RIDE ACROSS ILLINOIS (RAIL) NORTH
Transportation Services

Chicago Transportation Staging Points • Transportation Means • Moline Transportation Staging Point

We are pleased to offer transportation service from Chicago to Moline both on the Saturday before the start and Sunday after the end of the event. Logistically, the two transportation services will be almost identical. The only differences will be that the Chicago ending location will be the staging point for the transportation service before the start of the event and the Chicago hotel will be the staging point for the transportation service after the end of the event. Click Here for more information about RAIL transportation services.

Chicago Transportation Staging Points

All participants must arrive at the Chicago Transportation Staging Point at 9:00 am

This staging time allows us to accommodate as many public transportation schedules as possible and plenty of time to transport your bicycle to Moline, and still allows you plenty to time of get downtown from the transportation staging location to catch your bus or train from Chicago to Moline.

Before the Start of the Event
We will have two separate transportation staging points in Chicago before the start of the event - the first one at the ending location and the second one at the Greyhound bus station. When you register you will indicate which location is most convenient for you to drop off your bike at. Doing this allows us to best accomodate people who will and will not be parking their car in Chicago during the event.

Main Transportation Staging Point
The ending location will be the main transportation staging point in Chicago before the start of the event. There is a large area in the parking lot to stage bikes at. Loading bikes at the ending location eliminates you from having to transport your bike all the way downtown after parking your car.

• Click Here for more information about the Chicago ending location.
• Click Here for more information about the Chicago parking garage.

If you will be parking your car in Chicago during the event you should first drop off your bike before parking your car so you won't need to separately transport your bicycle from the parking garage to the ending location.

After your bicycle is loaded, you will then need to travel downtown to get your bus or train from Chicago to Moline yourself. Directions and a map via CTA L trains will be provided. If you don't want to walk or take a CTA L train, a cab ride there will be relatively quick and inexpensive, especially if you want to split the ride with your fellow participants. Otherwise we recommend getting a ride from a friend or family member if possible.

• Click Here for the directions from the ending location to the downtown long distance public transportation hub locations.
• Click Here for the directions from the ending location to the downtown long distance public transportation hub locations.

If you will not be parking your car in Chicago during the event you can still drop off your bike with us at this location if it is more convenient for you.

Second Transportation Staging Point
The Greyhound bus station will be the second transportation staging point in Chicago before the start of the tour. Loading bikes at this location may be much more convenient for you if you will not be parking your car in Chicago during the event since you can meet us directly downtown.

We will come over the Greyhound bus station immediately after we have completed loading bikes at the ending location. Based on the number of bikes we expect to initially load at the ending location we may change the meeting time at the Greyhound bus station so you don't have to waiting too long for us to arrive. If this occurs we will contact you directly and let you know, but you should still plan on being at the Greyhound bus station at 9:00 am unless you hear otherwise from us. Regardless, we guarantee you will have plenty to time to catch the Greyhound bus from Chicago to Moline.

If you will be taking the Amtrak train from Chicago to Moline, you will need to go over to the Amtrak train station from the Greyhound bus station yourself.

• Click Here for more information about the Chicago Greyhound bus station.
• Click Here for more information about the Chicago Amtrak train station.

• Click Here to download the in town cue sheet and map for the Greyhound bus station.
• Click Here for all supported facilities, services, and in town cycling routes for the Greyhound bus station overlaid on satellite imagery.

After the End of the Event

Please do not check your bags and/or bicycle at the supported hotel in the morning. In the past we have had a very difficult time retrieving them from the supported hotel due to security concerns from the supported hotel because they, like you, want to be positive that no one takes your belongings who shouldn't. This is a situation that is best avoided since it can be quite difficult to convince the supported hotel that we actually should be taking your belongings!

• Click Here for more information about the Chicago hotel.

Transportation Means

Transportation of People
People will travel from Chicago to Moline aboard a public bus or train (Greyhound, Megabus, or Amtrak). Our preferred transportation schedule is for participants to travel aboard the Burlignton Trailways bus which is scheduled to depart Chicago at 11:00 am and arrive in Rock Island at 1:55 pm, approximately a 2 hour and 55 minute ride.

Registration for this transportation service does not include your individual train or bus ticket – you will need to purchase it on your own. We strongly recommend doing so NOW to avoid any potential availability issues.

If spaces for passengers aboard this schedule fill up, participants should then travel on another suitable schedule.

• Click Here for more information about this schedule and a list of all daily bus and train schedules from Chicago to Moline.
• Click Here for more information about long distance public transportation carriers.

After you have dropped off your bike you will need to travel downtown yourself to catch your bus or train from Chicago to Moline because no long distance public transportation hub is near the ending location or supported hotel.

• Click Here for more information about the Chicago Greyhound Bus station.
• Click Here for more information about in town transportation.

Baggage Transportation
Participants will carry their baggage with them directly aboard all trains and busses.

Bicycle Transportation
We will transport your bicycle ourselves.

Moline Transportation Staging Point
The transportation staging point in Moline will be at the supported hotel.

All busses and trains arrive at Centre Station in Moline. After you arrive you will walk over to the supported hotel.

• Click Here for more information about the Moline supported hotel.
• Click Here for more information about the Moline bus and train station.
• Click Here for more information about in town transportation.