Chicago offers lot's of opportunities to inline skate, from Friday night street skates to speed skating, suburban rec skates, to free beginner lessons, grab your rollerblades and join your friends while the weather is good.
Remember, protective gear is highly recommended, on all skates, helmets are mandatory, especially helmets, flashing lights and water bottles round out the package.
Is it Raining? Here's a quick link right to an animated map of the local radar.
Here is how Chicago's inline skate scene is shaping up for the season. There are semi-organized skates forming on the lakefront weeknights, but they are not regular enough to post here as of yet. There are regular themed "Raves" skates every first Friday May through October; plus every third Friday June through September.
To be on our skaters' mailing list, so you know what's happening, click here now. But in the meantime, here's the skinny:
Road
Raves -- First Fridays May though October
Departure point Daley Plaza, time 7:30 pm (get there on time the routes
change)
Themed skates through the city, sometimes we even manage to show off the
nicer (more interesting) parts of the city. Raves run later into the year,
weather permitting. Details
here.
Road Raves -- Third Fridays May though September
Departure point Daley Plaza, time 7:30 pm (get there on time the routes
change)
Skilled, experienced street skaters only!! - these skates will be longer.
If you are unsure of your ability try a First Friday Skate. Raves run
later into the year, weather permitting. Details
here.
Click on the map for a detailed directions.
Practice with Team Rainbo, ability level is intermediate, not for beginners,
but all skating levels welcomed.
Indoor Practices: November-April
Sundays - Orbit Skate Center
Tuesdays, Thursdays - Orbit Skate Center, times vary.
Send an email to teamrainbo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
to receive practice times via email.
See a short video of Tuesday/Thursday
skating at Orbit
Click on the map for a detailed directions.
Warmer Weather - Outdoor Practice
Not hard and fast practice times and place during the weekdays, here is
where you might find Team Rainbo members practicing. For up to the day
info join the Team Rainbo yahoo group, open to anyone.
2012 Weekend Schedule:
- Saturdays 9:00 AM, ATT Center, Hoffman Estates
- Sundays 9:00 AM, Conway Park, Lake Forest
Find
exact locations for Speed skating practices here. Other locations good for speed skate practice below.
Busse Woods The trail is an 8 mile wooded loop.
Shoe Factory Woods The trail is a hilly 8 mile loo..
Tom's Dell-a-RINK, Elgin, IL an industrial park that
is empty most every weekend.
Helmets are mandatory at all practices, and, if you're a carbon based life form, bring water.
Suburban recreational group skates are now a hard commodity to come by. If any Chicago area skater knows of a group forming I would be glad to publicize your events..
STOPPING LESSONS at Oak Street Beach. Chicago Skate Patrol's
certified volunteers teach stopping and other basics at Oak Street Beach.
Look for the banner and red t-shirts near the ramp. PERFECT for beginners
to walk, drive, cab or train to; bring skates and protective gear. Master
bladers and other performers practicing nearby. Lessons are Saturdays
Noon through 3 PM the Saturday after Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.
Special events you ask?
Why yes, there are some good ones coming up. See the LOTS
'O Info page.
Good skating everyone!!!
