Like I said, just pop your I-Pass on your handlebars.

You'll be sort of legit that way, right?

Right?

Yeah.

;)

Like I said, just pop your I-Pass on your handlebars.

You'll be sort of legit that way, right?

Right?

Yeah.

;)


Or, I have a REALLY tiny wrist.....I could split your entry and we could cut apart your band so I could have half of it. You're a slim, svelte, rather small wristed man, aren't you???? :D

Or, I have a REALLY tiny wrist.....I could split your entry and we could cut apart your band so I could have half of it. You're a slim, svelte, rather small wristed man, aren't you???? :D

I just thought he was limp wristed....

I just thought he was limp wristed....

I knew someone was going to say that ! :D

http://www.illinoistollway.com/portal/page?_pageid=133,1401626&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

If you didn't register, it looks like you missed your chance.

SOLD OUT
To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all Roll-the-Tollway participants, the Chicago Bicycle Federation has limited the registration to 5,000 cyclists. That’s right, 5,000 bike riders jumped at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the first to ride the road. If you missed the opportunity to register for the Roll the Tollway bike ride you still have time to register for the Salute, Inc. 5K Run/Walk/Roll.

Try calling the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation to see if they will let you ride if you volunteer to work for the event.

Try calling the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation to see if they will let you ride if you volunteer to work for the event.

Or bandit. How can they monitor and track 5,000 riders on a day when all sorts of other activities will be occuring....when everyone will no doubt be wearing winter type gear....

I hate banditing, but I might not have an option on this one.

I hate banditing, but I might not have an option on this one.

Just make a donation to the Chicagoland Bike Federation in the amount of the ride.

Yeah, that's not the legal/optimal solution, but it's probably tax deductable that way. For basically a 20 mile ride, how much support are they going to provide, anyway?

Let me know if you're going. I'm a cheap bastid and need a ride down there.

:D

Just make a donation to the Chicagoland Bike Federation in the amount of the ride.

Yeah, that's not the legal/optimal solution, but it's probably tax deductable that way. For basically a 20 mile ride, how much support are they going to provide, anyway?

Let me know if you're going. I'm a cheap bastid and need a ride down there.

:D

I'm going if I can get on and ride without getting hassled. I don't need any support for a 20 mile ride so I will participate with a clear concious. I might even e-mail the CBF to let them know.

I'm going if I can get on and ride without getting hassled. I don't need any support for a 20 mile ride so I will participate with a clear concious. I might even e-mail the CBF to let them know.

Another partner in crime. I'm going if the weather is decent and making a donation. No support needed for me either.

Another partner in crime. I'm going if the weather is decent and making a donation. No support needed for me either.

I don't think they'd have your baked taters anyways...not like you would need it for 20 miles. How many loops are you guys doing?

Anybody got an extra ticket to this event? Please let me know ... I missed the deadline for this event, thanks!

Got this this afternoon. According to this, you may have trouble joining if you're not registered.

Important ride information
- Expect to receive your Ride Guide (http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=171949183&u=1711065 (http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=171949183&u=1711065)) and participant wristband(s) in the mail before the event.
- The ride starts at 9 a.m. at 127th Street and I-355. This will be the only access point to the ride.
- Riders must show their wristband at the checkpoint.
- Riders then line up on southbound exit ramp for the start.
- Waved starts will happen every 10 minutes between 9 and 10 a.m.
- No riders will be allowed to start after 10 a.m.

I'm raising my hand as one who missed the cutoff date, too. And I'd only been planning on doing this ride for the last few months. The donation idea sounds good to me. Psimet, bring your cell phone so I can find you "guys" (SmokinMiles included of course). What time are people looking at starting?

there is always the 5k :).

later.

there is always the 5k :).

That would be an awfully short bike ride, aham.




:D

Plan B. Would they allow extra riders based on no-shows? If they have a registration list, at some point they know who (of their 5,000 limit) isn't showing up (due to weather, schedule conflicts, etc.) At that point, they have less than 5,000, and could theoretically accept more riders. AND make more money for their cause. I wonder if there's a way to find out. Any ideas? Anybody have any contacts?

Got this this afternoon. According to this, you may have trouble joining if you're not registered.

