Illinois Wilds

06/08/2024

Here are last weekend’s finish times. Pictures will be posted in a few days.

05/27/2024

Hello IL Wilds Participants!! Looking at the forecast, I am fairly certain that we are actually going to be able to host a group practice ride this Tuesday! I hope I don't jinx it. lol

We will meet at 5:30pm at Parkside Pavilion on Wildlife Prairie Park's "Westside". This will be the staging area for the triathlon on race day.

Helmets are required for the ride and on race day. Please bring what you would be using on race day just to make sure your bike is functioning well and you have all the gear you need. Though the course is only 3 miles long, it is true mountain bike single track. A mountain bike with at least 2" tires with knobby tread is highly recommended.

I look forward to riding with you on Tuesday night! If you have any questions before then, please e-mail me at [email protected]

See you Tuesday evening!

Betsy Silzer - Wildlife Prairie Park Recreation Director

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05/10/2024

Hi Everyone! We were going to start our Tuesday night rides this week but it rained an inch early Tuesday morning and it shut us down. We are going to give it a try next Tuesday night at 5:30pm meeting at Parkside Pavilion on Wildlife's Westside. The bummer is that is looks like the same set up for weather next Tuesday. But hey, that's far enough away that things could change. We do observe the 24 hour rain rule which is..... we let trails dry for 24 hours after a rain so we don't leave ruts or damage them.
IF we do get a break and can ride Tuesday night, all are welcome Helmets are required and a bike suitable for true mountain bike trails (2" wide tires) is recommended.
We'll keep you posted as we get closer.

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03/25/2024

Registration is live for the 2024 Illinois Wilds Triathlon! We already have 3 signups! We are sticking with the relaxed format debuted last year and are still hosted by and for the benefit of Wildlife Prairie Park.

The Illinois Wilds is on Saturday June 1, 2024. It includes the following events: Adventurer Triathlon, Traveler Land Lovers, and Explorer Triathlon Race.

03/25/2024

Again this year, we will be leading weekly "try the bike course" group rides on Tuesday nights starting in May. These are practice runs designed to help you learn the bike course, get familiar with your equipment and gain confidence with your mtb skills before the event. In 2023, many people ran the mile run course after the group ride to learn it as well!
We'll post times and details as May gets closer.

01/13/2024

The date has been set. The IL Wilds Triathlon 2024 will be on Saturday, June 1st. Registration will be live soon. Whether this will be your first try at a Triathlon for you are a seasoned triathlete, the IL Wilds is sure to be a blast!

06/19/2023

Photos from Jen Wolfe

06/15/2023

Thank you all for your patience. The pictures can be found at this link. https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-4nLtM2/ Thanks again to all who joined the fun! See you next year 🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Event held June 3, 2023 at Wildlife Prairie Park in Edwards, IL

06/05/2023

Hi IL Wilds fans! Just letting you know that our event photographer was called out of the country this week so photos from him will not be posted until next week.
Feel free to share any photos of the event that you took here. 👍

05/30/2023

Hi triathlon participants!

This is the last Tuesday before the triathlon so come on out to try out the course before Saturday. We will be meeting at Parkside Pavilion, the staging area for the triathlon, at 5:45pm Tuesday, 5/30. This will be a relaxed ride where you can feel free to practice those tricky spots with no pressure.

Helmets and a true mountain bike, upright bars and 2" or wider tires, are required for the practice ride and the triathlon.

See you at Parkside!

05/23/2023

Tuesday night mtb course practice 5/23 @ 5:45pm
It's that time again, the Tuesday night ride. Meet at Parkside Pavilion, the staging area for the triathlon, at 5:45pm and we will head out to tackle the course. The pace will be slow and people encouraging.

Helmets and real mountain bikes with at least 2" tires, upright handle bars and the ability to carry water are required for this ride and the triathlon.