2023 Ride Illinois Ride Guide

Ride Guide 2023

What you’ll find inside:

• Over 30 events in Illinois and the Midwest

• Links for quick, easy event registration

• Member-recommended Routes to Ride

• Tips to stay safe on roads and trails

• Friendly, social bike clubs in Illinois

We’re making Illinois better through biking!

Photo by Alicia Stromberg

Hey Friend!

It’s never too early to start planning some adventures by bike! Our 2023 Ride Guide highlights some fun, organized rides around Illinois and in nearby states. To learn more about the events in the Ride Guide – and even more events from other bike clubs and organizations – visit rideillinois.org.

Ride Illinois shares our annual Ride Guide with over 10,000 individuals and over 200 local bike shops. This is just one way that we are working to promote safe bicycling for recreation, transportation, and everyday trips in Illinois!

As the statewide advocacy organization, Ride Illinois is dedicated to making Illinois more bike-friendly. We are advocating for better road design, creating municipal bike plans, promoting trail development and funding, pushing for favorable legislation, and educating both motorists and cyclists about safely sharing Illinois roads so you can get out and Ride Illinois!

If you are already Ride Illinois member – thank you! The work we do would not be possible without your financial support.

If you are not a Ride Illinois member yet, please join today! Together, we will make Illinois a safer, more enjoyable place to ride a bike for recreation, transportation, and everyday trips!

Photo by Rage Thomas

Reasons to Become a Ride Illinois Member

You believe in the MANY BENEFITS of bicycling.

You want Illinois to be a MORE BIKE-FRIENDLY state.

You appreciate THE WORK WE DO on behalf of all cyclists.

You want to SHARE YOUR LOVE of bicycling with others.

Ride Illinois is a member-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to making biking better across Illinois! Here are a few facts that measure our impact for more than 30 years:

Since 1992, we’ve worked diligently on behalf of cyclists of all ages and abilities.

Provided technical assistance to dozens of communities – from Rockford to Carbondale!

Helped craft policies: 3-foot passing law, Dutch Reach, and bikes on transit.

Our free, online BikeSafetyQuiz has been completed by over 180,000 people in Illinois!

Go to rideillinois.org to learn more about Ride Illinois and the ways we’re working to make bicycling better and safer in Illinois. If you value what we do, become a member or make a donation today to support our efforts. Together, we can do more!

Education from League Cycling Instructors

• Do you want to learn to how to ride a bike?

• Do you want to improve your skills and confidence?

• Do you want to learn how to ride safely with traffic?

There are more than 50 League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) in Illinois that have been certified through the League of American Bicyclists. Learn more about Smart Cycling classes and find other useful resources at rideillinois.org/safety/education.

Share the Road License Plates

Support safe bicycling even when you drive! Most of the incremental fee for these state-approved specialty license plates fund Ride Illinois’ education efforts and programs. Visit rideillinois.org/share-the-road-license-plates to learn more.

BikeSafetyQuiz.com

Challenge your knowledge of relevant state laws, learn safety strategies, and help make our roads safer by completing our free quizzes. Ride Illinois has developed quizzes for adult bicyclists, child bicyclists, motorists, and truck drivers.

Sample Question

When going straight at an intersection WITH a right turn-only lane, where should you ride?

(1) - Right edge of the left of two through lanes

(2) - In the rightmost through lane

(3) - Center of right turn lane

(4) - Right edge of right-turn lane, by road’s edge

Want to learn more? Visit BikeSafetyQuiz.com today!

Generous Corporate Members

Ride Illinois appreciates the support of the following businesses, foundations, and organizations for their generous contributions. Corporate Members help us promote bicycling for all ages around the state and assist with our bike advocacy efforts.

Generous Corporate Members

Generous Corporate Members

Generous Corporate Members

Bronze Level

Photo by Rage Thomas

Photo by Saverio Truglia

Generous Corporate Members

Some Fun Photos from Our Friends

Photo by Alicia Stromberg

Photo by Connie Canterbury

Photo by Aron Robinson

Small Business Partners

Generous small businesses support Ride Illinois by donating a portion of the proceeds of certain merchandise sales. By purchasing items from these businesses, you’re supporting Ride Illinois and a local business at the same time!