Important ride information
- Expect to receive your Ride Guide (http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=171949183&u=1711065 (http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=171949183&u=1711065)) and participant wristband(s) in the mail before the event.
- The ride starts at 9 a.m. at 127th Street and I-355. This will be the only access point to the ride.
- Riders must show their wristband at the checkpoint.
- Riders then line up on southbound exit ramp for the start.
- Waved starts will happen every 10 minutes between 9 and 10 a.m.
- No riders will be allowed to start after 10 a.m.

= bad news for bandits. big :(

Plan B. Would they allow extra riders based on no-shows? If they have a registration list, at some point they know who (of their 5,000 limit) isn't showing up (due to weather, schedule conflicts, etc.) At that point, they have less than 5,000, and could theoretically accept more riders. AND make more money for their cause. I wonder if there's a way to find out. Any ideas? Anybody have any contacts?

Unfortunately, just this week I have talked to several people who all cite "many" friends that didn't get in. I was out at Waterfall Glen running yesterday and and talked to a guy "in the know" and he said that the number of registrants way exceeded what they were hoping for and they started to worry about safety and having enough volunteers. That is why they unexpectedly closed registration. I'm sure there are lots of folk looking for a way in.

I still think it's gonna be hard with 5,000 riders to police this thing but not sure I want to drag down there and then not get to ride. But I am game to try it if you guys are! We could always go ride around the festivals....try to get in from there. Could be an interesting adventure to report about.:p

All may not be lost. Here are are two notes from the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation

http://www.biketraffic.org/cbfblog_comments.php?id=1364_0_19_0_C

But you still want to volunteer?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Volunteers are still needed to make Roll the Tollway a sucessful event! We want to accommodate everyone who is interested in helping, but space will be limited.

If you are interested in volunteering, please send an e-mail to

rttvolunteer@biketraffic.org

Include the following information:

Name
Daytime phone number
E-mail address

Volunteers will need to be at the start/finish area at 127th Street and the Tollway Extension by 6:45 a.m. to check in at the volunteer tent the day of the ride. Volunteers will be able to ride in a special “volunteers only” ride after the main ride is complete, but will have to complete their volunteer assignment prior to that.

and this

http://www.biketraffic.org/cbfblog_comments.php?id=1363_0_19_0_C

How did Roll the Tollway sell out?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the marketing director here at the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, I wanted let everyone know a bit more about the Roll the Tollway sellout and our decision to limit participation for safety reasons.

We are very excited to work with the Illinois Tollway to produce this one-time event in conjunction with their day of celebration for the new I-355 extension. The day’s agenda includes a bicycle ride, a 5K run, fall festivals on the road, a dedication ceremony and much more.

As the scope of the production progressed, we realized that we would have to limit the number of bicycles to 5,000 to ensure the safety of everyone riding, running, attending or dedicating.

In my three years and seven large-scale bicycle events here, I’ve never seen registration move so quickly.

After we saw the increased registration, we put a note on the event website about the capacity and sent out a final e-mail marketing blast. And in a matter of days, registration jumped by more than 2,000 people and hit capacity. That’s faster than the registration rate in the week before our Bike the Drive event.

We apologize we couldn't get the word out to the media and the public earlier.

We are very excited that the event has sold out and that we will be able to help raise funds for a new trail in the region and support local bicycle advocacy with our bike club partners (Joliet, Folks on Spokes, Downers Grove, Blue Island and Schaumburg).

We hope that anyone who missed out on this ride will consider volunteering (email rttvolunteer@biketraffic.org) for the event or join us Memorial Day weekend for our annual car-free Bike the Drive event.

Thanks much to everyone for your interest and responses…we would love the opportunity to produce more car-free events that help out Chicagoland’s bicycling community.

If you make it, look me up at the rest stop staffed by Folks On Spokes.

Received the letter for the event yesterday which includes a map & an orange tyvex wrist strap with tamper evident adhesive strip. If this is all they'll be using for identification, it'll be quite easy to duplicate.

Also looks like riding down there will be my best option. Just curious if this route I've tentatively planned should be sound. Go south on Harlem from the far north side & then down Joliet Rd. to Lemont Rd. to 127th St. to the event start. Seems good, but is this Joliet Rd. bike friendly & does it follow I-55 all the way to Lemont Rd?

