FAQ
What is a Pedalpalooza? Pedalpalooza is 3 awesome ideas in one brilliant bike event! An Eat, Drink, Shop, Bike your way around the county! First, it highlights the incredible bike trails in our community and encourages folks to get out there and ride your bike! Secondly, it supports our vibrant, local small businesses and drives participants in to shops, restaurants, boutiques that maybe you haven't visited before but always wanted to check out! Lastly, but most importantly, by raising funds for Family Health Partnership Clinic, it is providing health care to the uninsured men and women of McHenry County. Participants receive a cool shirt, a map of locations and an official wristband that will provide for special offers, deals or raffles when you patronize the dozens of small businesses that have partnered with the clinic for this event. There is no start or finish line but instead, plan your bike route to make stops in as many local businesses as possible OR go from one town to the next making only one strategic stop at each. There's no wrong way to Pedalpalooza!
I haven’t been on a bike for years, and frankly the idea terrifies/exhausts me. Must I be on a bike to participate? Nope! You can walk the trails, drive to the participating businesses, etc. As long as you register, you’ll support the clinic, and get the aforementioned cool t-shirt, map and wristband. But, c’mon, what better time to shake of those extra couple winter pounds and rediscover the joys of biking? You might want to unearth your bike soon to make sure the brakes work and to reacclimate your behind to a bike seat though!
I’m busy or going to be away that weekend. Can I still support the cause? You bet! The website has a ‘donate’ button. You might be surprised to learn that FHPC does not rely on any government funding, relying instead on grants, foundations, donated goods and services, and contributions from people like you to provide care for our uninsured neighbors.
When can I pick up my cool t-shirt, map and wristband? Packet pick-up will be Friday, May 17, from 2-6 or Saturday, May 18, from 8-10am at FHPC, 401 E. Congress Parkway, Crystal Lake, which is pretty awesome because you can see the Clinic and where your donations are going!
But where does Pedalpalooza start and finish and will I be timed? This is an event like no other! Start wherever, ride as long as you want, stop in as many locations as possible. Make a plan with friends on where you will start and end! This is not a race! Go at your own pace and meander about the county supporting as many establishments as you can all weekend long!
Where does the money go??? Great question! All donations and proceeds from Pedalpalooza stay right here in McHenry County at Family Health Partnership Clinic. FHPC is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that has been providing quality health care to the uninsured of our county since 1996. We care for over 2000 patients a year, do not accept Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Pedalpalooza proceeds are directed to our "Heart Health Fund" and are restricted to patient care involving cardiac screenings, preventative care and chronic disease management all to prevent heart disease and stroke. To learn more about FHPC, click here and also make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
