Cowalunga® Event Details

CowaLUNGa® Charity Bike Tour fundraises for Respiratory Health Association. Proceeds from the event benefit RHA’s mission to prevent lung disease, promote clean air, and help people live better through education, research, and policy change.

Choose to ride approximately 18, 30, or 65 miles in one day, 135 miles over two days, or 190 miles over three days beginning in Gurnee, IL.

All routes include full safety and gear (SAG) and medical support, two daily rest stops, breakfast and dinner, and bus and bike transportation back to the start line. Free overnight parking is available onsite at Gurnee Mills for the event’s duration.

Follow CowaLUNGa on Instagram and Facebook for the latest on the 2026 ride!

2026 Route Options

The CowaLUNGa routes have been expertly designed using safe, scenic roads with limited traffic. You’ll experience just the right combination of hills and flats to challenge the new rider and keep the experienced cyclist engaged. It’s the view from your saddle that makes the tour so enjoyable. From farms and lakes to small country towns, there is plenty to see. Ride at your own pace, enjoy the tastes of Wisconsin (lunch each day is on your own), and keep an eye out for those cows! Note: route is subject to change if road work or any conditions require a slight reroute.

All Cow riders depart as a mass start at 9:00 AM on Day 1 from the Gurnee Mills parking lot in Gurnee, Illinois, conveniently located just off I-94 — approximately 40 miles north of Chicago.

Please note that CowaLUNGa riders are required to wear helmets at all times on their bikes. NO HELMET, NO RIDE.

All ride options include:

• Fully supported route (bike, SAG, medical)
• Registration fee and small fundraising requirement (No registration fee for children 4 and under!)
• Event shirt
• Finisher’s medal
• Event photographer and digital photo access
• Free parking at the start line
• Bus ride for you and transportation for your bike back to the start line. If you would not like to wait for the bus, you are welcome to provide your own transportation and leave after check-in at the finish line.
• One, two, and three day riders are invited to bring their personal bag for transport on the gear truck.

18 Miles

Gurnee, Illinois to Bristol, Wisconsin

Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. start – 12:00 p.m. return (approximately)

This is the perfect ride option if you want to be part of CowaLUNGa but are looking for a shorter distance. It’s also a great way to get the entire family involved! See our Child Rider Policy for more information.

• 7:00 – 9:00 AM: Check-In at the Gurnee Mills parking lot. Bring your cheering section – family and friends are welcome.
• 9:00 AM – Mass Start
• 9:30 – 11:30 AM – Riders arrive at the finish line in Bristol, WI. Snacks and drinks are available.
• 12:00 PM – If taking the bus, arrive back at Gurnee Mills.

30 Miles

Gurnee, Illinois to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin

Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. start – 1:30 p.m. return (approximately)

This is a great ride option if you want to be part of CowaLUNGa but are looking for an in-between distance.

• 7:00 – 9:00 AM: Check-In at the Gurnee Mills parking lot. Bring your cheering section – family and friends are welcome.
• 9:00 AM – Mass Start
• 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Riders arrive at the finish line in Twin Lakes, WI. Snacks and drinks are available.
• 1:30 PM – If taking the bus, arrive back at Gurnee Mills.

1 Day – 65 Miles

Gurnee, Illinois to Williams Bay, Wisconsin

Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. start – 8:00 p.m. return (approximately)

Cycle approximately 65 miles from Gurnee Mills through fully-supported rest stops in Bristol, Hebron, and into Conference Point Center, located in Williams Bay outside of Lake Geneva. Lunch is on your own at one of many recommended restaurants.

• 7:00 – 9:00 AM: Check-In at the Gurnee Mills parking lot. Bring your cheering section – family and friends are welcome.
• 9:00 AM – Mass Start
• 1:00 – 5:00 PM – Arrive at the finish line in Williams Bay, WI. Shower, jump in the lake, and visit the on-site Ice Cream Shoppe! Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at Conference Point.
• 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Dinner and the Cow Gathering, a short program with the day’s highlights and a medal ceremony for riders who are departing for home.
• 8:00 PM – If taking the bus, arrive back at Gurnee Mills.

2 Day – 135 Miles

Gurnee, Illinois to Whitewater, Wisconsin

Saturday, August 1, 2026, 9:00 a.m. start – Sunday, August 2, 2026, 8:00 p.m. return (approximately)

After completing the first day ride (outlined above), enjoy a relaxing evening at Conference Point Center then sleep in beautiful lakeside cabins, such as Magill Hall, Retreat, and others. Cabins are preassigned based on registration date, team size and status of Lung Health Champion. Teams are assigned to be in the same cabin. Cabins with a/c are assigned first.

On Day 2, ride approximately 70 miles from Conference Point Center through fully-supported rest stops in Bristol, Hebron, and into the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Lunch is on your own at one of many recommended restaurants.

• 6:30 – 8:00 AM – Breakfast is open
• 6:45 AM – Route opens
• 12:30 – 5:00 PM – Arrive at the finish line at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Shower, relax, buy raffle tickets and Cow souvenir items, cheer on other riders as they cross the finish line.
• 5:00 – 6:30 PM – Dinner is open
• 8:00 PM – If taking the bus arrive back at Gurnee Mills.

3 Day – 190 Miles

Gurnee, Illinois to Hubertus, Wisconsin

Saturday, August 1, 2026, 9:00 a.m. start – Monday, August 3, 2026, 8:00 p.m. return (approximately)

After completing the second day ride (outlined above), shower, relax, and enjoy dinner. Then, join your fellow riders in the Rec Center for a late-night party with pizza and drinks! Enjoy a variety of activities after dinner including pool tables, ping pong, and bowling.

Overnight accommodations for Day 3 are provided in air-conditioned dorms on campus. Ride approximately 60 miles from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater through fully-supported rest stops in Ottawa, Stone Bank, and into YMCA Camp Minikani in Hubertus, WI. Lunch is on your own at one of many recommended restaurants.

• 7:00 – 8:30 AM – Breakfast is open
• 7:15 AM – Route opens
• 1:00 – 4:30 PM – Riders arrive at the finish line at YMCA Camp Minikani in Hubertus, WI. Shower, use the pool, buy raffle tickets and Cow souvenir items, and enjoy the finish line celebration meal.
• 7:30 PM – If taking the bus arrive back at Gurnee Mills.

Virtual Ride

Have a conflict with CowaLUNGa or an injury that keeps you from riding this year? You can still have an impact on RHA’s efforts to help people living with asthma, COPD, lung cancer and other lung diseases. Register as a Cow Virtual Rider!

A $10 donation is required to register as a Virtual Rider. Fundraise $100 (including the $10 minimum donation) to receive:

• The official Cow event t-shirt
• A keepsake Fanny Flag
• The Cow finisher’s medal

These items will be mailed to you.

Deadlines

• Early bird registration fees end June 1. There are no extensions or exceptions after that date.
• Final registration deadline is July 30. There is no day-of event registration.
• Team members must register three weeks in advance of the ride to be counted toward the CowaLUNGa Largest Team trophy. Team members may still register after that date but will not be considered in the trophy calculation

• The fundraising deadline is August 21, 2026. All registered riders are required to fundraise, whether or not you are able complete the ride. Please note: if your fundraising minimum has not been met by the fundraising deadline, the credit card provided at the time of registration will be charged any remaining balance to honor your commitment.

Interested in experiencing CowaLUNGa but not able to ride? Register as a Dairy Big Fan to tag along or join the CowaLUNGa volunteer crew! Email SpecialEvents@RespHealth.org to learn more.

Rider Safety