Greetings, The Grand Illinois Trail And Parks ride is ready and raring to go for 2004.
We had a grand time on the first GITAP in 2003, and we hope to have an even better time next year.
We've made changes and improvements after hearing feedback on the ride and from the helpful
suggestions last year's riders sent us. But GITAP will still retain the basic qualities that sets it
apart as a high quality week-long bicycle touring experience.
The basics:
A mid-June week-long supported bicycle tour using much of the Grand Illinois Trail and many of the
state parks along the trail. Sponsored by the League of Illinois Bicyclists with support from the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Tent camping in five state parks and at one school,
although nearby motels (and a motel package) are available. Showers and luggage transportation will
be provided. Breakfasts and dinners included - and, of course, a T-shirt. Nightly meeting featuring
ride info, occasional entertainment, and door prizes. Alternative on-road routes when soft trails
are used. What's new:
This year's ride will begin on Sunday, June 13, 2004, and end on Saturday, June 19. We'll begin and
end in the DeKalb area - close to major transportation arteries. Western Illinois gets the
spotlight this year - including Galena and its scenic hills. Here's the tentative route: Sunday,
6/13 - Starved Rock State Park - 60 miles Monday, 6/14 - Johnson/Sauk State Park - 70 miles
Tuesday, 6/15 - Morrison/Rockwood State Park - either 50 or 80 miles Wednesday, 6/16 - Galena
Middle School - 60 mile Thursday, 6/17 - Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park - 50 miles Friday, 6/18 - White
Pines State Park - 60 miles Saturday 6/19 - DeKalb - 50 miles Total - 400 to 430 miles Two of the
day's routes (Wednesday and Thursday) include fairly healthy hills. You have three days of flat
riding before them, but do realize that both Blackjack Ridge leading into Galena and the ride east
from Galena are challenging. The base price for the ride will be $310. Members of LIB will get a
$20 discount; paying $290 (if you're unsure about your status, e-mail [email hidden]). It's more
than last year, but it's still a bargain. Any profit from GITAP goes to support LIB, which really
means supporting bicycling. The ride will be limited to 140 camping riders - 20 more than last
year. It will be first come, first serve, starting when you receive this. We're asking for the full
amount up front, but this year we will allow refunds according to this schedule: full refund before
March 12; half refund before April 12; no refunds after April 12. (Remember, last year we were
basically filled by Feb. 1.) Check out: bikelib.orggitapOpen ↗ for additional photos and
commentary about the first GITAP.
Questions: email Chuck Oestreich [email hidden] or 309-788-1845