| POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Roads and Bike Paths
Our route is suitable
for
all
types
for bicycles
and you will never ride one inch on a road or path whose suitability
for cycling has not been verified
many times by us directly.
Unless otherwise noted all routes are entirely on smooth, hard surface roads
and bike paths.
Bike Paths
We follow paved bike paths whenever possible for obvious safety reasons. Bike
paths also are almost always easier to follow than roads and usually provide
for a more scenic ride!
When a bike path is available but unpaved, the surface will consist
of a hardpacked but loose limestone
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
The roads we follow are the ones deemed to be
the most suitable for bicycling in each area
by such authorities such as the
Illinois Department of Transportation, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation,
the Indiana Bicycle Coalition, and local bike clubs and shops. Although
the type of road surface will vary, you will never cycle on any
dirt or
gravel
roads.
Rural Areas
In more rural areas, our routes primarily follow pristine, remote county
back roads. You will be amazed how rarely you will be ever passed by a car
on these back roads, much less a large truck or semi, and if a vehicle
does happen to pass you you'll be able to see it and expect it from
miles away. 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 vehiclular
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, and the distance we follow
these roads will be minimized to the greatest extent possible. 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
special 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
We will not be able to clean riding surfaces from such hazards as gravel
patches, broken glass, or road kill before the start
of our events. You will need 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 nasty patch of broken glass or chunk of road
kill or that you would like to see cleaned up please let us know and
we will take care of it promptly.
|