Learn more at rideillinois.org/small-business-partners

Are you a small business owner? Do you believe in the many benefits of riding a bike for recreation, transportation and everyday trips? If you answered yes to those questions, our Small Business Partner program may be for you!

Contact dave@rideillinois.org to learn more and to discuss a mutually-beneficial partnership with Ride Illinois.

Veloist

2023 Routes to Ride

Sure, organized rides are lots of fun. But do you sometimes get that itch to break away and explore a new route – either on your own or with friends and family?

Ask and you shall receive! Several Ride Illinois members were happy to share some fun, interesting routes to explore by bike! Heck, they even included some must see destinations to enhance your experience. The routes that we curated, based on input from members, can be found at bit.ly/Routes2RideIL. Enjoy!

Got feedback on these routes or want to share another route? Contact us at community@rideillinois.org with the details.

2023 Routes to Ride

Rock Island Trail

Part urban trail with access to neat culture, part rail trail with crushed limestone surface broken up by quaint towns. There is a primitive campsite available just off the trail, so bike packing is an option.

• Distance: 38 miles

• Surface: road, paved trail, dirt/ crushed limestone trail

• Type of ride: city, rural, familyfriendly, historical

• Break time: Downtown Peoria has everything, including a museum near the trail. The trail weaves through a trendy area of Peoria heights. Primitive camping is at Kickapoo Creek Recreation Area between Alta and Dunlop (no bathrooms or water). The rural portion goes through a few small towns with gas stations and not much else. There is a tavern between Wyoming and Toulon, near the NW terminus of the trail.

Download Route

Wyoming is a quaint little town that offers an access point for the trail. There is an old rail depot that you can check out as well.

One of the many murals to enjoy along the way.

Photo by Bob Koch

Photo by Bob Koch

The scenic view atop one of the higher bridges.

Photo by Bob Koch

2023 Routes to Ride

Bikes, Bison and Gravel

Experience both the Wauponsee Glacial Trail, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, and historic Wilmington, IL on this 80% gravel ride through history. The 20% on-road part of the route is on low-traffic roads. The gravel sections of this ride can be moderately difficult for casual riders but well worth the effort. While in the Midewin section of the ride try to find the bison herd out in the distance.

(Don’t approach bison!)

• Distance: 33 miles

As you are nearing the southern end of Midewin you can see the border areas between the prairie and forested areas on thee way to Wilmington.

• Surface: dirt/crushed limestone trail, gravel

• Type of ride: rural

• Break time:

• Must see: Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Download Route

Photo by Daryl Monge

A view of the Midewin bison herd from the main trail approaching the iron bridge near the Iron Bridge Trailhead.

Photo by Daryl Monge

A view of a vast swath of prairie along the trail between the Wauponsee Glacial Trail and the Iron Bridge Trailhead.

Photo by Daryl Monge

2023 Routes to Ride

Tunnel Hill State Trail or Shawnee Challenge

Southern Illinois is the state’s cycling paradise. Many trail opportunities, gravel roads, back roads, and plenty of nature to explore by bike.

• Distance: 45 miles for Tunnel Hill or 10 miles for Shawnee Challenge

• Surface: dirt/crushed limestone trail, single track

• Type of ride: rural

• Break time: Enjoy a blast from the past with various items left behind from the railroad days, old tractors, and even a few ghost towns.

• Must see: Shawnee National Forest and Sandburn Junction

Download Route

The Tunnel at Tunnel Hill State Trail. Photo by Shawn Gossman

Tunnel Hill Trailhead at Cache River Wetlands Center.

