Bicycling

Passion to Pedal

Bike Your Way Through ILLINOISouth

Cycling has certainly become more popular since the beginning of the pandemic, as many folks picked it up as a hobby. It’s a $5.3 billion business, up 65 percent compared to 2019. If you’re someone who recently developed a passion to pedal, there are a few bicycling events this fall where you can ride your heart out.

Photos from Bicycle Illinois

If you’re an experienced rider looking for a big challenge, Bicycle Illinois is right up your alley. This event is from August 20th-26th, and the trail travels the entire length of the state, starting in Cairo and ending in Chicago! Hundreds of folks participate each year, from Illinois as well as neighboring states. The 500 to 600 mile ride has nightly stops for sleeping in Carbondale, Effingham, Champaign, Kankakee, and here in ILLINOISouth they stop in Centralia. “Everything in Centralia is really close together, everything that you need is in a really close distance,” explains Rob Layton, Ride Director for Bicycle Illinois. “Centralia is fantastic, the people we work with there have been very accommodating, and everyone is very welcoming,” he adds.

That weekend of August 20th is a popular one for cycling because the Illinois Center for Autism is also hosting their Annual Pedal for Autism event on Saturday the 20th. It is a family-friendly event that benefits a great cause and is rapidly becoming the Illinois Center for Autism’s most popular event. The ride starts and ends at the Metro East Parks and Recreation Building. Cindy Guthrie, the Illinois Center for Autism’s Special Events Planner says there are 2, 9, 26, 40, and 64 mile routes – all taking place on the Madison County Transit Trails, with start times at 7 and 7:30. Guthrie says the different routes make it family friendly and draw folks from as far as 2 hours away in each direction. “Come out and try it,” Guthrie says. “You never know, you may start a new hobby,” she adds.

Photos from Bicycle Illinois

In Randolph County, the Tour de Tilden is now in it’s 11th year and is slated for Saturday, September 24th. There are options for 5, 10, 20 or 40 mile rides on a rural, low traffic, paved course. Entry fees are just $25 and that gets you lunch, drinks, trail snacks, and a long-sleeved t-shirt! Proceeds will benefit the Tilden Scholarship Fund so it’s a great event to mark of your list, but it’s also for a great cause.

To check out cycling events and other gatherings in ILLINOISouth this fall, be sure to check out illinoisouth.org/Events.