Vespa Club of Chicago

Race to Racine
2024-07-21 09:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Second City Scooters, 5578 N Lincoln, Chicago, IL, United States
NOTE NEW DATE!
Second City Scooter Society ride from Chicago to Racine, Wisconsin
From the Facebook event page (check there for updates and details):
Alright, NOT an actual race, just thought it was a clever name. This would be a full day event riding to Racine to take in views of Lake Michigan from Windpoint Lighthouse and the end of their manmade breakwater at the mouth of Root River . We’ll also stop at O&H Kringle bakery for some shopping . We’ll meet in the lot adjacent to the shop and the 7/11

VCOA-Chicago August Meeting/Social
2024-08-06 19:00 - 22:00 | Printers’ Row Brewing, 4801 N. Austin Ave, Chicago, 60630, United States
Join the Vespa Club of Chicago the first Tuesday of each month, 7-10 pm:
6 August 2024
Printers’ Row Brewing, 4801 N. Austin Ave., Chicago
(Note: this is nowhere near Printers’ Row, it’s on the Northwest side!)
We welcome all scooters and scooterists, including non-members. Don’t feel intimidated. Most of us are not much weirder than you.
If you’re visiting from out of town, please let us know ahead of time, we’d love to trade memorabilia and maybe we can find you a scooter for the night!
Agenda: We’ll meet new and prospective members, very briefly go over club business, take some time to socialize, then (weather permitting) go for a short group ride and/or have dinner.
Vespa Club of Chicago merchandise will be available for sale.
Visit vcoachicago.com to learn about our history, who we are, and what we do!
Free (Bring cash/card for food/drinks/gas/merch)
Remaining 2024 meetings:
6 August 2024, 3 September 2024, 1 October 2024, 5 November 2024 (Election Day, may move that one), 3 December 2024 (holiday party)

Slaughterhouse 30 Warmup Ride
2024-08-18 09:30 - 14:00 | IL
If you’re a new rider, new to riding in a group, or a reasonably-experienced rider who’s willing to help us with the group rides at Slaughterhouse 30, please meet up with Vespa Club of Chicago on Sunday, August 18. We’ll have a short class to teach proper group riding technique, we’ll practice in a parking lot, then head out on the streets to test-ride a Slaughterhouse route. All scooters and scooterists are welcome!
Location will be announced soon
Also be sure to check out our VCOA-Chicago Group Riding Guidelines

SCSS Lake Michigan Ferry Ride (cancelled)
2024-09-14 - 2024-09-15 | Second City Scooters, 5578 N Lincoln, Chicago, IL, United States
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Skootoberfest 16 (Lake Geneva, WI)
2024-10-12 | Lake Geneva, WI, Lake Geneva, WI, United States
This year’s Skootoberfest will meet up on the Illinois side of the border, in Richmond, and ride to Lake Geneva’s Octoberfest from there.
All scooterists are welcome, and the group ride is 50cc friendly.
A group of VCOA riders will meet at Dunkin’, 7525 N Harlem Ave, Niles, IL 60714 at 10am to ride together to the event. All scooters/scooterists welcome

Fall Scooter Camp (cancelled)
2024-10-12 - 2024-10-13 | Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby, IL, 61348, United States
The sites we’d hoped for were unavailable, please join us for the full Starved Rock Ride on the 13th.

Annual Starved Rock Ride
2024-10-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby, IL, 61348, United States
Our annual ride along rivers and old canals on the scenic back roads past a pumpkin farm and through sleepy towns to the famous park. At the park, you can go hiking or dine w the group at the Lodge’s breakfast buffet.
We’ll meet at Dunkin’, 7136 W Ogden (at Harlem), Berwyn IL at 8am.
This will allow time to socialize, gas up and get coffee/snacks!
Ride will depart at 8:45

Or catch us at the rest stop at Thorntons on Rt 6 on the west side of I55 in Channahon.

