Swedish Days Ride returns for 55th year
Now in its 55th year, the Swedish Days Ride remains one of the premier road bike tours held in northern Illinois and one of the very few Midwestern rides that offers a double metric century (133 miles), in addition to routes of 12, 27, 50, 72 and 102 miles (imperial century).
The Swedish Days Ride travels the quiet, scenic and relatively flat paved roads of rural Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties, meandering through cornfields and through shaded thoroughfares.
The ride is fully supported with one centralized rest stop boasting AC/indoor facilities stocked with nutritional items, onsite emergency mechanical support and bicycle supplies, and roaming SAG patrol vehicles.
With over 75 helpful volunteers, the Swedish Days Ride provides a superior riding experience to almost 1,000 guests each year.
The ride’s planned start and end will be Sunday, June 29, at Harter Middle School, 1601 Esker Drive, Sugar Grove. The annual event will be 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 102- and 133-mile riders must be on course by 8 a.m. Free parking is available onsite.
The Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club donates 100% of its event net proceeds to support the efforts of organizations promoting cycling and outdoor activities throughout Northern Illinois including Ride Illinois, Illinois Prairie Path, Project Mobility, Kane County Parks Department (Fox River Trail), League of American Bicyclists, and Easter Seals (bikes for kids). The event has no affiliation with the Geneva Chamber of Commerce’s Swedish Days Festival.
Registration fees are $55 per rider, $70 per family (includes 2 adults and children under 18) until June 27. Prices increase to $65 per rider, $80 on June 28-29.
Register online at fvbsc.org/swedishdays.
The iconic Swedish wrapped flag jerseys can also be ordered at fvbsc.org/swedishdays through July 7.
The Swedish Days Ride will operate rain or shine. There will be no refunds due to weather.
About the Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club
Founded in 1968 and based in St. Charles, the Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club is a recreational and social club that offers group bicycle rides and winter sporting activities throughout the greater Fox River Valley area. The club is governed by a board of directors and its membership is approximately 350 people from beginners to advanced cyclists. The club offers approximately 10 rides per week at various skill levels that are led by volunteer ride leaders and focuses on education, safety, rules of the road, bike maintenance and etiquette.
The club also partners with various local bicycle shops, including The Bike Rack, Mill Race Cyclery, Pedal & Spoke and Spin Doctor Cyclewerks for sales, service and support. The Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club is an Illinois not-for-profit 501(c)7 organization. For more information, visit www.fvbsc.org.