Forest Preserve District's 'Ride the Rock' Returns for Ninth Year

Photo: ‘Ride the Rock,’ the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s 16-mile bike tour, drew more than 1,400 participants in 2014. This year’s ride will take place on May 16.

Submitted by Forest Preserve District of Will County

Get ready to roll your way through “Ride the Rock,” the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s 16-mile bicycle tour, on May 16.

The free, family-friendly bike ride and festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and begins at Lower Rock Run Preserve – I&M Canal Access, located on Hollywood Road (Houbolt Road), south of Interstate 80, in Joliet. This year’s title sponsor is CenterPoint Properties.

Riders will travel on portions of the Rock Run Greenway Trail, Joliet Junction Trail and I&M Canal State Trail before returning to the starting point. The event is open to all ages, but is recommended for individual riders of at least 11 years of age. Participants are urged to wear safety helmets and to bring drinking water. Four rest stops will offer refreshments and restrooms along the route.

Preregister for the ninth annual “Ride the Rock” online at ReconnectWithNature.org or by calling 815-727-8700. Preregistered riders will be able to check in at 9 a.m. at the event and the first 1,000 pre-registered riders will receive a free T-shirt. (Size choice is not guaranteed.) Preregistration will end at midnight May 14. On-site registration will be available at the event starting at 9:30 a.m. On-site registrants will not receive T-shirts. All riders must set out on the trail by 10:30 a.m.

Additional festivities will continue at I&M Canal Access until 1 p.m. These include music, children’s activities, a rock climbing wall, a petting zoo, bike safety checks and performances by Division BMX Stunt Team at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Food provided by Heroes West Sports Grill will be available for purchase. The event will take place rain or shine, unless there is severe weather.

Sponsors for this event include: CenterPoint Properties, JULIE Inc., Bill Jacobs Auto, BMO Harris Bank, CITGO Lemont Refinery, Enbridge Energy, ExxonMobil Pipeline, TransCanada, Saratoga Food Specialties, Voyager Media, Applebee’s, Integrity Restoration, Hometown National Bank, First Community Financial Bank, NuMark Credit Union, D Construction, Thrivent Financial, Sumbaum Cycles, Turk Furniture, Catholic Holy Family Society, Claassen, White & Associates PC, Strand Associates, Republic Services, Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency, Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd., Walgreens, Merchant & Manufacturers Bank, Rosario Cibella LTD, Northeast Chapter of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association – Northern Illinois University Land Survey Program and Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center.