Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club sets 2021 cycling season schedule
The Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club is kicking off the 2021 cycling season with an International Women's Day "Together We Ride" event on Sunday, March 7.
The 35-mile ride will start at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave. in St. Charles, and ride roads to Wheaton, traveling at a 12-14 mph pace.
In Wheaton, club members will meet up with the Elmhurst Bicycle Club (www.elmhurstbicycleclub.org) for a group picture and lunch, then returns to St. Charles.
Members, guests and all genders are invited to this event. COVID-19 guidelines apply and under Restore Illinois Phase 4 limited to 50 cyclists. All cyclists must wear helmets and rear lights are strongly encouraged for safety. Bikes, helmets, lights and other equipment can be purchased at The Bike Rack, 2930 Campton Hills Drive, St. Charles, www.thebikerack.com.
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. In some countries it is still illegal for women to ride a bicycle and a bicycle is a catalyst for women to rise out of poverty, bring freedom to women in developing countries, breaking down transportation and safety barriers historically keeping girls from accessing education. Learn more at www.internationalwomensday.com/About.
For anyone who wants to support this event but may not be able to do the March 7 ride, the ride can be anytime, any distance March 6-8, any location, indoors or outdoors. There is also a planned ZWIFT Meetup International Women's Day Ride on Monday, March 8 at 5:30 p.m. CST. Learn more on the "International Women's Day: Together We Ride" Facebook page or via email to iwdbike@gmail.com. Use hashtags #IWD and #ChoosetoChallenge.
The Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club's 2021 cycling schedule will ramp up to 15 rides per week by mid-May, almost triple the number of scheduled group rides offered last year. Based upon the increased popularity of outdoor activities that resulted from COVID-19 last year, everything cycling grew in demand, including interest in group rides. The increased demand prompted the club to ramp up its group ride schedule to better meet the needs of the cycling community. This year's regularly-scheduled rides run seven days per week and span five different skill categories based upon a ride's mileage, speed and elevation, including novice/casual, intermediate low, intermediate, intermediate high and advanced. All rides are led by volunteer ride leaders who have years of safety-focused cycling experience under their belts. Cyclists of all ages and abilities interested in joining in the rides are encouraged to join the club ($20 per year/$35 per family). Interested cyclists may participate in up to two free guest rides before joining the club. All rides are published on the ride and event calendar at www.fvbsc.org and participants must register online by 8 p.m. the night before the ride. For more information, contact Jerry Shields, Ride Director, at rides@fvbsc.org.
The club also hosts the Swedish Days Ride invitational, this year scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 12. Routes include 25, 50, 72, 100 and 124 throughout scenic Kane, DeKalb and Kendall counties.
Proceeds benefit Ride Illinois, Active Transportation Alliance, League of American Bicyclists, Illinois Prairie Path, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Project Mobility and more.
To register for this event, visit www.fvbsc.org. For more information, contact Julia Stace, Swedish Days Director, at swedishdays@fvbsc.org.
The Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club was started in 1968. Its mission is to encourage, educate and promote safe recreation, fitness and alternative transportation while preserving our natural resources. Its purpose is to promote the general interest of cycling and winter sports, educate and inform the community about safety, rules of the road, bike maintenance, sport etiquette and more. They work with governmental and cycling organizations to defend the rights of cyclists, promote bike trails and lanes, and help formulate bicycle legislation and support infrastructure development. Club members contribute to the community through volunteerism and donations and promote good fellowship and lasting friendships. The club hosts the Swedish Days Ride Invitational each year with proceeds donated to cycling charities and advocacy groups. For more information, contact Carrie Halle at president@fvbsc.org or visit www.fvbsc.org.