The Tour de North End is an annual neighborhood bicycle festival and block party featuring over a dozen businesses in Rockford’s North End neighborhood. The goals of the event include:
– Raising general awareness about bicycle safety and the importance of knowing the rules of the road,
– Encouraging cyclists and motorists to be aware and share the road ,
– Showing off the North End as a bike-friendly neighborhood, a great place to live, work & play, with a diverse business district
– Getting people outside, active, and having a lot of fun!
TDNE riders will register/check-in at the Olympic Tavern at 11am-1pm while House Brotherhood DJs spin live vinyl, then at 1pm they’ll head out to 15+ other North End locations to collect passport stamps — the more stamps collected, the more chances to win prizes at the end of the fest. Riders should return to The Olympic Tavern to redeem passports for entry tickets from 4:30-6pm while dancing as the band Big Empty plays 4:30 till 8:30. Please note: no passports will be redeemed after 6:01pm! Then at 6:30pm, we will draw tickets for one lucky rider to take home a New Belgium Fat Tire Bicycle. Throughout the day, riders will play mini games and win gift baskets and prizes, as as well as prizes for for craziest bike, best group costume, and more contests, courtesy of the Rockford North End neighborhood businesses, Kegel’s Bicycle Store and New Belgium Brewery.
Preregister online at at this link. or buy a ticket at the check-in tent on the day of the event from 11am-1:30pm. Three dollars from any day-of ticket sales will go directly to a Rockford cycling charity/cause.
TDNE is a rain or shine event. Riders should dress for the weather and bring a bike lock, water bottle and helmet, and lots of friends! There will be other cycling events throughout the day (bike safety and “how to/fix-it” demos from Kegel’s Bicycle Store, slow ride competition, trackstand competition, etc. Families with kids are encouraged to join the festival but per state law children under 21 may not win prizes. Riders can email info@theolympictavern.com for any further questions.
Not a cyclist? Come out and enjoy the day of music, food and friends with us anyway! There’s no cover charge or admission to the block party or to see live music — the fee is only for your passport to ride/win prizes.
The TDNE would not be possible without the generous help of all the participating businesses in Rockford’s North End, New Belgium Brewing Company, the entire crew at Kegels’ Bicycle Shop, alderman Gina Meeks, the Rockford Police Department, and all our volunteers & sponsors.
2022 Participating Passport Stops:
The Olympic Tavern
Mulligan’s
The Norwegian
Kegel’s Bicycle Shop
The Bicycle Connection
Village Green
Rooted / Wonderland Sweets
Whiskey’s Roadhouse
Rockford Family Dental
Rockford Billiard Cafe
Nickelworld
Northwest Food Mart
Stockyard Burger Bar
Deli Italia North Main
Mrs Fishers
Pinos Pizza
