Upshift fall 2015
What’s Inside 2 Illinois Bike Summit 3 Ride Illinois Award Winners 5 2015 Donor List 9 2016 GITAP Bike Tour
Working Statewide for Better Bicycling Upshift Fall 2015
Ride Illinois 2550 Cheshire Dr. Aurora, IL 60504 (630) 978-0583
rideillinois.org [email protected] Dear Members and Supporters,
Since 1992, our organization has been dedicated to one mission—to Staff improve bicycling conditions around the state so that more people can Ed Barsotti safely and easily ride in Illinois. Over the years, we have evolved from a Executive Director state chapter of the League of American Bicyclists to an independent Aurora organization with a strong advocacy voice in Springfield and municipalities Gina Kenny Outreach Director all around the state. In that time, our membership has increased from a few Orland Park hundred people to more than 2,200 Illinois residents thanks to your support! Gin Kilgore Program Director Today, we are excited to introduce ourselves as Ride Illinois. It’s a name that Chicago reflects the growing popularity of bicycling statewide and aligns a broad range Tania Sebastian Marketing Director of people with our mission. It’s a name that clearly demonstrates what happens Chicago when our work succeeds and bicycling becomes safer and more accessible across the state. It’s an action-oriented name that embodies the goal of our Board of Directors organization and will inspire everyone who rides a bike to Ride Illinois. Frank Brummer Our mission remains the same, and we will continue to work for more bike friendly roads President Teuropolis and trails, more favorable policies and legislation, and more education on sharing our Dick Westfall roads safely. Our new name positions us for future growth and inspire stronger support Vice President from new partners—individuals, businesses, peer organizations, and communities Tallula across the state. We also hope that this exciting change strengthens your interest Patrick Smith Treasurer in our mission, and that we can continue to count on your loyal support! Barrington We will continue to work statewide for better bicycling, so you can get Mike Pula Secretary out there and Ride Illinois! Dunlap Mike Bentley Sincerely, Oswego Bill Donels Springfield George Fero Frank Brummer Lebanon President, Ed Barsotti Bob Hoel Board of Directors Elmhurst Executive Director Sue Jones Urbana Perry Knop Carbondale Check out the new Ride Illinois website! Bruce Perry Port Byron We’ve launched a new website that complements our new name and Deb Renville Bourbonnais logo, and offers us better opportunity to visually showcase how people David Rudis throughout our state Ride Illinois! Join us at www.rideillinois.org and Chicago Al Sturges explore our news, resources, events, and learn more about what we’re Park Forest doing to make Illinois a more bicycle-friendly state.
Cover photo credit Matching Gift Challenge Glencoe, IL - An autumn view of a biker riding on the North Branch Trail Addition, This December, every new membership received or membership a Forest Preserve District of Cook County renewed at a higher level will be matched dollar for dollar up to $7,000 extension from Chicago Botanic Garden to the Green Bay Trail. by our Board of Directors. Photographer: Michael Heimlich Join or renew online at www.rideillinois.org! Fall 2015 Upshift
Illinois Bike Summit – A Great Success One of Ride Illinois’ strategies to make biking better in our state is to provide advocates and local/state agencies with information on how to do so. Whether it’s providing direct assistance to a town, offering strategic guidance to local advocates, or presenting at seminars and conferences, sharing the whys and hows is a critical component in making Illinois more bike friendly.
The Illinois Bike Summit is a major event connecting advocates and professionals with best Scheduled sessions included: practices, inspiring examples, • Local Bike Planning Basics: Products and Process F and others whose experience OU • Child Bicycle Education: Curricula and Facilities and expertise can help them. • The Benefits of Trail Tourism and Cultivating This year’s summit, organized by Ride Illinois and a Culture of Hospitality Champaign County Bikes, was held on October 28 in Champaign. The fourth in a series, the 2015 version • Advocacy Leadership Development offered a wider range of topic options than ever before. • Protected Bike Lanes and Neighborhood At the summit, Ride Illinois presented awards to Greenways IDOT District 7, the Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail, • Using BikeSafetyQuiz.com in your Town and the City of Warrenville. Champaign County Bikes also hosted a series of less-formal “coffee • Winning a Grant for your Trail/Bikeway — talks” on a set of niche topics in bicycling. and Implementing It The following day, both organizations also co-hosted • Bicycle Law Maintenance: When the Rules a full-day, national training on the NACTO Urban of the Road Need a Tune Up Bikeway Design Guide. The guide describes best • Complete Streets Tools and Implementation practices of building a variety of bikeway treatments, including new types. While developed by larger, urban • The Dazzling Dozen: 12 Best Bicycle Friendly cities, the guide and training can help professional Initiatives engineers and planners in other contexts, too. • Every Bike Counts! Bike Counts, Censuses, “The Summit is always a great opportunity to and Surveys learn from and network with others,” said Ride • E-bikes are coming! Illinois Executive Director Ed Barsotti. • IDOT’s Complete Streets Policy Special thanks to our many sponsors for helping make the event possible: Freeman Kevenides Law, University • Community Bicycle Workshops of Illinois, Alta Planning + Design, Christopher B. Burke • Two Bike Maps Makers Make Their Case: Engineering, City of Champaign, Forest Preserve The Future of Paper and Electronic Maps Friends Foundation Champaign County, Sam Schwartz Presentations from our slate of over 25 speakers Engineering, Farnsworth Group, Toole Design Group, TY will be available on rideillinois.org. Lin International Group, City of Urbana, Prairie Cycle Club, General Dacey Trail, and Champaign Cycle.
