Illinois Great Rivers Fall Motorcycle Ride scheduled for late September

75th anniversary of the Great River Road

[August 27, 2013]  MACOMB -- This September, motorcyclists can head out on the Great River Road in Illinois, a National Scenic Byway, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of this scenic route and take part in the second annual Illinois Great Rivers Fall Motorcycle Ride. They can enjoy the views along the Mississippi River, fall foliage and experience local attractions.

The ride will begin Sept. 28 in both Galena and Alton and head to Quincy. Whether starting in Alton or Galena, there will be stops along the way to visit local attractions and fill a poker card.

Poker card locations along the Galena route are Poopy's Pub n' Grub, Savanna; De Immigrant Windmill, Fulton; John Deere Pavilion, Moline (Quad Cities); Ducky's Lagoon, Taylor Ridge; and Garretson's Bar & Grill, Warsaw.

Poker card locations along the Alton route are the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower, Hartford; Alton Visitor Center, Alton; Pere Marquette State Park Visitor's Center, Grafton; Louie's Kampsville Inn, Kampsville; and the Copperhead Tavern, New Canton.

Once in Quincy, dinner and evening entertainment will be provided and the winner of the best poker hand will be announced. A special rate has been extended to ride participants who book accommodations at Stoney Creek Inn and Microtel Inn & Suites in Quincy.

The ride is being hosted in honor of National Scenic Byway Week and the 75th anniversary of the Great River Road by the Great Rivers Country Regional Tourism Development Office and the Great River Road in Illinois, in conjunction with the convention and visitors bureaus of the Alton area, Quincy area, Quad Cities, Blackhawk Waterways and Galena/Jo Daviess County.

All proceeds of the ride will go to the Great River Honor Flight, which helps veterans visit their memorials.

Preregistration must be postmarked by Sept. 13. The registration cost is $65 per rider or $75 with passenger. Veterans receive a $5 discount through registration. Registration will take place in Alton and Galena on the night before and the morning of the ride. Visit www.greatriverscountry.info for more information on the ride and to download the registration form (PDF), or call 309-837-7460.

This event is made possible in part through grant funding received from the Illinois Office of Tourism, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

[Text from file received from Great Rivers Country Regional Tourism Development Office]