GITAP 2004
Grand Illinois Trail and Parks Bicycle Ride
June 13-19, 2004

A joint effort between the League of Illinois Bicyclists and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Day 1, 06-13: DeKalb to Starved Rock State Park
Day 2, 06-14: Starved Rock State Park to Johnson/Sauk State Park
Day 3, 06-15: Johnson/Sauk State Park to Morrison/Rockwood State Park
Day 4, 06-16: Morrison/Rockwood State Park to Galena Middle School
Day 5, 06-17: Galena Middle School to Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park
Day 6, 06-18: Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park to White Pines State Park
Day 7, 06-19: White Pines State Park to DeKalb
400 to 430 miles total, depending on Day 3's mileage option.

GITAP 2004 Websites/Photos

League of Illinois Bicyclist photos

Joe Ferguson and Elizabeth Castro's website

Peter Turula's website

Mike Palombi's photo pages

GITAP 2004 Web page invitation

Greetings,
The Grand Illinois Trail and Parks ride is ready and raring to go for 2004.

We had a grand time on the first GITAP in 2003, and we hope to have an even better time next year.

We've made changes and improvements after hearing feedback on the ride and from the helpful suggestions last year's riders sent us. But GITAP will still retain the basic qualities that sets it apart as a high quality week-long bicycle touring experience.

The basics:

• A mid-June week-long supported bicycle tour using much of the Grand Illinois Trail and many of the state parks along the trail.
• Sponsored by the League of Illinois Bicyclists with support from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
• Tent camping in five state parks and at one school, although nearby motels (and a motel package) are available. Showers and luggage transportation will be provided.
• Breakfasts and dinners included - and, of course, a T-shirt.
• Nightly meeting featuring ride info, occasional entertainment, and door prizes.
• Alternative on-road routes when soft trails are used.

What's new:

1. This year's ride will begin on Sunday, June 13, 2004, and end on Saturday, June 19.
2. We'll begin and end in the DeKalb area - close to major transportation arteries.
3. Western Illinois gets the spotlight this year - including Galena and its scenic hills.
4. Here's the tentative route:
5. Sunday, 6/13 - Starved Rock State Park - 60 miles
6. Monday, 6/14 - Johnson/Sauk State Park - 70 miles
7. Tuesday, 6/15 - Morrison/Rockwood State Park - either 50 or 80 miles
8. Wednesday, 6/16 - Galena Middle School - 60 mile
9. Thursday, 6/17 - Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park - 50 miles
10. Friday, 6/18 - White Pines State Park - 60 miles
11. Saturday 6/19 - DeKalb - 50 miles
12. Total - 400 to 430 miles
13. Two of the day's routes (Wednesday and Thursday) include fairly healthy hills. You have three days of flat riding before them,
    but do realize that both Blackjack Ridge leading into Galena and the ride east from Galena are challenging.
14. The base price for the ride will be $310. Members of LIB will get a $20 discount; paying $290
    (if you're unsure about your status, e-mail lib@bikelib.org). It's more than last year, but it's still a bargain. Any profit from GITAP goes to support LIB, which really means supporting bicycling.
15. The ride will be limited to 140 camping riders - 20 more than last year.
16. It will be first come, first serve, starting when you receive this. We're asking for the full amount up front, but this year we will allow refunds according to this schedule: full refund before March 12; half refund before April 12; no refunds after April 12.
17. Check out: http://dnr.state.il.us/orep/planning/GITAP for additional photos and commentary about the first GITAP.

So, if you want to enjoy an outdoor bicycling adventure on a grand scale in June of 2004, do the following:

1. Print the registration form.
2. Complete the registration form, remembering to sign the waiver.
3. Send the registration form and the total of your registration fees to GITAP, Chuck Oestreich, 816 - 22^nd St, Rock Island, IL  61201.
   Make the check payable to League of Illinois Bicyclists.
4. After April 12, 2004, fees are not refundable but your registration will be transferable. If we meet our limit, we anticipate a waiting list of potential riders who will be willing to buy your registration. We will help you if you need to transfer your registration.

Questions: email Chuck Oestreich oestreich@qconline.com or 309-788-1845.

Printable entry form: GITAP Entry Form - 2004

Please note: On the last evening of GITAP last year, Sandi Burrier, of Morton, Il, won a door prize of a $100 discount on this year's ride. She's not going to be on the ride this year, so she is offering to have it transferred to a young cyclist needing financial assistance. Qualified and interested? Email Chuck Oestreich oestreich@qconline.com.

Bike Illinois/GITAP Jersey is now available. The jerseys will be shipped in early June 2004.