Ride to the Sycamore Pumpkin Fest & Parade

The Pumpkin Fest is back! The parade starts at 1 pm, so we want to get there well ahead of that time. The link below will automatically "scroll down" to the list of events for Sunday and, below that is, the list of vendors.

Link to the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Events Schedule

• This ride is 38 miles round trip with an average speed of 12-13 mph.
• This average speed requires a "rolling speed" of 14 mph.
• While this will be a "no drop" ride, please be able to maintain the 12-13 mph AVERAGE speed throughout the ride.
• We will roll promptly at 10:30 a.m.
• Riders may ride off the front at their own pace but are on their own.

Google Maps Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HcrHEqxBgU5JHaz47

Ride With GPS Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51843186

Most of the trail is packed crushed limestone. (It's fine for road bikes.) It slowly climbs out of the Fox River Valley. Most of the climb is in the first 3 miles, and you get to ride downhill on the way back. We will start at the Great Western Trail Head (across the street from Lee Roy Oaks Forest Preserve) We stay on the trail for the entire ride with a short ride south on Maple Street in Sycamore. It's only 1 block from there to our rally point at the U.S. Post Office parking area.

The Pumpkin Fest Parade begins at 1 pm and there are many food vendors and tons of decorated pumpkins to see. The ride will start promptly at 10:45 am and we should arrive in Sycamore shortly after noon, have some lunch, then be ready for the parade at 1 pm.

Note the trail is crushed, hard packed, limestone and is fine for road bike tires, just a bit dirty or dusty when dry out. (About 5 miles of it is paved.) Please make sure you can change a flat. You need to bring a spare tube, frame pump or CO2, and tire irons. It's a LONG walk back if you can't fix your own bike. Bring a lock, money, ID, emergency contacts, sun screen, WATER, and a helmet. Ride at your own risk. Bring 2 water bottles if you can. The last 10 miles into Sycamore have no services of any kind.

DRESS FOR THE WEATHER

Dress in layers as it will be chilly at ride time. You will warm up quickly once we are riding and you may need to shed layers as we go and reapply them to prevent being chilled when we stop riding.

The temperature at ride time is forecast to be 52 F (11 C) with winds from the south at 8 mph (real feel of 49 F). Full fingered gloves may be a nice addition to your wardrobe.

"Click or Tap Here" for the Local Weather Forecast!

Here's a link to suggestions for women riders (applies to men too) on how to layer for cool weather riding (courtesy of Liv Bicycles):

HOW TO LAYER UP FOR CHILLY BIKE RIDES

This ride can be cancelled in case of rain, cold weather, etc.

NOTE: All riders participate and ride at their own risk. Meetup.com, Let's Ride and/or its organizers are not responsible for your safety or well-being.