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  • Vandalia Gravel Loop 100K04-06-2024 07:00None Registered

    04-06-2024
    07:00
    EST
    04-06-2024
    13:40
    01-06-2024 14:55
    04-06-2024 08:00
    100
    RUSA 100
    Gravel
    6:40
    Sunrise at 7:19:07 AM Sunset at 8:16:24 PM
    Ride Leader(s):
    William Watts
    Kenneth Smith

    Get me there
    Hummel Park, Guilford Community Center
    1500 S Center St
    Plainfield, IN 46168

    $5.00
    $5.00

    A flat to rolling route heading west from Plainfield Indiana on the historic Vandalia rail trail, which is part of the Nation Road Heritage Trail cross state trail. Some county roads between Plainfield and Amo connecting the Vandalia trail. Also there is a gravel loop through Putnam County Indiana on the west end of the Vandalia Trail.

    Route is pending RUSA approval

  • Vandalia Double Gravel Loop 200K04-06-2024 07:00None Registered

    04-06-2024
    07:00
    EST
    04-06-2024
    20:30
    01-06-2024 14:57
    04-05-2024 08:00
    200
    RUSA Brevet
    Gravel
    13:30
    Sunrise at 7:19:07 AM Sunset at 8:16:24 PM
    Ride Leader(s):
    William Watts
    Kenneth Smith

    Get me there
    Hummel Park, Guilford Community Center
    1500 S Center St
    Plainfield, IN 46168

    $10.00
    $10.00

    A flat to rolling route heading west from Plainfield Indiana on the historic Vandalia rail trail, which is part of the Nation Road Heritage Trail cross state trail. Some county roads between Plainfield and Amo connecting the Vandalia trail. Mixed surfaces Brevet with a Double Gravel Loop.

    Route is pending RUSA approval

  • Vandalia Gravel Loop 300K04-06-2024 07:00None Registered

    04-06-2024
    07:00
    EST
    04-07-2024
    03:00
    01-06-2024 15:02
    04-06-2024 08:00
    300
    RUSA Brevet
    Gravel
    20:00
    Sunrise at 7:19:07 AM Sunset at 8:16:24 PM
    Ride Leader(s):
    William Watts
    Kenneth Smith

    Get me there
    Hummel Park, Guilford Community Center
    1500 S Center St
    Plainfield, IN 46168

    $10.00
    $10.00

    A mixed terrain route sharing some of the roads from the Vandalia 100k and 200k gravel loops. You'll ride along on some beautiful Putnam County gravel roads and visit three historic covered bridges.

    Route is pending RUSA approval

  • Turkey Run Rouleur 125K04-13-2024 09:00None Registered

    04-13-2024
    09:00
    EST
    04-13-2024
    17:20
    01-08-2024 12:43
    04-13-2024 10:00
    125
    RUSA 100
    Hilly
    8:20
    Sunrise at 7:12:23 AM Sunset at 8:26:54 PM
    Ride Leader(s):
    Lydia Trott
    Ted Krischak
    William Watts

    Get me there
    Hawthorn Park
    6067 E Old Maple Ave
    Terre Haute, IN 47803

    Ride starts in SE corner of Hawthorn Park, at trailhead. Located between Tupelo Shelter and Restrooms.
    $5.00
    $5.00

    Intro to Rando Series: Saturday, April 13th 9AM, Hawthorn Park Terre Haute

    Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40312034

    This ride will be the second in our Intro to Randonneuring Series. A series where we slowly progress to a 200k. Lydia Trott will be leading all the rides in the series, if you prefer to ride with a group. The pace will be low D range (13-14 mph). All those who complete the series and join us for the Dart will be eligible to receive the USA Rouler Award. 

    Route description: A scenic 125K route on quiet, rural roads, from Terre Haute IN, to Turkey Run State Park, and back. The route is moderately hilly and on low-traffic county and farm roads, passing through forests, small towns, farmland, and Amish communities. The roads are paved but are sometimes rough. Wider tires are recommended.

    Food Stops: Bridgeton Mill-Controls 2 and 4 (the Bridgeton Mill has food, as well as the Bridgeton General Store). There are also restrooms and soda machines in Bridgeton.
    Rockville-Various food options as you pass through Rockville.
    Control #3, the Turkey Run Gas and Grill.

