The North Shore Century bike ride, which organizers say attracts about 2,000 riders annually, is moving its starting and ending point from Evanston’s Dawes Park to Wilmette’s Gillson Park this year.
The race, sponsored by the Evanston Bicycle Club, will take place Sunday, Sept. 21 this year, and registration is open at www.northshorecentury.org. The registration fee is $40 until Sept. 7, $50 from Sept. 8-20 and $60 on the day of the ride, if available.
Cyclists have a choice of a 25-mile route that goes to Glencoe, as well as 50-mile, 62-mile or 100-mile routes that wind through the North Shore suburbs. The 100-mile route, dubbed the century, goes to Wisconsin and back.
All routes begin at the Lakeview Center, 800 Gillson Park Drive, Wilmette.
Each route includes rest stops stocked with food, including a signature item – for example, the Glencoe rest stop on the 25-mile route features Homer’s ice cream.
Local bike shops Green Bay Cycles in Winnetka, On the Fly Mobile Bike Repair, The Recyclery in Chicago, Trek Highland Park, Velosmith in Wilmette, Wheel to Wheel Mobile Bike Repair and Zion Cyclery will provide mechanics free of charge at the ride’s rest stops, and support vehicles will be available to help in mid-ride emergencies.
For its 40-year history, the North Shore Century started and ended in Dawes Park or a nearby location on Evanston’s lakefront. However, due to changes made by the Evanston Parks and Recreation Department, according to Century organizers, they moved the start to Wilmette.
“We’re very pleased that the Wilmette Park District made the Lakeview Center available for our home base and we’re looking forward to starting and ending the rides there,” said Peter Glaser, North Shore Century chair.
“Gillson Park is a beautiful location and is convenient to downtown Wilmette, which has ample free parking on Sundays for riders coming from outside the area and a number of restaurants for cyclists to enjoy post-ride.”