Rotary Ride for charity offers routes for all riders
Whether you're a serious cyclist with a mileage log worthy of a Tour de France contender or a family with a rider just off training wheels, the 22nd annual Rotary Ride offers a route fitting your talents and interests.
The ride on Sunday, Aug. 12, offers a range of routes and lengths - everything from a challenging "metric century" of 62 miles to a family-friendly loop of 1.4 miles. In between, riders also can consider routes of 21 or 41 miles.
The Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown organizes the annual event in memory of Carmen DiGiovine, one of the organizers of the first Rotary Ride in 1997. The event, presented with DiGiovine Hnilo Jordan and Johnson Ltd., raises money in support of Rotary International's Campaign to End Polio and local charities backed by Rotary.
On ride day, all riders will begin and end their routes at Commissioners Park, 3704 111th St., Naperville, where parking will be available. Riders may start as early as 6:30 a.m., but should be on their chosen route no later than 10 a.m.
Along the way, riders will find rest stops staffed with volunteers offering the chance to refuel with food and drinks, as well as on-the-road SAG support for those needing mechanical or medical assistance between stops.
Rest stops and SAG support continue through 2:30 p.m., and a light lunch will be served to riders after the ride.
Because all routes but the Family Fun Loop are on an open-road course, riders must follow all rules of the road to ensure their own safety. Helmets are required for all riders. Bikes of all shapes and sizes are welcome, but motorized vehicles aren't allowed.
The Family Fun Loop invites children and parents to walk or run the route or to ride anything with wheels, as long as it doesn't have a motor. The cost is $15 per family.
For those who register by July 1, registration is $30 per rider for the other routes. The price then increases to $40 through July 31. Afterward, registration will be $50, including on ride day.
Riders registered by July 21 are guaranteed an event T-shirt.
For information or to register, visit napervillerotaryride.com.