     

  • The True Story04-20-2024 07:00None Registered

    04-20-2024
    07:00
    EST
    04-20-2024
    20:30
    01-05-2024 17:59
    04-20-2024 08:00
    200
    ACP 200
    Hilly
    13:30
    Sunrise at 6:57:14 AM Sunset at 8:29:52 PM
    Ride Leader(s):
    William Watts

    Get me there
    Major Taylor Velodrome
    3649 Cold Spring Rd
    Indianapolis, IN 46222

    $10.00
    $10.00

    The True Story 200K is an out-and back ride from Indianapolis, the capitol city of Indiana, to the small town of Story in Brown County.

    The ride begins at the Major Taylor Velodrome, which is at the heart the Indianapolis cycling community.  The velodrome is named after Major Taylor, an African American professional cyclist who was born in Indianapolis in 1878 and began his illustrious career here.  Marian University, which manages the Velodrome, and is directly across the street from it, has for some time been a powerhouse in collegiate bicycle racing. 

    The first part of the ride hugs the east bank of the White River on Indianapolis’s growing system of trails.  We turn onto West Street at the J. W. Marriott Hotel, a tall building with a blue glass façade.

    West Street leads to Bluff Road, a rough, urban road that is scheduled to be repaved with a bike lane; we will all be thankful when that improvement occurs.  From Bluff Road, we take an oblique left turn onto Morgantown road, which leads us from suburbia to the countryside. The Citgo station, on the left at about mile 20.4, provides the last services on the route for about 24 miles, when we arrive at the control in Bean Blossom.

    After we turn left off of Morgantown Road, we skirt the edge of Bargersville; there are services slightly off the route here, including Tax Man, an excellent brewpub with Belgian-style bears.  We then navigate a number of county roads, with a few steep descents and climbs out of creek beds, and eventually come to Spearsville Road, which takes us into Brown County.  Beginning with the Fall 2023, we will take Bean Blossom Road into Nashville.  This is a quiet and scenic ride, with a two challenging hills, and some good downhill runs.  The second control will be at the very pleasant Farm Hosue Cafe. We then continue onto Grassy Creek Road, and from there to Main Street in Nashville. We pass directly in front of Big Woods at Hard Truth Hills, a brewpub that is a very pleasant place for lunch with ample outdoor seating; it is on your left soon after you turn onto Main Street.  After a short stretch on Highway 46, which has a mercifully wide shoulder, we take Highway 135 along the eastern border of Brown County State Park, the largest and most visited state park in Indiana. 

     

    After some climbing and some twisty roads, we come to Story, the turn-around point.  Story was a village founded in the late 19th-century that declined after World War II and was abandoned in the 1970s.  In the 1990s, it was redeveloped as a hotel and resort.  There is a fairly good sit-down restaurant in the hotel, which is moderately priced, but might take too much time for those who are in a hurry (I usually allow an hour when I eat there.)  In the summer, there is faster and cheaper outdoor dining on the patio.

    From Story, we turn around, and do it all over again. However, instead of taking Bean Blossom Road, we will instead continue on Grassy Creek Road, which will give us the pelasure of climbing Grassy Creek Hill.  The fourth Control is at the Dollar General Store in Bean Blossom.  Bill Monroe, the father of modern bluegrass music, established his annual festival in Bean Blossom in 1951, and that festival and several others have continued there since Monroe died in 1996.  You will see the festival grounds on the left as you approach the control.  

    And, after some climbing and some twisty roads, we come to Story, the turn-around point.  Story was a village founded in the late 19th-century that declined after World War II and was abandoned in the 1970s.  In the 1990s, it was redeveloped as a hotel and resort.  There is a fairly good sit-down restaurant in the hotel, which is moderately priced, but might take too much time for those who are in a hurry (I usually allow an hour when I eat there.)  In the summer, there is faster and cheaper outdoor dining on the patio.

    From Story, we turn around, and do it all over again.

