your muscles can exert is partly a function of how much fuel they have, in the form of glycogen. So long as the glycogen’s there and metabolic waste is managed, your muscles can keep working almost indefinitely. The easiest source of muscle glycogen comes from simple carbohydrates like brown sugar, but fat, protein, and salt also help keep you going, and a little ginger keeps the mixture from coming up. The nutrition products Tailwind recommends balance these factors to get you the fuel you need while also helping you keep that fuel in your stomach.

Our Products and Why We Like Them

Tailwind

No relation to the shop! But we do like the name. Tailwind started on a hot day at a bike race with the founder’s head in a trash can, spewing out the “nutrition mix” recommended by other riders. He thought there has to better way, and after research and experimentation he came up with the formulas now used in Tailwind nutrition products. These gels and hydration packs are made to be palatable and easy on the gut, especially on long, brutal rides or races. We get great feedback on these products.

Gu

The grandmother of sports nutrition, Gu has been selling energy gels since 1993. They have an impressive selection of science-backed products including chews, gels, drink mix, cookies, and capsules in a variety of flavors. Gu products work for any type of endurance athlete and they’re one of the most popular choices.

Scratch Labs

Scratch is best known for their hydration options, which come in several flavors, with vegan options as well. Their hydration mixes were developed specifically for professional cyclists, and are able to hydrate better than plain water due to their electrolyte blend. What makes them different than something like Gatorade is less sugar, more sodium, and no artificial flavors or colors – just real fruit. Scratch is one of the most popular nutrition brands we sell.

Untapped

Using pure Vermont maple syrup as its primary ingredient, Untapped offers highly digestible nutrition with few highly processed ingredients. Maple syrup makes a great endurance fuel because it is low glycemic, meaning it digests slower than regular sugar, so you refuel your muscles without sudden energy dips. It also has natural amino acids and antioxidants, plus it’s water-soluble so it goes down easy and stays in your stomach.

How Much Should I Eat and Drink?

That’s a question with varying answers, but generally if you are out for part of the day you should aim for 60-90 grams an hour, which equals one or two gel packets. For hydration, most experts suggest you drink before you get thirsty – so take a swig every fifteen minutes or so, depending on how hot you get. The longer and harder your ride, the more you should imbibe, up to the point where you feel sick or heavy-in-the-gut, of course. With practice, you may be able to eat as much as 150 grams an hour, which will keep your energy levels topped up.

For short rides lasting less than an hour you probably won’t drain your glycogen stores or need major refueling. You should still eat something like a single gel pack after your warm-up because studies show activating your taste receptors and getting your gut juices moving lets your body release a little more energy than it normally would.

Personal Story: Gas Station Nutrition versus Tailwind-Approved Nutrition

The Fall Color Festival in southern Wisconsin is 22+ miles of rough single track where a hundred riders are let loose all at once. The first time I raced it I only had 1 water bottle, and my nutrition consisted of candy bars and granola packets I picked up at the gas station on the way up. I figured that would be plenty for just 22 miles, as I had ridden that far before on just one bottle and some snacks.

The race ended up taking three hours. I was the third-slowest finisher and felt like I was going to die when I finally made it to the finish line. It took me days to recover, and in hindsight I think I had a minor heatstroke.

The next year I raced it with a full compliment of Gu gels and chews, plus Scratch Labs hydration in my bottle with plain water in my hydration pack to wash it down. I set my Garmin’s timer to remind me to eat and drink every 15 minutes too, just in case.

Despite having the same fitness levels between both races, my second attempt finished 30 minutes sooner than my first. More importantly, I felt great the whole time and even sprinted against another racer at the end – just for fun of course, we both still finished 45 minutes behind the race leaders.

After the race I drank Scratch Recovery Mix and felt good enough to ride my bike to work the next day. Yeah, I was tired, but not dead like the year before.

Final Thoughts

If you’re new to cycling nutrition, it’s a good idea to grab a bunch of different brands, flavors, and textures to see what you like best. Use them during low-pressure training rides and never try something new on a race day. Once you figure out your preferred brands and delivery systems, work on stomaching as much as you feel comfortable with to keep your glycogen stores topped up. Have questions? Ask our friendly staff or one of the team members out at Chicagoland races.

Fighting Bike Theft in Chicago: Statistics, Trends, and Prevention Tips

Bike Theft Statistics

• Bike theft is up 15% in 2024-25.  
• Most bike theft occurs in sheds and garages, not out in the open.  
• The thefts that occur in the open involve cutting or disabling a lock, meaning the theft was planned and executed with specific tools.  
• Most theft happens at night in late spring and summer.  
• The most attractive bikes to steal are hybrids and other city/commuter bikes worth less than $1000. 

Learn more details from Bike Index, and while you’re there, make sure to register your bike.  

Why is Bike Theft Growing in Chicago? 

