PCC Metric Century Ride
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Lakeview Shelter at the peninsula
Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Mahomet, Illinois
Google Maps
Check-in opens: 7:45 AM
The Prairie Cycle Club Metric Century Ride is a welcoming, non-competitive fall ride for cyclists of different experience levels. Choose a 10-mile beginner group ride, a 40-mile open route, or the full 62.5-mile metric century.
Enjoy the quiet roads of east central Illinois, PCC hospitality, and a friendly cycling community. Whether you're trying your first organized ride or completing your first metric century, there's a route for you.
This is not a race and is not timed. The focus is safety, enjoyment, and community.
This ride is included with Prairie Cycle Club membership. There is no separate ride registration or ride fee.
- Current PCC members participate at no additional cost.
- If you're not a current member, simply join PCC to participate.
Registration and membership payment are online only. Cash and checks will not be accepted at the ride.
Riders from outside the Champaign-Urbana area are welcome. You do not need to live locally or participate in other PCC activities. Simply join PCC for the year to participate in the ride.
Your membership also supports PCC's year-round work to provide safe, inclusive cycling opportunities.
Join or Renew Your PCC MembershipA fully led, educational ride for people new to group cycling, new to organized rides, or riding with family. Ride leaders will review basic group-riding expectations, maintain a comfortable pace, and keep everyone together.
No GPS, map, or previous group-riding experience is required. If you've never ridden in a group before, this is the recommended route regardless of your fitness level.
LED GROUP RIDEFor riders comfortable riding independently on rural roads and able to complete approximately 40 miles at the suggested pace.
There is no designated ride leader or structured regrouping. Riders are encouraged to start around the recommended time and may naturally form informal groups along the route. Each rider is responsible for navigation and pacing.
The 40-mile route uses the staffed rest stop once.
SELF-NAVIGATEDFor experienced riders comfortable with 4+ hours in the saddle, managing their own nutrition and hydration, and riding independently on rural roads.
There is no designated ride leader or structured regrouping. Riders are encouraged to start around the recommended time and may naturally form informal groups along the route. Each rider is responsible for navigation and pacing.
The metric century uses the staffed rest stop twice. Riders should plan their pace to reach the rest stop before it closes.
SELF-NAVIGATEDAll routes start and finish at Lakeview Shelter at the peninsula in Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve.
- 10 miles
- 40 miles
- 62.5 miles
View all three routes in the Metric Century Ride with GPS collection
For turn-by-turn navigation, set up a free Ride with GPS account and join the PCC Ride with GPS club account before ride day. A paid Ride with GPS subscription is not required.
Learn how to set up PCC Ride with GPS navigation
Printed maps will also be available at check-in.
Before ride day:
- Make sure your PCC membership is current, or join PCC before the ride.
- Set up Ride with GPS and join the PCC club account if you plan to use GPS navigation.
- Review your route and make sure it is appropriate for your experience and fitness.
- Make sure your bike is in good working order.
- Charge your phone, GPS device, and e-bike battery if applicable.
- Carry enough water and nutrition for your route.
- Bring a cell phone, photo ID, and emergency contact information.
- Bring your helmet. Helmets are required.
- Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your route's start time.
One staffed rest stop serves the 40- and 62.5-mile routes. The rest stop provides:
- Water
- Electrolyte drinks
- Snacks
- Restrooms
The rest stop is open from 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM. Riders should carry sufficient water and nutrition between stops.
One SAG vehicle will be stationed at the start/finish and will be available for riders who need transportation back.
- Request pickup by cell phone.
- SAG provides transportation only. Mechanical repair service is not provided.
- Riders and bikes will be transported back to the start/finish.
- SAG service ends at 1:30 PM.
- The SAG phone number will be provided at check-in.
E-bikes with pedals are welcome.
- E-bikes must fit on a standard bike rack to use SAG transportation.
- Charging is not available along the route.
After the ride, riders, volunteers, and PCC members are invited to gather at a local restaurant for a casual, optional social. If the ride is cancelled, the post-ride social will still take place.
Restaurant details coming soon.
- Check-in opens at 7:45 AM.
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your route's start time.
- Parking is available at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve.
- Restrooms are available at the start/finish.
- Water refill is available at the start/finish and rest stop.
- Helmets are required.
- All routes use paved roads and bike paths.
- Riders must obey traffic laws.
- This is a social, non-competitive event.
- Riders on the 40- and 62.5-mile routes are responsible for their own pace and navigation.
Prairie Cycle Club is a volunteer-run cycling club serving Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding area. We welcome beginning riders, recreational cyclists, experienced distance riders, and everyone in between.
The Metric Century is designed to introduce riders to PCC in a friendly, low-pressure setting. Whether this is your first organized ride or your tenth century, we're glad you're riding with us.
Jim Witte
jim@thunderingbison.com