Over 70 bikers enroll to roll around Lansing
by Melanie Jongsma
LANSING, Ill. (September 18, 2021) – Though the LOOP bike ride has been a Lansing tradition for nine years, this is only the third year the ride has taken place in the fall. All three of those years have been marked with perfect biking weather, affirming the Lansing Area Chamber’s decision to make the change. For its first six years, LOOP was a summer event, and riders often endured rain and/or sweltering heat.
This year over 70 riders registered for the event, a smaller turnout than last year’s LOOP. Chamber Director Amy Todd speculated that COVID-related fears might be a factor, while other participants mentioned scheduling conflicts now that schools — and school sports — are back in session.
LOOP riders met at Fox Pointe and lined up to be escorted by members of the Lansing Police Department along Ridge Road, Burnham Avenue, and 186th Street onto the bike path through the forest preserve. This year Mayor Patty Eidam stood near the launch point and wished the riders a good trip as they turned onto Henry Street. The 17-mile route circles back to Fox Pointe, where bikers would receive a goodie bag and take a short break before lining up again and biking three miles to Lansing Municipal Airport.
Typically LOOP participants get to bike along the runway at the airport, but this year those plans were thwarted by resurfacing work being done on the runway. Bikers still were able to ride around the airport, but not on the runway.
No injuries were reported at LOOP 2021. Riders who completed both sections of the 20-mile ride, with a break in between, were finished before 9:00pm.
The Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce serves Lansing and the surrounding region, with membership from at least 18 communities. Upcoming events are posted on the Chamber website:
The Lansing Area Chamber is headquartered at 18155 Roy Street in Lansing, Illinois.
