Above / A year ago, Tim Johnson, top left, joined Jane DiGiovine and her family, all geared up for the Annual Rotary Ride on the second Sunday in August. In 1997, Jane’s husband Carmen DiGiovine had helped to initiate the bike ride for charity when he was a member of the Rotary Club of Naperville / Sunrise.
Last year, the annual Rotary Ride was greeted with glorious sunshine, an occasional breeze and September-like temperatures when 275 cyclists participated in the charity event held in memory of Carmen DiGiovine, at Commissioners Park, 3704 111th St. in south Naperville, on the second Sunday in August.
When the leisurely bike ride returns for cyclists to start anytime between 6:30AM and 10:30AM Sun., Aug. 12, 2018, with a choice of three distances through the scenic countryside or a 1.4-mile family loop around Commissioners Park, organizers are hopeful last year’s weather will be repeated, too.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown and presented by DiGiovine, Hnilo, Jordan and Johnson, Ltd., the 22nd Annual Rotary Ride again will be SAG supported until 2PM; offering 21, 41, and 62 (metric century) mile routes.
According to 2017 Rotary Ride Chairman Jeff Davis, now president of the the Rotary Club of Naperville-Downtown, who has served on the Rotary Ride Committee for the past seven years, proceeds from the 2018 Rotary Ride will benefit three local charities, Naperville Responds for Veterans, Loaves & Fishes Community Services, 360 Youth Services, and Rotary International’s End Polio Now. Volunteers from the respective organizations will be present with information about the humanitarian services each nonprofit provides.
PHOTO GALLERY / Rotary Ride 2017
[shareprints gallery_id=”76908″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”0″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” titles=”true” captions=”true” descriptions=”true” comments=”true” sharing=”true”]“The event grows every year,” said Davis, mindful that pre-registration by the third week in July 2018 is about to match last year’s total. “Cyclists are signing up to come out and enjoy the ride in the country to help support four worthy causes that benefit. This year the majority of riders so far have signed up to ride to Silver Springs.”
Rotarian Pat Benton who hosted the SAG stop at Silver Springs with his wife, Polly, and Rotarian Nancy Quigley for the past few years is pleased that so many avid riders are pre-registering for the long distance metric century route.
Benton noted that last year the first arrival to Silver Springs was at 8:25AM. Considering that some riders began the tour as early as 6:10AM, the time for the rider from the start was 2:15 hours.
“Riders said this was the best organized ride they have done,” Benton said, reminiscing about last year. “All appreciated the road markings. The Rotary sign at the entrance to the park in Silver Springs was a big plus to show the correct entrance for the rest stop.”
Volunteers from the Naperville Jaycees, Loaves & Fishes Community Services, 360 Youth Services, New Generations, Neuqua Valley High School Rotary Interact and other Rotary Clubs will assist with this ride, according to long-distance cyclist Naish Shah who is serving as coordinator of the 22nd Annual Rotary Ride.
Family Fun Loop / 8-11AM
In addition to three choices of routes throughout the countryside, from 8AM to 11AM, a Family Fun Loop with signs noting Rotary trivia to help create awareness about the international service organization will be available for families to run, walk, bike or stroll.
The Fun Family Route will be set up around the track at Commissioners’ Park.
Same time every year: second Sunday in August with Sag-Supported Routes & Lunch Buffet
Early bird registration ($25) began in December. Right after the first of the year in 2018, registration was $30, then $40 during July 2018 and $50 in August. Riders are guaranteed a t-shirt if registered by mid-July.
A lunch buffet of fresh fruits and a healthful menu comes with the ride. Other nutritious snacks and beverages will be available midway along the SAG-supported routes. (SAG means “Support and Gear” for bicyclists, the marked vehicle available along the route that rescues cyclists, their bike and what gear they have on board when they can no longer ride due to fatigue, personal injury and/or bike failure.)
New for Rotary Ride 2018
New this year is a Rotary Ride jersey that will be featured at the event for purchase by special order and online, noted Rotarian Kevin McQuillan, who credited the original design to folks at Mill Race Cyclery in Geneva, one of the sponsors of this year’s ride.
Also, cyclists can arrange bike rentals in advance only by visiting the event’s official bike shop sponsor, Mill Race Cyclery. Find info at www.millrace.com or by calling (630) 232-2833.
For details about 2018 Rotary Ride, visit www.napervillerotaryride.com.
Thanks to 2018 Rotary Ride Sponsors
In addition to presenting sponsor DiGiovine, Hnilo, Jordan and Johnson, Ltd.; other sponsors include Jane DiGiovine, Caylor Consulting LLC, Fair Oaks Ford, Gary Baumgartner, Hugo’s Frog Pond & Fish House, Kathie and Will Gillett, Esser Hayes Insurance, Busey Bank, Naperville Bank & Trust, Gerard Auto Group, NPV Property Services, Sea Breeze West Remodeling, Janor Sports, Mill Race Cyclery, Casey’s Foods and Quigley’s Irish Pub.
Sponsorships remain available. Limited space for sponsor booths also is available. For questions and inquiries, email sponsor co-chairman Pat Benton at pat.benton@gmail.com or call (630) 989-1833. Rotary Ride is being organized by the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown, one of four Rotary Clubs of Naperville.
