Chicago, IL - The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation announces that registration is open for the 17th Annual Boulevard Lakefront Tour presented by the law firm of Schwartz Cooper on Sunday, September 11, 2005. This year's edition of the Boulevard Lakefront Tour features three route options, including a 10-mile Leisure Ride exploring Hyde Park's architecture, a 35-mile Boulevard Tour highlighting the parks and boulevards on the South and West Sides, and a new 62-mile Chicago Cycling Club Metric Century for serious cyclists that delves into neighborhoods on the Northwest Side. A Festival Picnic at the beautiful Midway Plaisance near the University of Chicago follows the ride and offers participants food, music and more.

The Boulevard Lakefront Tour benefits the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit bicycle advocacy organization. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is pleased to partner with the nonprofit Chicago Cycling Club in adding a metric century route to the Boulevard Lakefront Tour for the first time in its 17-year history. This route option will allow serious bicyclists to complete a metric century ride during National Century Month.

All three routes start and finish at the Midway Plaisance and include a cue sheet with historical information about the parks, streets and architecture along the way. The 10-mile Leisure Ride takes participants north on the Lakefront Trail and then south through Bronzeville, Kenwood and Hyde Park, allowing families or casual riders the opportunity to explore these historic neighborhoods and beautiful architecture. The 35-mile Boulevard Tour highlights Chicago's "emerald necklace," the parks, boulevards and historic places on the South and West Sides, before taking participants through the Loop and south on the Lakefront Trail returning to the Midway Plaisance.

Registering for the Boulevard Lakefront Tour offers participants a fully supported ride, cue sheet with historical information, event T-shirt, goody bag and access to the Festival Picnic. For the second year, the Center for Green Technology will host a rest stop and offer tours of its facilities along the 35- and 62-mile routes.

Pre-registration is required. Up to four children aged 13 and under can register for $5 with a paid adult registration. It's $25 for Chicagoland Bicycle Federation members, $30 for nonmembers, and $6 extra for a picnic lunch (meat or vegetarian options). Register now at www.biketraffic.org/blt or by calling (312) 427-3325.

When registering for the Boulevard Lakefront Tour, participants have the option of adding discounted year-long memberships to the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and the Chicago Cycling Club for $15 each.

Besides celebrating bicycling with great rides, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation advocates for more bike lanes, trails, parking and legislation that improves the bicycling environment. We educate and encourage both children and adults to bicycle more with a variety of campaigns and initiatives. Our staff provides expert consulting services to communities for transportation planning and design.

The Chicago Cycling Club promotes safe group bicycling in Chicago while leading rides varying in length from 15 to 100 miles. Club members span beginner to serious bicyclists who participate in casual, social, training and long-distance rides.

Interested in helping out with the Boulevard Lakefront Tour? We're seeking volunteers to help put together this premier bicycling event. Please email bltvolunteer05@biketraffic.org or call 312-427-3325, ext. 251.

The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's 2005 Boulevard Lakefront Tour is presented by the law firm of Schwartz Cooper and is sponsored in part by the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Athlete, Orbitz.com and CLIF BAR.

For more information visit www.biketraffic.org.