Take a Spin with Dad

If you're like me, maybe you're stumped on what to get Dad for Father's Day on Sunday. Searching for a way to spend some extra time with Dad while enjoying what's been predicted as a good weekend (finally!)? If Dad's a cyclist--or if you like to ride and make plans to catch up with Dad later--then you want to head up to Highland Park for the Blood, Sweat and Tears ride. This annual ride is in its 7th year and has a host of new perks for riders including a new venue, new date and a 5-mile route for families. As long as you have two wheels to go riding, you can't lose.

Registration for Blood, Sweat and Tears runs from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 21 at the Highland Park Train Station at 1800 St. Johns Avenue. You have your choice of distances ranging from the 5-mile Family Fun ride to longer routes of 20, 45 and 62 miles. The ride benefits the Illinois chapter of Team in Training and it's asked that all riders donate $35 to participate. But with that $35 you'll find rest stops along the routes stocked with food and drink, a chance at winning some great prizes in a raffle, and if you're one of the first 500 to register, you'll score a goodie bag loaded with items from the event's sponsors including a water bottle, workout towel and coupons. Some items up for grabs in the raffle include a 2009 Schwinn Le Tour road bike, a Vision Quest performance test with Robbie Ventura, a Vision Quest Retul bike fit, an entry to Taste of Vision Quest, a Vetta cyclocomputer, a 3-month membership to Equinox, artwork by Andrea Feldmar, 2 dozen Carol's Cookies and a Target gift card.

For those fundraising for TNT and riding, they can score a ride with Robbie Ventura, the 2009 VIP at the Blood, Sweat and Tears. If you're one of the top 20 individual contributors to the event, you'll get to ride with Robbie, maybe even pick his brain a little before he heads across the Atlantic to begin his work commentating at the Tour de France. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday. Photo grabbed from tntillinois.org. Posted by Kate