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IDOT District 7 Recognized with the Ride Illinois Project Award Congratulations to Illinois Department of Transportation District 7 on receiving the Ride Illinois’ Project Award! The district was honored for the bicyclist and pedestrian bridge constructed over Interstate 57/70 in Effingham last fall. The project cost approximately $1.8 million and included the 16-feet-wide, 264-feet-long bridge as well as a half-mile of trail leading up to it. IDOT constructed Additionally, the bicyclist/pedestrian bridge was the bridge which constructed away from the interstate intersection crosses over six and on/off ramps to create a safe path for users. lanes of interstate “For the first time, our residents can safely cross the traffic, connects interstate and bike on both sides of the county. The to the current positive impact of the bridge is very evident,” said trail system near Frank Brummer, Ride Illinois Board President and Board Outer Belt West, President for Trail Recreation Effingham County (TREC). and provides Input from TREC was one of the reasons that the access onto West bridge was constructed as a separate structure from Fayette Avenue. the bridge that carries vehicles over the interstate Miles of trail have been built west of Effingham. according to Mike Fox, supervising field engineer with However, Interstate 57/70 lies between the trail IDOT. “The location is a little more wooded and nicer and the community. “The interstate served as a to ride through. We know people are using it and it is barrier to the trail. Many local residents would definitely an attractive structure for our town,” said Fox. have to drive to the trail and then ride,” said Ride “I am really incredibly proud of the progressive thinking Illinois Executive Director Ed Barsotti. “IDOT saw and the cooperation that comes out of IDOT District 7. that a bridge over the interstate would be a great They are very deserving of this award,” said Brummer. way to connect the trail to the community.”
Warrenville presented with the Ride Illinois Initiative Award Congratulations to the city of Warrenville! They were honored with the Initiative Award for their perseverance in becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community. This summer, Warrenville was also rank states annually based on Chicago suburb received several awarded the Bronze level their level of bike-friendliness, and Honorable Mentions before finally designation as a Bicycle Friendly Illinois now has a dozen BFC’s. receiving the award. It took the Community (BFC) by the League The application process to become community approximately ten of American Bicyclists. The Bicycle a Bicycle Friendly Community can years, first applying to become a Friendly America program provides be lengthy and challenging, and BFC in 2008, Warrenville planner incentives, hands-on assistance, and Ride Illinois has helped several Ginny McIntosh explained. award recognition for communities, communities with their applications. The city of Warrenville decided to universities, and businesses that apply for the Bicycle Friendly actively support bicycling. They Warrenville’s process was assuredly not easy, as the small (continued on page 4)
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(continued from page 3) Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail receive Community designation “to both enrich and promote fitness in our the Ride Illinois Partnership Award city,” McIntosh said. “In addition, The Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail, headed by Trails for Illinois Executive attaining BFC designation was a Director Steve Buchtel, accomplished quite a feat in creating the new trail specific goal by the City Council, that spans 26 miles from Lemont to Burnham, especially considering the and was rooted in the formation of our Bicyclist and Pedestrian sheer number of different entities involved. Advisory Commission.” The city’s The Friends of the bicyclist and pedestrian advisory Cal-Sag Trail, headed commission was created in 2006 by Trails for Illinois and meets monthly. The city also Executive Director Steve created a bikeway implementation Buchtel, accomplished plan that was originally adopted quite a feat in creating in 2008 and updated in 2010. the new trail that Warrenville is a small city with a spans 26 miles from population just over 13,000 and Lemont to Burnham, spans 5.5 square miles. “The especially considering application was geared towards that a dozen different larger communities and we had to agencies were involved. learn how it applied to communities “The orchestration of so the size of Warrenville,” McIntosh many players by a small one for the west end and one for the said. Ride Illinois provided and mostly volunteer group is really east end—as opposed to having guidance along the way. “Each notable for creating a regional trail of each community apply for funding time our city applied, Ride Illinois this size,” said Ride Illinois Executive to build their own portion of the trail. provided feedback on what Director Ed Barsotti. “Friends “Lots of these big regional trails take priorities and plans we needed of the Cal-Sag Trail played an twenty years to complete because to focus on,” McIntosh said. instrumental role in getting the project they have mayors that change, started, gaining the cooperation Ride Illinois staff, most notably public sentiments that change, and of towns and local agencies, Executive Director Ed Barsotti, has financial resources that change. and raising the funds needed to been involved with reviewing the It’s like a chain. You lose one link, complete the trail,” Barsotti said. city’s infrastructure, particularly you lose the chain,” Buchtel said. when officials were applying for “From the beginning, it was a big tent “Giving all the towns a stake in the grants and suggesting bicycle- effort,” said Steve Buchtel. “From same two grants supported their friendly features, such as bike day one, all of the Cal-Sag corridor participation and made it a stable lanes. He also worked with the —residents and agencies—were and more efficient process.” Warrenville police department to invited to every meeting and those The trail officially opened this past educate local officers about the meetings were always well attended.” June with the west end of the trail state laws pertaining to bicyclists. The project was jumpstarted by paved and work continuing on Warrenville is a terrific example a growing interest in the south the east end. The trail is expected of how a small town with suburbs to develop the underutilized to be fully complete in 2017. perseverance can achieve the riverfront as a way to boost business “The diversity of the areas along Bicycle Friendly Community status. and residential growth. Funds from this trail is what makes it unique,” “For a small community with a Senator Dick Durbin’s office were said Debbie Stoffregen, President small staff, a coordinated group the first to support the Cal-Sag Trail of the Friends of the Cal-Sag effort is necessary. Since 2008, the project, and Ride Illinois worked Trail Board. “The biodiversity, city worked to institute many of the closely with Durbin to secure funding economic diversity and historical suggestions Ride Illinois provided, for the initial engineering study. significance of the area, make it a so each year there was more to The Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail destination trail for anyone wanting reference on the application. A organization was able to strategically to see and understand Chicago’s bike plan takes time to implement, obtain two main grants for the trail— southland. This trail has it all.” so patience is necessary.”
