Z Tour Bike Ride

Category: News

  • Ton’s O Fun Band to play Friday Night before Z Tour

    Ton’s O Fun Band to play Friday Night before Z Tour

    Come “Down on Main” to the Z-tour’s fun early check-in Friday night and get the bonus of a fantastic street concert, great food and drinks, and a friendly hometown crowd.  This year’s concert features Tons O’ Fun Band.  A horn-driven rock band based out of Champaign Urbana. This high energy band has been rocking the midwest for decades and just keeps getting better!


    “The Tons ‘O Fun Band (TOFB) is a product of the renowned Champaign-Urbana, Illinois music scene and has been a mainstay for nearly two decades. TOFB fills the stage with nine talented and experienced musicians including a powerful four piece horn section. While the horns give TOFB its distinctive edge, three lead vocalists creates the ability to deliver a wide variety of classics remembered and loved by young and old alike but rarely produced by others.

    Tons ‘O Fun is led by trumpeter Steve Shaw, and is fronted by Pauli Carman Grammy Nominated, Multi-Platinum Recording Artist, and Lead vocalist of “Champaign,” which had Top 10 Billboard hits in “How ‘Bout Us”, “Try Again”, and “Off and On Love” each of which were preceded by classic music videos reaching top 5 status across the charts on MTV , Vh1, and BET. Rounding out the horn section is Bill Jean on lead trumpet, Jonathan Becket on Saxes and flute and Matt Flynn on trombone. Friends who have been laying it down together for years, the rhythm section consists of Larry Fredrickson on drums, Scott Karlstrom on bass and Stacey Krejci on keyboards and vocals. Sharing front man duties with Pauli is singer and lead guitarist Joe Ingolia.

    TOFB brings its “horn-band” signature sound to venues large and small throughout the Midwest and beyond! This band of brothers has the chops, energy & enthusiasm to truly earn its name Tons O’ Fun!”

  • It’s For The Kids!

    It’s For The Kids!

    Our latest video below highlights the reason we do the Z Tour Bike Ride every year! It’s for the kids!

    25% of our population is 100% the future. Every dollar from our ride goes back to the Zearing Child Enrichment Center.

  • New Routes for 2020!

    New Routes for 2020!

    We have made several exciting modifications to our five route options to best serve riders of all caliber and ability level this year. Special thanks to Princeton’s street department for their continued cooperation with the event. All routes, besides the 10 miler, will wind through beautiful sections of historic Princeton and swing by our benefactor organization, the Zearing Child Enrichment Center. Riders are invited to visit our many fine shops and restaurants on historic Main Street after the ride.

    Visit www.ztour.org/routes for more information.

  • Registration for 2020 begins today!

    Registration for 2020 begins today!

    The 10th Annual Z Tour Bike Ride is a charity road ride, supporting the Zearing Child Enrichment Center in Princeton, which provides riders a chance to enjoy some of the finest bike riding roads that North-Central Illinois has to offer. The five well marked and supported routes featured incorporate hills, rolling terrain, and beautiful views of Bureau Creek and the Hennepin Canal all with minimal traffic. 

    Get more information for this great ride held in Princeton, Illinois online at ztour.org. Early check-in is offered on Friday night’s “Down on Main Street” live concert Friday evening featuring the band Tons-O-Fun. Enjoy live music, food vendors and drinks as you check in for the ride. Merchandise pick-up and sales are also available during these times.

    Back by popular demand is the Group Registration Option- Me + 3 = 

    • 1 Leader should create a catchy group name
    • Each individual should register under that catchy name
    • At least 4 riders in a group
    • Receive (1) $25.00 in Chamber Bucks to spend at Princeton businesses OR $25.00 on select Z Tour Merchandise! 

    Register your group today and join the Z Tour and city of Princeton for all the fun starting Friday evening at 5:00 pm. 

