30-Mile Charity Bike Red Carpet Ride Along Route 66

A 30-mile charity bicycle ride will host its inaugural Red Carpet Ride event along the Illinois Route 66 bike Trail.

Communities along the historic byway from Joliet to Towanda will celebrate the 2011 Red Carpet Corridor Celebration with flea markets, live entertainment, baby back rib cookoffs, car shows and activities for kids. Activities will be featured on both days, while the ride will take place on May 7 and begin in Wilmington. 

                Cyclists will start in Wilmington, ride through Braidwood and to Goodley. They will receive lunch in Bracevill, courtesy of Exelon Nuclear and then head back. Riders can stop in each community to enjoy festivities and can even arrange to check packages for later pickup. Bikers also are welcome to enter or leave the bike route at any point.

The event is a fundraiser for OPERATION: MOMS Cookies, which sends treats and necessities to active duty servicemen and women.

For more information, visit http://rt66redcarpetride.com/. To sign up for the ride or donate to OPERATION: MOMS Cookies, log on to www.active.com/cycling/wilmington-il/rt-66-red-carpet-ride-2011