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Thank You to All Our Fiscal Year 2015 Contributors Ride Illinois thanks the following generous members (including 282 who chose not to be listed), bike clubs, and others for your support from October 2014 through September 2015. Without your help, we would not be able to do our work of improving bicycling in Illinois. We hope you’ll continue your support in FY16!
Bicycle Clubs Illinois Bike Summit Mike Kerr Christopher Thornton Gregory Lewis Leonard Xavier and Other Donors sponsors Mike Kruger Chuck Biondo Gregory Vacala Marco Verzocchi $5000 Tawani Foundation $3000 Freeman Kevenides Law Firm, LLC Neal Ney Chuck Ziemer Gregory Zaborac Marilu Alonso $3000 Evanston Bicycle Club $1500 Christopher B. Patrick, Ethan, Cord Sturgeon Hank & Sandy Gentry Marjorie Pries Burke Engineering and Caleb Smith $3000 Springfield Craig and Shelley Lukowicz Harry Spila Mark Krueger Prairie Path Cycles Bicycle Club $1500 Alta Planning Craig Cavanaugh J. Marc Golan Mark Novak and Design Rich Furr $2000 Joliet Bicycle Club Cynthia Hoyle James Brusslan Mark Schlossberg $1500 City of Champaign Ronald Hirsch $1515 Climate Ride Cynthia Martin James Hudson Mark Theesfeld $1500 University of Illinois Sally Olds $1500 Bicycle Club Dan and Kathy Steadman James O’Connor Mary Anderson of Lake County $750 Champaign Tony Jones County Forest Dan Joseph James O’Donnell Mary Ellen Rizzo $1500 McHenry County Preserve District Bicycle Club Members - $100-$149 Dan Myer James Woodman Mary Graden $750 Sam Schwartz $1500 Wheeling Engineering A.C. Buehler Dana Parkinson Jane Blew Healy Mary Heineman Wheelmen $500 Prairie Cycle Club Abby Chemers Darcy Ytterdahl Janet and Pat Knight Michael and Janet Hanley $1000 Blackhawk Bicycle and Ski Club $300 Farnsworth Group, Alan Barney Dave Lucas Jay Gerken Michael Keating Inc. $1000 Folks on Spokes Alan Bergeson David Boes Jerry Gunnerson Michael Smith $300 TY Lin International $1000 Fox Valley Bicycle Alan Frigy David Murray Jerry Prestinario Michael Wasserman and Ski Club $300 City of Urbana Alan Whitaker David Seglin Jessica Disbrow Midwest Cyclery $1000 Illinois Valley $300 Toole Design Group Alton Mitchell David Thompson Jim Kreps Mike Christ Wheelm’n and Julie Federico $300 General Dacey Debra Swan Jim Lawing Mike Hungerford $1000 McLean County Trail Amy Woodworth Wheelers Dennis Crawford Jim Rogers Mike Vander Weele $250 Champaign Cycle Andrew Stimson and Mary McKinstry $900 Quad Cities Dennis Henry Joe Zuercher Bicycle Club Anne Robin Molly Daniel Members - $150 or more Derik Zuelke John Boline $820 memorials for Arlene Benigni Nan Strandberg Al and Barbara Sturges Dick and Mary Weeks John Burrell Dean Wisleder Art Krumrey Nels and Elizabeth Alan Allphin Dick Westfall John Gamble $600 Starved Rock Leutwiler Audrey and Brian Wagner Cycling Assn Art Krumrey Dirk Mol John Herbst Pat Sweeney Audrey Ishii $500 Elmhurst Barbara Anderson and Charlie Smyth Dixon Novy John Hovis Patrick DeMoon Bicycle Club Bob Hoel Barb Lewandowski Don Struck John Jones Peg and Jim Bolm $500 Oak Park Cycle Bob Pfeil Club Barbara Barnes Donald Dirks John Krivicich Peter Barrett Bruce Rosenzweig $500 Velo Club Roubaix Barnard’s Schwinn Donna Campbell John Loesch Peter Wilson Bruno Boettcher and Juliana Whitmore $400 Chicago Bernard Black Doug Goodman John Schneider Cycling Club Carrie Dodd Phil Furmanski Bernard O’Reilly Douglas Reifler Judith Yablong $250 Friends of Cycling Chuck Burke Ed Barsotti Julie Johnson Randy Deicke / in Elk Grove Beth Greenlee Batavia Bike Commission David Reinisch Betsy Burtelow Elizabeth Holland Julie Sklom $200 memorials for and Julie Kiefer and Michael Choate Randy Neufeld Diane Wilkinson and Jim Boyer Karen Laner David Rudis Eric Hutchison Randy Oya $200 Morris Rotary Club Beverly Jakubiak Karen Schmidt Don Wostratzky Ernie DeFrates Rebecca Coleman $150 Bicycle Illinois Bill and Kathy Storm Kathleen McMullin Doug and Janice Berman Eugene Kieronski Rich Gordon $150 Kish Bike Bill Baumgartner Kay Hoogland and Rec Club Eberhard Veit Eugene Wedoff Richard Tierney Bill Bellman Ken Kohler Elaine Nekritz Rick Bruder $125 Ten 27 Cycling Bill Chalberg Frank and Anna Zuccarini Club Ken Zika Frank Brummer Robert Geigner Bill Roskuszka Frank Molinaro $100 Bike BloNo Kevin Harness Gerry Fekete Frank Rogers Robert Liden and Mike Rossiter Bob Dominski Kevin Womac and family $100 Champaign Roger Knox County Bikes Fred Bollhoffer Hunter Young Bob Loving Kim Stone Roni Benson $100 Chicago Area Gabe Verstraete Jeff Provisor / Brian Crawford Lan-Oak Park District Tandem Society Main