Chicago Area (and midwest) cyclists don’t miss the 2012 Tour of Elk Grove! (like I just did with he 2011 Tour of Elk Grove).
I live in the Chicago area (Palatine) and I just saw the Tour of Elk Grove on CSN last night. I was actually not aware that Elk Grove even had this event until last night and I am so disappointed that I missed it last month!
Therefore, I wanted to be sure to get the word out for this event for next year (and I will definitely be there!)
According to the Daily Herald, The 2012 Tour of Elk Grove is planned for August 3-5, 2012.
Also, if you missed this year’s event, there is one more airing on CSN tomorrow, Oct 1, 2011 at 1:00.
OK, I have been known to joke around about my rides calling them the “Tour de this” or “Tour of that” (with respect to the Tour de France). For example, I have done the “Tour de Paul Douglas Forest Preserve” (TDPD) and the “Tour de Fox River” (TDFR) many times now!
The Tour of Elk Grove however, is no joke! This is a major international event, sponsored by AlexianBrothers Hospital, that also supports a number of worthy charitable organizations. They also have a very informative and well organized website at www.tourofelkgrove.com.
Unlike le Tour de France, The Tour of Elk Grove (TOEG) has a men’s and a women’s race. The winner of the men’s 2011 TOEG was Luis Amaran of Cuba and the winner of the women’s 2011 TOEG was Canadian Leah Kirchmann.
The professional men’s 3 day race is recognised by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale, based in Switzerland) and the TOEG is 1 of only 6 cycling races in the US to be sanctioned by the UCI.
There are also entry level races so if you are a racer be sure to sign up before the entry level races are full. There is even a big wheel race for the kids (I didn’t check up on status of that one but that could be fun too). And, of course, if you are into racing and would like to train for the TOEG, check out the Tour de France Indoor Cycle.
In my opinion, if cycling keeps gaining in popularity in Chicago, the Tour of Elk Grove could become as popular in the Chicagoland area as the famous Bike The Drive event (which will be held on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago on May 27, 2012 starting at 5:30am).
The TOEG has a major sponsor (Alexian Brothers Hospital) and as I mentioned, supports a number of charities, so hopefully the village of Elk Grove will continue to support this event and it will continue to be sponsored and to grow each year.