Cyclists roll out during the August 2019 Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove Busse Woods Night Ride. (Tom Robb/Journal photo)

For most of the year, Busse Woods Forest Preserve closes to visitors at dusk. The exception to that is the annual Busse Woods Night Ride, which takes place from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 with cyclists heading out from the Busse Woods Boating Center. 

The 10th annual event, which begins at sunset, is co-sponsored by Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. All proceeds will be used to promote the benefits of cycling to residents of Elk Grove Village and the northwest suburbs, organizers said. 

Because the event is a rare evening event, all attendees must enter the forest preserve no later than 7:45 p.m., after which the entrance gate will be locked and the exit gate will remain open for the duration of the event.

All participating cyclists are required to be at least 12 years of age. All participants must wear a helmet and have a front white headlight and a rear red taillight on their bike in order to ride.

Workers from Never Ending Cycles will be at the event to provide support and gear during the ride.

This year’s event presents a few changes, including bigger waves of cyclists of up to 40 each. The Rob Post Band will play live music, purchase food from Vini’s Pizza, and beer from Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling, wine from Wine With Me, or cold brew coffee samples from Maple Leaf Coffee Roasters.

The event could be canceled if there is thunder or lightning.

The event’s first nine-mile Sunset Cruise sets off at 7:45 p.m. At 8 p.m. the 14-mile Twilight Extended Cruise Wave begins. At 8:10 p.m., the nine-mile Nighttime Wave leaves the boating center. At 8:20 p.m., the 14-mile Nighttime Extended Wave ride begins. At 8:30 p.m., another nine-mile Nighttime Wave starts, followed at 8:40 p.m. by a second 14-mile Nighttime Extended Wave. The event wraps up with an 8:50 p.m. nine-mile Nighttime Wave.

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