2024 River to Rail Ride Fundraising Event for the Kickapoo Rail Trail

Join us on Saturday, September 14 for the River to Rail Ride! All proceeds from this fundraising bicycle event will support the continued development of the Kickapoo Rail Trail (KRT). The event will have four different cycling routes all beginning and ending at the White Oak Barn, Kennekuk County Park, 22296 Henning Road, Danville, IL 61834. All routes will have SAG stops and support. With the exception of the 7.5-mile route, cyclists will bike the entire completed section of the Vermilion County KRT including the 1/4-mile Trestle Bridge 90 feet over the Middle Fork River.

Registration for the routes that leave Kennekuk County Park is $45.00 for ages 17 and up, and $25.00 for up to 16 years of age, which includes a t-shirt and lunch at the White Oak Barn from 12 pm - 2 pm. For the 7.5-mile route that stays within Kennekuk County Park, registration is $30.00 for ages 17 and up, and $10.00 for up to 16 years of age. All children under the age of 16 must ride with a registered adult. Check-in and same-day registration will open at 7 am at the White Oak Barn.

Those that register by Thursday, August 15 will be guaranteed a t-shirt in their requested size. Registrations received after August 15 are NOT guaranteed a t-shirt on the day of the event.

The 7.5-mile Route stays within Kennekuk County Park making it perfect for beginners and families with young children. Participants may ride the loop as many times as they would like. The SAG stop for this route is the White Oak Barn available until 2 pm (when lunch ends). Route map can be found here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44086988

The 30-mile Route is an Out-and-Back ride that will cross the Kickapoo Rail Trail Trestle Bridge twice. SAG stop will be located at the turnout point in Oakwood at the KRT Rest Node across from the Oakwood Village Hall and available until 12 pm. Route map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39949360

The 37-mile Route takes riders over the Middle Fork River twice, once on the KRT Trestle Bridge and again at Higginsville Bridge. Cyclists will enjoy the forest habitat around the Middle Fork River in Kickapoo State Park as well as the Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area as well as central Illinois farmland, this route has two SAG stops located at the Oakwood KRT Rest Node until 12 pm and the former Oakwood Junior High School building available until 1 pm. Route Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40621303

The 63-mile Route accomplishes a metric century ride for cyclists as they take in the forests of the Middle Fork River, the KRT Trestle Bridge, and Bean Creek Road. This route has three SAG stops at the Oakwood KRT Rest Node until 12 pm, the former Oakwood Junior High School building until 1 pm, and the Potomac American Legion, available until 1 pm. Route map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40711443

The River to Rail Ride routes are open road courses and all participants must know and follow Illinois bicycle rules of the road (https://www.ilsos.gov/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a143.pdf). Helmets are required by all riders.

The event will take place rain or shine. Sponsorships are available to help support the event and Kickapoo Rail Trail. For questions or more information, please contact Lara Danzl, ldanzl@vccd.org, 217-442-1691.

Liability Waiver & Indemnity Agreement

In consideration of the acceptance of this application for the River to Rail Ride event by the Vermilion County Conservation District, and all their directors, officers, members, and agents, I hereby waive, release and discharge any and all claims for personal injury, death, or property damage which may have hereafter accrue to me as a result of my participating in this bicycling event. This release is intended to discharge, in advance, the Vermilion County Conservation District and any involved municipalities or other public entities (and their respective agents and employees) from and against any and all liabilities arising out of or connected in any way with my participation in this bicycling event. It is further understood that serious accidents occasionally occur during bicycling events, I hereby agree to assume those risks and to release and hold harmless all of the entities and/or persons mentioned above who might otherwise be liable to me for damages. It is understood and agreed that this waiver, release, and assumption of risk is binding on my heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns. I attest and verify that I am a capable, experienced, and physically fit bicyclist and am prepared to participate in this bicycling event. I understand that although the organizers of this bicycling event have exercised care to promote the safety of the participants, there are factors present including traffic, other bicyclists, weather, road conditions, animals, etc. whose actions and conditions are beyond their control. I agree to ride in a cautious and prudent manner and not to operate in violation or contravention of any City, County, State, or Federal laws, statutes, ordinances, or regulations and shall be personally liable for all fines and penalties for traffic law violations. I agree to wear a helmet. I further agree that I will supervise and accompany any and all minor children for whom I have cosigned. I also agree to release the use of any photos, slides, videotapes, etc. that might contain the undersigned for future use in promotional and/or informational activities as deemed appropriate by the organizers.

IF REGISTERING ON BEHALF OF YOURSELF:

I have carefully read, accept, and agree to the terms and conditions of this Waiver and Release, and know and understand its contents and I sign the same as my own free act and deed.

IF SIGNING AS A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF A PARTICIPANT UNDER THE AGE OF 18:

I, as the parent or legal guardian of the child/ward registering to participate in the Ride, hereby give my consent and approval to this child’s/ward’s participation in the Ride and, as set forth in greater detail above, I assume all risks, hazards, and liability incidental to the child’s/ward’s participation in the Ride. I have carefully read, accept, and agree to the terms and conditions of this Waiver and Release, and know and understand its contents and I sign the same as my own free act and deed.