The Tie 'N Ride is a unique and exciting event where friends or family of all fitness levels can work together on two person teams to complete the distance through running and biking. Two participant team’s tradeoff between biking and running in a leap frog fashion to complete a 9.5 mile course.  Grab your bike, put on your shoes and get ready for some team work!!  All participants receive a commemorative shirt, eco bag* and are helping to support the Special Olympics.

HOW IT WORKS
One team member starts on the team’s bike (no road bikes allowed) and the other team member starts off running.  The bicyclist will bike for however long they choose until they drop the bike along the trail and start running.  Meanwhile the running team member runs until he/she finds the bike along the trail, picks it up and starts biking to catch the other team member who is now running ahead.  The two team members trade off biking and running in this leap frog fashion throughout the entire course.  The distance between tradeoffs is up to the team except for two mandatory bike drops.  The two team members must finish together.  This event is unique and super exciting!!
 
CATEGORIES
2 man team
2 women team
1 man/1 women mixed team
-All categories are for all levels of fitness.
Field limit (200 teams)

SPECIAL OLYMPICS (optional)
Fundraising is OPTIONAL
Show your support and “Be a Fan” of Special Olympics Illinois by joining our team as we run, bike and skate for the 21,000 athletes and 4,000 Young Athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. It’s easy to sign up for our team - just follow the link below and then choose Fundraise as an Individual or Create a Fundraising Team.  Once your personal or team fundraising page is set up family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers can go to your page and donate on your behalf as you bike and run for this great cause. Become a fundrasing participant and receive an exclusive Special Olympics Illinois team moisture wicking tech T.

PACKET PICK UP/EXPO
Packets will be available for pick up at the Prairie Stone Sports & Wellness Center on Friday and at the AT&T complex on Saturday and Sunday morning.  While there, check out the festival expo with health, running, inline skating and biking exhibitors.  Packets will be available during specified packet pick up times only.  To pick up your packet you will be required to sign a waiver and present valid photo ID.  If you are picking up a packet for another participant you must bring a signed waiver and a copy of their photo ID.

GOODIES
Technical short sleeve shirts (front and back print), event bib number, and an eco bag* full of goodies will be provided to all participants.  Placement medals will also be given to overall and age group winners for all categories.

COURSE INFORMATION
The 9.5 mile course starts at the AT&T round about, up onto Lakewood Blvd before traveling onto the winding paved path through scenic Paul Douglas Forest Preserve.  There are two mandatory bike drop points, see map for these points.  Water stations will be provided on course and medical service will be stationed at the finish line.  Please see course map for water stations, relay exchange locations, suggested spectator spots, and parking locations.  Course Map Click Here

AWARDS:
Awards will be awarded to the top 2 teams in the male, female, coed divisions overall, 60 & under, 80 & under, 100 & under, 101+. Age groups for the relay event are based on average age of participants.

GENERAL INFORMATION
This event is timed by Racetime

Gear check will be provided.  Pick up and drop off will be at the start and finish respectfully.  The event is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Weather:  The mean temperature is 72 degrees fahrenheit according to weather.com.  It is the participant’s responsibility to choose the proper clothing, nutrition and hydration for the event day weather.

Headphones are prohibited from the Tie N’ Ride

Helmets are required at any time while on the bicycle.

Spectators should view the course map for suggested spectator spots and road closures.

Stay on the right side of the trail unless emergency circumstances dictate otherwise.

Cook County Forest Preserves are always open to the public except when noted by the forest preserve.

*Eco bag for the 1st 1000 participants only.