Photo by Shawn Gossman

The Ride Illinois Community

Ride Illinois wants to build community on bikes across the state and we want you to be part of the Ride Illinois community! We don’t care how far or often you ride, whether you ride a bike for recreation or transportation (or both), what kind of bike you own, where you ride or your Strava stats. Let’s pedal forward together! Use #rideILcommunity on your social media posts.

#rideILcommunity

Pedaling forward together!

Check out a wide variety of swag, gear and other items to show your support of Ride Illinois! Yard signs, magnets, neck gaiters, jerseys and more are available on the shop on our website.

You can also purchase a variety of items on our Redbubble shop!

Useful Resources

• Finding routes

• Maps

• Bike to Metra guides

• Route guides

• Webinars

• Ride Illinois Safely education program

• BikeSafetyQuiz

• Bike-Friendly Illinois Map

• Advocacy resources

Support Illinois Bike Shops

Illinois has over 200 local bike shops throughout the state!

Visit our regularly-updated, online Bike-Friendly Illinois map to find bike shops near you. Local bike shops and their staff have the products and knowledge for new and returning cyclists, as well as those who have been biking for many years.

We encourage you to support local bikes shops whether you’re purchasing a bike, getting a bike repaired or picking up some accessories. Please support small business and shop local!

Safety Tip: ABC Quick Check

A is for Air

 Inflate tires to the pressure listed on the side of the tire

 Use a gauge to insure proper pressure

 Check for wear and tear; replace damaged and worn tires

B is for Brakes

 Inspect pads for wear and replace worn pads

 Check pad adjustment; make sure they do not rub

 Make sure you can fit your thumb between the brake lever and handlebar when the brakes are squeezed

C is for Cranks and Chain

 Pull up and down on your cranks. Tighten loose bolts

 Check your that your chain is free of rust and gunk

Quick is for Quick Releases

 Make sure all quick release levers are closed

 Make sure levers are pointing to the back of the bike

Check is for Check It Over

 Take a short ride to make sure all’s well before leaving home

Safety Tip: Scanning

Scanning allows you to avoid dangerous situations before they happen. This skill also communicates to others that you are about to maneuver to another position or change lanes.

Get comfortable looking over your shoulder to see who or what’s behind you – without swerving! Occasionally checking behind you will increase your safety when biking on roads and trails.

Affiliated Bike Clubs & Community Organizations

Ride Illinois would like to recognize these fun, social bike clubs and community organizations for their generous contributions:

Platinum Level

Bicycle Club of Lake County

Blackhawk Bicycle & Ski Club

Elmhurst Bicycle Club

Evanston Bicycle Club

Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club

Joliet Bicycle Club

McLean County Wheelers

Quad Cities Bicycle Club

Springfield Bicycle Club

Silver Level

Arlington Heights Bicycle Club

Downers Grove Bicycle Club

Folks On Spokes Bicycle Club

Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove

Illinois Valley Wheelm’n

Kankakee River Bike Club

McHenry County Bicycle Club

Wheeling Wheelmen

Bronze Level

Bike Palatine Club

Champaign County Bikes

Chicago Area Tandem Society

Chicago Cycling Club (CU)rbanism Club

Cycle Brookfield

Decatur Bicycle Club

GOATS Bicycle Club of Galena

Kish Bike and Rec Club

Naperville Bicycle Club

Oak Park Cycle Club

Prairie Cycle Club

Schaumburg Bicycle Club

Starved Rock Cycling Association

Team224, Inc.

Z Tour

Friend Level

Boxing Out Negativity

City of Warrenville Bicyclist & Pedestrian Advisory Commission

Gateway East Trails

Greater Freeport Partnership

Rock River Valley Bicycle Club

Photo by Emily Steele

Make memories on the hills

of Jo Daviess County

Saturday, May 6, 2023

Free pair of GOATS socks with advance registration!!!

Routes: 32, 52 and 63 miles

Includes map/cue sheets; marked routes, SAG support; rest stops WITH freshly baked homemade cookies.

Information/registration: goatscycling.com/events or bikereg.com/ride-the-ups-and-downs

Enjoy 2023 Ride Guide Click to Register!

