Thunder Road Gravel Tour

The Thunder Road Gravel Tour is a free gravel ride series in central Illinois, with rides scheduled from May through August. Each event provides route options of approximately 30 and 60 miles. The format is a hybrid between a group ride and a low-key competition: participants can complete the entire course at their own speed, with timed gravel segments on Strava contributing to points. The routes are published shortly before each ride, with files accessible on Ride with GPS and discussions occurring in a Facebook group. A convenience store stop is typically included mid-ride, but there is no SAG support, meaning riders must manage their own flats and minor mechanical issues. The Springfield Bicycle Club organizes the series, in partnership with Gravel Syndicate and Rural Cyclery. A special event, the Tour DeCrepit Bridges, focuses on locating numerous old, dilapidated bridges. Following each ride, the group often convenes at a local brewery, bar, or restaurant, adding a social element to the timed segments and standings.