May 312020
Wheeler 2020 Solo Spring Metric ended June 14, 2020. Hope to see you next year. RB
May 032020
It’s National Bike Month — time for a full month of celebrating bikes.
So Many Reasons to Ride!
You and I know, bicycling makes life better. It makes us healthier and it makes us happier, two things that are always good for us and that are even more important in 2020.
In 2020, we’re doing National Bike Month a little differently than our usual Bike to Work Week (which has been postponed until September). Starting today, the League encourages everyone to get on a bike, go for a ride, and share the joy online together.
For the 31 days in May, #BikesUnite us. Whether you’re riding for fun, fitness or with family, or taking essential trips to work or shop, you are part of a movement for safer streets, connected communities, a healthier planet, and happier people.
Share photos of your solo or family rides on social media using #BikesUnite and share the joy biking brings you. By sharing your “reason to ride” on social media and encouraging friends and family across the country to go by bike, we can experience the joy of biking together even as we shelter at home apart.
- Join the National Bike Challenge to log your miles and see how united people are across the country by biking
- Watch and share the League’s videos about how to improve riding skills
Learn more about the League of American Bicyclists…
[from League of American Bicyclists May newsletter]
Mar 162020
Dear Ride Illinois member or supporter,
In this time, where social distancing is recommended and group gatherings are being discouraged, we want to encourage everyone to continue riding. However, we are recommending that you avoid group rides and ride solo until public health agencies determine that the COVID-19 virus is no longer a threat to your health.Schools, restaurants and even our state parks are closing their doors in an effort to try to keep the coronavirus pandemic from spreading. In this unprecedented time, we believe it is safest to abstain from group rides.Keep riding (solo) and keep washing your hands. Contact us at info@rideillinois.org with any questions.
Nov 112019
Keep up to date with Ride Illinois events and advocacy activities. The Wheelers are an affiliated club, meaning that we support the efforts of Ride Illinois through annual contributions. You can also become an individual member and get Illinois cycling info delivered directly to your inbox. Each year Ride Illinois hosts the Grand Illinois Bike Tour! The ride moves around the state. The 2020 loop will tour the Trails of Madison County and start and end in Litchfield. For all this and more, see Ride Illinois’s latest e-newsletter…
Sep 272019
Wheelers Beyond Normal – I & M Canal
(CANCELLED) Brian Schuneman, and possibly other family members, will lead the final Beyond Normal ride of the season to the I & M Canal on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. Hope you can join us!
Please be aware that I & M Canal trail is NOT paved and is NOT suitable for road bikes. Please tune up your hybrid, gravel bike, or mountain bike for this adventure.
Departing from the Connie Link parking lot at 8:00A for the hour drive to somewhere in the Illinois River Valley known only to Brian.
Ride Description: The current plan is to drive to the trail access in Utica and then ride west to LaSalle and back east to Ottawa. Buffalo rock State Park is along the way and offers a panoramic view of the Illinois River from up on a bluff.
Note that the quality of the I & M Canal is rather weather dependent. If there is significant rain the week prior to the ride, the alternate plan could be the packed gravel section of the Rock Island Trail going north from Peoria – Alta to Princeville and maybe beyond.
Sep 242019
If you’re a member of the League of American Bicyclists, you should have recently received the print edition of “American Bicyclist” the magazine in your mailbox. If you’re not yet a member, the magazine is now online and available to read and share with your friends. The Summer 2019 edition covers topics like: Advocacy in Action and how your support helps us make biking better for all Americans, and The Bright Future of Bike Clubs: a checklist for leaders. The League has also shifted its strategic focus to being more inclusive and adding value across our diverse communities. Specifically,
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- Positioning bicycling as something that helps others achieve their health, sustainability, and economic goals.
- Serving, relating to and adding value to the entire population—across America’s diverse communities.
- Leading and building partnerships inside and outside bicycling communities.
- Empowering policymakers with an understanding of the inherent value of Bicycle Friendly Communities.
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Love what you see? Join the League and get on their mailings.
Sep 012019
Easterseals 100 bicycle ride on Sept. 28
Celebrates our 100th Anniversary at Easterseals
Events showcase the Easterseals Timber Pointe Outdoor Center, our camp on Lake Bloomington for kids of all abilities. Labor Day Sale and Early bird registration for these events expires noon, Friday, Sept. 6!
Labor Day Sale. Those registering for the ride before noon, Friday, Sept. 6 get $10 off registration. Registrations after noon, Friday, Sept. 6 and through the ride on Sat., Sept. 28 will be $50. Register online at: www.eastersealsci.com/cycle100
May 262019
A fundraiser for the West Bloomington Revitalization Project Bike Co-Op and Tool Library, hosted by Keg Grove Brewing Company, will take place at the Brewery on Sunday, June 9, from noon to 8:00 p.m. All tips for the day go to the Tool Library and Co-Op. 
Twång, Bruce Bergethon and Rockin’ Tom Ricker, will provide the music. There will be merchandise for purchase, including a tantalizing variety of WBRP, Co-Op, Tool Library, Book Bike t-shirts and ever-cool, black Twångtees.
Please come and help us support the great work done by WBRP’s Tool Library and Bike Co-Op and tell a friend. Thanks to all at Keg Grove for hosting the event!
Apr 222019
The Austin Ride of Silence shared Cyclist Video Evidence Model
The Ride of Silence honors fallen cyclists. Cyclist’s Video Evidence prevents collisions, hopefully ending the need for Rides of Silence.
The Austin, Texas Ride of Silence and www.CyclistVideoEvidence.com have created an innovative model that can be copied by all other Rides of Silence participating in the worldwide ride on Wednesday, May 15th 2019.
The inclusive mission of Cyclist Video Evidence is to increase the number of cyclists who feel safe and confident riding on the roads. They invite all cyclists – pedal powered, electric bikes, scooters and motorcyclists – to use our free Incident Management System to track, map, update and analyze all of their near miss incidents, search for repeat offenders, establish potential patterns of dangerous driver behavior, and generate near miss data to map dangerous locations – before collisions occur!
Apr 112019
Good Morning Early Risers / Early Riders. Are you interested participating in mid-week rides? Rides will begin between 6:00 and 7:00A with a distance of 25 – 30 miles. Typical average speed of about 11 – 14. Ride timing should work for members who are still gainfully employed and might like to get in a ride prior to going to work as well as for those with a more leisurely schedule. Winds are calmer and temps are cooler in the earlier morning hours. If interested, please text Jim at 707-486-0290 in order to be added to his group text message, remember to include your name with your text to him. RB