Are you ready?
The TLC Night Owl Bike Ride is Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022!

The TLC Night Owl Bike Ride is a fun, late-night group bike ride on the bike lanes and trails of Crystal Lake. We’ll pedal off on Saturday night, August 6, 2022 at 10:00 PM. Proceeds from the ride benefit The Land Conservancy of McHenry County.

Details

Date: Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022
Time: 10:00 p.m., rider check-in begins at 8:30 p.m.
Location: Crystal Lake City Hall, 100 W. Woodstock St. Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Cost: $20 night of ride, online registration is now closed. Riders can register onsite for $20.

Rider check-in (and the fun) begins at 8:30 p.m. We’ll have live music by Julie and the Gems, Baggo, local bike shops and more! Please come to the registration table so we can check off your name and give you your wristband and t-shirt if you ordered one.

***The deadline to order a t-shirt has passed. We will have a very limited quantity of shirts for sale at the ride. ***

Enjoy live music before the ride by Julie and the Gems!

Julie and The Gems have been singing and playing together since 2015. This trio, including Julie Gibson (guitar, vocals); Scott Brix (banjo, guitar, vocals); and Al Fyfe (bass), is forged by friendship and a love for a broad range of music. Julie and the Gems focus on roots music and original works with a hint of Bluegrass. The trio has a blast playing at farmers markets and other local venues near their home around Woodstock, Illinois.

See the Photos from the 2021 Night Owl!

Parking is available across the street from Crystal Lake City Hall at the Metra Commuter lot.

Ride starts and ends at: 100 W. Woodstock St. Crystal Lake City Hall

Most of the riding will take place on designated bike routes, lanes and paths. Miles of additional rustic trails have been added to the route. The route is approximately 20 miles.

There will also be a shorter, family-friendly route, which is 9-1/2 miles.

Safety is the number one priority for the Night Owl! Please review these items before coming to the ride:

Helmets are mandatory.
Lights and reflectors are mandatory.
Review the route before you start the ride.
Obey all traffic laws. (Officers may issue citations.)
Carry an ID and cell phone.
Bike must be in good condition.
Do not ride more than two abreast.
Please bring a reusable water bottle.

Watch our Facebook page for any updates on the ride. There will be no refunds for the ride.

The fine print:

The Night Owl is limited to 500 riders. Any rider 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult throughout the ride. The safety of Night Owl participants is of primary importance. The route is on public streets and must be shared with motor vehicles during evening hours. We require all riders to wear helmets, have lights on your bicycle and ride no more than two abreast. The Crystal Lake Police Department also reminds us to obey all traffic laws. This is NOT a race, but a RIDE! The Crystal Lake Police Department bike patrol will ride along with us to insure a safe and fun ride for all participants.

There are no refunds for the Night Owl ride.

Please link to the map via Google Maps on your phone. The route is marked with signs and course marshals will be posted along the route to ensure riders stay on course. Print copies of the map will NOT be available at the ride.

The Night Owl Route

The Night Owl route will remain largely the same as in 2021 with minor tweaks to account for construction, etc. Please check in closer to the date of the ride for the most updated route.

Please link to the map via Google Maps on your phone. The route is marked with signs and course marshals will be posted along the route to ensure riders stay on course. Print copies of the map will NOT be available at the ride.

Rest Stop

The rest stop is located at Woodscreek Park. Water, restrooms, snacks and first aid will be available here.

Volunteers Wanted!

The Night Owl is not possible without our wonderful volunteers – would you like to help out during this fun event? We are looking for people to check in and register riders, course marshals, people to assist at rest areas and more!

Volunteer opportunities are available here. Or contact Glenda at [email protected] if you have questions.

Tip for signing up: If you’re on a phone you’ll need to click the little blue “pencil” icon in the top right corner in order to fill out your info. If you’re having trouble, just email [email protected] and I’ll fill in your info. Thank you!

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Show your support for a bike-friendly McHenry County and get exposure with area cyclists and families!

The Night Owl is a great opportunity to showcase your business or organization to area families and outdoor enthusiasts! There will be up to 500 riders assembling to pedal Crystal Lake at night, as well as many behind-the-scenes volunteers.

This fun, much-anticipated event presents the opportunity for exposure to area families and cyclists! All proceeds from the ride support land preservation in McHenry County.

A variety of support packages are available to make this event a success! Please make your commitment by July 1 to take full advantage of sponsor benefits.

Platinum Sponsor—$1,000 (3 opportunities available!)

Sponsor-provided banner placed in premier location at the ride
Largest logo placement on all promotional materials and registration forms (print and online)
Largest business logo on website
Logo on Night Owl ride t-shirt
Five courtesy rider entries to be used at your discretion
Recognition in all press releases
Opportunity to provide promotional items at start/finish line
Featured business post on Night Owl Facebook page

Gold Sponsor—$500