Arboretum Cycling Challenge

Mark the start of autumn with a monthlong cycling challenge.

This September, welcome the fall season with a cycling challenge and enjoy the colorful tapestry of changing leaves at The Morton Arboretum.

By taking on the Arboretum Cycling Challenge, participants commit to completing a 100-mile goal throughout the month of September. Participants can complete the challenge on the paved roads at the Arboretum, around their neighborhood, on a stationary bike, or anywhere else they enjoy cycling.

Registration Details

Registration for the Arboretum Cycling Challenge opens on Friday, June 27, 2025.

Participants must sign up online through the RunSignup platform.

Your registration supports the Arboretum’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Logging Your Miles

Arboretum Cycling Challenge participants record their miles online via RunSignup. There, participants’ progress will display on a leaderboard that is updated in real time throughout the challenge.

Participants can complete their miles anywhere they like, but are encouraged to do so on-site at the Arboretum. All paved roads at the Arboretum are accessible to cyclists. The Main Route totals 9 miles and runs through the East Side and the West Side of the Arboretum. Cycling is not permitted on wood-chipped hiking trails.

In addition to logging miles, which can be done on the RunSignup virtual results page, participants may also find it helpful to use Strava, a fitness app that can log mileage on an iPhone or Android using smartphone data, a GPS-supported smartwatch, or a head unit. Please note that logging miles on the Strava app will not synchronize with RunSignup. Participants using Strava must also log their miles on the official Arboretum Cycling Challenge RunSignup platform.

The Strava leaderboard will not be used for the final September Cycling Challenge results, and participants are not required to download the Strava app.

Join a thriving community of other cyclists participating in the challenge by signing up for the Arboretum Cycling Challenge club on Strava. Sharing your progress with other participants is a great way to stay motivated and meet your mileage goal!

Can I register in person at the Arboretum?

Registration for the Arboretum Cycling Challenge opens on Friday, June 27, 2025, and must be completed online through RunSignup. To register, please fill out the secure online form.
Do I have to complete the challenge on Arboretum grounds?

No, participants can complete the challenge anywhere they like. Logging miles at the Arboretum is encouraged. All paved roads at the Arboretum are accessible to bicyclists. The Main Route totals 9 miles and runs through both the East and the West sides of the Arboretum. Cycling is not permitted on wood chipped hiking trails.
Do I need general admission tickets when visiting the Arboretum for this challenge?

Once registered for the Arboretum Cycling Challenge, participants will receive a discount code for a free weekly admission ticket. Free admission to the Arboretum must be reserved online in advance of arrival.

Arboretum members do not require general admission to enter the Arboretum.
Can other forms of exercise apply toward my miles?

No, this challenge is only for logging miles from cycling.
Can I complete the challenge on a stationary bike?

Yes, you can log your miles anytime you ride a bike regardless of whether you are outside or inside.
Can I rent a bike at the Arboretum?

Yes, bike rentals are available daily, weather permitting, from Saturday, May 3, through Friday, October 31. Rentals are available on a first come, first served basis.
Where can I ride my bike on the Arboretum grounds?

Bikes are permitted only on paved roads. The Main Route totals 9 miles and runs through the East Side and the West Side of the Arboretum. See Biking at the Arboretum to learn more.