     

  • The Small Town 300K05-11-2024 06:00None Registered

    05-11-2024
    06:00
    EST
    05-12-2024
    02:00
    01-05-2024 18:03
    05-11-2024 07:00
    300
    ACP 300
    Hilly
    20:00
    Sunrise at 6:31:29 AM Sunset at 8:50:50 PM
    Ride Leader(s):
    William Watts

    Get me there
    Major Taylor Velodrome
    3649 Cold Spring Rd
    Indianapolis, IN 46222

    $10.00
    $10.00

    The Small Town 300K is an out-and-back from the Velodrome in Indianpolis to Seymour, Indiana.  It is named after a song by John Mellencamp, who grew up in Seymour, the destination of this ride.

    The first 200K of this ride follows the route of The True Story, the 200K from the Velodrom to Story and back.  For a description of this portion of the ride, consult the description for The True Story.  Note, however, that the controls are different.  We stop for controls in Bargersville, Nashville and Freetown on our way to Seymour; we do not stop in Bean Blossom or Nashville, although you are, of course, free to stop there for your own needs.

    After you pass Story, you will continue on IN135 through forested land, until you come to the tiny town of Freetown.  The control in Freetown is at Denny's Grocery Story, the kind of small-town store that is always in peril.  If it should be closed, just take a picture of yourself to show that you were there.

    Apart from Denny's the only other service before Seymour is the Corland Diner, at mile 89.4, so we suggest you stock up in either Nashville or Freetown.

    After Freetown, the route opens up into typical Indiana farmland.  The terrain is relatively flat, with some long rolling hills.  There are some low lying areas as you approach Seymour, and there can be flooding during periods of heavy rain.  We have always managed to get through, however, but sometimes with minor detours along roads parallel to the route.

    We go through mostly residential areas of Seymour before arriving at Casey's General Store, which has a fairly broad range of convenience food.  Some of our riders have had good luck at the Townhouse Diner, which is on the route at 206 E. Fourth Street, and has large sign at the top of the building commanding you to "EAT."  It seems to close at 2 p.m. on Saturday's however, so you may have to hurry to get their in time for a meal.

  • The True Story05-11-2024 07:00None Registered

    05-11-2024
    07:00
    EST
    05-11-2024
    20:30
    01-05-2024 18:01
    05-11-2024 08:00
    200
    ACP 200
    Hilly
    13:30
    Sunrise at 6:31:29 AM Sunset at 8:50:50 PM
    Ride Leader(s):
    William Watts

    Get me there
    Major Taylor Velodrome
    3649 Cold Spring Rd
    Indianapolis, IN 46222

    $10.00
    $10.00

    The True Story 200K is an out-and back ride from Indianapolis, the capitol city of Indiana, to the small town of Story in Brown County.

    The ride begins at the Major Taylor Velodrome, which is at the heart the Indianapolis cycling community.  The velodrome is named after Major Taylor, an African American professional cyclist who was born in Indianapolis in 1878 and began his illustrious career here.  Marian University, which manages the Velodrome, and is directly across the street from it, has for some time been a powerhouse in collegiate bicycle racing. 

    The first part of the ride hugs the east bank of the White River on Indianapolis’s growing system of trails.  We turn onto West Street at the J. W. Marriott Hotel, a tall building with a blue glass façade.

    West Street leads to Bluff Road, a rough, urban road that is scheduled to be repaved with a bike lane; we will all be thankful when that improvement occurs.  From Bluff Road, we take an oblique left turn onto Morgantown road, which leads us from suburbia to the countryside. The Citgo station, on the left at about mile 20.4, provides the last services on the route for about 24 miles, when we arrive at the control in Bean Blossom.

    After we turn left off of Morgantown Road, we skirt the edge of Bargersville; there are services slightly off the route here, including Tax Man, an excellent brewpub with Belgian-style bears.  We then navigate a number of county roads, with a few steep descents and climbs out of creek beds, and eventually come to Spearsville Road, which takes us into Brown County.  Beginning with the Fall 2023, we will take Bean Blossom Road into Nashville.  This is a quiet and scenic ride, with a two challenging hills, and some good downhill runs.  The second control will be at the very pleasant Farm Hosue Cafe. We then continue onto Grassy Creek Road, and from there to Main Street in Nashville. We pass directly in front of Big Woods at Hard Truth Hills, a brewpub that is a very pleasant place for lunch with ample outdoor seating; it is on your left soon after you turn onto Main Street.  After a short stretch on Highway 46, which has a mercifully wide shoulder, we take Highway 135 along the eastern border of Brown County State Park, the largest and most visited state park in Indiana. 

