The Coal Country Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 3rd
Annual Tour de Coal Bicycle Ride.
The Tour de Coal is for riders of all ages and abilities who have an interest in
cycling in the Macoupin County Illinois area.
The ride will be held in conjunction with the 10th Annual Fall Festival held at
the Benld City Park.
Choose from a 15 mile family ride, a mid-length 30 mile ride or a metric
century. The terrain is flat to rolling with some hills.
All routes start and end at the Benld Elementary School.
Restrooms are available at the school and city park.
View the route map and print a copy HERE
You will need Adobe Reader to view this file, download it here:
Registration is from 7AM to 9AM at the Benld Elementary School on
the morning of the event.
Annual Tour de Coal Bicycle Ride.
The Tour de Coal is for riders of all ages and abilities who have an interest in
cycling in the Macoupin County Illinois area.
The ride will be held in conjunction with the 10th Annual Fall Festival held at
the Benld City Park.
Choose from a 15 mile family ride, a mid-length 30 mile ride or a metric
century. The terrain is flat to rolling with some hills.
All routes start and end at the Benld Elementary School.
Restrooms are available at the school and city park.
View the route map and print a copy HERE
You will need Adobe Reader to view this file, download it here:
Registration is from 7AM to 9AM at the Benld Elementary School on
the morning of the event.
| Tour de Coal |
| The 3rd Annual Gillespie/Benld Area Bike Ride |
| Online at Active.com By Mail Complete this form online then print and mail Day of the Event At Benld Elementary (early registration recommended) |
| Ways to Register |
| Entry Fees |
| $15 Per Person ($20 at day of event) $40 Family Special ($50 at day of event) |
| The routes will be marked and cue sheets will be provided. All routes will have rest stops with snacks, water and Gatorade. All routes will be SAG supported (SAG ends at 4 PM, so please plan your start time to correlate) Helmets are required to be worn by all riders. Cyclists must obey all traffic laws. |
| Saturday September 27, 2008 |
| For more information, please call 217-839-4888 or email questions to mrer@madisontelco.com |
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About the Gillespie/ Benld Area
The Gillespie/ Benld area has a rich heritage because of its ties to the coal industry. The
region has sizable numbers of people of German, Italian, Slavic and Russian descent
drawn to the region by mining. The region is dotted with more than 20 old coal mines.
Benld (pronounced ben-neld) is home to the Coliseum Ballroom, which once played host to
musical giants such as Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington the Everly Brothers and Ray Charles.
Benld is also home to The Holy Dormition of the Theotokos Russian Orthodox Church, the
only church in Illinois under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia.
Tours of the church will be available during the Tour de Coal.
Both Gillespie and Benld are on the original alignment (1926-1930) of Route 66 through
Illinois. The 63 mile route uses alignments of Route 66 in the Staunton - Mount Olive
area and passes by the grave site of Mary "Mother Jones" Harris, a prominent labor
activist in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
Joseph Magnani, a bicycle racer who saw success in big European races in the 1930's and
1940's, grew up in nearby Mount Clare.
The Gillespie/ Benld area has a rich heritage because of its ties to the coal industry. The
region has sizable numbers of people of German, Italian, Slavic and Russian descent
drawn to the region by mining. The region is dotted with more than 20 old coal mines.
Benld (pronounced ben-neld) is home to the Coliseum Ballroom, which once played host to
musical giants such as Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington the Everly Brothers and Ray Charles.
Benld is also home to The Holy Dormition of the Theotokos Russian Orthodox Church, the
only church in Illinois under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia.
Tours of the church will be available during the Tour de Coal.
Both Gillespie and Benld are on the original alignment (1926-1930) of Route 66 through
Illinois. The 63 mile route uses alignments of Route 66 in the Staunton - Mount Olive
area and passes by the grave site of Mary "Mother Jones" Harris, a prominent labor
activist in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
Joseph Magnani, a bicycle racer who saw success in big European races in the 1930's and
1940's, grew up in nearby Mount Clare.
