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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Roads and Bike Paths


Bicycle Illinois' routes are suitable for all types for bicycles. You will never ride on a road or path whose suitability for cycling has not been personally verified by us directly in person.

Unless otherwise noted, our entire routes are on fully paved and smooth roads and bike paths.

Bike Paths
Because of the lack of vehicular traffic, we will follow paved bike paths whenever possible. Bike paths also tend to be easier to follow than roads.

When a bike path is available but unpaved, the surface will consist of a hard-packed, but loose, limestone or dirt surface that is suitable for road bikes. Fully paved, on road routes will always be available as an alternative to following the limestone paved sections if you do not wish to ride on any unpaved surfaces.

Roads
We follow roads deemed to be the most suitable for bicycling in each area by authorities such as the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Active Transportation Alliance, the Indiana Bicycle Coalition, Google Maps, local bike clubs and shops, and individual cyclists familiar with the area. Although the type of road surface will vary, you will never have to ride on any dirt or gravel roads.

Rural Areas
Road selection in more rural areas depends on the ability and experience level of the participants of each event.

Our routes primarily follow pristine, remote county back roads. You will rarely be passed by a car on these back roads, much less a large truck or semi. Most likely, vehicles will be visible miles away, so if one does pass you you'll be prepared. Except for the rest stop locations, you will not generally cycle through towns. In fact, we route our rides through a minimum number of towns in order to minimize your exposure to vehicular traffic. The only time we cycle on major roads, such as state or U.S. highways, is when there is absolutely no alternative way to go. Even then, the distance we ride on these roads will be minimized to the greatest extent possible.

A larger percentage of the route may occur on heavily traveled roads, particularly state and U.S. highways, in events where most participants are avid, experienced cyclists who are comfortable riding in heavy traffic. When following these roads, your exposure to vehicular traffic will be higher, including heavy trucks at highway speeds, and you will generally cycle through more towns.

Urban Areas
In more populated areas our routes primarily follow residential streets and paved bike paths whenever possible. Most of the roads have very low traffic counts, and some have designated bicycle lanes or have been designated as preferred bicycle throughways by local municipalities. When we must cycle on busier roads, these distances are kept to an absolute minimum.

Road Hazards
It is not possible to clean riding surfaces from such hazards as gravel patches, broken glass, or road kill before the start of our events. Please to be aware of and watch out for these types of road hazards as you're riding, especially gravel patches on turns.

If there is a particularly large patch of broken glass or unpleasant road kill that you would like to see cleaned up please contact us and we will take care of it.

P.O. Box 8454 • Chicago, IL 60680 • (877) TOUR-ILL [868-7455]
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