The short answer is that cycling is becoming more popular. Chicago is the fastest-growing city for cycling in the nation, after all, and there are more bikes on city streets than any time since the turn of the century. This popularity means there’s a market for stolen bikes, and a growing number of potential victims. This post explores the products and methods Tailwind recommends to keep your bike safe from thieves.  

How to Thwart Bike Thieves

Locking your bike to something solid is the best way to keep it from getting stolen – even when it’s already on your personal property. At Tailwind, we carry high-quality locks from Abus, but it’s important to understand their product line and when to use each type of lock. Here’s a quick rundown of the types of locks we sell and when to use them:  

U-locks

These are the most common type of lock in Chicago, and for good reason. The design is simple and it fits in a backpack. Bang for buck, u-locks provide the most security at a given price point. The Abus Granit series will cover the needs of most cyclists as it can only be defeated by an angle grinder, which takes time and creates a lot of sound, sparks, and smoke.  For even greater protection, the Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500 can even fend off power tools. Use this lock when you need to leave your bike in the loop overnight but be careful what you lock to. A thief might think it’s easier to cut down the bike rack instead of the lock.  

What makes Abus special and why do we prefer them? For one, they have offices in Chicago and understand the unique needs of all-year cyclists in the Great Lakes region, so their locks hold up against snow, rain, and salt. But from a security standpoint, the way Abus u-locks are constructed means they have to be cut twice to fail. Most other u-locks on the market fail after just one cut. Also, all Abus locks are made from hardened steel, whereas cheaper locks off Amazon.com are made from softer steel that cuts more easily. 

Folding Locks

These locks seek to fix some of the problems with u-locks, mainly that they’re bulky and hard to get around some objects. Folding locks retain a lot of the security of a u-lock but fit in a coat pocket. The Abus Bordo series come in lightweight and heavy-duty versions, and the 6500 series will work for commuters who leave their bikes at the train station during daylight hours. A big perk of Abus folding locks is that they come with elegant holsters that attach to water bottle cage mounts on almost any bike frame. 

Chain Locks 

These locks allow you to secure oddly shaped objects to each other. They’re also easy to store in a backpack or pannier. The Granit Citychain Xplus grants the most security in this line. Like Abus u-locks, all Abus chain locks require two cuts to fail. 

Pro tip: you can combine an Abus chain with an Abus u-lock to secure more bike components or to give you the versatility to lock to awkward objects. 

Goose Locks and Infinity Loops

Sometimes you don’t need maximum security and a lighter, easy-to-use lock can do the job. For these tasks we suggest the Goose Lock or the Infinity Loop. The Goose Lock is flexible, but it holds its shape. This is a nice feature in winter when you’re wearing bulky gloves and it’s also nice in low-light conditions because when you let go of an end you don’t have to worry about it falling to the ground limply. 

The Infinity Loop works like an adjustable length of rope, allowing you to get a snug fit when locking. This is great for CTA bus users and Metra commuters because you can lock firmly to the racks so the bike won’t jostle about. 

Cable locks 

Sure, a cable lock is better than nothing, but not by much. At the shop, sometimes we can cut through these locks with one hand and a pair of snips. These locks should really only be used to secure parts of the bike, like saddles. For long sporting rides it’s a good idea to carry a light cable lock in case you have to lock up for a minute to use the bathroom somewhere. 

How to Properly Lock a Bike 

Four words: Frame, rear wheel, rack. Ideally, you want to lock these with one lock, then use a secondary lock to secure the front wheel to the frame. After that, a cable lock through the saddle will send a strong message that your bike isn’t the one.  

At the very least, lock your frame to something sturdy. According to Bike Index data, thieves want the entire bike, not just parts off of it – but they’ll take what they can. 

More advice: don’t lock to trees or wood fences, they can be cut (and your lock hurts the tree bark), and avoid locking to street signs, as they’re designed to be easily removed by city workers. Parking meters are typically good for u-locks so long as you can’t just lift the bike up and over the head of the meter.

Note that any bike lock can be defeated by somebody with enough time, tools, and effort. Even if you have an unbreakable lock, a thief with a van can pull the bike rack out of the ground.  

Need a bike rack? We can help you out with that too, but give us a few days to special-order it. 

Final Thoughts 

The crew at Tailwind have been riding and locking bikes on city streets for decades. We know a few tricks and tips beyond what’s mentioned in this article. Feel free to come by any time to pick our brains.

The Tailwind Gift Guide for Chicago Cyclists

Chicago cyclists don’t all hibernate in the winter, but the city’s cold winds and icy roads demand gear that ensures both warmth and safety. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a winter cyclist, here are some recommendations that will make their rides more comfortable and enjoyable.

Bar Mitts

Bar Mitts are a must-have for any winter cyclist. These handlebar covers provide excellent protection against the cold, keeping hands warm even in the harshest conditions. Made from neoprene, Bar Mitts are windproof and water-resistant, ensuring that cyclists can maintain a firm grip on their handlebars without sacrificing warmth. They are easy to install and remove, making them a convenient addition to any bike. The big advantage of using Bar Mitts is that you do not need big, clunky gloves, so it’s easier to manipulate the shifters and brakes. Available for any style of handlebar, including road and mountain bike.

