Sycamore Speedway Gravel Rally (WI/IL Cycling Association and ABD)

The Sycamore Speedway Gravel Rally is a unique, fun, first of its kind, gravel and dirt cycling event with three components.

A 20K gravel ride on the straight, flat crushed gravel Great Western Trail that starts in front of the Sycamore Speedway and finishes with a lap on the speedway oval (like Paris Roubaix).  This is a family/kid/neighbor (and experienced cyclist) friendly event.  This is a “Nostradamus” format event - the winner is not the fastest but rather the rider who finishes closest to a self-predicted time. Four fun, exciting events inside the speedway on the clay oval car racing track.  We want to test some different races on the track to see if this is something we’d like to do on a bigger scale in the future.2024 Season ending awards pick-up for the MATTS, Tour of Illinois/Wisconsin and Rider of the Year winners.  (Note that this event will replace our end of the year awards banquet)

At 11am, the Sycamore Speedway will open their concession stand for food, BEER and more.

AWARDS – all finishers will be presented with a Sycamore Speedway Gravel Rally medal and their name will be thrown in the hat for a drawing of several great prizes (61 prizes with a value of nearly $3,700 already committed!). Your name is thrown in the hat for each event you enter.  Winners of each event get their name thrown in again.  You must be present to win the drawing prizes.  Check out this growing list of drawing prizes.

SCHEDULE
(Note that times are estimates and that promoter reserves the right to adjust rules and courses depending upon conditions)

All races are open to any category and age except the Sycamore “5” and the Dirty Miss and Outs are which are 18 plus only.

9:00AM – 20K GRAVEL NOSTRADAMUS - 20K gravel ride that starts in front of the Speedway, runs out and back on straight/flat Great Western Trail and finishes with a lap on the speedway clay oval track. (like Paris Roubaix) – Winner is the best “Nostradamus”, the rider who finishes closest to self-predicted time.  Riders sent off in 1-minute intervals.  NO VISIBLE WATCHES, PHONES, BIKE COMPUTERS ALLOWED.  Ok to have in pocket but can’t look till after finish.  We recommend at least gravel style tires for this event as the speedway oval is very bumpy.  Here’s a link to the Strava segment for the course.  Here's a link to the start list and results.  Just for fun, the rider who has the best result “to-date”, will get to sit in the “Nostradamus” chair. Until they are unseated by a better result, they will have access to a cooler with free drinks and snacks.

11:30 AM - SYCAMORE “5” – Little 500 style race with 4 person teams riding 20 laps.  Only one team member racing at a time.  Each team must have at least one woman.  Each rider must race at least one lap.  Riders can ride their own bike.  Rider changes must happen within assigned exchange zone for each team.  Mountain bikes or fat bikes are recommended.  If you don’t have a team and are interested in participating, please email daneluhrsen@gmail.com and we’ll try to form teams.

12:30 PM – SLOW and DIRTY – Riders must stay within their lane, within a 20-yard course without putting foot down or turning around.  Anyone putting foot down, leaving lane or passing finish line is pulled.  Winner is last to cross finish line or if multiple riders have not crossed, the rider who is furthest from finish line is the winner.  Gravel, mountain or fat bikes are recommended.

1:00 PM - DIRTY MISS AND OUT (men’s and women’s versions) – Riders will race a total of one lap for every entrant.  After first lap, the rider finishing last each lap is pulled and race will continue until there are just two riders who will sprint for the win.  We’ll do open men’s and open women’s races.  Mountain bikes or fat bikes are recommended.

2:00 PM - BEER RELAY – Four person teams consisting of two men and two women will compete.  Each rider will do one length of straightaway carrying a cup of beer and handing off the cup to their teammate.  Riders must stay in their lanes.  Winning team has the most beer in their cup at the end.  If you don’t have a team and are interested in participating, please email daneluhrsen@gmail.com and we’ll try to form teams.

Note: the speedway oval track is hard and bumpy… think Paris Roubaix cobbles more than Prairie Path limestone so for all of the events in the oval, you'll be more comfortable on bigger tires.  Gravel/Cyclocross tires will work but you'll feel better on mountain bike or fat bike tires.

DIRECTIONS - the Sycamore Speedway is at 50W086 Old State Rd., Maple Park, IL.  There is plenty of parking in front of the speedway and restrooms in the speedway venue.

You must have an annual or single day ABR membership to participate.  Click here to purchase ABR membership and sign waiver.

WEAR YOUR MATTS/ToILWI/ROTY CHAMPIONSHIP JERSEYS - Let's all show off our Champion jerseys from this year or the past!

We recommend that you always use a red flashing rear light at all of our events!

QUESTIONS - email daneluhrsen@gmail.com or phone 630-638-8572

DRAWING DONORS