Street Bicycles Gary Gilbert Salvatore Rizzo Briant Kelly Larry and Barbara $100 Prairie Cycle Club Sara Lamberty Jim Nugent Bruce and Becky Perry George Strecker Margolis $100 Schaumburg Jo Ann and Norbert Budde George Yanos Larry Fetzer Scott Erickson Bicycle Club Bruce Tranen John Mielnik Gin Kilgore Larry Mickelson Scott Sievers $25 Rock River Valley Carl Toren and Michael Burton Sheila and Reid Hansen Bicycle Club Karl Rapp Carol Pierce Larry Polly Gordon Bourey Sheila Simon Discounted member Kathy Schubert Champaign Cycle Lawrence Sezer premiums - Planet Bike Greg Forrester and Perry Knop Mark Suri Charles Pint Lee Marinaccio Greg Mendrek Sheila Wilson Mike Church Charlie Saxe Lee Nye Greg Query Stephen King Mike Kerber Christine Baker Leigh Stewart Greg Walburg Steve Johnson Leo Dohogne
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Steve Koch David Bohnsack John and Susan Schlabach Paul Dubrick Will Rezba Dave and Cindy Reedy Steve Rauschenberger David Simmons John Allen Paul Engman William Cruikshank Dave Brewer Steven Blum Dayne Kono John Coplan Paul Hoffman William Sanford David and Renae Easley Steven Cohen Deb and Tony Curcio John Cosentino Paula Matzek Zachary Miller David Farina Suzanne LaBelle Deb Oestreicher John Dano Peter Rosner David Harding Members - $35-$59 Tadas Budraitis Debbie Moore John DeBold Philip Gingerich David Kniker A. Christopher Wilson Terry Witt Derek Peebles John Edinger Randy Perkins and Rita McMahon David Martin Thomas Anger Diane Bernardi John Elterich Rebecca Chewning Aaron Rapier David May Thomas Babel Diane Daudell John Kustes Rich Jones Adam Porter David Mayer Thomas Pritchard Dick Strubel John LaPlante Richard Homan Alan Cook David Nutt Tim Gordon Dominick Chellino John McCarthy Richard Nortier Alan Gibbs David Sknerski Tim O’Hanlon Donna Garafolo John Zerfas Richard Rutz Alan Lloyd Dean Welch Todd Gee Dorr St. Clair Jonathan Holland Richard Zimmers Albert and Blanca Gallinati Debbi Bockhold Todd Newberger Doug and Kay Oehler Jonathan Voelz Rick Pavia Andrew and Maria Moody Debbie and Christ Fillip Tom and Joann Kress Doug Simmons Joseph Cook Rick Sappington Angela Stoltzenburg Deborah Worrell Tom McGee Doug Welch Joyce Knauff Rick Strader Ann Smith Dennis Dalmann Warren Fellingham Ed Goreczny Juergen Juffa Rick Thompson Axel Kunzmann Dennis Johnston Wayne Baird Ellen Kratofil Julie Hupp Rob Nicoll B.J. Fenwick Dennis Newcom Wayne Heinmiller Elliot Rossen Julie Sherman Robert and Anne Wolowiec Barry Katz Derek Adkisson Will Damico Emily Horn Katy Hansen Robert Jones Ben Ellis Diana Vivian William Coates Eric Holeman Keith Mistrik Robert Reed Ben Swisher Diane Messman William Grimm Eric Sieck Ken Coonley Robert Schusler Bernie & Diana Dickneite Don and Missy Christenson and Suzie Stilwell William Hendrick Eric Swanson Robert Unger Beth Maier Donovan Gardner Ken Glick William Lee Frances Kramer Roger Messman Betty Bond Douglas Barge Ken Hathaway and Karin Evans Zachary Czubachowski Frank Modica Ron Fruin Bill and Annette Schnabel Kenneth Obel Duane and Alice O’Laughlin Gary and Deb Neumayer Ross Patronsky Bill and Cathy Howard Members - $60-$99 Kevin and Naomi Greene Ed Ferroni Gary McIntyre Rudy’s Cycling Bill Blumthal Adena Staben Kevin White and Fitness Center Ed Kappelman Gary Wexell Bill Knapp Amy Nowviock Kristine Zimmerman Sally Higginson Edward and Sharyn Reiff George Frayn Bill Minor Andrew Mooney Kurt Matushek Sam Wexler Elliott Kaufman George Pastorino Bob and Karen Pautsch Ann Engelmann Larry Davis Scott Burstein Eric Aubrey Glenn Ackeberg Bob and Pat Kehoe Arlan Brass Larry Lombardo Scott Sarran Eric Diekhans Greg Ammar Brett Tate Barbara Schlatter Laurel Salvador Scott Stocking Eric Vann Greg Luna Brian Maiorella Bill Donels Laurie Mikva Scott Weber Fraeda and Gary Porton Greg Marsh Carl and Mary Prose Bob Day Laurie Stokes Sheila Simons Frank and Carol Covey Harry Ford and Joel Lessing Carolyn and Ralph Trimble Bob Ganson Shelley Thompson Fred and Mary Story and Mary Van Vactor Howard Korenthal Lawrence Neuman Charles Gutfield Stephanie Robbins Gail Artrip Bob Hippensteele James Abel Lee Diamond Chester Lloyd Steve Buchtel Gary and Lynn Woerner Bob Kennedy James Felsenthal Lee Meyer Chris Farrell Steve Pflaum Gary Clay Bob Mulcahy James Hilburger Linda Stelle Chris Mann Steven Josephs Gary DeMark Brian Miller James Kaplan Lonnie Renda Christian Billen Steven Penio Gary Hanson Bruce Meier James Lowe Louis Pasquale Christian Cooper Sue Jones Gary Lyons Bryce Hopp Jamie Cosnowsky Louis Rosenthal Christine Code Susan Szalczynski Gary Mayo Cameron Flint Jay Heiferman