Halloween Zoo Ride
2024-10-26 08:00 - 17:00 | Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL, 60513, United States
Vespa Club of Chicago Halloween Zoo Ride
SATURDAY OCTOBER 26
BREAKFAST(optional. open at 8am)
THE ONION ROLL
6935 W North Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
DEPART 9:30am from The Onion Roll
STOP at SHOWMEN’S REST
(Continuing the cemetery theme of our last few rides!)
7750 Cermak Rd, Forest Park, IL 60130
A mass grave of 50+ Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus performers and crew killed in a 1918 circus train wreck in Indiana
DEPART 10:15am from Showmen’s Rest
Scenic ride through Riverside guided by The Suburban Menace.
REGROUP (approx 10:45 am) on Golf Road just north of Ridgewood
(outside Riverside/Brookfield High School, just south of the zoo)
to enter the zoo as a group.
PARKING in South Lot.
Bring $5 cash (we can park 4 to a car space if we enter/pay together)
Families/friends can meet us approx 11am in the South lot, car parking is $20.
ZOO admission is $30 for adults.
(Lola has some free passes, but probably not enough for everyone.)
Bring cash/card for zoo attractions/snacks.
Check out the SIX Halloween-themed MOLD-A-RAMAs at the zoo!
Stay as long as you like, or meet up at scooters in parking lot to
DEPART at 2:30pm for dinner
DINNER (3:00pm-ish) at Lavergne’s Tavern in the Berwyn Depot District.
SLAUGHTERHOUSE 31 PLANNING MEETING, after dinner, if you’re interested in helping out.
COSTUMES (for scooters and scooterists) are welcome but optional.
Be sure any costumes allow safe riding, and note that the zoo doesn’t allow masks or head coverings. We will not stop every five minutes for you to re-zip-tie tentacles to your scooter. : )
ROUTE MAP (Google MyMaps)
(note the two routes overlap, you can turn one or the other off to make it clearer)
ALL scooters and scooterists (and kids!) welcome.
Ride top speed will be approx 35mph.

Scoot Jockeys on Ice (Lake Geneva, WI)
2025-01-26 11:30 - 15:00 | Lake Geneva, WI, Lake Geneva, WI, United States
Well dang… this sounds fun: (test from fb event page)
Put your ice tires on your beater scoot and meet at the ice in front of Mars Resort on the south shore of como lake. Don’t want to freeze, but interested in watching? Have lunch and or drinks at the bar and watch!W4098 S Shore DrLake Geneva, WI 53147United States

Vespa Club of Chicago Arcade Run 2025
2025-02-15 13:00 - 18:00 | galloping ghost, 9415 Ogden Ave., Brookfield, IL, 60513, United States
Join VCOA-Chi and The Suburban Menace on Saturday, February 15 at 1pm at
Galloping Ghost
9415 Ogden Ave., Brookfield
It’s a huge arcade packed with almost 900 video games from the 1970s to present. It’s $25 for open play, all day. It’s truly a wonder of the Western world. Down the street, they’ve got a pinball arcade, too, with 45 pinball machines (additional fee for pinball).
Play Zaxxon, Dragon’s Lair, NHL Open Ice, and Uchuu Daisakusen Chocovader Contactee… as long as you like!
Then, join us around 4pm at
Imperial Oak Brewing
9526 Ogden Ave., Brookfield
They’ve got beer and NA drinks. They’ve got pizza, or you can bring in (or order) food from restaurants in the neighborhood (Thai, Serbian, 3x Mexican, more)
After that, our pal Kent Smith (of “Snort Malört,” the Slaughterhouse 30 pig fame!) is having an art opening back up near Ashland and Belmont at 6:30, if you’re into affordable pop art.
All scooters and scooterists (and aspiring scooterists and friends) are welcome.
Transportation/Ride info:
It’s February in Chicago, it might be nice enough to ride, or it might be 4°F, or dumping snow…
If we can ride, we can meet up at Bryan’s house (6917 W. Shakespeare) at noon, we’ll ride down together. If you’re coming from the burbs, meet at Galloping Ghost at 1pm
If it’s ugly out and you don’t have a car, jump on WhatsApp or the FB event page and we’ll find you a ride.
Also: BNSF Congress Park station is right there, but (sad trombone) isn’t open on weekends. But the BNSF LaGrange Road stop is only a 15 minute walk away.

