Race & Ride Information
Race Information
The Great Carroll County Cycling Event 2008! JUNE 14
This is the sixth year for our Great Carroll County Cycling Event! We have grown and become known as a high quality cycling event throughout the Midwest. Each year we move our event to another small, quaint town along our 62 mile route. We’ve had some the exceptions, but this year we are going to be hosted by Savanna. Savanna is a typical Carroll County town - small and quaint and draws its history from the Mississippi River. They are a river town that exudes friendliness and country living. Our club is very excited about having our event here and hope you will enjoy it and the people of Savanna as well.
The Event
The day of the Great Carroll County Cycling Event will be Saturday June 14th. This is the second Saturday in June. This year we will be at the Old Mill Park which is along highway 52/64 on the east end of town. There will be two cycling events offering many an opportunity to join in this remarkable cycling festival. Both rides will include sagging services, complete with sagging vehicles carrying water and PowerAde. We have been lucky each year with very few if any cyclists requiring our sagging services. This year we will have four sagging vehicles out on the routes. Also included for each cyclist is our traditional pasta dinner, both with or without meat. Generally the fare includes salad, jello, bread, and drink. We make sure that each year's caterer does a good job and provides a good meal which is above par for cycling events in general. Tour riders will receive free T-shirts. Racers receive Dri-shirts. There will be live music by the Dan Volls Band again this year. Dan and his band have become a music tradition for our event. The Dan Volls Band is one of Rockford’s hottest bar bands and performs fantastic rock & roll.
The Race
Our European style race is gaining fame throughout the Midwest. We are the only single lap 62 mile race around. This race is sanctioned by the American Bike Race association. Our racers must endure various challenges such as different road surfaces, towns, rail crossings, and hills. We use Chip technology for timing our event, we provide the chips for free although a deposit must be made which is returned upon return of the chip. There will be a sagging vehicle for each group that goes out and one final sagging vehicle to follow up behind the racers. Police escort and busy intersection traffic control is also provided. There is a refreshment stand at each town along the route (4 towns), there will be volunteers manning each stand holding out bottles of water, with caps loosened or removed. Sagging vehicles will also carry water, but you will have to let them know if you need some. Pulling over and waving them down is the only safe way we can handle this, although sometimes it is possible that the sagger will go around their racing group and stop ahead of them to pass out some bottles. There will be cash prizes, trophies and medallions for those who place. Go to our Classification List Page to determine what classification is right for you.
Race Strategy
This year racers will begin in the hills part of the course. The ride from Savanna through Lanark is very hilly. Then from Lanark to Chadwick is mildly hilly, the cyclists will enjoy a pretty quick ride. But, be prepared. From Chadwick to Thomson you will hit some more moderate sized hills. Once you begin to come into Thomson you will finally be out of the hills. From Thomson to the finish line in Savanna is –relatively flat. Strategy is important in this race as any other. The race director recommends bringing high quality food to replenish the calories lost in the beginning hills as well as a solid electrolyte replacement system. This race is to short to let off the throttle…and to hilly to be with out a good plan. Finishers can view themselves as both successful riders and as survivors.
Race Cost
Pre-registration online with, Active.com or mailing in checks early (prior to June 10th) race fees are $30 per racer. Day of race fees are $35 per racer. Racing teams or club groups with four or more riders pre-registered receive a $5.00 discount ($25.00). A $10 deposit for the timing chip is required, but will be returned to you upon receipt of the chip device at the end of race. So pre-registration total cost is $40 - 45 ($10 refundable deposit included). Go to our Race Registration Page for our PDF printable registration form which you can fill out and mail in. You will need to be a member of ABR to race, we have day passes $5.00, or you can get an annual membership at American Bicycle Racing.
62 Mile Tour Ride
This Tour Ride follows the same route as our race. You can enjoy the challenging hills and various roads, etc. without the hurry. Enjoy each of the wonderful towns along the way. You will be riding in some of the most scenic areas in the Midwest. There are refreshment stands at each town with free water and PowerAde, as well as, some fruit to keep you powered up. The 62 mile tour ride costs $20 pre-registration or $25 day of event. Groups of four or more can sign up together and receive a $5.00 discount. Go to our Tour Registration Page for our PDF printable registration form which you can fill out and mail in.
Route Information
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Click Here for a PDF Version of Visual Map. (Note: Map will open in a new window).
Ride Queue Sheet (PDF Format - Will open in a new window)