Popcorn and More Popcorn

By Allan Edmonds

April 18, 2009

Jim Schroeder led a large group of riders on the ride known at National Geographic's 63rd best bike ride in the country.

He advertised the ride to the club as follows:

"Would you believe that one of our club rides is in the "National Geographic"?

"No baboons on bicycles or restless natives with spears, but what I'm talking about is the Popcorn Ride. It was listed by the Geographic as number 63 in "Best Adventures in America" In the April 2000 issue.

"Springville is the major destination on this 46 mile route with a short cut of 30 miles.

"There are many idyllic views of the rolling countryside as we're on top of a few ridges. The climbs up to those ridges are well worth it!

"The ride starts promptly at 10am on Saturday April 18.

"Hmmmm, popcorn flavored power bars...?

"I've done more investigating of this "forgotten" area, and have come up with more miles if any rider is up to that.

"One route (Popcorn Plus Butter) loops back into Springville and out a different road and is 57 miles long.

"And if any of you centurions are up to the creme de la creme (butter de la butter), I have a 94 mi route, the Hills Are a Poppin' Corn."

The group was quite sight as our long column of riders headed out of town on South Rogers Street. We got separated at the various lights. Everyone waited, however, on Old 37 after crossing New 37, along the stretch of road that the BBC has adopted from the county in exchange for quarterly cleanups.

The large group led to several smaller subgroups forming. Keith Vogelsang showed up on his tandem with his son on back a little late and struggled to catch up through town, inevitably getting caught by a traffic light. When they finally did catch up on Old 37, they decided to take an alternative shorter ride for the day. Keith reported later, "We ended up detouring to Cedar Bluff to climb on rocks, dip our toes in the creek, check out wild flowers, and skip rocks. On our way back toward town, we encountered part of the group again, including Jim. All in all, we had great ride, but I could have used a few more warm up miles before breaking into a sprint!"

Meanwhile Allan Edmonds and Mike Conway were bringing up the rear, keeping an eye out for Keith, just in case.

The main regrouping spot is the convenience store in Springville at about mile 20. The trailers were just getting there as the main group was ready to set out again. Then Kevin Hayes showed up by himself. He had gotten off 30 or 40 minutes after the main club group and had been racing to catch up. He rested a brief minute or two and then took off to catch the main group.

Since Allan and Mike were cruising along by themselves they stopped to take a picture including the Popcorn Church.

On the way back, at Tramway and Victor, Allan and Mike spotted a cyclist off the road (Josh from St. Louis), sitting on the ground. He was just visiting and had decided to try a BBC ride. He had bonked, having run out of food and water. Mike gave him a Luna Bar and we gave him most of our liquids, with home only 5-6 miles away at that point. He perked up pretty well, and the three of us finished up the ride together.

Meanwhile part of the main group had embarked on various long options described by the ride leader. They apparently got separated and took a variety of routes. Afterward, Joe Anderson reported, "You guys never did catch me. I got home at 5:30 with an odometer that said 85 miles and really appreciated the ten mile short cut I took to Hobbieville. Sorry about my advice that 1250 into Owensburg was basically hilly with more downs than ups. I was really wrong about that one. Jim Schroeder is a hill monger. He should be requiredto put on one of those summo wrestler fat suits and try to ride his route."

On his way back into town, with the main group, ride leader Jim Schroeder reported that he "stopped at the Sunoco and came upon a newbie that moved back to Bloomington. That was his first BBC ride, and I talked up all the different rides that we offer."

Meanwhile Stan Ellis reported back for the long group, "Your "Hills Are a Poppin' Corn" 94 mile route is a keeper. The only change I would make is add 2 more 'verys' to the 'Very difficult' category. Thanks!"

As you can see many people did this ride in many different ways. In circumstances like this it is simply impossible for a single ride leader to keep track of everyone by himself. It is absolutely crucial that we all pay attention to those around us and not let anyone disappear off the back without being sure he or she is okay.