Friends of Carlyle Lake

06/17/2026

Always Wear Your Life Jacket! It saves lives when worn properly.

A life jacket can’t save your life if it’s floating on top of the water and you’re sinking to the bottom. Having a life jacket on your boat, even if it’s “readily accessible,” is not good enough. so you can enjoy boating another day.

06/07/2026

Well the 2026 Great Bottlecap Bicycle Race is in the books! Thank you to everyone who participated and made it a great day! We had a blast and hope you did too!! Here are some memorable moments of the day.

06/06/2026

The inaugural Great Bottlecap Bicycle Race 2026 is underway!

06/04/2026

Get ready to ride! Here is a map of all the challenge spots for The Great Bottlecap Bike Race this Saturday, June 6th. The event starts off at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center at 9a.m. Participants have to complete 11 challenges in 3 hrs. All participants will receive a six pack of assorted Excel Bottling Soda and a chance to win prizes.
Those who would like to participate can sign up the day of the event between 8 - 9am. All proceeds go to the Friends of Carlyle Lake for environmental education and projects at Carlyle Lake.

05/29/2026

The Friends of Carlyle Lake are busy preparing for The Great Bottlecap Bike Race. Today, Bottlecaps were picked up from race sponsor Excel Bottling Company of Breese, IL. These bottlecaps will be given to participants for completing challenges. Participants will need to collect 10 bottlecaps in three hours to win. Excel Bottling Company will be at the event handing out assorted six packs of soda to those who complete the race. Participants will also be able to play the new SKI plinko game to win a one-of-a-kind collectors lenticular postcard celebrating Freedom Punch Soda. The event will take place next Saturday, June 6, 2026. To register follow the link or show up the day of the event between 8- 9 am at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center. Race begins at 9am. https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Frunsignup.com%2FRace%2FRegister%3FraceId%3D185625%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQ0V3OGE3cnE1RW52QVN0TnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7xscThB0K3pT6jYVI2O9ppIEGIrkiFsnFNN3c64SRr4U82Zn9F-ftU-NGQFA_aem_B002Zuzyvf13fea6za46pg&h=AUDgglZD-USEST8Mg9f9FaSyxV1ZywAO0anHUsgjuTBSI2PzdUQKPd94vwnenZ6GjgXzlJABo_raQo3K1CxPyghyYKbuvttRzg6qlWDQFwNtJaKoZs0QhitN5QhNbz6XOPV5llPmxK7eLlcilElylbHXWUAmVg&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AUDGzR-2jMxAWrajUP4tndmj9tbk1bTFPZARVN0e44Rs-n31HVYJ1-TJkYwZfSVSjVYcGUFZQo8-M1511rDzSbj7qPil6p0t0ZUviNCzKeA1NkDFFLCZEKfI63qEKvlxb5m2oO8pyBCABSb5g5qqH4VZ9UI9Xloz23H-gbhXajvaC3fav_KYYLXzE4VRDwTcRVe_tB5GONrJ_HmAj1YCBtCO

05/29/2026

Using the right knot is critical to making sure your vessel is secure, so it doesn’t drift away. Many people drown every year trying to retrieve their boat, so please wear a life jacket when you’re retrieving anything in the water.

05/23/2026

Join in on the the fun! You can still sign up and be guaranteed a t-shirt until Monday!!!

Registration is now open for the 2026 Bottlecap Bike Race. To register follow the link https://runsignup.com/Race/Register?raceId=185625

05/21/2026

Register today for the Great Bottlecap Bike Race. Today is the last day to register to guarantee a race shirt.