Vespa Club of Chicago Ride for Ukraine
2025-03-23 11:00 - 16:00 | Ukranian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W Chicago Ave., Chicago, United States
Update: It’s Sunday morning, the weather looks pretty terrible, but we’re going ahead with the event, minus the ride. Please drive or take the CTA to join us for lunch and the museum tour, it’ll still be a great time. And please show your support for our friends by donating to Tabletochki (link below). Thanks!
Join us Sunday, March 23 for a scooter tour of Chicago’s Ukranian Village and to show your support for peace in Ukraine. We’ll take a group photo for our friends of Vespa Club Ukraine, and raise some money for a Ukranian charity recommended by our scooterist friend Oleksandr in Kyiv.
Itinerary:
11:00-12:30pm: Lunch at Old Lviv 2228 W Chicago Ave
It’s a small and popular buffet, so if we have a big group, they might not have room for all of us. If it’s too crowded and you don’t want a big meal, Rich’s Deli and Ann’s Bakery are both nearby (and Kasia’s Deli, which is Polish but we won’t tell anyone), with good takeout food and treats.
1:00pm: Guided tour of The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art , 2320 W Chicago Ave.
Admission is $10 (If we have 20 people, it’ll be $5) We’ll enter as a group at 1pm, don’t be late!
After the tour, we’ll do a short ride around the neighborhood to see some landmarks and take photos, ending back at the UIMA. If there’s interest (or if the weather’s bad and we don’t ride), the Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago is also right down the street, and open until 4pm ($10 admission).
Support charity:
Tabletochki (“Little Pills”) is a Kyiv-based charity that facilitates medical care and other assistance for Ukranian children fighting cancer in the midst of the war. Click on the image below to donate, and we hope you’ll consider asking other scooterists/friends to contribute!

Weather:
The forecast looks promising, but if it takes a turn, please don’t stay home… we’ll do this rain, snow, or shine. Take public transportation or drive, we can walk between all the destinations and still have plenty of fun without scooters. Maybe more, if someone brings horilka.
All scooters, scooterists, and friends welcome.
Group ride will be short and under 35 mph.

Umpteenth Annual Sheridan Rd Ride
2025-04-13 10:45 - 15:00 | Leone Park Beach, 1222 W Touhy Ave, Chicago, IL, 60626, United States
From Second City Scooter Society:
Lets meet in the park’s parking lot at Sheridan and Touhy. There is a Shell gas station across the street for anyone needing a fill before we ride. Kickstands up no later 10:45 am. We will ride north along the scenic road next to Lake Michigan, Baháʼí House of Worship in Wilmette, and Northwestern University, up to Lake Bluff, then return via Green Bay Rd stopping at Backyard Grill in Highland Park for lunch. After that, we continue down Green BayRoad, making a detour by the Skokie Lagoons. Ice cream or beer stop at end TBD. Rain date: 4/27.

International Female Ride Day
2025-05-03 | Chicago, IL, Chicago, IL, 60707, United States
From the Facebook event page, check there for the most up-to-date info:

Welcome to the second annual Chicago International Female Ride Day scooter ride… and picnic!
JUST RIDE!

— About International Female Ride Day:IFRD celebrates the power, passion, and freedom of women riders everywhere! More information about IFRD: https://motoress.com/international-female-ride-day/

— Accepting donations:We’ll be accepting donations for the Chicago Abortion Fund.

— Weather plans / don’t want to ride?If the weather will make it unsafe or uncomfortable to ride, we will still meet up at Off Color Brewing at noon – more info below. Also, if you just don’t feel like riding but still want to hang out, no problem! Just meet us at Off Color Brewing – we should be there around noon or so.

— About our ride:Bring a picnic basket! Our ride will be exploring the parks and natural beauty of Chicago. It will start the Understudy Coffee & Books, meeting at the back of the Jewel parking lot across the street. We’ll stick around for a little while to allow riders to enjoy provisions from the Understudy and give a crash course on group riding. After that, we’ll wind our way down through Chicago while we visit points along our route, stopping for a picnic in Humboldt Park and ending at the Wild Mile around noon, after which we’ll celebrate at Off Color Brewing.
City streets only – route will be very 50cc friendly. More route information is below.

