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Illinois: Haven for weeklong bicycle rides!

After the demise of the Bicycle Across the Magnificent Miles of Illinois (BAMMI) ride several years ago, Illinois was without a weeklong bicycle tour.

That's not the case any more!

This year, cyclists can take advantage of six five- to seven-day rides through the Land of Lincoln. Here's a list of those rides:

• Martha's Miles, June 11-15: A five-day, 300-mile trip from St. Louis to Chicago that raises money for the National Children's Cancer Society. Web site: http://www.marthas-miles.org/
• Cycle Across Missouri: An Excursion into Little Egypt. June 12-17: Don't let the name fool you: This is definitely an Illinois ride this year. This year's ride begins and ends in Carbondale and includes lots of the great scenery in and around Shawnee National Forest. Web site: http://www.moonlightramble.com/cam_05.htm
• Grand Illinois Trails and Parks ride, June 12-18: This ride begins and ends in Joliet and includes much of the interesting scenery of northern Illinois. Web site: http://www.bikelib.org/gitap/2005/index.htm
• Bicycllinois, July 2-8: A seven-day, 495-mile ride from Cairo, at the southern tip of Illinois, to Chicago. Web site: http://www.bicycllinois.com/
• Across Illinois Back Roads, Aug. 6-12: A seven-day, 450-mile loop ride from Morris to Springfield, the state capital, and back. Web site: http://www.jolietbicycleclub.org/ or https://www.signmeup.com/reg/register.aspx?fid=T42VNK7
• Illinois Great Rivers Ride, Sept. 11-18: This seven-day, 400-mile ride will take cyclists along the Rock and Mississippi rivers from Rockford to Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton. Web site: http://www.illinoisgreatriversride.com/

So, if you ever wanted to do a multiday bicycle ride through Illinois, this is the year to do it. As I mentioned earlier, I am planning to do an Illinois ride because this year is the 20th anniversary of my first weeklong ride, the BAMMI ride from Chicago to Edwardsville.

I hope all of you will consider a ride in Illinois this year as well. We may not have the magnificent scenery of a lot of states, but we have quite a few smaller gems and lots of more subtle beauty if you take the time to look for it.

Roger 0 comments 4:53 PM