Rural Cyclery organizing first River to River Gravel Ride
By Ben Cox
A new cycling event designed to showcase the scenic backroads of Pike County, Illinois and portions of Missouri is set to roll out this spring, thanks to the owners of Rural Cyclery in Winchester.
Colin and Jackie Kuchy, owners of the bicycle shop, coffeehouse and community gathering space, are helping organize the first-ever River to River Gravel Ride, scheduled for May 2.
The event will take riders from Pearl in rural Pike County, Illinois, to the Mississippi River town of Louisiana, Missouri, highlighting the varied terrain and scenery of both the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.
Colin Kuchy said the ride has been an idea he has discussed for several years.
“This has been something I’ve wanted to do for a while,” he says. “We have such great scenery in Pike County, and this is a way to expose riders from across West Central Illinois and the Midwest to what we have here.”
Despite the name, the River to River event is not a competitive race. Instead, it is designed as a casual ride open to cyclists of all experience levels.
Participants will have the option of riding only one way between the two communities or completing a round trip. The route will feature a mix of paved roads, tar-and-chip surfaces and gravel backroads, offering riders a sampling of the region’s landscape.
“You’ll see a wide variety of what the area offers,” Kuchy says. “There are a lot of flats in the river bottoms near Louisiana, but once you get closer to Pearl you’ll start climbing into the hills.”
The ride is designed to be accessible to a wide range of cyclists, from experienced riders to beginners, and even those using e-bikes.
“If you’re willing to take on the challenge, come out and ride,” Kuchy says. “We don’t want to exclude anybody.”
The event roll out will be at 9 a.m., so riders are encouraged to arrive by about 8:15 or 8:30 a.m. for preparation and check-in. Registration costs $15 and includes snacks along the route, plus food and beverages at the finish. Use the accompanying QR code to register and for additional information.
Transportation will also be available for participants who choose to bike only to Louisiana and need a ride back.
Organizers intentionally scheduled the ride on the same day as the River to River Marathon, which travels a similar route through Pike County.
“There’s going to be an opportunity to have a lot of people out on the course,” Kuchy shares. “I think that’s unique and a lot of fun. People can cheer each other on while completing the ride.”
For the Kuchys, events like this are part of a broader effort to grow cycling opportunities in rural communities.
Since opening five years ago, Rural Cyclery has become more than a bike shop. The Winchester business combines bicycle sales and repairs with a coffee shop, craft beer offerings and even an Airbnb apartment above the store called, “The Bike Flat.”
The shop also hosts group rides and cycling events throughout the year. The shop itself has become a meeting place for several Winchester civic and community groups.
Colin Kuchy says he has noticed increasing interest in cycling locally, especially among families.
“We’re seeing a lot of parents getting back into riding so they can ride with their kids,” he says. “It’s something people can do together, and it’s also a way to get away from the noise of everyday life.”
The River to River Gravel Ride, he hopes, will give cyclists from across the region a reason to discover the quiet roads and rolling hills of West Central Illinois.
“It’s a challenge,” he says, “but it’s a challenge worth trying. And the camaraderie you’ll find out there is a big part of the experience.”
