Higher Gear Group Rides and Events | Higher Gear Chicago

Chicago Road Racing and Cyclocross seasons are over for 2011! Team Higher Gear - affectionately called the Gearheads – ranked 5th in the Chicago Cyclocross Cup 2011.

We have a fun team that is looking to grow – at the last race in December, 25 people were racing with the Team Higher. Our Junior team is growing under the leadership of Tom Mosby, and we are actually looking for more juniors and young racers between the age of 10 and 14.

Our 2012 women’s team will be led by Francine Haas, Nancy Heymann, Angie Rochester, and our men’s team include Brian Haas, Andre Odendaal, Omar, Tristan, Josh, Will…just to name a few. Our team is about good times, fun times. Join the Google Group Gear Head Cyclocross to get the latest updates on clinics, races and tips. Our team is also very active on facebook. For more information about our team contact Delfino Parra at our Highland Park location, and become a Higher Gear fan on Facebook.

To get ready for April 2012 we have set up a Computraining Studio located in our Highland Park store. Higher Gear’s boutique studio of 8 computrainers allows for a very flexible training environment. You can book the space for your group of 8 and decide the series of courses that you want to do – contact sylvie@highergearchicago.com to reserve a block of time for your group.

Click here to go to our online registration website.

Introductory Pricing: $10 to tryout our studio
Packages of 8 classes are available for $10/session

Bike Storage: $25/month

Metabolic Testing/VO2 Max Assessment: $185 offered by Brian Harris Training System, and appointments can be requested online on Higher Gear’s scheduling website.

Click here to go to our online registration and scheduling website.
(you will be taken to the MindBody Scheduling site – select Appointments)

Here are our CompuTrainer Studio Guidelines:

There will be no reimbursement for missed reserved classes.
Arrive 15–20 minutes before the schedule time for setup, calibration, and warm-up.
Set up and remove your own bike—it’s your responsibility.
Ride with proper skewer and training tire (can be purchased at Higher Gear).
Bring a towel, hydration, and nutrition
Rides start PROMPTLY at the scheduled start time, so if you arrive late, ride in “ERG” (non-recorded mode).
Do not leave your bike behind unless you have signed up for monthly storage.
Do not leave your running shoes, nutrition or other gear behind. Items left behind will be put in lost and found at the end of the day. After seven (7) days, lost and found items will be donated or disposed.
Wipe down your area after working out.

Join us, make the off-season an on-season.

Now if you are still racing, and would like to register under Higher Gear’s Team, remember the following:

Register under Higher Gear, team number 11530
Get an annual licence from USA Cycling so that your points are included in the overall Higher Gear Team points. For cyclo-cross racing get the $60 Mountain License.
Beginners register under Category 4 or 4B

Cyclo-cross is a fun family event, and Higher Gear had a tent, cowbells, food, and mechanical support at the following races for which we wrote a Race Report, have a look to get a feel for the spirit of our team:

9/18 – Jackson Park
10/9 – Elvis Cross
10/16 – Carpentersville
10/23 – ABD Sunrise Park
10/30 - Campton Cross –
11/13 – Hilton Indian Lakes Resort – Day 2

Higher Gear also organizes group rides for all levels and riding events such as a Seven Ride with Rob Vandermark or a Ride to Wrigley with World Bike Relief.

In the spring, we will restart weekly rides: On Thursday nights, Fred leads a fast ride out of Wilmette, on Saturday morning Delfino leads a ride out of Highland Park, and Wednesday is Women Riding at 5:30am and at 9:30am. Check our calendar for our list of events. Like us on Facebook for the latest.

Join in, here are a few pictures that were posted on Higher Gear Facebook page and photo albums.