By Emery Paquette
  Staff Writer
  

  Chicago O'Hare International Airport is known as one of the busiest international gateways in the United States. On an average day, O'Hare sees an average of around 2400 aircraft operations. Planes arrive and depart from more than 60 foreign destinations.
  
  This coming Monday, it may not be all too out of place when men from about 20 different countries congregate in the area. However, what is unusual is that they will not be jetting off by plane like the other travellers, but will instead head up north on their trusty bikes.
  
  For the first time ever, the OCM circuit will host a Division 6 race starting on the tarmac of O'Hare in Chicago, IL. The race will see the riders snaking north towards the finish point at Libertyville.
  
  Libertyville (population 21,760) is a northern suburb of Chicago in Lake County, Illinois. Normally known for being the place where Marlon Brando grew up, and for colourful events like its annual Goose Dropping Festival, Libertyville will see 120 riders cross the finish line come Monday in the first ever edition of The Forever Race.
  
  Contrary to its name, The Forever Race will span 115km in length. Starting from O'Hare, the riders will head up the I-90 for about 15km before exiting and making for Arlington Heights (population 76,031). The riders won't be able to stop for coffee though as they ride right through the town and towards neigbouring Buffalo Grove (population 43,195). This cosy town was named for nearby Buffalo Creek, where numerous bison bones were discovered in the past. Fortunately for our intrepid cyclists, there will probably be none scattered on their route

waiting to puncture their tires or trip them up.
  
  The route then takes a western detour up towards Oakwood Heights (population 2,194). While the sparse number of people living in the area means that spectators along this section of the route will thin out somewhat, this is where the going starts getting a little tough, where the uneven terrain will start to trouble the riders a little.
  
  Vernon Hills (population 23,957) is next up on the list as the riders make a U-turn and head back east towards the coast. The course will not let up yet as the hilly terrain will make sure the riders work hard for their supper.
  
  Lake Michigan will come into their sights soon enough as they hit Lake Forest (population 21,300). Founded in 1857 as a stop for travelers making their way south to Chicago, this affluent city will see the competitors heading in the opposite direction instead.
  
  Once they blast out of Lake Forest, it's just a mere 10km or so to the final destination of Libertyville. It's a pretty level stretch of road and will favour the flat road specialists.
  
  Finally, as they make their way into the Libertyville Downtown, they should be able to just about smell the coffee grinds and sumptious cakes on display in the various cafes and bakeries that line the street. But they must not falter, for there is still that final bit to go. Just a bit up north is the finish point in the aptly named Forever Avenue. As the turn right at North Butterfield Road and then left into Virginia Avenue, it will be a mad dash to the finish line. The sprinters, if they are still hanging on at this point of time will be hanging onto the wheels of their leadouts as they scramble for the win.
  
  Who says forever is impossible?