Louis Yockey Christopher Baer Tania Sebastian Gary Meyers Carl Droege Jay Twery Marilyn Clark Christopher Kelly Terry Vega Gene Carlson Carol and Doug Hall Jeanne Bereza Mark Mikita Chuck Kessler Thomas Hill George Fero Carol Nufer Jeff Coultas Mark Neubauer Chuck Nelson Thomas Mara Gerald and Carolyn Funk Cathy Winslow Jerry Meyerhoff Mark Rabin Cindy Urquhart Thomas Moser Gerald Kielian Chris Dangles Jerzy Marszalek Martha Butler Clark Williams Thomas Tilton Gerard Davis Chris Holden Jim and Marie Considine Marty and Anne Horn Corey Wilner Tim Shepley Glenda Sundberg Christie Aird Jim Burkett Mercy Davison Cynthia Haack Tom and Mary Ann Lucas Glenn Pryor Christine Stocker Jim Freeman Michael Bachrodt Cynthia Malek Tom Armstrong Gordon James Craig Richmond Jim O’Connell Michael Brown Dale Kyser Tom Drabant Greg Borzo Curt White Jim Salsbury Mikie Swier Dan and Mare Baker Toney Xidis Greg Gornik Dale and Susan Bassi Jim Zaleschuk Molly Moynahan Dan Frett and Susan Hillabold Tony Loukota Greg Smolarek Dale Nunemaker Nancy Allured Dan Garvy Joe Beemster Valerie Sivicek Gregory Browning Dan Fahrner Nancy Boettger Dariusz Kulon Joe Scherb Victoria Bush-Joseph Harry Grace Dave and Judi Carpenter Paul Aeschleman Darvin and Delores Joel Johnson Wharton Sinkler Bloemker Heather Bailey David Bell
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Herb and Nancy Jackson Joseph Miceli Mike Cicero Stephen Kusmierczak Art Smith Chris Homeier Jack Thomas Josh Pickering Mike McCurdy Steve Sinderson Ates Dagli Chris Landers James and Carol Scherrer Joyce Mast Mike McLean Steve Warmowski Audrey McQuillan Chris Manheim James Fitzgerald Judy and Don Schwartz Mike Schimanski Steven Grossman Avis and Jeff Fisher Chris Oldanie and Rachel Perlman James Foster Julia and Dominick Fauci Mike Thomas Barbara Eichholz Chris Rieke Steven Sidell James Hinton Julian Westerhout Monica Pepple Barbara Miller Christopher Schiller Steven Waichler James Johnson Julie Kinsel Natalie Watson Barney Young Christopher Sweet Susan and Rob Neufelder James Myers Julius Nadas Neil Wells Barton Crouch Christy Filby Suzanne Gore James Witte Jurgen Daartz Pam and Dave Broviak Ben Fox Chuck Remsberg Tamara Austin Jan Yuvan Karen Hunter Pamela Hansen Bernadette Ardaugh Chuck Walters Tania Sebastian Jane Mathie Karen Miller and David Pat and Ron Gardner Bernie and Barbara Drake Cindy Allen Morris Theresa Sinks Jay Corwin Patricia Barker Beth Zurek Clinton Hallman Karen Zmrhal Thomas Olsen Jeanette Hamilton Paul and Diane Eident Bill Bailey Coleman Tuggle Karl and Christine Kohlrus Tim Ward Jeanette Shrand Paul Levesque Bill Hauda Coralynn Green Karl Kelley Tom and Francie King Jeanne and Jerry Paul Pfundstein Bill Jereb Craig Collins Domoleczny Karl Smedberg Tom and Ginny Preston Peter Fruehan Bill Lang CyclingForKids Jeff Lanaghan Kathleen Shannon Tom and Julie Szafraniec Peter Neely Bill McGovern Dale Czarny Jeffrey Schmitt Kathy and Jim Lockard Tom and Mary Tebbe Phil and Mary Kohl Bill Watson Dale Jackson Jen Welch Keith Kolozie Tom and Tracy Welge Phil and Wendy Wilson Bob Burtch Daniel Cummings Jim and Lisa Jagodzinsk Ken and Janet Muszynski Tom Hedeen Philip Johnson Bob Clay Daniel DeMay Jim Berringer Ken Pope Tracy Doyle Preston Hamilton Bob Gillma Daniel Gould Jim McDermott Ken Schulein and Donna Troy Kindle Fritz Preston Yelrington Bob Mauch Daniel Rankin Jim Price Valerie Morrow Kenneth Long Ralph Banasiak Bob Morette Daniel Schwartz Jim Short Vince and Jackie Kelley Kevin Drewyer Ramon Dela Cruz Bob Weppner Daryl Miller Jim Thale Vincent Patrizi Kevin York Rich Marisie Bob Williams Dave Goffard Joan and Dieter Dietrich Wade and Mindy Duncan Kraig Kistinger Richard Arnopolin Bonnie Martin Dave Trotter Joan Willmeth Wally Olson Larry and Mary Lynn Mysz Richard Brandt Bonnie Petterec David Beard Joan Zajac Wayne Ingmire Larry Appelson Richard Stefan Bonnie Windsor David Haas Joanne and Greg Spitz Wayne S. Woodworth Larry Lind Richard Yant Bradley Smith David Lane Joe and Linda Trexler William and Lorain Larry Puetz Rob and Katie Sperl Schwaber Brenda Brown David Larks Joe and Lois McBryan Laurel Casey Robert Kling William Clark Brenna McKenzie David Nilles Joe Kallo Lee Rogowski Robert Lockwood William Roloff Bret Miller David Ratzlaff Joe McDonald Lee Smith Robert Murphy William Rowe Brian Bellman David Roth Joe O’Connor Leigh Dionne Robert Rhine and Sandra William Tornow Brian Church David Smesrud Joe Sepulveda Rouhselang Lisa Applegate Zach Freeman Brian McCann David Wilson Joe Welsh Robert Wagner Lisa Fields Brian Phelan Dean Incopero Joel Stafstrom Rodney and Julie