Did our first bike event! We made of the BCLC Ramble a Family Adventure Through Rolling Hills and stunning Scenery!

Hey cycling buddies! Just conquered the BCLC Ramble with my family, and let me tell you – it was a blast! This event isn’t just a bike ride; it’s an experience designed for cyclists of all levels.

In fact, we tackled the 30-mile route with our 3-year-old comfortably nestled in the bike trailer. This proved to be the perfect way to explore the breathtaking scenery that unfolded throughout the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

A diverse ride for everyone:

The Ramble offers a truly diverse range of routes from – 22, 30, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 100 miles – catering to all skill levels. Riders can choose their adventure, with distances translating to delicious post-ride treats: Cracker Jacks for the shorter routes and the coveted Portillo’s Italian Beef for the true endurance champions.

Registration is just $30, and the proceeds go towards supporting fantastic organizations like the Ride Illinois and the Rails to Trails Conservancy.

What we loved:

• Top-Notch Organization: From the well-marked routes and maps to the amazing SAG support, the event was flawlessly organized. Kudos to the amazing volunteers and support staff! (maps were available to download to the GPS).

• Growing Cycling Community: It was awesome to see familiar faces from other social rides, which made us feel even more welcome. Lastly, we love seeing, and are excited about, this cycling community grow bigger and stronger!

Our rolling Ramble:

The event allows for a flexible start time between 6am and 10am. With our little one on board, 9am was the earliest we could manage. Upon arrival, we checked in and the helpful staff answered all my questions about the route suitability for the trailer. Feeling confident and excited, we set off!

Conquering the first half:

We quickly realized that we might have underestimated the power of the Wisconsin hills! While manageable overall, the trailer added a bit of a challenge. Following the GPS track, we tackled the picturesque first half (marked by a white path) – a 13-mile stretch at an average speed of 12 mph.

Our journey took us roughly an hour to reach the halfway point – the Genoa City Veterans Memorial Park. This bustling hub catered to all routes, with fellow cyclists enjoying the rest stop’s offerings. Once there, we were warmly greeted with peanut butter sandwiches, cookies, watermelon, and a special reward for conquering the white path: a nostalgic bag of Cracker Jacks!

Knowing our little adventurer needed a good break, we took a longer-than-desired stop at the playground. After burning off some energy, we were ready to head back to the starting point.

The return journey:

The return route, a circular path, presented a slightly tougher challenge with more climbs (totalling 597 feet of elevation gain). Despite the additional hills, we maintained a similar pace of 12 mph, completing the 15-mile journey in about an hour.

A Well-Deserved Celebration:

Finally, after crossing the finish line, we were greeted with the sight of delicious hot dogs and chips – the perfect reward for our family cycling achievement!

Tips for Your Ramble:

• First, download the GPS files beforehand for easy navigation.
• Then, don’t forget sunscreen and plenty of water!
• During the event, take advantage of the amazing rest stops and the post-ride cookout.
• Overall, relax, have fun, and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

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Have you participated in the BCLC Ramble? Before you go, share your experience in the comments below!

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