Mark your calendar and join us at the 10th annual Chicago Theater Bike Ride, taking place Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Foster Beach. Registration is open now!
When: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Where: Foster Avenue Beach
Times:
9:30 Check-in and Registration
10:15 Remembrance
10:30 Bike ride steps off
11:30 BBQ Celebration
GETTING THERE + PARKING
The Ride will be located just inland from the Foster Beach area, in a lovely shady grove of trees along the bike path. Plentiful paid parking is available in the Foster Beach parking lot, just east of DuSable Lake Shore Drive, off the Foster Ave exit.
REMEMBRANCE
Join us before the ride steps off as we share a moment of reflection and remember those we have lost in the past year.
THE RIDE
The annual Chicago Theater Bike Ride is a gentle 10 mile loop along the Chicago lakefront from Foster Avenue Beach to North Avenue Beach and back. Riders may ride at their own pace and follow signs along the course, or join a group led by a course marshal. Water and snacks are provided at Foster Avenue Beach. For those in need of a bike, a DIVVY bike share station is located at the lake front trail and Bryn Mawr Avenue.
Riders and revelers may wish to bring their theatrical sensibility to the ride. Be creative. Be daring. Be funny or ironic. Above all, let’s celebrate the rich diversity of our community. You can ride as an individual or ride as a team. Ride in drag or as a Shakespearean villain (“my kingdom for a bike!”). Ride for someone you want to honor, for your theater, for your favorite bar. Ride to commemorate a new journey in your life or the passing of someone you love. The sky’s the limit. Costumes and props are encouraged for all - we just ask that if you are riding, you make sure you can ride safely. And if you don’t want to dress up, some tie-dyed t-shirts will be available to anyone who still wants to be part of our fabulous rainbow of theater people and supporters riding down the lakefront.
If you are not interested in riding, that’s okay too. All are welcome to gather and celebrate our community at Foster Avenue Beach - during the opening ceremony, while the ride is going on, and at the picnic that follows the ride.
FOOD + DRINK
Before the ride, water and snacks are provided. Following the ride or while others are riding - enjoy the company of fellow theater people and a BBQ/picnic, with the gorgeous Chicago lakefront as your backdrop. Reminder: Alcohol is not permitted in Chicago parks.
LOVE HARD.
Thanks to the riders and revelers who joined us at the 9th annual Chicago Theater Bike Ride, and to all the donors and organizations that have supported throughout the year. Join us on Saturday September 7, 2024 for our 10th Annual Ride. Registration opens in June.
In the meantime, consider donating to support our mission to provide emergency assistance to Chicago theater artists in crisis.
The Chicago Theater Bike Ride provides small grants to Chicago artists facing financial crises caused by emergency circumstances. If you or someone you know is in crisis, we can help.