Members - $30 or less Loren Easter Delfinado Brian Savage Dean Koenigs Johannes Smits Abbe Burke Lynn and Daniel Mitchell Roger and Carole Willer Brian Sullivan Dean Mentjes John and Karla Guilfoil Adam Halsband Lynn Hancock Roger Masson Brian Tobin Debbie Pastors John and Patricia Alan Arend Newberry Marilyn Quas Roger Reinmann Bruce Foster Deborah Renville Alan Medsker John Gavin Mark Anderson Roland Cooper Bruce Truhlar Deborah Stevens Alan Miller John Grazulis Mark Rabin Roman and Cari Byron Fitzgerald Deirdre Parker Szczesniak Alan Sanders John Lally Marshall Levine Calvin Murphy Dennis LaMantia Ronald Lott Albert Tuskenis John Newman Martin Kittaka Carol Ferguson Dennis Sage Ronald Vargo Alex Bart John Nonneman Marvin Bloom Carole Cullen Diane Chomiak Sally and Eric Kleinschmidt Alexander Deike John Schneider Marvin Schmidt Carolyn Neuman Diane Watry Sam Joslin Alfred Arkley John Stevens Mary Harkenrider Cary Cohen Dick Chisholm Sam Lewis Alice Novotny John Sweet Mary Massery Casey Cordon Dixon Park District Sandy Foltz Allan Slobodin John Thiel Mary Warren and Mike Casstedaro Simpson Don Lawrence Mock Scott Bohnert Amy Hughes John Wu Catherine McCord Don Tuskey Maryann Webb Scott Gebler Amy Mueller Jon Cunningham Chad Niec Donald Braverman Andrew Lazara and Brenda Crosby Matt Jennings Scott Levy Charles Beil Donald Brooks Andy Littleton Jordan Goodman Melinda Zehr Sean Taylor Charles Golbert Donna Milligan Anita Huston Jose Pagan Lajara Michael Bauer Sharon and Ron Kaminecki Charles Salisbury Donna Nowatzki Antonina Vidmer Joseph Culpepper Michael Graves Sheri Rosenbaum Charles Steinke Donna Proctor Arlene Willmann Joseph Grzenia Michael Haberer Solomon Makonnen Charles Vasile Dorcy Prosser Arlyn Vander Eide Joseph Irons Michael Haji-Sheikh Stacey Meekins Charles Whitmer Doris MacDonald Art Gilfand Joseph Lach Michael Wilson Stephen Gleason Charlotte Woodhouse Dorothy Hildebrandt
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Doug Hoffman James Earnshaw Karl and Christine Kohlrus Mark Fisher Peter Szabo Steve Berger Doug McCollum James Mruk Kate Yoshida Mark Karl Phil Lindstrom Steve Curry Doug Roberts James Tomlin Kathleen Colon Mark McDonald Philip Wade Steve Dunk Douglas Geissler Jan Mangers Kathy Sweitzer Mark Shircel R.W. Freight Solutions, Inc. Steve Field Dudley Onderdonk Jason Fair Kay Wirth Mark Yurcheshen Ralph Naftaly Steve Kurt Ed Bartunek Jean Collins Keith Rich Marla Gursh Ray Parini Steve Magnino Ed Hoffman Jean Janssen Keith Saginus Martha Porter Fiszer Richard and Peggy Foster Steve Munson Ed Manjarres Jean Peterson Ken Knasiak Martin McGuire Richard Dombrowski Steven Flack Edith Albright Jeff Balch Ken Rodd Martin Van Ausdale Richard Lami Steven Holland Edward Cave Jeff Miller Kenneth Carlborg Marty Paul Richard Lukacovic Steven Norman Edward Swan Jeffrey Regan Kenneth Chastain Mary Bertrand Richard McGuire Susan Degnan Ellen Kay Schlieckau Jennifer Davis Kent Hadden Mary Bohlen Richard Moliere Susan Dytkiewicz Eric Dickerson Jerry Enenstein Kent Johnson Mary Groetzenbach Richard Silver Susan Hudspath-May Eric Nyman Jerry Meites Kent Kraft Mary Jo Kulzick Richard Young Susan Smith Eric Pounder Jerry Peterson Kevin Corrigan Mary Moore Richard Zak Suzanne Wheeler Federico Guzman Jerry Rice Kevin Drewyer Mary West Rick Gulik Ted Johnson Fran Puchli Jill Faley Kevin Garcia Matthew Weiss Rickie Cowin Teresa Fagan Francis Sanders Jim Binninger Kevin Gaydar Metro East Parks & Rec Rob Curtis Terri Chavez Frank Pielsticker Jim King Kevin Lutz Michael Cavallini Robert Acker Terry and Melissa MacGregor Frank Winans Jim Simone Kevin Miller Michael Cumberland Robert Cramer The Bike Rack Fred Pratt Jim Ward Kevin Sheldon Michael Golden Robert Haizmann Thomas Clarke Fred Voras Joan Mulcahy Kevin Stephenson Michael Kostecki Robert Howard Thomas Connolly Gabriel Lewis Joanne Davis Kim Abello Michael Millenson Robert Ingraham Thomas Egan Gale Stoffregen Joanne Nicholson Kim Dooley Michael Nawrocki Robert Kastigar Thomas Guzzardi Garland Stevens Joe Frazee Kimberly Messina Michael Newman Robert Morris Thomas Pulver Garry McGovern Joe Van Houtte Lance Beigh Michael Pritchett Robert Murray Thomas Repede Gary Carollo Joel Erickson Larry Anglada Michael Quirk Robert Noe Robert Oakleaf Thomas Rozanski Gary Hermanek John Connell Larry Frank Michael Romanco Robert Preuss Thomas Sawczuk Gary Koester John Craven Larry Gitchell Michael Root Robert Secor Thomas Witt Gary Vicari John D’Ambrose Larry Jackson Michael Stewart Robert Tesar Tim Corcoran Gary Watson John Elliott Larry Sears Michael Walczak Robin Saydek Tim Jacobson