Prairie Pedal
20, 40, or 62 Mile Ride
September 29, 2024
Prairie Pedal
Prairie Pedal is an annual bicycle ride fundraiser for the Macon County Conservation Foundation. Held annually on the last Sunday in September, this event raises funds for natural areas and wildlife in Macon County, Illinois.
Since it began in 2008, local businesses, generous individuals and families, and cyclists, have funded dozens of projects that have improved hundreds of acres of Macon County prairies, wetlands, and forests: See some of the projects made possible by Prairie Pedal.
Join us for Prairie Pedal:
Sunday, September 29, 2024
Choose from a 20 mile, 40 mile, or 62 mile ride on quiet Macon County country roads. Your registration includes a free giveaway and well-stocked rest stops along the routes. You’ll see vibrant prairie grasses, wildflowers, and likely spot some wildlife as you ride. After the ride, enjoy live music and a tasty chili lunch (with vegetarian option) and an assortment of refreshments. All routes begin and end at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL.
Support vehicles will be monitoring the routes, and available to help riders in need of assistance during the event. Priority will be given to riders in emergency situations due to illness, injury, or irreparable breakdowns. All riders must wear a bicycle helmet. Parental supervision is required for children. The ride takes place on public roads where other motorists are present.
Registration Fee
$35/rider on or before Saturday, August 31
$40/rider after Saturday, August 31
Event Times & Location
Riders on the 40 and 62 mile routes may check-in between 6:30am and 8am.
Riders on the 20 mile route may check-in between 8am and 10am.
All routes begin and end at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL. And rides must be completed by 1pm.
Registration Options
1 Snail Mail: Download the Registration Form and mail with payment to Macon County Conservation Foundation, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL 62521.
2 Active.com: Register online through Active.com.
3 In Person: Register in person any time after August 31, up to and including the day of the event. To register in person before the event, visit our business office any weekday, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm in Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL.
“Had a great time and everyone was very friendly.”
“One of the best charity rides! I love participating every year”
“Thank you! Looking forward to next year!”
“Awesome – Our favorite ride of the year!”
Thank you to our generous sponsors of the 2024 Prairie Pedal!
Ed & Anne Elliott
Household of Nancy Fritz
Laura Richardson and Andrew Erickson
Anne and Richard Demirjian
Household of Darrel Parish
Rathje Family
Stephen and Kathleen Washburn
Vieweg Real Estate
Dunn Company
Doctors of Prairie
Dunker Electric Supply, Inc.
Kelly Brandon Household
Walther Farrier Service
Sponsor Prairie Pedal
Prairie Pedal isn’t just a cycling event! Local businesses, generous individuals and families, and people like you proudly support this fundraiser for natural areas and wildlife. Join them by Donating Online or download and fill out the Sponsor Form.
Benefits of Sponsorship
Natural areas provide many health benefits to you and your community.
- Natural areas provide habitat for wildlife: Most animals require specific plants for a healthy diet. Without a diverse habitat, animal species cannot survive.
- We rely on that wildlife for survival: Three quarters of leading global food crops rely on animal pollination: the work of bees, birds, bats, and insects to produce the food we eat every day. When they’re not busy pollinating our crops, those animals need a refuge in which to live.
- Spending time in nature provides physical and mental health benefits: In addition to providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and physical activities (such as hiking, running, walking, and biking) growing scientific evidence confirms that spending time in nature can lower blood pressure and pulse rate, restore our ability to focus, and reduce the symptoms of ADHD, just to name a few. Read More
- Even if you never visit a natural area: You benefit as the trees, plants, and wetlands continuously filter the air you breathe and the water you drink.
If you are a sponsoring business or organization, you’ll benefit in additional ways. We offer multiple opportunities for exposure, depending on the sponsorship level you select. Your name will be affiliated with a great organization and an event that supports the natural areas our community needs and loves.
Kindly return your sponsor form by June 30 to receive all the benefits applicable to your sponsorship level.
Prairie Pedal Sponsorship Levels
Select the sponsorship package you like best:
Sugar Maple Sponsor $2,500
- Business mentioned in advertising
- Mentioned on Macon County Conservation District Facebook page (3,400+ followers)
- Business logo on signs at each stop
- Logo and link on website
- 6 bike ride entries
- Booth at each stop and/or Rock Springs (the starting and ending point of the ride)
- Your name on a mile marker
Prairie Isle Sponsor $1,000
- Business logo on signs at each stop
- Logo and link on website
- 4 bike ride entries
- Booth at Rock Springs Conservation Area (the starting and ending point of the ride)
- Your name on a mile marker
Bluestem Sponsor $500
- Business name listed on signs at each stop
- Business name listed on website
- 2 bike ride entries
- Your name on a mile marker
Goldenrod Sponsor $250
- Business name listed on signs at each stop
- Your name on a mile marker
Mile-Marker Sponsor $100
- Your name on a mile marker
