By Kevin O'Neill | May 15, 2019

2019 Eric Sprattling Memorial 3-States Ride - July 13th

Updated on June 14, 2019: The 2019 Eric Sprattling Memorial 3-States Ride is rescheduled for Saturday, July 13th (because of weather concerns on the original date, June 15th). In 2009, as part of our 10th Anniversary celebration, we started an annual Eric Sprattling 3-states ride (see link to the route below). Eric was a co-founder of XXX Racing, a long-time bike messenger, and a mentor/coach to a lot of the initial team members. One of the hearts on our team jersey is dedicated to Eric; he passed away in 1999. Eric would sometimes do a 3-states ride for training, and we continue to honor his memory every year with a memorial 3-states ride.

Our regular Saturday team ride will start as usual at Wicker Park (7am start) and continue along the normal “border-run” route to Wisconsin (second state). We then proceed back to Chicago’s lakefront (yes, the LFT) and head to Indiana (third state) before heading back to the City. People can turn back whenever they would like, and some decide to peel off on the way back from Wisconsin. You don’t have to do the entire epic route to participate, but riders of varying abilities participate every year.

Plan on an 18-20mph average. For those who do not plan to go to Indiana feel free to take more/longer pulls into the wind while you are on the ride. We will stop for flats and mechanicals. That said, PLEASE do NOT show up to the 150 mile ride with tires that have 149-152 miles of life left in them.

The LFT will be busy as we come back through the city. If we have a large group going to Indiana we'll need to break into groups for the north side of the trail and reconvene at Shedd Aquarium.

Our team is what it is because of a lot of hard work and dedication by a lot of people. Eric Sprattling is one of those people who dedicated himself to the team at the very beginning. Please consider honoring our history and Eric by joining us for the 3-states ride. People who do the entire ride do about 150 miles in 8 or so hours for the entire day. A good ride for sure.

Route: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/10828646

Water stops are planned as follows:

  • We will SKIP the usual Perfect Blend coffee shop stop in Highland Park
  • Mile 28: Northcroft Park (aka Credit Card Coke Machine Park) @ Ridge/Old Elm in Lake Forest
  • Mile 58: Russell Rd Truck Stop @ State Line
  • Mile 85: Fort Sheridan Entrance Mobil Station
  • Mile 116: Post-LFT Regroup @ Shedd Aquarium "Man with Fish" Statue
  • Mile 130: IL/IN State Line McDonalds
  • Mile 150: Your Refrigerator