— Who can ride or attend:All genders are welcome to join in celebrating and lifting up women riders. This ride is trans, non-binary, and queer inclusive – if you feel you belong, you do! Allies welcomed and encouraged – please come support the women in our community and ride along side us!
The ride is organized and led by Chicago area women scooterists and so is focused on scooters, but motorcycles, trikes, etc are welcome. All we ask is that you be safe, practice good group riding etiquette, wear proper gear, and ride sober!The ride is 18+, however Off Color Brewing is a brewery and is 21+ only.

— Ride and route Info:New to group riding? No problem! We’ll start the ride with a crash course on group riding etiquette and let you know where to ride in formation. We’ll have veteran scooterists to help out with questions and so forth.
The general route will be:– Start at Understudy / Jewel parking lot– Ride through Rosehill Cemetery – West on Foster / South on Francisco / West on Lawrence / South on Manor Dr / South on California – Stop at Horner Park (bathroom break, if open)– South on California / West on Fullerton / South on Kedzie– Ride around Palmer Square– South on Humboldt– Stop at Humboldt Park (picnic)– East on North / North on Ashland / East on Webster– Ride by Oz Park– South on Larabee / West on North / South on Kinsbury– Park at Off Color Brewing (the Wild Mile is behind it)
Note: Some modifications may be made either before or on the day of the ride.
The total ride will take about 2 to 2.5 hours, including stops.

— What to know:Before the ride, please ensure you have fueled up, used the restroom, and are wearing proper riding gear. We will have a sweep who can assist in emergencies during the ride, but due to the nature of the ride we will not be stopping for mechanical failures, so make sure you have the correct spark plug
If you don’t wish to ride but still want to join the group, you can meet us at Off Color Brewing – we should be there around 12-12:30pm (21+ only).
In the event that the weather will make it unsafe or unpleasant for a ride, we will meet at Off Color at noon. Please check the Discussion section for updates!
Off Color does NOT have food on site, but you can bring in your own food or order food to be delivered. Attendees will be responsible for their own food and beverage costs.

— Merch:IFRD shop (get your gear before the ride!)https://internationalfemalerideday.myspreadshop.ca(Note: The merch is sold by the international organizers of IFRD – it is not sold by the organizers of this ride nor do we see any profits from it. We will be providing stickers designed specially to commemorate our ride!)

St. Charles Motorcycle Museum Ride
2025-05-04 09:30 - 16:00 | St. Charles Motorcycle Museum, 1317 E Main Street, St. Charles, IL, 60174, United States
The “Suburban Menace” is hosting a scooter ride to the St. Charles Motorcycle Museum:
Meet at 9:30am at Tony’s on Joliet & Willow Springs in Hodgkins, wheels up at 10am, then we plan to go up to Wolf Rd. to 31st Street, then head west until we can take IL-38 and then IL-25 to St. Charles. Museum opens at 11am, eat lunch, head back. I’ll share our progress on Waze in the SM chat should anyone want to meet us en route.
All scooters and scooterists welcome!
Live outside the city? Check out “Suburban Menace” channel on the Vespa Club of Chicago’s What’sApp Community!

SH 31 Promo Photo Ride: Chicago Movies
2025-05-25 11:00 - 14:00 | Dunkin River Grove, 2672 River Road, River Grove, IL, 60171, United States
MOVED TO SUNDAY, MAY 25
Meet up at Dunkin River Grove, 2672 River Road, at 11 AM (delayed for rain)
To help promote Slaughterhouse 31, which has a Chicago movie theme this year, we want to get a bunch of pics with our scooters in front of publicly accessible locations where various films and TV have been filmed, including Blues Brothers and some John Hughes movies. If anyone has a drone and will agree to shoot photos or videos for no charge, it would be greatly appreciated. Some locations we’re considering include:

