Bike race for all comes to Chicago’s suburbs on Oct. 1

Media release

August 30, 2017

Media Contact: 

Clare McDermott
Active Transportation Alliance
Events and Marketing Director 
O: (312) 216-0466
C: (773) 391-7709
clare@activetrans.org

Bike race for all types of riders comes to Chicago’s northwest suburbs on Oct. 1
Riders can choose their competition level and distance on a car-free course

Chicago, Ill., August 30, 2017 — If you’ve ever had the urge to enter a bicycle race but were looking for a low-pressure, fun way of doing it, the Kickstand Classic is just the event you’re looking for. For the second year, the Active Transportation Alliance — Chicagoland’s voice for better biking, walking and transit — is hosting a bike race for everyone, the only event of its kind in Chicagoland. 

“We were thrilled with all the enthusiasm surrounding last year’s inaugural Kickstand Classic,” said Ron Burke, Executive Director of Active Transportation Alliance, which also hosts the enormously popular MB Bike the Drive event. “It’s still a new concept for a biking event, and we hope it will increase interest in biking the way half-marathons and 5K races brought in non-elite runners and boosted interest in running.” 

Racers will be electronically timed and grouped with people of similar abilities on a car-free course. The ride, taking place on Sunday, October 1, will start and finish in beautiful downtown Bartlett. The race features three waves and three distances to choose from based on the participants’ comfort on a bike. The waves are Speed Demon, Middle of the Road, and Sunday Fun Day (see below for more). After the race, riders can enjoy a post-ride festival featuring a beer garden, product freebies, an awards ceremony, live music and food. 

All proceeds from the Kickstand Classic go toward supporting Active Transportation Alliance’s mission of making it easier to walk, bike and use public transit in Chicago and its suburbs. While some Chicago suburbs have been responding to the need for more bike lanes and trails, the vast majority of suburban towns don't feel safe or welcoming for people on two wheels. Riders in Chicago’s suburbs often find themselves boxed in and cut off by super-sized streets with heavy traffic, and very few bike lanes and trails that lead to essential destinations like schools, shopping districts and Metra stations. Active Trans is dedicated to fixing these problems and will be inviting Kickstand Classic participants to get involved in the effort to make their suburban town more bike friendly.  

“Last year, our first time partnering with Active Transportation Alliance for this fun bike challenge, we drew more than 500 cyclists to downtown Bartlett, and we hope that this year will be even bigger,” said Bartlett Village President Kevin Wallace. “Not only is this event a great opportunity for riders of all skill levels to test their speed or just enjoy a Sunday ride on a car-free course, but it is also a good way for the Village to show its support for all the bicyclists in our community.”

>> Register for the Speed Demon Wave if you are a confident cyclist in any riding situation. You may have participated in group road rides, road races or triathlons in the past. Your average speed for the race would be 15-17+ miles per hour. Riders in Speed Demon must participate in the 19-mile course. Drafting permitted in Speed Demon Wave only.  

>> Sign up for the Middle of the Road Wave if you consider yourself strong on a bike but generally don’t ride as fast as the cyclists you see on group road rides or who zip past you on trails. Your bike is tuned up and ready to go when you are. Your average speed for the race would be around 13-15 miles per hour. Choose to ride 10, 14.5 or 19 miles.

>> If you are a recreational cruiser, consider the Sunday Funday Wave. This will be a fit for you if you do not ride more than one hour at a time and mostly ride on trails. You’re excited to push yourself a bit in a safe environment and see how it goes. You’re curious about your speed in the race, but would participate even if this weren’t a timed event. Everyone’s a winner! Your average speed for the race would be under 10-12 miles per hour. Choose to ride 10, 14.5 or 19 miles.

Register for the Kickstand Classic and learn more: http://www.kickstandclassic.org/

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The Active Transportation Alliance is a nonprofit, member-based advocacy organization that advocates for walking, bicycling and public transit to create healthy, sustainable and equitable communities. The organization works to build a movement around active transportation, encourage physical activity, increase safety and build a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is supported by more than 20,000 members, supporters and volunteers. For more information about the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

Northwest suburban Bartlett is located roughly 30 miles or less from both the north and west sides of Chicago and not much further from the south. It is located on the Metra Milwaukee District West Line that provides service from Union Station and there is also free parking for motorists. More than 19.5 miles of bike trails run through Bartlett parks, area forest preserves and other open space.