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.
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