45NRTH Balaclava

The 45NRTH Balaclava is designed to offer protection against the cold while maintaining breathability – but also durability for year-after-year use. Made from a blend of merino wool and synthetic fibers, this balaclava provides has anti-microbial properties built in, and is also machine-washable. It covers the entire head, neck, and face, leaving only the eyes exposed. Pair it with ski goggles for full-face coverage. The ergonomic design ensures a snug fit, preventing any cold air from seeping in. One size fits most!

45NRTH Sturmfist 5 Gloves

The 45NRTH Sturmfist 5 Gloves are specifically designed for winter cycling, featuring a combination of merino wool and synthetic insulation and an ergonomic fit that contours around the handlebar to avoid the finger-bunching you get in non-cycling gloves. The outer shell is windproof and water-resistant, while the inner lining provides excellent warmth and comfort. Pro-tip: if you’re between sizes, remember that your hands tend to swell while riding, so consider sizing up.

Continental Top Contact Winter II Tires

Safety is paramount when cycling in winter, and the Continental Top Contact Winter II Tires are designed to provide superior traction on icy and snowy roads. These tires feature a special rubber compound that remains flexible in low temperatures. The tread pattern is designed to channel water and slush away from the contact patch, reducing the risk of slipping. Studded tires are a good option, but on Chicago’s mixed terrain, with ice, snow, and bare concrete, the Top Contacts offer better flexibility. We have these tires in multiple sizes, so it’s a good idea to bring your bike into the shop to get it properly fitted.

What Else? Consider Gifting a Fit or Tune-Up!

Tailwind Cycles offers fit services and bicycle maintenance year-round! If you’re looking to buy the cyclist in you life something that they’re guaranteed to use, look into a service package with Tailwind.Follow the blog for more info and check out our Instagram @tailwindcycles to see what we’re working on right now!

Shop Holiday Hours 2024/25

Closed: December 24th and 25th 2024.

Open: December 26th – 28th.

Closed: December 29th until January 2nd, 2025.

2022 Tailwind CCC Cyclocross Package

Let us take care of your muddy bike!

Cross is here! For 2022, we have the official return of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup, and we’re back with our cyclocross support package. We’re going to keep most everything the same as in past years. You will bring your bike into the shop before the official start of the series on October 2nd for a full tune up to get your bike in top racing shape for the start of the season. Then, you will get one bike wash and lube/ race tune in between every race in the series. You have the option of having your bike transported to or from each race in the series. You also have access to mechanical support at the Tailwind tent on race day for any last minute adjustments or mechanical needs before your race. If you are racing in the higher categories and have a pit bike, we can even pit for you during your race.

The Tailwind Cyclocross Package will be $270.00 for 2022. That price is based on the seven race schedule posted on the CCC website as of August. Same as last year, if one of the races happens to get cancelled, we will issue a shop credit for a bike wash and lube Also, as in the past we will give our customers the option to pay for the package in two installments, the first half to be paid when we tune up your bike, and then the balance due by the first race on October 2nd. Once again, anyone who signs up for the cross package will get 15% off parts for their race bike and 20% off tubular gluing services.

It will be great to see everyone out at the races this fall!

2021 Chicago Cross Cup* Service Package

Well, it’s been a pretty wild ride since 2019 when we last had a cyclocross racing season in Chicago! We sincerely hope all of our customers (past and present) and friends of the shop are hanging in there and doing well. We apologize for the delay on this, but we have finally hammered out the details of what will be the Tailwind Cycles cyclocross service package for the 2021 season. It’s important to note that while the Chicago Cyclocross Cup itself has been canceled this year, the promotors of the individual races have been given the option to still run their events as they see fit. As it stands right now (September 23rd, 2021), five races have confirmed they are still planning to hold their event, and two races are listed as “TBD”, so those are up in the air.

We are basing the  $230 price of the Tailwind CX Package this year around the idea that there will be at least four races. If we have customers purchase the package and there ends up being less than four races, we will issue a shop credit for the unused labor. If we actually get to have seven races this year, the Tailwind CX Package will be an even better value! Once again, the CX Package also includes a 15% discount on in-stock parts to keep you rolling this season and also a 20% discount on tubular gluing services. As in years past, we include one full tune up to get your bike into top racing shape, then a bike wash either before or after each race in addition to bike transportation to or from each race in the series. We are limiting the CX Package to the number of bikes we are able to transport to and from the races, so give us a call or email ASAP if you want to sign up.

race-day support

20 percent off tubular gluing labor!

Tailwind Cycles is also planning to be involved with USAC Cyclocross Nationals this year, which are conveniently in the Chicago area . We are planning to release our plans for CX Nationals later in the season, but if you are already thinking about looking for support at the Nationals races, please feel free to contact the shop and start talking about that.