Joliet Bicycle Club's 50th Annual July 4th Ride, New Starting Location Announced

JOLIET, IL — One of Will County's largest bicycle riding events of the year is almost here and there's major changes to share. The Joliet Bicycle Club's 50th annual 4th of July Ride will no longer be starting and ending at the Plainfield South High School parking lot along Caton Farm Road and Ridge Road. Instead, next Friday's Independence Day event will begin at the Kendall County Fairgrounds, located at 10826 Route 71 in rural Yorkville.

The 4th of July ride drew 700 cyclists in 2023 and 550 in 2024 and the attendance record has been over 1,000.

"I'd love to have 700 to 800 people," remarked Paul Tomasik, president of the Joliet Bicycle Club. "Turnout is always weather dependent, which is why we have added the 20-mile route, trying to get more new riders."

At the Kendall County Fairgrounds, there's plenty of space for people to park on the grass.

"There will be no construction and it's all rural roads, no urban traffic. Most of the route will be very flat," Tomasik pointed out.

Kendall County Sheriff's deputies will be providing police support and blocking traffic so cyclists can cross major highways such as Route 47, according to Tomasik.

In addition to the new 20-mile route, the Joliet Bicycle Club will feature a 30-mile route, a 50-mile route and a 70-mile route.

All four maps of the different July 4th routes are posted at the bottom of this Joliet Patch story.

Check in and day of registration starts at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 10:30 a.m. Cyclists can start their rides as early as 6:30 a.m. though many riders will show up later. The ride ends at 3 p.m. The rest stop will return to Plattville near Chicago and Church Roads. In Plattville, riders are provided with water, refreshments, snacks and portable toilets are available.

Free Ice Cream Sandwiches At End Of The Ride

All four of the cycling routes end back at the Kendall County Fairgrounds where riders receive free ice cream sandwiches at the end of their ride.

Cyclists can pre-register for only $25 until June 30. Otherwise, the fee is $35 to register on July 4th.

The Joliet Bicycle Club also offers a discount if people join the club at the time of their July 4th registration. It's only $5 to join the club when bundled with your registration.

"JBC is comprised of more than 100 members from the Northern Illinois area," the Joliet Bicycle Club website proclaims. "If you're a cycling enthusiast, you will enjoy being in the company of other like-minded people. JBC is not just a social club, but we are also involved with making improvements to our communities' infrastructure and education as it pertains to bicycling safety."

To pre-register for the 50th annual July 4th ride, visit the website for the Joliet Bicycle Club.