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 the scenic Springfield, Sangamon area of central Illinois! This exciting series of rides invites gravel enthusiasts to explore the beautiful backroads with options of approximately 30 and 60-mile routes. Each ride will feature a convenient stop at a local store, allowing participants to refuel and connect with fellow riders.
But that's not all! The Thunder Road Gravel Tour includes a thrilling points-based competition where riders can showcase their skills on selected gravel segments. Times will be tracked via Strava, with leaderboards for both men and women, adding an extra layer of excitement to the rides. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a casual spin, push your limits for competitive segments, or simply soak in the stunning scenery with friends, this no-cost series promises to deliver unforgettable experiences. Join us and be a part of a vibrant community celebrating the joy of gravel riding!
But that's not all! The Thunder Road Gravel Tour includes a thrilling points-based competition where riders can showcase their skills on selected gravel segments. Times will be tracked via Strava, with leaderboards for both men and women, adding an extra layer of excitement to the rides. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a casual spin, push your limits for competitive segments, or simply soak in the stunning scenery with friends, this no-cost series promises to deliver unforgettable experiences. Join us and be a part of a vibrant community celebrating the joy of gravel riding!
Organiser's Description
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, most likely Riverton IL and an adventure to seek out as many old decrepit bridges as we can find
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.
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, most likely Riverton IL and an adventure to seek out as many old decrepit bridges as we can find
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
-
Thunder Road GT: TBD
Sat 13th June 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
Free
-
Thunder Road GT: Rural Cyclery River Romp
Sat 11th July 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
Free
-
Thunder Road GT: Tour DeCrepit Bridges
Sun 9th August 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
Free
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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
