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Sports

Cruise the Creek Presented by Silver Cross Hospital

"Cruise the Creek" is a free, family bike ride and festival hosted by the Forest Preserve District of Will County and presented by Silver Cross Hospital, the event's title sponsor for 2012.

This fourth annual event will be held at Hickory Creek Barrens in New Lenox on Saturday, October 6 from noon to 4:00 p.m.

The bike ride will take place on a two-loop trail through the scenic woodlands, wetlands, and prairie of Hickory Creek Preserve. Riders can choose from a 6-mile loop, an 11-mile loop, or both!

The event is open to all ages, but the ride is recommended for individual riders of at least 11 years of age. In addition to their own bikes, all riders are urged to bring drinking water and wear safety helmets.

Pre-registered riders will be able to check in at 11:30 a.m. at the event. The first 500 pre-registered riders to check in will receive a free T-shirt. (Please note that pre-registration does not guarantee you a T-shirt, and size choice cannot be guaranteed.) Pre-registration will close at noon on Thursday, October 4.

On-site registration will be available at the event, but riders who register at the event will not be able to check in until noon. On-site registrants will not receive T-shirts.

All riders must set out on the trail no later than 2:00 p.m.

Bike the trails and then end your ride with a festive fall gathering. Festivities, including entertainment, food vendors, children's activities, and free pumpkin painting, will continue until 4:00 p.m. Join us for a day full of family fun in the fall!

New for 2012! A free, all-ages "Cruise the Creek Gear-Up" event will be held on Saturday, September 22, at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This special addition will feature bicycle safety checks by Sumbaum Cycle, bicycle decorating and a craft for kids, music, an inflatable obstacle course, and food and drinks for purchase from Niko's Pizzeria. The first 250 to attend will receive a free hooded sweatshirt. (Please note that size choice cannot be guaranteed.) Pre-registration for "Cruise the Creek" will also be available at the "Gear-Up." No registration is required for the "Gear-Up." Parking for the event will be available in Lot B.

Generous sponsors for these events include Silver Cross Hospital, Chiro One Wellness Centers, Bill Jacobs Subaru, Chicagoland Speedway, Enbridge, Rasmussen College, Sumbaum Cycle, JULIE, Inc., New Lenox Park District, and Homer Tree Service, Inc.

"Cruise the Creek" is hosted along paved pathways on manicured lawn. The "Gear-Up" event is held on both paved and natural flat surfaces. In providing programs and services to the public, the Forest Preserve District will make reasonable modifications to ensure that all people have an equal opportunity to enjoy District offerings.

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