Cost: varies

Organizer: City of Chicago

What to expect: Over 100 biking events to suit any experience level and interest.

Why to go: Check out the new Chicago Criterium Bike Race (July 27), which will welcome many of the sport's elite competitors to Chicago's lakefront.

Additional info: Bike Chicago's noble intention is to promote the health, economic and environmental benefits that come from bicycling. Premier events include Bike the Drive (May 25), the Bike to Work Rally (June 13), LATE Ride (July 12-13) and the Boulevard Lakefront Tour (September 7). The rest of the mix includes tours, sporting events, exhibitions, parades and educational workshops.

An FYI for those who don't think there's much room to bike alongside city buses and crazy drivers: Chicago has 100 miles of bike lanes, 50 miles of bike paths and more bike racks than any other city in the nation.

Centerstage Reviewer: Ben Rubenstein