Barry-Roubaix

Saturday, April 18

Barry-Roubaix

World's Largest Gravel Road Race

Like the classic it’s named after, Barry-Roubaix will test riders against (80%) rolling gravel roads, pavement, one mile of rough two track, rocks, sand, mud, and possibly snow and ice as you traverse the scenic roads of Barry County, Michigan.

Four race lengths to challenge riders of all abilities:

The 18-mile EverSource “Chiller” has approx. 1,200 feet of ascent.

The 36-mile Autocam Medical “Thriller” climbs approx. 2,200 feet of ascent.

The 62-mile WAHOO “Killer” climbs approx. 4,000 feet of ascent.

The 100-mile Panaracer “Psycho Killer” has over 7,000 feet of ascent! *400 racer cap*

We also have 45NRTH Fat Bike specific categories in the 18 & 36 mile races.

You're on your own for how you do this race and accommodations. There may be car pooling options depending on who all is going.

Think about if you want to stay overnight either Friday (before the race) or Saturday (after the race) or both. Best to reserve a room early to have a selection of venues. It's a 3-1/2 hour drive from the Fox Valley.

Date and Time

Saturday, April 18, 2026, 5:00 AM until 3:00 PM Central Time (US & Canada) (UTC-06:00)

Location

Downtown Hastings, MI

Hastings, MI  49058

USA

Carolina Hills Classic

May 14 – 17

Carolina Hills Classic

A Fund-raising event to support the Arthritis Foundation. Requires a commitment to raise $4,000 for each rider, the Carolina Hills Classic is a fully-appointed and e-bike friendly road cycling adventure nestled in the foothills of the unmatched beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You'll experience the best that Asheville and Greenville have to offer -- winding roads, a vibrant arts scene, and the welcoming hospitality of the Southeast. The four-day tour will take riders through the Blue Ridge Mountains onto the impressive Biltmore Estate grounds and the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering cyclists access to the region's most iconic and historic landscapes.

Date and Time

May 14-17, 2026

Event Information

Day 0 – Wednesday, May 13 - Asheville, NC

Riders convene at our host hotel in Asheville, NC, on Wednesday, May 13th, and begin their Carolina Hills Classic experience at registration, where they meet fellow riders, event staff, and Arthritis Foundation volunteers.

Optional: arrive early in the day and take a self-guided spin on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Day 1 – Thursday, May 14 - Asheville, NC

Short Course: 47.6 mi +3,654 ft elevation; Long Course: 60.1 mi +4,663 ft elevation.

Day 2 – Friday, May 15 - Asheville to Brevard, NC

Short Route: 50.7 mi with 4,763 ft; Long Route:72.7 mi with 7,370 ft

Day 3 - Saturday, May 16 - Brevard, NC to Greenville, SC

56.9 miles + 3,690 ft elevation.

Day 4 – Sunday, May 17 - Greenville, SC

Short Route: 42.8 mi +2,651 ft elevation; Long Route: 71.8 mi +4,659 ft elevation.

Location

Start Line/Opening Ceremony: Element Asheville Downtown, Asheville, N.C.

Finish Line/Closing Ceremony: Fireforge Crafted Beer, Greenville, S.C. 

FVBSC Contact(s)

Thomas W Mullen

Coordinating participation

twm1@mac.com

Katy Trail Ride

May 4 - 9

Event Information

Please contact Frank Hassler if you are interested in this planned excursion. Frank is planning a group ride on the Katy Trail from 5/4-9/26 beginning in Clinton, Missouri and ending in Weldon Springs, Missouri. He plans on having 5 core riders who will have the responsibility of driving SAG one day and also setting up hotel rooms for the group. A five passenger truck can be rented for $375+tax. Other club members will also be welcome. Cost of a shuttle ride for the non-core riders from the end town to the start town is about $140. Single occupant rooms are about $623+tax. Ride days range from 38 to 54 miles. If you have not ridden the Katy Trail, this ride will be a great opportunity to do so with other club members. 

Frank Hassler

630-715-2409

Location

Clinton, Missouri

Katy Trail

USA

FVBSC Contact

Frank c Hassler

6307152409 (p)

6307152409 (c)

f.hassler@sbcglobal.net

PAW Old World Wisconsin Tour

June 5 - 12

PAW Old World Tour

Event Information

PAW’s Old World Wisconsin loop tour begins & ends in bicycle-friendly Madison Wisconsin. The weeklong ride takes cyclists on paved, beautiful low traffic backroads with spectacular views of the Wisconsin River Valley while cycling through America's "Little Switzerland".

Enjoy a scenic week blending Bicycle Heaven with the old world charm of New Glarus and Spring Green. Cycle through some of Wisconsin's most scenic roads and historic areas on a tour you will long remember.

Enjoy Kettle Moraine Whitewater Lakes Recreational area and the heart of our nation’s Dairyland. Some of your ride or evening highlights can include a tour of the popular New Glarus Brewery or Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, a stroll through the historic Swiss Village of New Glarus, or a walk into historic downtown New Glarus to sample chocolates, cheeses and sausages all made the Old World Way and shop early for Christmas in unique shoppes.

TOUR LENGTH: 7 days - plus an optional Friday warm up ride

TOTAL TOUR DISTANCE: 350 miles

DAILY MILEAGE OPTIONS: 45 - 60

LAYOVER DAYS: 3 towns, 2 nights in each. Fully supported layover day routes with mileage options. 