SH31 host hotel in Rosemont
BB Park Ridge street scenes
former Maine North HS -main stairwell Breakfast Club
Home Alone house
Sixteen Candles house
Wrigley Field
Biograph theatre
Marina Towers
Daley Plaza (Picasso)
Lasalle St Canyon
Former Cook County Hospital
Firehouse 51 from Chicago Fire
Police station from Chicago PD and Hill Street Blues
BB Orphanage alley
BB -IL nazi parade bridge
BB Grand Hotel ballroom on Lake Wazapamani (South Shore Cultural Center)
BB Triple Rock Baptist church 0.3 mi 6:22 PM
BB 95th St Bridge jump

Other suggestions welcome! We’ll plan a route to incorporate as many as practical in a few hours.

Oak Trees and Coffees Ride
2025-06-01 10:30 - 13:00 | October Cafe, 6046 N Avondale Ave, Chicago, IL, 60631, United States
Mario and Julie are testing out an “Oak Trees & Coffees” ride (a potential Slaughterhouse 31 route) from Norwood Park Chicago, stopping at one gas station, then continuing on to Emily Oaks Nature Center in Skokie, and riding out to Colectivo Coffee in Evanston.
All scooters and scooterists welcome. 50cc friendly. Approximately 1-2 hours total.
The ride starts at October Cafe
Heads north/east to a stop at Emily Oaks Nature Center in Skokie
Then further north/east to end at Colectivo Coffee in Evanston.
Full ride route

Ride to the Alley Block Party
2025-06-08 12:00 - 18:00 | The Alley, 2620 W Fletcher Street, IL, 60618, United States
The Shifties (featuring our longtime scooter pal Jeff Tudor) are playing at the Alley’s Block Party on Sunday June 8.
Join the Vespa Club of Chicago at Small Displacement Sunday. Afterwards (KSU at noon!), we’ll ride down to the Alley and be there in plenty of time for the Shifties’ set at 2pm. Or feel free to meet us there!
Admission is free. All scooters and scooterists are welcome. Heck, it’s a public event, everyone’s welcome! Come see a great band and help celebrate (almost) fifty years of a Chicago institution!

Scooterworks End of Spring Group Ride
2025-06-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Scooterworks Chicago, 5410 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
From Scooterworks Chicago:

Hello all you lovely scooter and moped folks! At long last, Scooterworks Chicago is hosting its first group ride of 2025! It’s our first run of the year, so we’re going to take it easy with a run up Sheridan to the gates of Ravinia, then head down Forestway Drive through the lovely Skokie Lagoons. From there, folks can decide whether they want to meander home, or continue on for the second leg, which will be over to Nathan’s favorite scooter ride destination, the Superdawg on Milwaukee by Devon.
This will be a 50cc-friendly ride, and all are welcome regardless of brand, engine size, astrological sign, or even fashion sense. All we ask is that you ride sensibly, duct tape anything that seems likely to fall off, and follow the standard DBAA rules. We’ll do a gas stop at about the halfway point for those that need it.
This is also weather dependent, as we don’t have enough umbrellas or ponchos to hand out if it’s pouring buckets (we’ll reschedule if it’s looking soggy).
Meet up at Scooterworks Chicago at 5410 N Damen Ave starting at 6:30, and be ready to roll out at 7!

Vespa Parade Day 2025 UPDATED
2025-07-06 09:30 - 16:00 | Chicago, IL, Chicago, IL, 60707, United States
This event was rescheduled due to extreme heat on the original date.
Big apologies to anyone who missed the alert and came out, we sure hope you’ll come back on the 6th!
Vespa Club of Chicago is participating in Vespa Club of America’s annual Parade Day on Sunday, July 6.
All scooters and scooterists, members or not, are welcome!
Facebook event page
Meet at the Montrose Harbor Moonrise Observation Point at 9:30am, departing at 10am.
Morning ride (route) is to Reggies on the Beach.

Afternoon ride (route) is from Reggies on the Beach to Damen Tavern, wheels up at tentatively 2:30pm.
IMPORTANT NOTE: route maps are somewhat out of date, they will be adjusted a bit to avoid NASCAR street closings/traffic in the loop, and end at Damen Tavern rather than Cobra Lounge.

