Thunder Road Gravel Tour
- Date Sun 24th May 2026 - Sun 9th August 2026
- Time 9:00AM CDT
- Location Springfield, Illinois
- Price Free
- Races 4 races
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating adventure at the Thunder Road Gravel Tour, taking place from May 24 to August 9, 2026, in Springfield, Sangamon! This exciting event is a revitalization of the Sangamon Gravel Series, promising thrilling rides through the beautiful landscapes of central Illinois. Cyclists can look forward to a variety of routes, featuring 30 and 60-mile options, with a convenient store stop to refuel before continuing the journey.
The Thunder Road Gravel Tour is not just about the ride; it also includes a fun points-based competition where participants can showcase their speed on select gravel segments. With no-cost registration required for competition eligibility, riders will be able to track their performances via Strava while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow gravel enthusiasts. After each ride, gather with friends at a local brewery, bar, or restaurant to celebrate your achievements and share stories. Whether you're aiming for a personal best or simply want to enjoy the great outdoors with friends, do not miss this chance to explore new trails and make lasting memories!
The Thunder Road Gravel Tour is not just about the ride; it also includes a fun points-based competition where participants can showcase their speed on select gravel segments. With no-cost registration required for competition eligibility, riders will be able to track their performances via Strava while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow gravel enthusiasts. After each ride, gather with friends at a local brewery, bar, or restaurant to celebrate your achievements and share stories. Whether you're aiming for a personal best or simply want to enjoy the great outdoors with friends, do not miss this chance to explore new trails and make lasting memories!
Organiser's Description
The Springfield Bicycle Club is excited to renew our popular Sangamon Gravel Series, and rebrand as the Thunder Road Gravel tour! Last year we brought you all together for a series of rides around Springfield. This year, we're expanding the series to a wider region!
Join us for a series of rides from May through August and explore what the central Illinois has to offer when you venture off of the beaten path. Ride specifics are TBD, but expect something in the ballpark of 30 and 60 mile options with a convenience store stop in the middle. After each ride, we'll have an optional takeover of a local brewery/bar/restaurant.
THIS IS A NO-COST SERIES, so there will be no SAG offered. As a gravel rider, you're probably already self-sufficient enough to fix a flat or minor mechanical on the road and if you're not, make some friends out there! But that's just the basic highlights.
POINTS-BASED COMPETITION
The most exciting part of the series will be a points-based competition. Each route will have a few gravel segments selected where riders will have the option of competing to do their best efforts. Points will be awarded based on the best times set that day on Strava, with leaderboards tracked for men and women.
While the rides are is not a race, our encouragement of competition on the points segments means that we will use BikeSignup.com so that we can track participants and waivers. This is a no-cost registration, but it will be mandatory for points competition eligibility. Whether you want to get out for a fun spin around some gravel roads you may not have ridden yet, put down some blistering times on the competitive segments, or just get miles rides in with great friends and scenery, we hope you'll join us!!
DATES AND LOCATIONS:
* May 23 - Cuba IL, collaborating with Gravel Syndicate
* June 13 - TBD
* July 11 - Winchester IL, collaborating with Rural Cyclery
* August 9 - TBD
This event will be updated with routes and details as we approach each event, and you can keep current with discussion and details on our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/782650436593916
Route collection - https://ridewithgps.com/collections/3961753
ROUTES WILL BE POSTED AS WE APPROACH EACH RIDE.
Join us for a series of rides from May through August and explore what the central Illinois has to offer when you venture off of the beaten path. Ride specifics are TBD, but expect something in the ballpark of 30 and 60 mile options with a convenience store stop in the middle. After each ride, we'll have an optional takeover of a local brewery/bar/restaurant.
THIS IS A NO-COST SERIES, so there will be no SAG offered. As a gravel rider, you're probably already self-sufficient enough to fix a flat or minor mechanical on the road and if you're not, make some friends out there! But that's just the basic highlights.
POINTS-BASED COMPETITION
The most exciting part of the series will be a points-based competition. Each route will have a few gravel segments selected where riders will have the option of competing to do their best efforts. Points will be awarded based on the best times set that day on Strava, with leaderboards tracked for men and women.
While the rides are is not a race, our encouragement of competition on the points segments means that we will use BikeSignup.com so that we can track participants and waivers. This is a no-cost registration, but it will be mandatory for points competition eligibility. Whether you want to get out for a fun spin around some gravel roads you may not have ridden yet, put down some blistering times on the competitive segments, or just get miles rides in with great friends and scenery, we hope you'll join us!!
DATES AND LOCATIONS:
* May 23 - Cuba IL, collaborating with Gravel Syndicate
* June 13 - TBD
* July 11 - Winchester IL, collaborating with Rural Cyclery
* August 9 - TBD
This event will be updated with routes and details as we approach each event, and you can keep current with discussion and details on our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/782650436593916
Route collection - https://ridewithgps.com/collections/3961753
ROUTES WILL BE POSTED AS WE APPROACH EACH RIDE.
Races
-
Thunder Road GT X Gravel Syndicate: Cuban Gravel Crisis
Sun 24th May 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
Free
OPENS 01 MAR -
Thunder Road GT: TBD
Sat 13th June 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
Free
OPENS 01 MAR -
Thunder Road GT: Rural Cyclery River Romp
Sat 11th July 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
Free
OPENS 01 MAR -
Thunder Road GT: TBD
Sun 9th August 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
Free
OPENS 01 MAR
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c/o Springfield Bicycle Club, PO Box 13035, Springfield, 62791-3035, IL, United States
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Thunder Road Gravel Tour
