Note: this post is from an email originally sent on June.23rd.
The ride starts at 5:00 AM on July.1st.
Here is a link to the ride calendar entry: EBC 2023 Double Century
Hello Riders,
With just over a week to go, here is some information about the upcoming ride. We're at 26 riders right now (list below).
Route
The route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43019883
It's annotated with POI information about places to stop.
This should provide you with all the information you need for navigating the route. There is no cue sheet unless you print off the one in RWGPS.
Study this route so you have some idea what is in store for you during this ride. You have ample time to prepare before the ride to make sure you don't need any help navigating during the ride.
Ride Start
We want to roll out at 5:00 AM - that means everyone should arrive in time to get their bike and stuff ready to go at 5:00 AM. There will be a roll-call and some paperwork. Don't be late!
Since this is an EBC ride, there is some paperwork associated with the ride. I have collected the pertinent information and will have it ready on ride day.
The main thing is that non-EBC members must sign a waiver before the ride (EBC members don't need to do this). So there will be a form passing around before the ride, make sure you sign it!.
*EBC=Elmhurst Bicycle Club
Ride Protocol
With an estimated 20+ riders on this ride, it's unlikely that the group will stay together for the entire ride. The best advice I can give is to ride at a sustainable pace for the distance, and to try and ride with others going at that pace.
Use sensible pacelining when riding with others.
Keep stops short, but keep hydrated and fueled.
If you want to finish by sundown, you need the right combination of riding pace and stopped time that works for you.
Don't push the pace too hard, and do remember to regularly fuel / hydrate.
Bring lights / tail light in case you come in after dark. Reflective gear is also a good idea.
Keep your ride leader (me) informed if there are problems or you fall behind.
Services
As mentioned previously, there is basically nothing between the designated stops. No water, bathrooms, pop machines, or food. So plan accordingly.
Services at some places could be a chokepoint, so you may want to look for alternatives to everyone stopping in the same place if there is a big crowd.
Typically we have made short stops at Sycamore and Oregon before taking a lunch break in Dixon, just past the halfway point. Then a short stop in Ashton before the stretch to Hinckley where Dairy Joy is a popular stop. Then the final push to Naperville.
The RWGPS route identifies places to stop on the route as POIs (points of interest) and also as cues.
Weather and Gear
This can be a big factor. Watch the forecast and bring rain gear if you need it. Carry sufficient bottles to get you between stops. I plan to ride unless it's extremely hot or there are extreme thunderstorm predictions.
Even though it's only 200 miles, make sure your bike is in top-tip shape for the ride and carry the gear you might need. There is no SAG support.
Mile 0 to 45, Naperville to Sycamore: (45 miles)
In the cool calm of the morning this stretch should go by quickly.
If you need anything you make a quick stop in Batavia (McDonalds or BP). After that there is nothing except a porta-potty at mile 27 in the Headwaters Conservation Area Park.
Sycamore has a Mobil on route and a BP one block off route, plus a couple of parks with bathroom facilities if you are desperate.
Mile 45 to 105, Sycamore to Dixon (60 miles)
Leaving Sycamore there's a new shoulder on IL-64 but watch for tire-trapping drain grates.
There is a long stretch on Lindenwood, where the twin cooling towers of the Byron nuke plant first come into view.
Around mile 82 Oregon has places to stop - Casey's and Mobil, plus a BP off route.
After Oregon it's 23 miles with some nice little climbs until you begin the descent to Dixon on US-52.
In Dixon there's Burger King and Subway on the route, and McDonald's / CircleK off the route.
Mile 105 to 157, Dixon to Hinckley (52 miles)
After climbing out of Dixon, there are some nice rollers and hills until the road flattens out around mile 115 before the approach to Ashton.
Ashton has the last services until Hinckley - a Casey's - and also some businesses one block south of the route on Main St.
After a bumpy ride south from Ashton, you'll head west to IL-251 then down to Lee Road, from there it's a 21-mile stretch straight east with the first 7 miles a gradual incline that takes you to the highest point on the route.
From there it's a gradual descent all the way to Hinckley. If there are weather issues, there is a post office open 24x7 at mile 141 in Lee.
Once in Hinckley, if you have time Dairy Joy is a favorite stopping point. There is also a BP. If you have LOTS of time in the bank there is also South Moon BBQ.
Mile 157 to 200, Hinckley to Naperville (43 miles)
Home stretch, Hinckley to Naperville, these should be familiar roads to everyone.
There are services in Plano and Yorkville if you need to stop, but keep pedaling if you smell the barn.
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Ride Safe,
Eric
Rider List as of 6/23/2023
1 Jon Alumbaugh
2 Jack Davidson
3 Paul Escandon
5 Kyle Feckler
6 Bill Fisher
7 Ganerdene Gantumur
8 Vincent Gatto
9 Shivraman Giri
10 Jason Jarrett
11 Steve Jurasek
12 Jim Krzyzewski
13 Charles May
14 Forrest Miller
15 Daryl Monge
16 Tom Nawara
17 Salvador Ortiz
18 Glen C. Paradise
19 Jim Pirzyk
21 Richard Susanto
22 Joe Turek
23 Dan Velasco
24 Marc Velasco
25 Rob Weiss