George and Sandy Burrier John Fuhrmann Larry Smith Michael Wilner Roger Hitchings Tim Marty George Capps John Hamby Larry Wexler Michele Poradzisz Roger Pomerance Todd Cagnoni - George Mann John Kinyon Lawrence Griffin Mike Childress Ron Dierks City of Rockford George Vickers John Knoepfle Leann Whalen Mike Cichon Ron Himmelman Todd Dahlquist Gerald Schmitz John Magney Len Pollak Mike Intravartolo Ron Kapper Todd Stocke Gerry Mueller John McKee Leon Malone Mike Loomis Ronald Eash Tom Callum Gina Kenny John Muhr Leon Ungier Mike Sinner Ronald Harrelson Tom Dickman Ginny Luptak John Rudnicki Leonard Jefferson Mitchell Polonsky Ross Bogue Tom Gerschick Ginny Raths John Saarima Les Warden Mitchell Pomper Rudolf Habben Tom Knorring Gonzalo Andino John Sanders Leslie Gordon Nancy Martin Russell Krochock Tom Wolf Grand Schwinn Cyclery John Sanford Leslie Scott Nancy Nesyto-Freske Ryan Handley Tony Knepper Greg Davis John Schuller Linda Herrmann Nancy Walsh Salvador Ortiz Tracy Hall Greg Liebman John Slater Linda Warner Neil Blackstone Sam Betar Troy Kitner Greg O’Brien John Stark Linnea Myers Neil Maloney Sandra Brown Victoria Graves Gregory Nash John Underwood Litchfield Tourism Norm Iverson Scott Chisholm Victoria McAdams Gregory Wheeler Jon Bierman Lou McMurray Patricia Barker Scott Schaedel Walter Slazyk Hal Carlson Jose Ramirez Lynn Hollahan Patricia Cline Seth Stein Walter Wermuth Hal Fine Joseph Bonus Lynn Welch Patrick Gannon Shelby Bernard Wayne Mikes Hal Tarr Joseph Pasteris Lynne Gallucci Patton Feichter Shirley Jayne Wayne Pond Harv Koplo Josh Rezba Marc Stoskal Paul Danko Sid Frankel Will Heelan Henry Stawarski Joshua Locher Marcelino Rosales Paul Gearen Stacey DeLorenzo William Austin Inge Nicklaus June Jacque Margaret Bertucco Paul Mueller Stephanie Applebaum William Baltutis Irwin Katz Kane DOT Marian Kneer Pete Viehweg Stephanie Olson William Mattingly Jack Grott Karen Hauser Mario Benavidez Peter Bell Stephen Fisher Willis Bowser Jack Nevin Karen Kiley Mark and Roxanne Junge Peter Burns Stephen Foust Z Tour James Bryniarski Karen Schenkenfelder Mark Bitterman Peter Lemmon Stephen Grube James Daley Karen Schwartz Mark Ellickson Peter Sherer Steve Arendas
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Registration open for 2016 Grand Illinois Trail and Parks Bike Tour Join us for the 14th annual Grand Illinois Trail and Parks Bike Tour from June 12-17, 2016! This year’s route will cover almost entirely new ground, highlighting some of the best sections and attractions of the Illinois’ Route 66 Trail. Also known as the “Mother Road,” the Route 66 Trail is an international draw for bike tourists. This unforgettable six-day ride will be making a loop starting and ending in Coal City, with stops in Oglesby, Washington, Bloomington-Normal (two nights), and Pontiac. Each day’s ride offers a basic to 70-80 miles. The fourth day will registration will be capped at 225 route and a longer option, on quiet be a layover day, during which —so don’t wait too long to sign up! rural roads and some trails. Basic riders may ride the Constitution For those who have considered bike daily route distances range from Trail and the Route 66 Trail, explore touring, GITAP is a great taste of why 43 to 64 miles, with an average of Bloomington-Normal, or just rest. so many people enjoy touring by 50. Longer route options are up There will be plenty of time each day bike. “This is a very achievable tour to explore and enjoy the small towns with reasonable route distances and and attractions along the route terrain,” said Ride Illinois Executive and in our overnight host towns. Director Ed Barsotti. Additionally, Most riders camp, but a motel option your luggage is transported to the is available for an additional cost. next site while you ride. “You just Overnight group camping will be at have to enjoy the day of biking,” Oglesby’s Lehigh Park, Washington Barsotti said. Catered breakfasts High School, Comlara County Park and dinners are provided, with north of Bloomington-Normal, and lunch on your own along the route. Chatauqua Park in Pontiac. Motels Our optional nightly Velosophie will be nearby, with riding distances program, with discussions about within 1-2 miles shorter or longer interesting bicycling-related than campers’ distances each day. literature, will return once again GITAP is a relatively small ride with to this year’s GITAP. GITAP is friendly riders, leading to many conducted by Ride Illinois with returning customers renewing assistance from the Illinois friendships each year. This year’s Department of Natural Resources.
