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Naperville Rotary Ride supports causes near and far

A traditional bicycling event in south Naperville gives riders a taste of the open road and lets them support causes both local and international.

The 20th annual Rotary Ride on Sunday, Aug. 14, offers 21-, 41- and 62-mile routes to Oswego, Yorkville and beyond in support of Naperville Responds for Our Veterans, Loaves and Fishes CARES and End Polio Now.

The causes drew returning rider Annette Wulf of Darien to participate in the event for the first time last year after learning of a friend's involvement in the Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown.

"They stand for so many good things," Wulf said. "The Rotary supports so much and the proceeds from this ride go to so many good causes."

Naperville Responds for Our Veterans helps build, repair and donate homes to veterans by collecting money and building materials and coordinating labor.

Loaves and Fishes CARES programs, which used to be Loaves and Fishes Community Services and Naperville CARES until the two nonprofits merged in July, provide emergency financial support and car donations or repairs to families in need.

End Polio Now is a Rotary International Charity that works to protect children against the crippling effects of polio, which now is found only in two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Rotary member Jeff Davis, chairman of this year's ride, said organizers hope to exceed their donations from last year, when they gave $3,500 to each of the three charities. Last year, 125 riders participated and this year, organizers are expecting at least 150.

"It was a wonderful ride. Beautiful," Wulf said. "Very well-mapped out through beautiful country roads."

Organizers place biodegradable arrows on the road to show riders where to go. Roads won't be closed to vehicle traffic, but they'll still be friendly to bicyclists, who are required to ride with a helmet.

"It's a great ride out in the country," Davis said. "The farther away from Naperville and Oswego you get, the more into the country you get."

A support and gear vehicle will be roaming the course to help fix flat tires or drive riders back to the start, at Commissioner's Park, 3704 111th St., Naperville, if necessary.

Turnaround points for the 21-, 41- and 62-mile routes each will feature rest stops with bathrooms, water, sports drinks and snacks to fuel riders for the rest of their journey. Riders can start whenever they want between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m., after paying $50 for ride-day registration.

"It's not a race; it's a ride," Davis said. "It's a combination of people enjoying the countryside and having a nice day, and then you have serious bike riders who are training."

Now hosted by Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown, the race was started 20 years ago by Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise. It later was run by Rotary Club of Naperville South, but when that club disbanded, the downtown group took over, Davis said.

The ride is presented by DiGiovine Hnilo Jordan and Johnson Ltd., a Naperville accounting and business advisory firm, in memory of Carmen DiGiovine, a charter member of the Sunrise Rotary and longtime volunteer who died unexpectedly in 2007.

While the event focuses on riding far and supporting causes near and far, there is also a short course for families with small children.

For $15, families can sign up for the Family Fun Loop, a 1.2-mile path around Commissioners Park that will be decorated with signs about Rotary trivia.

About 150 riders and 30 volunteers are expected to participate Sunday in the 20th annual Rotary Ride starting and ending in south Naperville. Courtesy of Positively Naperville
Kids and families can participate in a 1.2-mile ride around the loop at Commissioner's Park during the 20th annual Rotary Ride on Sunday in Naperville. Courtesy of Positively Naperville

If you go

What: 20th annual Rotary Ride

Why: Ride benefits Naperville Responds for Our Veterans, Loaves and Fishes CARES programs and End Polio Now

When: Start anytime between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 14

Where: Commissioners Park, 3704 111th St., Naperville

Cost: $50 per rider for 21-, 41- or 62-mile routes; $15 per family for Family Fun Loop

Info: napervillerotaryride.com

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