Anyone able to hook me up with a orange "beer" bracelet before the weekend? Come on someone knows a bar owner you bunch of boosers! ;)

Just curious if this route I've tentatively planned should be sound. Go south on Harlem from the far north side & then down Joliet Rd. to Lemont Rd. to 127th St. to the event start. Seems good, but is this Joliet Rd. bike friendly & does it follow I-55 all the way to Lemont Rd?

If I'm not mistaken, I-55 is Joliet Rd between 355 and the tri-state. It used to be Rt. 66, and the same alignment was used for the interstate. Which explains the odd left-hand exit for Joliet Rd. when going north on 55.

I'm sure there's a frontage road, but it won't be that friendly.

If I'm not mistaken, I-55 is Joliet Rd between 355 and the tri-state. It used to be Rt. 66, and the same alignment was used for the interstate. Which explains the odd left-hand exit for Joliet Rd. when going north on 55.

I'm sure there's a frontage road, but it won't be that friendly.

Thanks, as long as bikes are allowed it'll be friendly enough for me.

Don't know why it didn't occur to me to look here for this event. Been signed up for a couple of months. I'll roll out from Minneapolis to maybe Madison after work tonight, visit a cousin and a sister in law in Chicago tomorrow and be there at 9 on Sunday for the ride. The wife is even coming along! I'll be on the 63cm red Fuji with an 8-speed Nexus hub, as usual. I will be sporting a blue helmet cozy, blue jacket, and a dark grey messenger bag. Hope to see a few of you out there.

It was fun! I did not break any speed record and enjoyed this event with couple of guys from work.

BTW - nobody checked my wristband at the entrance. I think they even had "same day registration" tent.
Here are some pictures

http://homepage.mac.com/wirelessmac/.Public/355/IMG_0031w.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/wirelessmac/.Public/355/IMG_0032w.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/wirelessmac/.Public/355/IMG_0033w.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/wirelessmac/.Public/355/IMG_0046w.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/wirelessmac/.Public/355/IMG_0048w.jpg

AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH! I should have gone!

I went on Friday night. It cost me $75 for my seven mile ride.

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5324/ifoughtthelawwd4.th.jpg

I didn't see anyone check a wristband on the 1500 or so people I was near at the start. Mine was under my gloves/jersey the whole time.

I got there around 9:45am & ppl were just waved through. It was interesting though since I thought the road would be smooth, but that was only on the shoulder. The wind going south sucked & it was rather chilly. I had it especially bad since I rode there 35 miles in unfamilar territory & I'm not in particularly great shape for doing long distances only avg 10mph. Plus I'm used to the city where street layout makes sense, but luckily a coworker let me borrow his GPS unit so I was able to work my way there.

For anyone who missed the event it was mentioned at the dedication ceremonies that they were going to make this an annual fundrasing event for veterans. Thought it kind of odd though since the cycling part of it was primarily for the benefit of cyclists while only the walk was specifically to help the veterans, but it seems they lumped both events as a veterans benefit.

Btw, it was kinda fun suddenly seeing all the vehicles with bikes on board as I went up Lemont Rd. Also took several pics to be posted later.

I didn't see anyone checking them either. I've never gone on any organized ride before, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but it seemed very well run. My wife and son and I had a good time.

Just got back to Minneapolis. Had a great time. The wind was rough going south, a blast going north. We were actually going much faster UP the same hill on the northbound route than we had been going down in 30 minutes earlier. No one checked our wristbands either! I was disheartened to see so many people walking their bikes during the southbound portion.

It was a nice ride. I didn't see anyone checking for wrist bands either. I thought they did a nice job organizing the ride. I would have liked to see more freebies by bike industry companies. I did get a free be-ollie (sp?) from Panera and a cup of coffee from the veterans.
The worst part was the wind. I could barely avg. 10 going south and felt I was shot out of a cannon going north. Then the traffic in Lamont after the ride has quite bad.
Perhaps the best part was stopping at all the 'rest stops'. At one they had a very little mini-zoo (not redundant). There were a couple tortise on the loose. One was about 24" across and 24" tall. Sombody had attached an I-pass transponder. Very funny!
Pkgman

the pics are cool. thanks. later.

Well the NEXT time they open a new stretch of interstate, I'll be ready. with the (non) frequency of building new expressways, I may be long dead and buried, but I'll be ready!