News

June 23, 2026

Last Ride Announcement

After 15 amazing years, the 2026 Z Tour will be our final ride.

While it’s never easy to say goodbye to something that has meant so much to so many, we believe every great adventure has its season. As we look ahead to new opportunities to support ZCEC, we’ve made the decision that this year’s Z Tour will be the last.

From riders and volunteers to sponsors, community members, and supporters near and far — this event would not have been possible without you. Together, you’ve helped create lasting memories and make a meaningful impact for the children and families we serve.

As we celebrate the final chapter of Z Tour, we invite you to join us for the 15th year of Z Tour. Let’s make this year’s ride the best one yet and give Z Tour the sendoff it deserves.

Thank you for being part of this incredible adventure. We can’t wait to ride with you one more time.

April 16, 2026

Ride Together. Make a Difference – Group Registration

Everything’s better with friends — especially ride day!

  • 10 or more riders receive a special group rate of just $35 per rider
  • 4 or more riders will receive a $25 Chamber Gift Certificate

It’s our way of thanking you for bringing your crew and adding even more energy to the 2026 Z Tour Bike Ride. So gather your team, choose a fun name, and get ready to ride with purpose. Pedal for Play as we raise funds for Zearing Child Enrichment Center — with all proceeds going toward building a brand-new playground for the kids at ZCEC.

Let’s ride together and make a lasting impact. Register your team today!

April 4, 2026

Henry Torpedo Boys to play at Z Tour!

We’re thrilled to welcome the Henry Torpedo Boys to Zearing Park as they help celebrate and cheer on everyone crossing the finish line!

There’s still time to register! Registration is now $40 through June 30th. Grab your family and friends and let’s pedal for play and support ZCEC.

April 1, 2026

2026 Z Tour Bike Ride Jerseys & Merch Now Available for Pre-Order!

Our newest jerseys and merch have officially dropped! Whether you’re repping your team, upgrading your ride-day look, or just adding fresh pieces to your rotation, make sure you grab your Z Tour Swag! All jerseys and merch will be available for pickup on ride day at registration. Pre-order jerseys by 05/13 in our online store.

June 19, 2025

Last Minute Z Tour 2025 Ride Reminders

First, THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER. Prices Jump Friday evening!
**NEW** End of Ride Check-in
At the end of your ride, at Zearing Park, the same spot you will check in for your the event. You will receive your food ticket at the time of End of Ride check in, after returning from your ride. Check In for the event will be from 5:45am-9:00am. We do ask that all riders are out by 9:00am to ensure you have road support the entirety of your ride. All SAGS and road support will end by 3:00pm.
SAG Stop Location Hours
Hornbakers- Open 6:00am-11:00am
Tiskilwa and Lake Thunderbird- Open 6:00am-2:00pm
Wyanet and Captain Swift Water Stop- Open 7:00am-3:00pm
**NEW** Beef & Ag Days
The End of Ride Meal will be hosted at Soilders and Sailors park during the Beef and Ag Days event. After you check back in at Zearing Park, you can ride your bike, walk, or drive over to Soldiers and Sailors park for food, live music and family fun! Consider bringing your family to experience this event! Check our facebook page for the Beef and Ag event flyer! There is not a specific Vegetarian option at the end of ride, however all SAGS will have options for vegetarians and the sides at the end are available to you.
Routes
We use the Dan Henry marking system. You will find these markings in ALL WHITE! If you see other markings on the road, they are not ours. 🙂 We will have maps available. You can also find the routes on our website at the following link ROUTES; 10, 30, 50, and 65 are all going South out of Zearing Park, while the Adventure Route will head North when leaving the park. The 10 Mile route is the only route that will utilize Hornbaker Garden for a rest stop, all others will share the same stops.
Friday Night
Check in and Registration will be hosted above True Leaves Book Store in the Sash Stalter Matson Building, 15 Park Avenue West. This is from 5:00-8:00pm. There will be live music, food, merchandise, beverages and fun to be had!
Merchandise
All preordered items will be available at Friday Night Check in, Saturday Morning Check in, and End of Ride Check in. At any one of those points, you are able to pick up your items. Sights Ink will be set up to sell Tshirts and other memorobilia from your ride on both Friday Night at the street concert and Saturday at Soldiers and Sailors Park.
Photos
We ask that you take your photos throughout the event and post them in this shared album!
Non-Emergency Support
Please save the following number in your phone for all non-emergency situations. 815.876.4004. This is the number to contact if you need a ride back, someone is injured, or any other safety issues arise. If someone is in need of any major emergencies- call 911. You can also download the app, which has a way to connect right to emergency support as well.
Traffic
The North entrance to Zearing Park (Zearing Park Drive) will be closed at 5:30am the morning of the ride. Please enter and exit the park via the South Entrance to the gravel lots. Cones with directional arrows will be in place to help guide traiffic.
Showers after event- Stop by Bureau County Metro Center after your ride for a FREE shower before you head home! Please check in at the front desk and let them know you are there for Z Tour!
May 18, 2025

