Ride the Rock - Will County Forest Preserve (Joliet)

Let's meet at 9:30. The ride starts at 9:00. It is better to start a little later to miss the crowd.

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"Ride the Rock" is a free, family 16-mile bike ride and festival returning for its seventh year on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Lower Rock Run Preserve - I&M Canal Access (http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/Lower-Rock-Run), in Joliet.

The ride will begin at I&M Canal Access, located on Hollywood Road (Houbolt Road), 0.25-mile south of I-80, in Joliet. For driving directions, visit our Google Map (http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108373094730716763213.0004939b99ba4f8d4131f&ll=41.49585,-88.163996&spn=0.051559,0.109777&t=h&z=14&iwloc=000496e87f754e0e9cdc5).

Riders will head northward along the Rock Run Greenway Trail (http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/Rock-Run-Trail), passing through property owned by Joliet Junior College and the District before reaching the District's Rock Run Preserve - Black Road Access (http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/Rock-Run-Black). Street routes will take riders to the District's Theodore Marsh (http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/Theodore-Marsh), on Theodore Street in Crest Hill, where they will begin southward along the District's Joliet Junction Trail (http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/Joliet-Junction-Trail). In Rockdale, this trail joins with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' I&M Canal State Trail (http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/i&m/main.htm), which will be used to return to the starting point at I&M Canal Access.

Both the Rock Run Greenway Trail and Joliet Junction Trail are asphalt, and the I&M Canal State Trail is crushed limestone. Some of the course will be along street routes. District Police Officers will assist riders at street crossings. Download a map of the ride route. (http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/FileManager/FPDWC_RideTheRockMap_2013.pdf)

The event is open to all ages, but is recommended for individual riders of at least 11 years of age. In addition to bringing their own bikes, all riders are urged to wear safety helmets and to bring drinking water.

Pre-registered riders will be able to check in at 9 a.m. at the event. The first 1,000 pre-registered riders to check in will receive a free T-shirt. (Please note that size choice is not guaranteed.) Pre-registration will close at noon on Thursday, May 9.

Pre-register now on Eventbrite! (http://ridetherock2013.eventbrite.com/#)

On-site registration will be available at the event, but riders who register at the event will not be able to check in until 9:30 a.m. On-site registrants will not receive T-shirts.

All riders must set out on the trail by 11 a.m.

Four rest stops will offer refreshments and restrooms along the route.

Additional family-friendly festivities will continue at I&M Canal Access until 2 p.m. These include music, children's activities, a rock climbing wall, a petting zoo, and bike safety checks. Food will be available for purchase from Heroes West Sports Grill (http://www.heroeswest.net/).

The event will take place rain or shine, unless there is severe weather.

I hope you can make it.

Kevin