Plans are being finalized for the first annual ITS Trail / Old Route 66 Ride. This FREE leisurely ride of nearly 17 miles (or 34 if you choose to cycle back,) is being coordinated by members of the ITS Trail Committee, Inc. in conjunction with "Route 66 Trail-Breaking" National Trails Day on Saturday, June 2. "Route 66 Trail-Breaking" National Trail Day is sponsored by the League of Illinois Bicyclists, the Route 66 Trail Executive Council, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Volunteers. This nostalgic ride will pass the Ariston Café, Mother Jones Monument, Soulsby’s Shell Station and the former locations of many icons along various sections of Old Route 66. Since this ride is on a highly traveled roadway with vehicular traffic, it is recommended that only experienced riders participate.

The ride will start at Niehaus Cycle Sales in Litchfield, with registration beginning at 7:00a.m. and the ride starting promptly at 8:00 a.m.. Riders will pass through Mt Olive, with a rest stop at Mt Olive City Park on Main Street, where shorter distance riders may join in around 9:30 a.m., then on to Staunton, past "Henry’s Ra66it Ranch," with termination at the beautiful new Duda Garden & ITS Trail Head located at 205 N. Union St. A map of the route is available at www.bikelib.org/route66 and pre-registration on that site is encouraged. Be sure to click on the link for the Litchfield to Staunton ride. Refreshments for the riders will be served at the parking lot south of Duda Garden & ITS Trail Head, where bike and vehicular parking will also be available.

Following the ride, dedication ceremonies for the newly completed Duda Garden & ITS Trail Head will begin at 12:30 p.m. and last about 45 minutes. This beautiful new facility is Staunton’s Downtown City Park and will be the northern end of the approved Worden to Staunton trail as well as the southern end of the proposed ITS Trail from Staunton through Sawyerville to Benld. Arrangements for the dedication festivities are being coordinated by the Tourism Committee of the Staunton City Council and the Duda Garden Committee. Several persons who were instrumental in obtaining funding for the project will be guest speakers.

Please join the organizations involved by participating in the ride and attending the dedication of the beautiful garden. If you are not up to the ride, but would like to enjoy a short walk, you may park your car in the lot at the northwest corner of Spring and South Union Sts and walk to Duda Garden.

Please contact Jarid Ott at 618-635-3150 or jott@its-trail.org for additional information.