SUN CITY – In celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Sun City Community in Huntley, the clubs of Sun City have been solicited to provide information on the beginnings of the club, participate in activities during the Amazing Race scheduled on June 29th and of course they are at the New Residents Orientation to entice the new residents to join the many clubs offering many interests and activities to join.
In the beginning, motivated residents gathered others with similar interests, and that’s how the clubs began.
Current Cyclepaths President John Zeller (left) with First President Bob Hinkle. (Photo by Christine Such/Sun Day)
“The Sun CyclePaths got going with Pat Hatton,” Robert Hinkle remembers. “I was out riding my bike one day after we moved in and had seen a group of bikers from time to time. So, I asked, ‘Is there a club?’ Pat told me that they just get together and ride around Sun City.”
John Zeller, current president of the club provides, “The application for the club was filed on June 12, 2006, and the club received approval in August. There had to be 25 members before the application would be considered.”
Hinkle started biking seriously in 1979 and had belonged to a Club in Arlington Heights.
“I knew the area all around Sun City to bike, we could venture out. It was my biking back yard. I organized routes to Hampshire and Union. Back then there was no GPS, no satellite. We used maps.”
Zeller adds, “We still have a half a dozen of those original members. Bob here was the first President of the club.”
Hinkle was the original navigator of the group.
“In the beginning, I led the rides because I was familiar with streets. On every ride, we have a Leader and a Sweeper – the person that is last to make sure that everyone stays with the group,” Hinkle explains.
What is their favorite ride?
Without hesitation, Hinkle answers, “Each ride has its own charms. A favorite is going past coffee shops and bakeries. Trails rides are nice also. We have members that are at first shy of riding on the streets. Fox River trail is nice. It’s level and shaded and has places for us to stop.”
Zeller feels that they have endless route options.
“We have a whole lot of trails available to us. Many are rails to trails routes such as DeKalb-Sycamore Trail. It is asphalt and it’s hard to get lost on a trail,” he said.
Many studies show that biking can actually slow down the aging process in a variety of ways.
“We ride about twice a week: Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Wednesday is usually a trail ride. They vary in length. The club is very cognizant of the capabilities of our riders. No one is ever left behind,” Zeller said.
He explained the difference between the two rides.
“Saturday rides leave from the Meadow View Lodge. These are ‘Show n Go,’ meaning that the riders who come get to decide where they want to go” Zeller continues.
The club provides more than just tires and trails.
“The fellowship of the club is great. We have a lot of fun. We have a New Year’s Day ride where sometimes we have had to shovel our way out and after the ride; it’s a party. It’s been very successful and I haven’t missed one yet,” Hinkle said.
The club has only gotten more popular over the past 20 years.
“Our club has grown to 80 members with 23 new members this year.” Zeller explains, “I contribute the spike to the ladies who have joined together on Monday morning to ride and have a cup of coffee.”
In addition to trips and fellowship, the club has an educational purpose as well.
“At our meetings, we have guest speakers. We have a pump available at the registration desk to check your tires and we insist all riders wear helmets,” Zeller outlines.
The club isn’t finished adding members, either.
“We invite all levels of bikers,” Hinkle added.
Zeller explained the types of bikers in the group.
“We categorize them in three levels. ‘A’ Riders go longer distances, about 40 miles and about 15 miles per hour. ‘B’ Riders less than 40, but more than 20 miles and about 12 miles an hour, and our ‘C’ riders go about 10 to 15 miles and run about 10 miles an hour,” he said.
For more information about the club, check out their website on the Sun City Huntley web portal or you can contact John Zeller at cylcepathsprez@gmla.com.
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