Z Tour and Beef and Ag Days Meet Up

You will be taking off on your adventure from Zearing Park. When you return from your ride, you will check back in at Zearing Park and receive your free food ticket for Beef and Ag Days. This event is just around the corner from Zearing Park. You can either hop back on your bike, or drive over. It is located at Soldiers and Sailors Park on South Main Street. We look forward to teaming up with this amazing event!

April 7, 2025

Jersey Order Deadline Coming Soon

The deadline to order jerseys is April 16th! Jersey order MUST BE IN!

To ensure receiving the size you would like and to secure your jersey, you MUST order by that deadline. There will only be a minimal amount of jerseys available at the day of the ride! You can order jerseys here. 

April 2, 2025

Come Early and Stay the Weekend!

Check in for the event at night and enjoy the concert, stay somewhere in town and join us in the morning for the ride!

  • Friday Night, June 20th — Street Concert and Early Z Tour check-in
  • Saturday Morning, June 21st — Z Tour 2025!

Register here!

February 3, 2025

2025 Registration is Live

Registration is now open for the 13th Annual Z Tour Bike Ride, rolling into Princeton, Illinois, on Saturday, June 21, 2025, and we can’t wait to welcome you! This charity ride supports the Zearing Child Enrichment Center Inc. while offering some of the best cycling routes in North-Central Illinois—featuring scenic roads, rolling hills, and peaceful stretches along Bureau Creek and the Hennepin Canal.

Register here.

June 21, 2024

Friday Update!

UPDATES from Z Tour- Please review so you are ready to have a great ride!

Join us Friday (5:00-8:00pm) next to the Prouty building on Main Street for early check in, merchandise pick up, or to still register! Music, merchandise, local establishments to visit for dinner, drinks, summer solstice shopping event! We are having a special showing of Bike Vessel with a special question and answer session with the creators of this film at Apollo theater! Movie starts at 7:00pm. Tickets can still be purchased at the door.

Check in starts at 5:45 on Saturday, June 22nd. All riders MUST be out by 9:00 a.m. We strongly encourage all 100 mile riders to be out by 8:00 a.m. Light breakfast will be served.

Bike Fest will be going on at the same time as Z Tour this year! With this there will be food trucks, family/kid friendly activities, massages, awesome bikes, etc. Food trucks will be ready to serve at 11:00 a.m.

ROUTES
If you printed or saved your maps already, go back and do it again! They have been updated just today! Just a few minor changes to them. We use the Dan Henry marking system. Be sure you are looking for those markings on the road vs any other markings that may be remaining from previous events or road work.

It looks like it will be HOT! Be sure to stop at our SAG stops to rehydrate! SAG volunteers will have general knowledge for you about your route and we will do our best to support you to find your way, but the roads are marked VERY well, pay attention to it all road markings.

NEW THIS YEAR
We are requiring you to check back in! If you need picked up early and do not come back to the park, please let someone at your SAG know so we can get you checked out.

BE SAFE, Helmets required, and no more than 2 abreast and be cautious of the drivers on the road. MOST IMPORTANT, HAVE FUN! We cannot wait to see you all!

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