Explore the Grand Illinois Trail with our newly updated guide!
Ride Illinois and the Illinois Department of state along the Illinois River and Hennepin Canal. Natural Resources have partnered to produce The guide divides the trail into ten segments, an updated guide to help you plan your next each with a map, cue sheet, and listing of local long distance trip along the Grand Illinois Trail. features, accommodations, food, and bike repair. The trail makes a 535-mile loop from Lake The guide is available to download for free at Michigan to the Mississippi and back across the www.rideillinois.org.
9 www.rideillinois.org Fall 2015 Upshift
GITAP Ride Director Chuck Oestreich retires After 13 years at the helm of the Grand Illinois Trail and Parks Bike Tour, Chuck Oestreich is putting down his checklist as Ride Director. Back in 2002, Chuck came up with the idea of the weeklong bicycle tour. The ride would benefit the tiny League of Illinois Bicyclists (now Ride Illinois) organization, for which he served as board member and Secretary for two decades. GITAP relied heavily on Chuck’s skills of handling hundreds of details. But just as important was his effervescent, down-to-earth personality. From making a rainy ride day brighter, to joining the Guys and Dolls cast one GITAP evening, to deftly handling a raccoon in his tent— Chuck’s self-deprecating humor and eternally optimistic style truly made GITAP a success. Best wishes to Chuck, in his “second” retirement! We look forward to seeing him at GITAP 2016 as evening meeting emcee! Meet our Three Newest Board Members Perry Knop Deborah Renville David Rudis What I do: What I Do: What I Do: I am a political I am an English I’m a retired science professor professor at banker and at John A Logan Kankakee am active on Community Community a number of College in College. I also work private and Carterville and part-time at the non-profit have taught local bike shop, boards. political science Tern of the Wheel. Why I ride: courses for over Names of bikes: I love both the 25 years. I have a Trek athletic part What I tell my students about biking: Multitrack 700 named Stella, a Trek Lexa S of cycling along with the social aspect When I introduce myself to students named Lexi, Surly Straggler named Greta, of riding with others. at the beginning of the year I always Trek Domane named Chelsea, Salsa Mukluk Most interesting place I have biked: talk about my passion for cycling and named Artemis, Dahon Speed P8 named I’ve been on tours out west and in that I ride a lot for an old guy. But most Dora, and I’m working on building up a Europe and I’ve enjoyed them all! importantly, I tell them that I still feel vintage Bianchi. like a kid every time I get on a bike! My vision for Ride Illinois: I would Why I decided to become an League like to see Ride Illinois grow so that My favorite biking experience: Cycling Instructor (LCI): Because I am we can promote more programming Being able to ride with my wife, Sheila passionate about biking and want to serve and bike friendly initiatives across Simon, on a regular basis. In 1997, my community in whatever capacity I the state. More people are bicycling Sheila and I took a two week biking can in cycling education and promotion. now than ever before, and it’s trip in Tuscany Italy. We have been Like many communities, we have a great happening everywhere in our constant biking companions since. deal of momentum building in the Kankakee state. I would like to see all of those area right now that expands far beyond Inspiring book that I have read: people align with our organization die-hard Spandex-clad athletes, and that The most inspiring book I have read in and our membership base grow. is really exciting. I love cycling, and I love the last year is Believer by David Axelrod. sharing the joy of cycling with others. Interesting bike fact: Before I The book is about David’s journey got serious about cycling I bought through politics in Illinois and how that Fun fact: I founded a bike book club in my a hybrid bike thinking it was the trip prepared him for Barack Obama’s community called B3 in K3: Bikes, Bites, & reasonable thing to do. Regretted it presidential campaign in 2008. David Books. We are celebrating our one-year immediately. Sold it within six months worked on Paul Simon’s 1984 U.S. Senate anniversary this month. We read a book and got a great road bike instead. campaign and when Paul (Sheila’s about biking each month and then bike to a father) ran for president in 1988. local restaurant to eat and discuss the book.
www.rideillinois.org 10 Upshift Fall 2015
(formerly League of Illinois Bicyclists) 2550 Cheshire Dr. Aurora, IL 60504
Share the Road License Plates Make a statement when you drive and help make cycling safer at the same time. The license plates deliver a key message while raising money for Ride Illinois’s safety education efforts.
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