It sounds like an extraordinary change, but just ten years ago, the HarperRide followed a different route with a different descent off the StairStep and on to Cuba Road. In the "old days," the group descended straight down the back of the StairStep, through the intersection, and toward Northwest Highway. Just before reaching the railroad tracks, the group swung right down what is technically the western end of Cuba Road. This section of road used to be strewn with potholes, and the "bump" in the road 200 meters before the intersection with Merri Oaks Rd was enough to launch bikes well into the air at top speed. Now, and for many years, the group comes off the StairStep and turned right on Ridge Road.

After approximately ten years of following this route, HarperRide.net has received a proposal to make a route change, and as a result, it was added to the "Hills" began on Saturday, May 20th. The proposal only adds few kilometers to the route, which would still cross Northwest Highway at Cuba. Now, riders would:

- Turn right on to Ridge Road as they descend off the StairStep. This is consistent with the current route.
- Riders would continue south on Ridge Road, past Merri Oaks Road, to Oak Knoll Road.
- With a left turn on Oak Knoll Road, the riders would climb the dreaded Ommegang.
- The peloton would continue to the left turn at North Buckley Road.
- Following this section, the pack would slow to a safe speed for the right turn on to Merri Oaks/Cuba Road.
- From this point forward, the traditional route would continue to the finish in Hoffman Estates!

- Map of Addition to the Route (Current Route--Green; New Route--Red)