We’ll have Vespa Parade Day decals for the first 20 riders to arrive at Montrose Harbor.
If you ordered Vespa Parade Day legshield banners, we’ll have them on hand for purchase, we’ll have a few extra for sale.

We’re also HOPING to have assigned Slaughterhose31/Midwest Vespa Days Illinois license plates ready to distribute at this event, more info soon.

Slaughterhouse/MVD Training Ride
2025-08-17 11:00 - 15:00 | Vespa Club of Chicago Clubhouse, 5610 W Bloomingdale, Chicago, 60639, United States
Whether you’ve volunteered to help with the SH31/MVD group rides, you’re new to riding in a group, or you just want to ride, please join Vespa Club of Chicago on Sunday, August 17.
We’ll start at 11am at our clubhouse, 5610 W. Bloomingdale to over group riding basics (handouts!) and talk through our procedures for the rally.
Then we’ll put our plan into action, for a group ride through the city to Twisted Spoke (501 N Ogden Ave,) for lunch (1pm-ish).
“The Spoke” hosted its share of Slaughterhouse rallies, and is closing for good soon, come get your last “Fat Boy” burger, while you can.
After lunch (2pm-ish), we’ll ride again, to Life on Marz Community Club (1950 N Western Ave.) for All Mod Chicago’s Amplified dance party, which starts at 3pm.
When Labor Day weekend comes, you’ll be a valuable part of our so-well-oiled-it’s-leaking group-riding machine.
All scooters, all scooterists, all skill levels are welcome!

Ride Out with Your Buddys (Chicago)
2025-09-27 18:30 - 21:00 | Scooterworks Chicago, 5410 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Scooterworks Chicago for Genuine Scooter Company’s national “Ride Out with Your Buddys” event!
The Chicago event will start at Scooterworks Chicago (wheels up at 6:30) for an evening ride up Sheridan, ending at Superdawg.
All scooters welcome!

The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival Ride (North Suburbs)
2025-10-05 13:00 - 18:00 | Metropolis Coffee Co., 1039 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL, 60660, United States
One more chance for a group ride up Sheridan Road to Lake Bluff, then back towards Highwood (north of Highland Park). The Highwood Pumpkin Fest is a free event , you can create your own jack-o-lantern to be displayed on the scaffolding.

Kickstands up around 1:30 pm, ride is 50cc friendly.

Skootoberfest 2025 (Lake Geneva, WI)
2025-10-11 | Lake Geneva, WI, Lake Geneva, WI, United States
From facebook event page:
The annual Scootoberfest fall ride will be either A: fall colors ride to Holy Hill (warmer weather) or the Ten Lakes ride if it’s chilly. The ride will start at the Kwik Trip on 896 Wells street, and end at the downtown Lake Geneva Scooter Tours Scoot Jockeys shop, 529 W Main Street, walking distance from the lake Geneva Octoberfest celebration.

CANCELLED: Open House Chicago 2025
2025-10-19 09:00 - 19:00 | The Common Cup, 1501 W Morse Ave, Chicago, IL, 60626-3306, United States
Sorry, this ride has been cancelled because of rain expected most of the day.

Join Vespa Club of Chicago as we explore Open House Chicago!

What is Open House Chicago?For one weekend every year, locations of historical and cultural importance around Chicago open their doors for a completely free event where you can tour places you might otherwise never see and learn all about the history, humanity, and industry of the City of Big Shoulders.

We’ll meet at Common Cup (9am, kickstands up 9:30-9:45am) in Rogers Park for a pick-me-up before moving on to the following Open House Chicago stops, in order:– Emil House– Colvin House– Chicago Magic Lounge– Starshaped Press– Diversey House (lunch stop)– The Weaving Mill– Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven/Chess Records– Wheeler Mansion– Glessner House– Ignite Glass StudiosWe then will end for drinks and food at District Brew Yards

