Monthly Meetings & Socials
Folks on Spokes club meetings will be held every month (except November & December) on the fourth Thursday at 7:30pm. The location is at LIFE TIME Fitness 16333 South La Grange Road, Orland Park, IL 60467. Click here for map.
Meetings are scheduled each month from January through October. At these meetings, programs are open to the public and may include slide show presentations of members trips in the US and overseas, as well as speakers on cycling advocacy and physical fitness. There is time for social interaction during the meeting and light refreshments are provided. Rumor has it that sometimes there will be door prizes for a few lucky attendees.
Programs for the next club meeting are published in the Spokin' Word (our newsletter), sent out on our announcement list, and are posted on our club calendar and online a few weeks before the meeting.
Social meetings are scheduled to build membership cohesion and allow members to mingle, socialize, and plan future rides and events.
FOS UPCOMING SOCIALS 2019
Jan 30 Free day at Art Institute of Chicago
Postponed due to sub-zero but finally made it on Feb 13.
Feb 12 Pre-Valentine Social
A snowy night but we had 14 brave people.
Mar 10 Tinley Park Irish Parade
Mar 31 Pancake Breakfast
July 21 Ice Cream Social
Sep 22 Annual Picnic
Oct 27 End of Season Bike, Hike, Pot Luck
Nov 21 Annual Election Meeting and Pizza Party
Review of Events from 2018:
On Sunday March 18, FOS participated in the St. Patrick's Day Irish Parade in Tinley Park. The day couldn't have been better. It was bright and sunny with temps in the mid 50's. Many members came out to showcase our club. Some dressed to represent the club and others to celebrate the day wearing green. 7 rode bikes, we took turns carrying our banner and others passed out Easter ride flyers and club brochures. We passed out green beads and candy to revelers on the sidelines. We even had an Easter bunny with us! This was a great event and everyone had an awesome time.
April 15, 2018- FOS 2nd Annual Pancake Breakfast was held Sunday, April 15th. Last year the weather was sunny and warm and 29 attended and we spent our event outside. This year the weather was cold, damp, and raining and 30 attended and we spent the full time inside. I had a table set up for 8 with a fold up ready if needed. Well, the 2nd table never went up. It was amazing those at the table ate and moved as all were fed with a natural flow of awareness and sharing. My home is not that big but our members figured it all out with no complaints and made it work. I must add the guests were easy to please and flexible and also appreciative.
I thank Jim for cooking all the pancakes and sausages, Sally K for taking pictures and sending them same day to Chuck for the web and Adam for the newsletter, Lee for clean up in the kitchen end of evening, Chuck for putting pictures on the web same day as event, thanks to Lois for her very clever compliment on fos announcements, and to all that came to make this event special.
May 16, 2018 The Ride of Silence--On one night in cities around the world, cyclists gather to ride in silence to raise awareness of cyclists right to ride on the road and to honor the fallen cyclists no longer with us. Lee Chung has agreed to lead this ride and more information will follow. We will also have for those not riding and wishing to give their support a walk at the same time and in silence as well-more information to follow as well.
June-to be announced
Postponed to Aug. Annual Ice Cream Social--PLEASE NOTE-this was originally listed as July 8 assuming from the past and also to be the same weekend as the Blue Grass Festival. As many of you know the Blue Grass Festival grows bigger each year and is spreading closer to our gazebo. We requested 1st choice same weekend which turned out to be July 15 and 2nd choice July 22----due to parking and traffic Frankfort Village granted us the gazebo the 22nd so this year the festival is not on the same date. Actually, the village has been very cooperative letting us use this gazebo for free so we are happy to get this each year-thank you Rick Deering for making this possible.
And so-free ice cream-11 am to 2:30 pm at the gazebo in Prairie Park on the trail just east of the town center.
September 16, 2018- Annual Picnic-Hickory Creek Preserves-LaPorte Road Access-
What a wonderful day for a picnic!
Indeed, Sunday September 16th was a fabulous day for our FOS Annual Fall picnic, although it was warm enough to feel like summer. Luckily, a light breeze floated through the Hickory Hollow Shelter at the Hickory Creek Nature Preserve, making everyone cooler despite the unusually warm day. Rides took place prior to the picnic, and the rides ended at the picnic itself; Al Sturges started a group from Forest Park; Bill Lang started a group from Hickory Creek. Also, Bernie O’Reilly led a short walk on the picnic grounds. All arrived prior to the arrival of the catered food. But, it was worth the wait; Hienie McCarthy’s crispy fried chicken did not fail to disappoint! Other items included cheese ravioli, sloppy Joe’s, fresh cucumber & tomato salad, bell pepper blend salad, a hash brown potato bake, and much, much more. Afterwards, everyone started in on all the treats brought in by our members, both homemade and bakery-bought. While everyone was enjoying dessert, 3 raffles were held; one for those who rode to the picnic, one for those who brought a dessert, and one for those who simply attended the picnic. Two prizes for each category were drawn, and the winners were:
Attendance Winners
Bob Breitweiser $25 Goodspeed
Tony Loukota $25 Richards Bicycle
Rider Winners
Brent Radomski $25 Performance
David Hensle $25 Orland Park Cyclery
Dessert Winners
Scott Oldaine $30 Gattos
Susan Johnson $30 Glenwood Oaks
After the raffle, members lingered to talk, nibble on leftovers, stroll along the grounds and reconnect with each other. Another lovely picnic is in the history books, and we were fortunate toto have good luck with the weather too. Thanks to all who came, over 40 people registered for this event; it was GREAT!
October 28, 2018- End of Season Bike, Hike and Potluck at Goodenow Grove Food served 1pm family and several clubs invited to join us.
November 15th a Thursday, has been reserved for our annual Pizza Party at Aurelios in Frankfort.