Cycling Tips & Stories

Be a part of History!

That’s right. The League of Illinois Bicyclists is planning an unprecedented, one-time serial bicycle ride of all of the 585 miles of the Mississippi River Trail in Illinois. We’re calling it Trail Breaking the Illinois Mississippi River Trail.

You should be a part of it.

All you have to do is agree to bicycle about 35 miles on Saturday morning, May 1, 2004. Just select one of the starting locations listed below and cycle to the celebration site in your area (of course, you’ll have to ride back to your start – or get picked up). At the site, celebrations and media opportunities will bring together bicyclists riding in from both up and down the MRT. The focus will be on the potential for bicycle riding in western Illinois. Wear your jerseys.

All this is in celebration of the publication of the User’s Guide to the Illinois Mississippi River Trail. This handy booklet, produced by LIB with the cooperation of the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, and Mississippi River Trail, Inc., is the definitive guide to riding, touring, enjoying, or just boasting about the MRT in Illinois. It includes cue sheets, maps, attractions, accommodations, food and drink locations, bike repair, and emergency information.

And – best of all – it’s free!

Actually, it will begin as a web-site publication, easily downloadable at www.bikelib.org/mrt. Future plans are to print it in convenient size to fit into a jersey pocket. However, you can get a special, limited edition, printed copy – along with other perks and mementos - by agreeing to participate in the May 1st Trail Breaking.

More info: Chuck Oestreich, 816 – 22nd Street, Rock Island, IL 61201, phone:: 309-788-1845, email: oestreich @ qconline.com
permanent link to article: "Illinois Mississippi Trail Ride May 1st, Illinois Mississippi River Trail Guide "
posted by Brent Hugh at 2/08/2004 02:47:00 PM |comment on this article