     

    After some climbing and some twisty roads, we come to Story, the turn-around point.  Story was a village founded in the late 19th-century that declined after World War II and was abandoned in the 1970s.  In the 1990s, it was redeveloped as a hotel and resort.  There is a fairly good sit-down restaurant in the hotel, which is moderately priced, but might take too much time for those who are in a hurry (I usually allow an hour when I eat there.)  In the summer, there is faster and cheaper outdoor dining on the patio.

    From Story, we turn around, and do it all over again. However, instead of taking Bean Blossom Road, we will instead continue on Grassy Creek Road, which will give us the pelasure of climbing Grassy Creek Hill.  The fourth Control is at the Dollar General Store in Bean Blossom.  Bill Monroe, the father of modern bluegrass music, established his annual festival in Bean Blossom in 1951, and that festival and several others have continued there since Monroe died in 1996.  You will see the festival grounds on the left as you approach the control.  

    And, after some climbing and some twisty roads, we come to Story, the turn-around point.  Story was a village founded in the late 19th-century that declined after World War II and was abandoned in the 1970s.  In the 1990s, it was redeveloped as a hotel and resort.  There is a fairly good sit-down restaurant in the hotel, which is moderately priced, but might take too much time for those who are in a hurry (I usually allow an hour when I eat there.)  In the summer, there is faster and cheaper outdoor dining on the patio.

    From Story, we turn around, and do it all over again.

     

  • Nickel Plate 150K Rouleur05-18-2024 09:00None Registered

    05-18-2024
    09:00
    EST
    05-18-2024
    19:00
    01-09-2024 09:55
    05-18-2024 10:00
    150
    RUSA 100
    Flat
    10:00
    Sunrise at 6:21:49 AM Sunset at 9:00:51 PM
    Ride Leader(s):
    William Watts
    Lydia Trott

    Get me there
    Super 8 Rochester
    209 McDonald Dr
    Rochester , IN 46975

    $5.00
    $5.00

    A scenic 150K route that is perfect for riders looking to complete the Randonneurs USA Rouleur Series and/or build up to a 200K Brevet. Over 90% of the route is on Rail Trails, utilizing the Nickel Plate and Industrial Heritage trails.
    The turnaround control in Kokomo Indiana does not have a food stop (Trailhead), it's recommended that riders refuel at Control 4 on the return leg or at one of the many business on or close off trail in Kokomo.
    Food Stops on or close to route that are not controls:
    Peru-Casey's General Store and various restaurants
    Kokomo-Multiple trailheads with water and restrooms, various gas stations and restaurants 

    *Route is being finalized and pending RUSA Approval

  • The Limestone Circuit 400K06-08-2024 00:001 Registered

    06-08-2024
    00:00
    EST
    06-09-2024
    03:00
    01-05-2024 18:07
    06-07-2024 01:00
    400
    ACP 400
    Hilly
    27:00
    Sunrise at 6:15:45 AM Sunset at 9:10:23 PM
    Ride Leader(s):
    William Watts

    Get me there
    Day's Inn
    3445 Jonathan Moore Pike
    Columbus, IN

    $10.00
    $10.00

    Limestone is deeply woven into both the natural world and into the history, economy and social structure of southern Indiana.  Long-time cyclists and film buffs will remember that the team of locals in Breaking Away (1979) were known as the Cuitters.  That's because the townspeople in Bloomington were collectively known by work some of them pursued, as cutters of limestone (in the real-world Bloomington, they are also sometimes known as "stonies").  And, indeed, the limestone of southern Indiana is found in 27 state Capitol buildings, and in structures all over the United States, including skyscrapers in Chicago and Manhattan.  This circuit takes in many of the towns that are important to the limestone trade, including Bloomington and Bedford, and Salem, which gives its name to the kind of limestone found in this area.  And, indeed, whenever you pass over a creekbed or ride by a hill, you are likely to  see the exposed limestone that is so prominent in this part of the world.

