• Sylvan Island Stampede

    2024 Sylvan Island Stampede
    Sylvan Island Stampede XV
    Saturday April 6th | Sylvan Island - Moline, IL.

    Register for the 2024 Sylvan Island Stampede here.
    Prices increase on Sunday, March 31st at 11:00 PM so get signed up now!

    Where else can you race on twisty, chunky singletrack, in old industrial ruins on an island in the Mississippi? This is a rain or shine event and the inaugural race of the 2024 FORC MTB Race Series.

    Note: We're changing race format this year to make things simpler and parting ways with USAC to create a grassroots QC MTB race series. Please check the event page for details. Same island, same course, same atmosphere!

    Full Details Here | Like this event on Facebook.

  • Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day

    Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day

    Mark your calendar for Saturday March 23rd because it's Take A Kid Mountain Biking day! This event will take place at Sylvan Island Park in Moline, IL from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Meet at the pavilion across the bridge

    Participants will learn simple bike maintenance tips, quick trail riding skills demo, and then hit the trails on an adult led group ride on easy trails at the park.

    Click here for more details.

    TAKMBD Facebook Event

  • MTB-101

    Spring 2024 Mountain Biking 101 Skills Clinic

    Saturday March 23rd 1:00-3:00 pm
    Sylvan Island Park - Moline, IL

    Join FORC for Mountain Biking 101 (MTB-101): a skills clinic designed to teach beginner riders the skills needed to confidently ride off-road trails. Click here for more event details.
    MTB-101 Facebook Event Page

  • Youth Advanced Skills & Race Clinic

    Spring 2024 Advanced Mountain Biking Skills Clinic

    Saturday March 30th Time TBD
    Sylvan Island Park - Moline, IL

    Join FORC for an advanced Youth Mountain Biking Skills & Race Clinic. Riders will learn advanced MTB techniques that can be used to help increase performance during race events or spirited trail riding. Click here for more event details.

  • Get Trailwork Announcements

    Fall is a great time for riding, but also a great time for trail building! If you want to keep up to date with upcoming trail workdays, subscribe to your preferred trail forums.

    Subscribe to receive trail updates & workday announcements.

    1a. Register for a FORC web account to access our Discussion Forums.
    1b. If already registered, verify your email address is correct in your profile by clicking here while logged in.
    3. Click the green check mark outlined in red above for your preferred trails. A black circle icon will appear when subscribed.
    4. Receive the latest trail and workday announcements to your inbox!

  • Trail Etiquette Refresh

    Trail ettiquite tips incoming.

    Trail Ettiquite Refresher

    With the explosion of new riders on the trails, it's probably a good idea for a refresher PSA on trail etiquette.

    • Only ride open trails. Trails close when muddy and sometimes for user safety issues or special events. Check the trail status app for the latest local trail conditions.
    • Leave no trace. Stay on the trail: don't shortcut features or switchbacks and don't modify features without permission. If you can't ride it, walk it. Land managers don't appreciate braided trails and closing them takes time away from other projects our trail builders want to accomplish. Pack out trash and pickup some more on the way out.
    • Stay in control. Ride within your ability and slow down for corners with low visibility (expect someone on the other side). Don't skid! Skidding tears up the trail and makes the trail builders sad. It also makes you look like a newb.
    • Yield appropriately. Be courteous to other trail users by letting them know your presence. Follow trail signs for travel direction if they exist. Follow existing traffic laws when on roads (yes they apply to bikes too).
    • Don't scare animals. Equestrians share some of the trails we ride and horses can be startled easily. Approach cautiously and ask the horse rider for guidance if planning to pass.
    • Be prepared & self sufficient. Give your gear a quick check before each ride and bring the necessary tools for common mechanical problems (tube, pump, multi-tool, zip ties, etc.) Don't forget a snack & water for longer rides. Be aware of the weather.

  • Subscribe to the Let's Ride Forum

    Subscribe to the Let's Ride forum to receive email alerts when rides are posted.

    Want to receive email alerts about rides posted in the Let's Ride forum? It's an easy way to meet new riding buddies and stay up to date with local and away rides.

    To get set up, click the green check-mark to the right of the Let's Ride Forum in the Forum overview or simply click here If you wish to unsubscribe, just click the black circle button to stop notifications. If you're not receiving notifications but are already subscribed, check that the email address in your profile is correct.