NUMBER OF RIDERS: 65 -85

PAW Contact:

Ken: 847.309.4740 kennethjgoldman@yahoo.com

Location

Spark by Hilton

102 E Rusk

Madison, WI  53713

USA

FVBSC Contact

Stephanie Girgins

630-776-4054 (p)

630-776-4054 (c)

girgins@sbcglobal.net

Grand Illinois Bike Tour

June 5 - 12

Grand Illinois Bike Tour

Event Information

Join Ride Illinois from June 7-12, 2026 for the 23rd annual Grand Illinois Bike Tour (GIBT) – the nonprofit organization’s largest annual fundraiser and one heck of a good time! 

The 2026 GIBT will begin and end in Litchfield with overnights in pre-reserved hotels along the way.  We’ll roll out from Litchfield, make our way to O’Fallon (June 7), spend two nights in Edwardsville (June 8-9), then two nights in Alton (June 10-11) before riding back to Litchfield.

Can’t join us for all six days? Three-day options will be available on a limited basis. Ride Illinois will also be offering a Day Ride option for the first time ever for those who to experience a bit of GIBT.  Stay tuned, registration for those options will be coming soon!

Proceeds from 2026 GIBT support Ride Illinois – a grassroots, nonprofit organization with a mission to make Illinois better through biking.

Location

Litchfield, IL  

USA

FVBSC Contact

(None)

RAGBRAI

July 18 - 25

RAGBRAI

Event Information

RAGBRAI, The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state from July 18-25, 2026. RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest, and longest recreational bicycle touring event in the world.

This rolling celebration of Iowa attracts participants from all 50 states and many foreign countries. It has covered thousands of miles through the years, and hundreds of thousands of riders have hopped in the saddle to pedal part of those miles.

Onawa, Harlan, Guthrie Center, Boone, Marshalltown, Independence, Dyersville, and Dubuque. This will be our shortest ever route and tenth hilliest RAGBRAI, covering 391.4 miles and 16,027 feet of climb.

FVBSC members use a number of the charter services with some brave souls venturing among the general population. Charter services vary by cost and service levels.

Location

Onawa, IA

FVBSC Contact

(None)

Amishland & Lakes

July 24 - 26

Amishland & Lakes

Event Information

Amishland and Lakes is a 2 day ride and all about enjoying riding, viewing the scenery, and socializing with other riders. We have participants from age 3 to 93, families, women's groups, and regional cycling clubs from throughout the Midwest, and we have been told that the ride is very "tandem friendly."

The Amishland and Lakes bicycle tour visits a world where lifestyles have remained almost unchanged for over a hundred years. The routes range from 22 to 100 miles, offering smooth, quiet roads, where buggies are numerous and cars are few. There are wide open spaces, clean country air, friendly people and lots of great food. There is plenty to explore, experience and eat. Amishland and Lakes is famous for great SAG food (watermelons, peaches, blueberries, bananas and fresh baked cookies), and there are Amish bakeries, restaurants and homemade ice cream parlors along the route for riders who want to sample local “home cooking.” 

PLEASE NOTE: This event is in the Eastern Time Zone - and there is an optional 3rd day to ride. Come down on Friday and ride the Pumpkin Vine Trail as a pre-ride warm up!

Location

4-H Fairgrounds

LaGrange, IN  

USA

FVBSC Contact

(None)

Hancock Flat 50

August 21 - 23

Hancock Flat 50

Event Information

The Hancock Flat 50 is an annual event featuring a bicycle ride and festival with music, food, and drinks held every August in Hancock County, Indiana. The event is open to cyclists of all skill levels, and offers 25- and 50- mile options. The inaugural ride in 2016 had 150 cyclists participate. Numbers have increased eight fold, with over 1,200 cyclists participating in 2024! This is a great chip-timed event for experienced riders or a more leisurely ride with friends.

Enjoy live music, delicious food from local food trucks and an exclusive Pedal Pusher brew by Wooden Bear Brewing Co. Our recovery zone will also feature pulse compression recovery boots. Hancock Flat 50 supports Hancock County by building connections between citizens across the county through the shared enjoyment of and interest in cycling.

Location

Greenfield, IN  

USA

FVBSC Contact

Stephanie Girgins

630-776-4054 (p)

630-776-4054 (c)

girgins@sbcglobal.net

Big BAM on the KATY

October 11 - 17

Big BAM October

Event Information

Ride the Iconic KATY Trail, the longest “Rail-Trail” in the Country. Explore Missouri in a way like never before. The ride takes you through pastoral farmland, meadows full of wildflowers, and majestic forests, and explores charming small towns.

Big BAM (Bike Across Missouri) on the Katy is a fully supported ride. You will explore Missouri in a way like never before. The ride takes you through pastoral farmland, meadows full of wildflowers, and majestic forests, and explores charming small towns.

• You can ride alongside the Missouri River for long stretches, see the same Native American pictographs Lewis and Clark saw, and discover the charming old river towns along the way.
• You can rent a bike and e-bikes are welcome.
• Enjoy music and complimentary drinks every night.
• Ride for one day, three days, or the whole six days.
• Worry-free and hassle-free with our camping or hotel packages, luggage transfers, and more. If you choose the camping option, we’ve arranged daily shower services for you.
• Amazing SAG (support and gear) support. Outside magazine named Big BAM one of the best-supported rides.

Location

Clinton, MO

USA

FVBSC Contact

Chris Carpenter

630-675-4750 (c)

crcarpenter77@gmail.com