Ride Specifics
Mileage: Day 1: 52 Miles | Day 2: 52 miles
Support: Self supported – you carry all of your own camping gear on your own bike. No vehicle support.
Lodging: Tent (camping gear not provided). We will stay at Illinois Beach State Park (IL DNR) located at 1 Lake Front Dr, Zion, IL 60099 (map).
Pace: 12-15mph
Trail/Route: Paved road with minimal gravel incorporated and possible snow.
Age: Mainly an adult ride (21+) though we are piloting a new concept with this ride (and the SWMI ride) this year. If a parent or guardian has a young person (14+ years old) that may be looking for a bigger challenge beyond our family overnight rides, they are welcome to ride with us on this ride. Their parent or guardian must ride along with them. Its important to understand that this is a ride geared towards adults and there will be maybe only one or two people on the ride that are younger than 21 years old. It would be ideal if the adult has ridden on one of our adult overnights beforehand so they have an idea of what our rides are like. And since this is a new idea we are piloting, we will look for your feedback after the event.
Trip Description
Join us for a meandering ramble far down the shores of the mighty lake Michigan. Spend the night around a campfire and under the stars at Illinois Beach State Park ( Illinois’s most uninterrupted shoreline). Roll on trails used for 100s of years and end up on the world-famous Chicago Lakefront path as we end our journey in the great city of Chicago.
What’s Included
- Campsite and firewood
- Food for Day 1 dinner and Day 2 breakfast
- Education about our local history and nature
- Really nice and supportive guides
What’s Not Included
- Food for Day 1 lunch
- Food for Day 2 lunch
- Snacks
- *We will stop at designated restaurants where you can buy your lunch
About the Guides
Our guides are part of a community of volunteers that believe in adventure and helping others find adventure right out our front door. They exude a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive spirit which are foundational values at OOFD. They have love and appreciation for their home and like sharing knowledge about that home with others, thus helping the riders to develop a stronger sense of gratitude for our local history and nature.
The guides will be set with the route and an extensive script about the area you’ll be riding through with intentionally chosen breakpoints along the way.
They are more than someone to follow on the ride. They are trained and will be there to encourage and support you as well as support with mechanicals that may arise.
Transfer/Refund/Cancellation Policy
Participant Cancellation: No Refunds. By registering, you acknowledge and agree there will not be a refund if you cancel or do not show up for the event. Tickets cannot be resold.
Transfers: You can transfer three days before the event. You can only transfer to an event in the same calendar year. Fill out this transfer form at least three days before your ride departs, and we will follow up in a week or less with instructions on how to register for your new event. Contact us if you have any issues.
Organizer Cancellation: Full Refund | Nobody wants an event to be canceled. In the rare circumstance the organizer cancels the event at their discretion, registered participants will receive a full refund. To date, this organization has canceled minimal events.
Weather and Rain: We do not cancel an event for rain, storm, or any other weather. We ride rain or shine. Chicago weather is typically passing, if the weather requires, we will pause the ride and wait in a sheltered space then continue biking. Some of the best views of the lake and greenery on the trails are after a rainstorm.
Radical Inclusivity and Non-Discrimination Agreement
This is included in your registration form. Showing up with a welcoming and inclusive spirit is crucial and expected of everyone that rides with us.
This event is part of Bikepacking Root’s Community Event Calendar, where we share bikepacking events across the US and Canada. Bikepacking Roots is not involved in the hosting of this event unless otherwise noted. Please reach out to the organizer for more information.