  • Sylvan Island Shelter Fundraising

    Moline Foundation presents FORC with a grant of $10K for the Sylvan Shelter Project

    FORC is building a shelter on Sylvan Island and we need your help!

    Shelter Funding Meter [$20K Needed]
    $20,000 Raised

    Update 5/20/21

    We've reached our funding goal! Thanks again everyone! So, what comes next? We'll start work on pouring a concrete pad for anchoring the shelter and once the shelter pieces are delivered we'll start putting it together. Stay tuned for announcements detailing the progress of the build!

    Update 5/18/21

    We're nearing our funding goal rapidly thanks to a number of significant donations over the past few months. If you still want to contribute, click the button below to make a donation while there's still time! Thank you to everyone who has already donated!

    The shelter has been ordered. We have a contractor to do the concrete work. And we're ready to pull the trigger and get the shelter built once all the materials arrive. It won't be long!

    The Lowdown:

    • FORC is building a 20' x 20' Poligon Steel Shelter on Sylvan Island (like the one at Sunderbruch Park).
    • We need to raise $20k to complete the project ($10k already raised by a grant from the Moline Foundation).
    • The shelter will be a focal point for events on the island, enjoyed by the public, and feature a plaque celebrating FORC founders/volunteers.
  • Earn Your Shirt

    This shirt can't be bought, only earned.

    Earn Your Shirt!

    We're giving away custom trail volunteer t-shirts as a way to say thanks to the volunteers who help maintain local trails and encourage new volunteers to get involved! These will not be available for sale and must be eared by sweat. Get a trail volunteer card, volunteer for 5 trail days, turn in the card, and then get a shirt! Check out how this all works here: Earn Your Shirt!

  • FORC Homepage


    Who are the Friends of Off Road Cycling (or FORC for short)? We are a group of dedicated volunteers on a mission to improve local mountain biking opportunities by building new trail, maintaining existing trail, hosting MTB related educational events, and building the mountain bike community right here in the QC. If you'd like to be a part of this, become a member and let's get to work. Click here to find out more about what we do.


  • Upcoming Events

    Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day

    Sat. Mar. 23rd 2024 - 10:00am to 12:00pm

    MTB 101 Skills Clinic

    Sat. Mar. 23rd 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm

    Advanced Youth Skills Clinic

    Sat. Mar. 30th 2024 - 9:00am to 12:00pm

    Sylvan Island Stampede MTB Race

    Sat. Apr. 6th 2024 - 8:00am to 4:00pm

    Illiniwek Abermination MTB Race

    Sat. May. 4th 2024 - 8:00am to 4:00pm

  • Local Trail Conditions

    Report Trail Issue

    Sylvan Island

    Open

    Sunderbruch

    Open

    Scott County Park

    Open

    Illiniwek

    Open

    Westbrook

    Caution

    Stephens

    Closed

    Prairie Park

    Closed

    Dorrance

    Open Some Soft Spots

    Dog Park

    Open

    Scott Community College

    Closed

  • Winter Trail Conditions

    Important Winter Trail Information

    Winter weather is here and local trails will be experiencing freeze thaw cycles. This means conditions will be unsuitable for riding (as well as foot traffic) until the ground freezes solid and daytime temperatures stay well below freezing. Click here to learn more.

  • Night Riding

    When the days get shorter and weekday riding opportunities fade, some riders opt to strap on lights and hit the trails after dark. Below are the current policies of local parks regarding night riding and after dark trail closures.

    • Sunderbruch: Night riding is allowed at all hours. Park in the lot outside the main gates to avoid getting locked in!
    • Stephen's Park: Night riding is allowed. Park is open until 11pm.
    • Illiniwek: Night riding is allowed until 10pm. Be off the trails and out of the park by 10pm.
    • Dorrance: Night riding is allowed until 10pm. Be off the trails and out of the park by 10pm.
    • Scott County Park: For the month of October, SCP is allowing night riding. Riders must be off the trails and out of the park by 9:30pm.
    • Westbrook Park: Night riding is not allowed unless officially recognized by the park. Trails open dawn to dusk.
    • Sylvan Island: Night riding not allowed. Trails open from 6 am to sunset.