The rides on this page start Saturday, April 20 and end Labor Day (except otherwise noted).
Over the course of the riding season, as riders become more fit, the average speeds of most rides gradually increase by 1-2 mph. Rides intended for new, beginning and leisurely riders, such as “Saturday Saunter,” maintains the same speed all season.
Helmets and, for evening rides, lights are required. Eye protection, a water bottle, reflective clothing, an energy snack and cash are encouraged.
Cancellation Policy: Ride leaders will assess weather/riding conditions and may change the route or cancel the ride as appropriate. Watch the PCC email list for ride cancellation notices. We try to avoid thunderstorms, lightning, very high winds and alien invasions.
Ride leaders: If you need to cancel a ride with less than two (2) hrs notice, please come to the ride as scheduled to inform members in person who may not have gotten the message.
Monday Moderate Rides– departing 6:00 p.m. from Meadowbrook Park, (Race St parking lot) Urbana. Show-and-go. We’ve usually had groups going 12-14mph and 15-18mph. A route suggestion based on wind and daylight will be posted each week. Come on out. **SHOW-AND-GO** Questions?: Nina Chanlin (sweatyninabikes@gmail.com), who will sometimes be present as ride leader.
Monday Evening Mahomet Ride – (Typically 12-15 mph, 20-35 miles, depending upon available sunlight) 6:00pm from the Buffalo Trace bike trail parking lot on the west side of Illinois 47, aka County Rd 350E (across the road from the Botanical Gardens and about 700 ft south of the entrance to the Museum of the Grand Prairie). This is a social ride. We are not really serious about the pace line. Come enjoy curvy, hilly roads! Leader: Ellen Hedrick (ellenh1965@gmail.com)
Tuesday Morning Ride – (Typically 10-12 mph, 20-25 mi) 9:00am, usually starting from Porter Park. There will usually not be a leader, in which case the participants will select a destination. An email announcement will be made if the week’s ride will start from a different location. If any questions, contact Richard Brannon (ribabran@aol.com)
Tuesday Night Women’s Ride – Tuesday Night Women’s Ride 6:00 p.m. 14-16 mph, 20-25 miles (shorter athe beginning of the riding season). On the east side of the Windsor Galeria (the mall where Sun Singer is located) 1115 W. Windsor Rd. Champaign, IL 61821. Special Instructions: Wear a helmet, water bottle (with water or Gatorade), have front and rear lights on your bike, extra tube (in-case of flat), bring a snack (energy bar or energy chews, or similar snack). After the ride: Plan on joining us for dinner and a beverage at Sun Singer. Currently SHOW-AND-GO. This description is what has been typical but participants can adapt before starting the ride.
Wednesday Pedal for Pleasure – ** Relatively New Starting Location ** (9-15 mph, 12-14 miles) April through Aug, 6:15pm, from El Toro at the Fields. Suitable for beginners and any rider who wants to meet people and enjoy a leisurely ride and maybe some eats after the ride. Mountain bikes and board shorts welcome. **SHOW-AND-GO** Let Sue Jones (siouxgeonz@gmail.com) know if you can commit to being the leader on one or more Wednesdays.**
Thursday Evening Ride – (12-13 mph, 20-25 miles) 6:00pm, from from Porter Park, Champaign Leader: John Prince (princejohnm@gmail.com)
and Jim Webster (jim@websterappraisals.com)
Saturday Saunter for Serious Social Cyclists (Typically 20 miles, 10-13 mph) from Meadowbrook Park, (Race St parking lot) Urbana 9:00 April and May; 8:00 June-Aug. Special Instructions: Be sure to do your “ABC” check — air in the tires, brakes work, chain flowing freely. All kinds of bikes and people welcome (tho’ children must be accompanied by adult). We ride as a group and stay together but will break into smaller groups (it happens anyway) for added safety. Leader: Sue Jones (siouxgeonz@gmail.com)
PCC’s Google email group. Any day or night (sometimes under the full moon), announced 2 hours to 2 days in advance by an interested person via the PCC’s Google email group (Recently, the UC Bike Ride Google Group has been a more active source of rider organized rides than the PCC Google email group.)
Illini Cycling Club, a University of Illinois student organization, sponsors weekly and other rides during the riding season. http://illinicyclingclub.org/rides.html
Wild Card Cycling Racing Rides depart on various days from various locations. Average speeds often exceed 20 mph, and distances may exceed 50 miles, so riders should be familiar enough with the area and be prepared to get home on their own. Lighting gear is encouraged. http://wildcardcycling.org/calendar