Jo

beauty & hills

Scan to RSVP! 2023 Ride Guide Click to Register!

Let’s ride to celebrate Chicago’s youth!

Saturday, May 20 Expo at 12pm, Ride at 3pm on Douglas Blvd in North Lawndale

One City. One Ride. Street Love Ride!

Saturday, August 19 Expo at 6pm, Ride at 8pm at St. Agatha Catholic Church

Photo credit Norvell Tolber of Norvell’s Photography

July 22-28

7-day camping adventure. Start in Ann Arbor and explore some of the great trail tributaries and connectors of SE Michigan along the Great Lakes to Lakes Trail Route #1.

Our 2023 route tours northwest Illinois, the Mississippi River and the Quad Cities.

• Limited spots available

• Fully supported

• 210-375 total miles

• Mix of trails and roads

• Rest stops and SAG

6:30 Visit our website for more information

33%

on

 Register on July 4th for $30.

 Start Location: Plainfield South High School.

 7800 West Caton Farm Rd, Plainfield, IL.

 Very Low Traffic Roads in Kendall County.

 Choose from 30, 50 and 75 mile routes.

 Receive a 33% discount on a JBC membership when bundled with your registration.

 Visit the JBC Website for more details.

Rider Testimonials:

“I look forward to this ride every year!”

“It’s a quality ride for a great price.”

38 2023 Ride Guide Click to Register!

July 23, 2023

Bike to the Boomers is a fun, unique way to encourage adults and children to use sustainable, active transportation and ride their bike to Wintrust Field to attend a baseball game.

rideillinois.org/events/bike-boomers

50% OFF FOR FIRST TIME RIDERS ON 2 & 3 DAY RIDES!

CHARITY BIKE TOUR

RIDE FOR HEALTHY LUNGS & CLEAN AIR

JULY 29, 30, & 31

ESCAPE THE BUSTLE OF DAILY LIFE FOR A DAY OR A WEEKEND, PEDALING OVER ROLLING HILLS THROUGH NORTHERN ILLINOIS INTO SOUTHERN WISCONSIN. ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS WELCOME!

RIDE MILES

REGISTER FOR YOUR SPOT NOW

BENEFITING: RESPHEALTH.ORG/COW

OUR SPONSORS:

August 19, 2023 marks the 124th anniversary of Marshall “Major “Taylor winning the world 1-mile championship in Montreal. Taylor won the one-mile sprint, to become the first African American to win a world championship in cycling and was our nation’s first African American sports hero.

The Major Taylor Trail Keepers bicycle ride in Chicago and its southern suburbs on Saturday, August 19 features a revitalized stretch of the Major Taylor Trail and serves as a fundraiser for the trail’s upkeep.

Proceeds from this event will go towards the Major Taylor Trail Keepers Chicago for the upkeep/improvement of the Major Taylor Trail located in Chicago, Il.

Register for the event on Saturday, August 19 at majortaylortrailkeepers.org

Busse Woods Night Ride 2023

Saturday

August 26

RIDE THE BUSSE WOODS TRAIL AT NIGHT!

The Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove and Forest Preserves of Cook County are excited to host this fun, unique event. August 26 is the one and only date in 2023 when one is permitted to ride the trail at Busse Woods after dark! This family-friendly fundraiser takes place at the Busse Lake Boating Center.

Ride under the moonlight and stay for the party. All participants will enjoy live music, bonfires, refreshments, s’mores, food (for purchase), and more!

Proceeds will be used to support biking for recreation and transportation in Elk Grove Village, the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and the forest preserves.

Visit egvbikes.org/busse-woods-night-ride to learn more.

September 8–17

Taking place from September 8 through 17 with casual, family-friendly rides around the state, Let’s Ride, Illinois is a celebration of the freedom and benefits that riding a bike offers. The affiliated, community bike rides are free of charge and open to all. This event encourages adults and children from Rockford to Cairo (and all places in between) to enjoy a casual bike ride with their neighbors and to experience their community by bike. So, let’s ride, Illinois!