What to know:– 50cc friendly, All scooters and scooterists are welcome.– All locations are street parking only– We will be walking a LOT so wear comfortable shoes!– Proper riding gear is highly recommended.– Diversey House offers food so if you’d like to grab a bite for lunch, this is the place to do it – or pack a lunch!– Not expecting a large group but standard VCOAC group riding will be practiced. See https://vcoachicago.com/group-riding-guidelines/ for more information (under Keep the Group Together, we’ll be utilizing the first option).– I’ll do my best to post updates in the VCOAC WhatsApp chat whenever we arrive or leave a location in case you’d like to jump in the middle. However, I make no guarantees that I’ll remember
Want to see more locations?We’re limited in the amount of time we have available so unfortunately we had to trim off a lot of really cool stuff. However, Open House Chicago is a full weekend event so if you’re available on 10/18, please feel free to check out https://www.architecture.org/open-house-chicago/ and plan your own itinerary to check out more fantastic Chicago gems! If you’re interested in anything Downtown (and also Near North and Near West) I recommend arriving early and anticipating long lines.

Tail of the Fox III (Geneva IL)
2025-10-26 10:00 - 14:00 | Bad Guys Bagels, 11 Woodlawn St, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
Tail of the Fox (a ride along the Fox River in the western suburbs is back for its third year! here’s info from the Facebook event page
This year we will be scaling back the length of the ride. It’ll probably start at Bad Guys Bagels in Geneva and end Wild Onion in Port Barringtion. Probably go to the top of Johnson’s Mound somewhere in between. Also looking to get some new roads along the river tossed in.
As always, this ride is intended for 150+ as we will be hitting stretches of roads with 55mph limits. If you have a 50cc, you’re more than welcome to join us, but when we’re going, we’re going! You can try to catch up or meet us at the end. We’ll work on the full details (meetup in the city for the ride out, etc)

Small Displacement Sunday (Niles)
2025-11-09 09:00 - 11:45, 2026-01-11 09:00 - 11:45 | Grind N’ Gears, 8030 W Oakton St., Niles, 60714, United States
Small Displacement Sunday is a meetup for scooters, mopeds, and small-displacement motorcycles (all bikes are welcome!) every second Sunday of the month from 10-11:45 at Grind n Gears Cafe in Niles.

If you’d like to ride up to Niles with Vespa Club of Chicago:
Meet at 9am in the parking lot at the NW corner of Independence Park:

Ride departs at 9:30am
It’s an easy 30-minute ride
50cc friendly
Route: Irving Park to Milwaukee to OaktonAll scooters and scooterists that can do a minimum of 35mph are welcome to join – motorcycles, trikes, etc, too.

We can ride back as a group, too, if there’s interest.

Note: We have a couple regulars who will do their best to be at Independence Park every month to lead the ride, but there is no guaranteed ride. if you’d like to be added as a back-up ride leader, please reach out to Renee.

This ride will be open year-round, as long as it isn’t frigid and/or snowy. If it rains, the ride may go on, depending on how heavy it is. You can always meet at SDS via car if you prefer!

CANCELLED … a daring ride to Schaumburg!
2025-11-09 12:00 - 20:00 | IL
Small Displacement Sunday is happening, but this follow-up event is cancelled (too cold!), sorry.
From Second City Scooter Society:
After Small Displacement Sunday at Grind’n’Gears in Niles, we’ll ride to Frato’s Pizza in Schaumburg for a late lunch. Frato’s trains future chefs and reportedly serves Chicago’s best (maybe biggest?) fried mozzarella cheesesticks. With our stomachs full, next stop will be Cycle Gear in Schaumburg, in case anyone wants to shop for a new jacket or helmet. Next stop will be at dusk in Rolling Meadows to relax w a beer by a firepit.

This ride is weather-permitting and 50cc friendly.

Small Displacement Sunday (Chicago - Niles)
2025-12-14 09:00 - 11:45 | Grind N’ Gears, 8030 W Oakton St., Niles, 60714, United States

Amerivespa 2026 and Slaughterhouse 32
2026-09-02 - 2026-09-06 | Chicago, IL, Chicago, IL, 60707, United States
Chicago will host AMERIVESPA 2026 concurrently with Slaughterhouse 32, Labor Day Weekend 2026
