Roll the Tollway is part of the Illinois Tollway’s Grand Opening Ceremony for the new South Extension of I-355.

The ride starts between 9 and 10 a.m. at the 127th Street I-355 interchange in Lemont, Ill. (half-mile west of 127th and State Street).

Registered participants will be e-mailed parking information prior to the event. Parking will be a one- to two- mile bicycle ride from the start of the event.

No onsite registration will be available.

Participants who register online before midnight on Sunday, Nov. 4 will be mailed their ride guide and wristband. Participants registering after the deadline will have to pick up their ride guide and wristband at the event check-in.

Route map coming soon.

Participants start north across the Des Plaines River Valley Bridge and then head south to the 147th Street rest stop. At this point, family participants can return north to 127th Street to finish their eight-mile ride.

Other participants may bike until 12:30 p.m. on a car-free riding loop from the 147th Street rest stop south to the U.S. Route 6 rest stop. There will be a turnaround at Bruce Road before the southern route gets hilly.

Participants can end their ride by traveling north of the 147th Street rest stop to the finish and festival at 127th Street.

The two rest stops will be stocked with food, water, toilets and friendly volunteers. Volunteers will also ride along the route to help fix flats or make minor repairs. In the event of a major breakdown, SAG vehicles will be on hand to help.

Local Festivals:

Participants can also stop at a two local festival along the route. These festivals will offer free bike valet and in/out access for bicycle participants.

• 159th Street (Homer Glen, Lockport, County of Will)
• 127th Street (Lemont, Illinois Tollway Dedication Ceremony at 12:30 p.m.)
  • This festival should only be accessed when participants choose to end their ride or when the open ride time limit is up at 12:30 p.m.

SAFETY

Have a fun, safe ride and enjoy the company of other bicyclists at Roll the Tollway.

Please respect others and get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime ride:

• Give your bike a quick safety check (http://bikethedrive.org/images/pdf/gettingyourbikeready.pdf)
• Get out and do some riding before the event
• Helmets are required.
• Don’t wear headphones during the ride — it’s against the law
• Don't talk on your cell phone while riding the route
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Watch for hazards
• Respect our volunteers; they are working to keep your ride safe

 

Bicycle ride etiquette

• Ride on the right for leisure rides
• Pass nicely on the left
• When passing, please give plenty of room and say “on your left”
• Don’t ride more than two abreast if you are in a group or family
• Look before moving to the right or left
• Keep the ride safe and respectful by using recycling and trash receptacles
• Have fun and please talk to your children about safe bicycling

Click here for additional bicycle safety tips from the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation.

Ride checklist

• Wear your helmet
• Stay hydrated — bring a water bottle
• Bring appropriate clothing
• Bring your ID and some spending money (you’ll have access to the local festivals along the route)

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING

We encourage participants to carpool if possible. Please consider this option to make the whole event smoother, we’d appreciate it.

Parking information will be e-mailed to participants before the event.