    • Easy and really fast check-in opening at 5:45 am.
    • Detailed maps and cue for our five road routes
    • Five themed rest stops supplied with nutritional food, beverages, and music. 10-mile with an optional hill challenge, 30-mile, 55-mile, 75 mile, and 100 mile. 
    • Camping options at the Bureau County Fairgrouns (nominal fee).
    • Radio-dispatched SAG and support by the Bureau Countu EMA until 3:00 pm
    • Light breakfast offered from 6:00-9:00 am at Zearing Park
    • Post-ride meal served from 10:30-4:00 pm at Zearing Park
    • All 55, 75, and 100 Mile riders MUST start between 6:00-8:00 AM. Helmets required!
    • 30 Mile riders MUST leave between 6:00-9:00 AM. Helmets required!
    • 10 Mile riders MUST leave between 9:00-9:30 AM. Helmets required!
    • All routes begin and end at Princeton’s beautiful Zearing Park.
    • Once online registration closes, our fee is $45.00- You will be able to register Friday night at the Down On Main Street Concert from 5:00-8:00 PM in the Prouty Building on Main Street OR on Saturday morning beginning at 5:45 AM at Zearing Park. 

    Download the Ride with GPS app. Some routes subject to change closer to the ride date. 

  • Download the Ready Bureau App

    Download the Ready Bureau App

    ZTour Riders: Make sure you download the Ready Bureau App. The Ready Bureau App gives you access to emergency numbers, weather conditions, maps, etc. You can also call 815-876-0316 for help during the ride.

  • Bike Decorating Contest Voting Underway

    Bike Decorating Contest Voting Underway

    The 2nd Annual Bike Decoration Contest voting is now underway! Select your favorite and hit submit, it is that easy! Winner will be announced at the Mike & Joe concert on Main Street, Princeton on Friday night Thank you to everyone who supports ZCEC, the Z Tour Bike Ride, and the City of Princeton. You can vote here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8itrl2GOKKzGjh6nwmb2WwORpaF6eTHOmovZ7rINoz-AypQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR17xJ1wSS9pieuMeiPw4c0mST5pglxHPsN3lSIGRgxnp-ArLh6HjbIjmKc

  • Get Your Dancing Shoes On

    Get Your Dancing Shoes On

    You won’t want to miss this year’s Main Street Concert on the eve of ZTour, Friday, July 19. The band Mike & Joe will be bringing their pop rock music to Main Street Princeton from 5 to 9 p.m. We can’t think of a better way to kick off the ZTour Weekend. For more information, contact Princeton Tourism or the Princeton Chamber of Commerce.

  • April Fools Special

    April Fools Special

    This is not a joke!

    You can save $10 OFF registration on Monday, April 1st when you enter the promo code pitythefool at registration. This is a ONE DAY sale. Don’t miss it!

    Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-z-tour-bike-ride-registration-54655971482 to register! Ride with us!

  • Online Store Now Open

    Online Store Now Open

    We are excited to announce the 2019 Z Tour merchandise is now available for order. Visit our online store at www.ztour.org/shop to see what’s available this year.

    If you are interested in merchandise from past years, please contact ztourinfo@gmail.com

  • New Routes for 2019!

    New Routes for 2019!

    We have made several exciting changes to our five route options that will serve every level of rider this year. Special thanks for the continued cooperation of the City of Princeton, in that we are also extremely stoked that all routes (except the 10) will once again return to town and ride down Princeton’s Historic Main Street. There will be no street parking permitted on the west side of Main Street on the day of the ride!

    • 10 mile route – This NEW family friendly out and back route offers an optional two mile challenge for the adventure seeker.
    • 30 mile route – This NEW route features two rests stops and two water stops. This route will meet the needs of any levels of cyclists.
    • 65 mile route – This NEW metric route is going to become favorite which features three rests stops, two hydration stations and 2,300 of elevation. You will enjoy a trip to beautiful Lake Thunderbird!
    • 100 route – The NEW century route is simply awesome! It offers four rest stops, three hydration stations, and 3,000 feet of elevation. It might be our best century ever!!
    • The Adventure Route – NEW, NEW, NEW! – You asked for it and we have it! Our NEW Adventure Route is a 62 miles of paved roads, Hennepin Canal towpath, and gravel roads intended for the low maintenance, high adventure, off-road rider. The route offers two rest stops with and a hydration station.

    Because rider safety is our primary concern, all of our routes are mapped with cue sheets/cue cards, using white road (Dan Henry System) markings, and have excellent signage. We patrol roads with support vehicles that are in constant radio communication with the Bureau County Emergency Management Staff. Busy intersections are controlled by our very dedicated local law enforcement.

    See our Routes page for more information.