The City of Des Plaines provided the following information:

The Tour Des Plaines Bike Ride will be held in conjunction with Des Plaines Fall Fest, Saturday, Sept. 15. This year’s bike ride entails a nine-mile police-escorted tour of the city starting and finishing at Lake Park, Howard and Lee streets, provides the perfect opportunity for families to have fun while getting exercise.

“We hope that everyone who likes to ride a bicycle will come out and participate in the Tour Des Plaines,” Mayor Martin Moylan stated in a press release. “Bring a friend and join in the fun as we celebrate Des Plaines with this great community bike ride and, afterwards, enjoy Fall Fest.”

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There is no fee to participate in the Tour Des Plaines; registration and helmets are required. The ride starts at 9 a.m. and will last approximately two hours. The first 200 registered participants will receive a t-shirt.

Representatives of Advocate Lutheran General Trauma Center will be selling helmets for $10 at the registration site, which opens at 8 a.m. on ride day at Lake Park Club House, 1015 Howard Ave.

Spectators and participants with vehicles are welcomed to park at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1177 Howard Street. Download the registration form by visiting the Tour Des Plaines web page, or register by calling (847) 391-5410. A PDF of the registration form and a map of the route are also posted here.

Illinois American Water will provide water and Panera Bread will hand out healthy snacks. Fifth Third Bank, Des Plaines Park District and Des Plaines McDonald's, Karis Management, will give away prizes, offer raffles and more.

Prospect Bikes and Trains will assist riders at a repair station and Chiro One offer free screenings.

Colin Johnson, Des Plaines police officer, said cyclists may complete the entire course or stop at any point, and children should be accompanied by adults.

“While we welcome families, the ride is long for small children riding bicycles with training wheels,” Johnson said.

The course will begin and end at Fall Fest, a three-day family event, Sept. 14-16, sponsored by the Des Plaines Park District, the History Center and the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Fall Fest includes food, beverages, beer, an art fair, carnival rides, games, a KidZone, a country fair tent, musical entertainment and more.

For additional information about the Tour Des Plaines contact Johnson at (847) 391-5410 or at cjohnson@desplaines.org.

For information about Fall Fest visit the event’s website, or call (847) 391-5700. 

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