    Our ride begins and ends in Columbus, Indiana.  If you have time before or after the ride, it is worth looking around Columbus.  The Irwin and Miller families, who were instrumental in founding and running Cummins, the engine company still located in Columbus, had a very strong interest in modern architecture.  For this reason, they have long paid the architecture fees for public buildings in the city, with the result that Columbus is today a living museum of modern architecture.  Columbus and its architecture are also the subject of a very fine movie, also called Columbus, made by Kogonada and starring John Cho in 2017.

    The beginning of this ride is fairly gentle, with a few rolling hills as we leave Columbus, but nothing too taxing.  At around mile 15, we go through Camp Atterbury, which was a very large military installation established during World War II.  Today, parts of it are still used for military purposes, as you will see from the road, but it has also become a very large wildlife preserve.

    After our first control, in Morgantown, we go through forested areas in Morgan Monroe State Park, including the very beautiful Lower Gap Road.  We take the the scenic Old 37 Highway into Bloomington itself.  Our ride through Bloomington takes us by Courthouse square, and through some of the bustling streets of this University town, including the very popular multi-use trail, the B-Line.

    The serious climbing begins south of Bloomington, as we approach Bedford.  In fact, the most difficult climbing of the route is concentrated between mile 75 and 150.

    After Bedford, we go through Shoals, one of the smallest and most remote county seats in the State, and then into the Hoosier National Forest.  The roads here are beautiful, remote and sometimes sharply inclined upward.

    After we leave the Hoosier National Forest, we go south of Lake Patoka, along roads that become flatter, straighter, and more agricultural in character.  Eventually, we come to Salem, the county seat of Washington County, and we go right by its courthouse.  It's a straight and mostly flat shot from there to Brownstown, another small and remote county seat (Jackson County), and then we make our way back to where we started in Columbus.

    Parts of this route are very remote, but there is seldom more than 25 or 30 miles between services, and we have ten controls pretty evenly spread along the route.  This means that you should be able to resupply yourself with food and water along the route, but it also means that you should take the chance when you get it.  

     

  • Farms, Rocks, Forests 600K06-08-2024 06:00None Registered

    06-08-2024
    06:00
    EST
    06-09-2024
    22:00
    01-05-2024 18:09
    06-07-2024 07:00
    600
    ACP 600
    Hilly
    40:00
    Sunrise at 6:15:45 AM Sunset at 9:10:23 PM
    Ride Leader(s):
    William Watts

    Get me there
    Day's Inn
    3445 Jonathan Moore Pike
    Columbus, IN

    $10.00
    $10.00

    Overnight Ride



    This 600K consists of two loops, a 400K and a 200K, both of which start and end at the Day's Inn in Columbus, Indiana.  Riders may choose to sleep between the two loops or ride straight through.

    The 400K loop is identical to the Limestone Circuit 400K, and takes riders through Bloomington, Bedford, Shoals, Salem and Brownstown before returning to Columbus.  The terrain on this part of the ride is quite varied, and includes heavily wooded areas in the Hoosier National Forest and extensive farmland.  There is quite a bit of climbing between Beford and Salem.

    The 200K loop is a rectangular in shape, and goes first to Batesville, then to North Vernon, and then to Seymour before returning to Columbus.  Unlike the 400K loop, this loop is more uniform, and takes in mostly farmland.  Apart from the occasional desccent down to a creekbed and back out, there is relatively little climbing on this route.  It can, however, be quite windy, and, with open farmland on both sides of the road, there is no place to hide.  With very few exceptions the roads on this route are quiet, and away from heavy traffic. 

    There are relatively few services on the 200K loop.  This is especially true of the first 50 miles, from Columbus to Batesville; you will not find any services between the controls.  This is also mostly true of the stretches between controls for the rest of the route.  This means that it will be especially important to stock up at controls, and to have reserves on hand.  And if is a hot day, you will need to get water at every opportunity, and carry as much as you can.


Sunrise and Sunset courtesy of Sunrise-Sunset.org