EVANSTON BICYCLE CLUB

North Shore

September 10 2023

ROUTES OF 25, 50, 62, 100

THEJOYIS IN THE JOURNEY

The Evanston Bicycle Club’s North Shore Century offers incredibly scenic biking on routes of 25, 50, 62, and 100 miles. You'll experience beautiful neighborhoods, view unique architectural treasures, pedal down tranquil tree-lined streets and feel the refreshing breezes of Lake Michigan. There are frequent, well-stocked rest stops. Sags and bike mechanics are provided.

The 2023 North Shore Century is on Sunday, September 10. All rides start and end at Dawes Park located at 1647 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois.

REGISTRATION AND FEES

• July 1 – August 27, 2023 ........................$40

• August 28 – September 9, 2023 ............$50

• September 10 – Day-of-Ride ................$60

– Online registration only for Day-of-Ride

– Registration ends at 11a.m. if capacity is available

• Riders age 17 and under .......................$10

Must be accompanied by a registered adult rider

COMMEMORATIVE T-SHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE!

For more info and to register, go to www.northshorecentury.org #northshorecentury

Chicagoland's Road Ride Season Opener

Sunday March 19, 2023

Wauconda High School, 555 N Main St, Wauconda IL 36mi • 20mi • 16mi • Routes through beautiful Lake County in northern Illinois Cookies, coffee, hot chocolate and cider will be served. Registration 8:00AM to 10:30AM

Routes open 8AM, close at 1PM. Full SAG support. Cost is $10.00 - Children under 12 FREE Day of event on-site registration only. Registration forms at www.wheelmen.com

Giving old bikes new homes

CANCELLED

Sunday September 17, 2023

100mi • 75mi • 50mi • 25mi • Routes Wilmot Union High School 11112 308th Ave, Wilmot, WI 53192

Ride cost $30.00 • $35 after Aug 18th $10.00 kids 12 & under

Since 1970, our perennial bike ride event on well marked and quiet country roads through scenic south Wisconsin — SAG support, friendly Volunteers and well-stocked Rest Stops that receive "Rave" reviews every year.

GPS route files and Cue-sheets available.

Pre-Register at Active.com

On-site Registration 6AM to 10AM

Harmon 100 routes open at 6AM Support and routes close at 4PM

www.wheelmen.com

Wheeling Wheelmen supports Working Bikes

JOIN US FOR THE 7TH ANNUAL GOLD STAR MISSION GS500

SEPTEMBER 19-23, 2023

The Gold Star Mission GS500 is a ride like no other! This fully-supported, 500-plus-mile ride across the state honors and preserves the memories of our fallen heroes. All funds raised go directly to support the Fallen Heroes History Project Videos and Educational Scholarship Programs.

WITH Y WITH YOUR ENTR OUR ENTRY FEE Y Y FEE YOU GET OU GET::

~ 1, 3, and 5-day options ~ All meals, snacks, water/Gatorade ~

~ State Police escort ~ Overnight accommodations w/baggage transfer ~

~ Constant ride monitoring by ride captains ~ Custom Primal Wear Jersey ~

~ SAG/Mechanic support ~ Motivational ride music ~ Lasting friendships ~

JOIN THE RIDE THAT IS LIKE NO OTHER!

2023 RIDE SCHEDULE/510+ mi R 2023 RIDE SCHEDULE/510+ mi REOUTOUTE

Sep. 19: Springfield - Jacksonville - Carlinville - Litchfield

Sep. 20: Litchfield - Scott AFB - Freeburg - Red Bud - Sparta

Sep. 21: Sparta - Steeleville - Chester - Carbondale - Harrisburg

Sep. 22: Harrisburg - Fairfield - Effingham

Sep. 23: Effingham - Shelbyville - Taylorville - Springfield

Consider giving up a week to Honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice! For details and to register or volunteer go to: https://goldstarmission.org/ or scan the QR code to the right!