From Sylvia Stoub, the new Social Chairman of BBC.
My mission is to have our large number of bicyclists get together in other ways besides on the bike. Why? We've got so many levels of riders. The hammerheads know all the hammerheads; the owls know all the other owls. Some of the BBC membership including me hardly ever ride with the club. You see the picture? We all love bicycling!
I've got lots of ideas that will enable our club to be even more viable in so many ways. Please join me for some free pizza, salad, cookies, beverages at Cafe Pizzaria, the corner of Grant and Kirkwood, Monday, November 7th between 7pm and 9pm.
The BBC website also has a new Socials Page with more information about this and upcoming events.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Bartlettsville Squared
By John Bassett
I was having a little trouble figuring out how last Saturday’s club ride got its name. Yes, the ride goes though the little north Lawrence County community of Bartlettsville. But, it was not apparent until I looked at the route map (south part shown here) that you actually go through Bartlesville twice (about mile 20 and 28). So, Bartlettsville x Bartlettsville = Bartlettsville2.
Saturday was one of those great, sunny fall days that begs a bicycle ride and served to break the funk associated with last week’s cold and rainy weather. It was a little brisk in the morning (31oF) but soon warmed up to the very low 60s. About 20 riders assembled at 10:00 at Bryan Park, and we picked up at least one rider along the way out of town. The basic “A” route was on the order of 52 miles. Jim Schroeder had laid out “B” and “C” routes of about 70 and 105 miles, and there were several takers for those distances. I’ll stick with the “A” route having decided it was best not to spend the entire day riding my bicycle.
Bartlettesville Squared is sort of a lop-sided figure-of-eight centered at Bartlettsville. The top loop goes around Lake Monroe with the smaller bottom loop following rural roads in northern Lawrence County. The county roads in this area are generally very good and traffic is low.
The loop south from Bartlettsville is particularly scenic. After a steep climb with a switchback at about Mile 21, there is a nice view back to the north into the South Fork Salt Creek valley,
Then follows a very pleasant peddle along Ramsey Ridge Road through a piece of the Hoosier National Forest.
Coming back off Ramsey Ridge, there is a nice level section running several miles back down the South Fork Salt Creek valley, to complete the lower loop of the figure-of-eight, and across the Salt Creek valley to head back north.
At Mile 34 this pleasantness comes to an end with a long climb up “No Name” hill to Judah. This one appears to have a couple of false summits. But, not to worry, as refreshments are available at a couple of places once you reach Old 37 a few minutes later.
The ride follows Old 37 back north to Bloomington. The total climb of about 3,300 feet is comparable to a day of the Hilly Hundred and was a good follow up to last weekend’s event.
This was a very pleasant Fall day on a nice route with a great group of people. Many thanks to Jerry Arvesen and Jim Schroeder for leading.
Bloomington Bicycle Club Web Site
I was having a little trouble figuring out how last Saturday’s club ride got its name. Yes, the ride goes though the little north Lawrence County community of Bartlettsville. But, it was not apparent until I looked at the route map (south part shown here) that you actually go through Bartlesville twice (about mile 20 and 28). So, Bartlettsville x Bartlettsville = Bartlettsville2.
Saturday was one of those great, sunny fall days that begs a bicycle ride and served to break the funk associated with last week’s cold and rainy weather. It was a little brisk in the morning (31oF) but soon warmed up to the very low 60s. About 20 riders assembled at 10:00 at Bryan Park, and we picked up at least one rider along the way out of town. The basic “A” route was on the order of 52 miles. Jim Schroeder had laid out “B” and “C” routes of about 70 and 105 miles, and there were several takers for those distances. I’ll stick with the “A” route having decided it was best not to spend the entire day riding my bicycle.
Bartlettesville Squared is sort of a lop-sided figure-of-eight centered at Bartlettsville. The top loop goes around Lake Monroe with the smaller bottom loop following rural roads in northern Lawrence County. The county roads in this area are generally very good and traffic is low.
The loop south from Bartlettsville is particularly scenic. After a steep climb with a switchback at about Mile 21, there is a nice view back to the north into the South Fork Salt Creek valley,
Then follows a very pleasant peddle along Ramsey Ridge Road through a piece of the Hoosier National Forest.
Coming back off Ramsey Ridge, there is a nice level section running several miles back down the South Fork Salt Creek valley, to complete the lower loop of the figure-of-eight, and across the Salt Creek valley to head back north.
At Mile 34 this pleasantness comes to an end with a long climb up “No Name” hill to Judah. This one appears to have a couple of false summits. But, not to worry, as refreshments are available at a couple of places once you reach Old 37 a few minutes later.
The ride follows Old 37 back north to Bloomington. The total climb of about 3,300 feet is comparable to a day of the Hilly Hundred and was a good follow up to last weekend’s event.
This was a very pleasant Fall day on a nice route with a great group of people. Many thanks to Jerry Arvesen and Jim Schroeder for leading.
Bloomington Bicycle Club Web Site
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Breaking Away Ride - The Video
Riders who attended the Bloomington Cycles – Breaking Away Ride led by Jim Schroeder on October 2 might be interested in this video of the event.
You Tube Link
From Dale Andrews
Bloomington Bicycle Club
You Tube Link
From Dale Andrews
Bloomington Bicycle Club
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The View from South Bend
I just want to start off by saying that the BBC is a first class club.
I'm from South Bend have been visiting Bloomington for several years as my son attended IU and continue to visit family and friends. I regularly jump on your weekend rides when I'm in town. Also had the pleasure of riding RAIN two years in a row. Your members are always receptive,friendly and courteous.
Thanks,
Greg Olen
I'm from South Bend have been visiting Bloomington for several years as my son attended IU and continue to visit family and friends. I regularly jump on your weekend rides when I'm in town. Also had the pleasure of riding RAIN two years in a row. Your members are always receptive,friendly and courteous.
Thanks,
Greg Olen
Sunday, October 2, 2011
This Would Be McVille
From John Bassett
Eastern Greene county is dotted with little crossroad communities like McVille. Although my wife who taught at Eastern Greene schools for 29 years had never even heard of it, McVille was one of the highlights of last Saturday’s BBC ride. Note: Clare M says that BBC should now stand for “Black and Blue Cyclists”!
It was one of those cool mornings when you knew that whatever you wore you would spend part of the day too hot, or too cold. It was apparent looking at the 20 or so riders who gathered at 10:00 AM at Bryan Park that all kinds of thermal strategies were being employed. It was a nice mix of regular riders and at least one new face, Charles V from Ellettsville.
The scheduled McVille, Newark & Solsberry ride is one of my favorites. Maybe it’s the long downhill section from Hartstraight Road on the west side of town to Rosie’s in Hendricksville, or the great tree-line county roads in eastern Greene, or maybe that steep climb to the traditional rest stop at Yoho’s in Solsberry that is most appealing. But, Google Map applications give this a modest 3,000 feet plus of climbing, so bring your better hill game for this 50 miler. This is Hilly Hundred Country.
The route west follows Vernal Pike (now open to through traffic) and SR 48 to Whitehall. Take a little break at the store in Whitehall and regroup.
Then fly along a fast, level section of SR 43 to Hendricksville. You might usually turn left here and follow Gardner Road back into Monroe County, but McVille, Newark & Solsberry turns west on CR 800W just past Rosie’s Dinner. At least it starts out as 800W. Be careful with road designations out there - this is one of those areas where numbering roads north, south, east, and west from the courthouse does not always work very well.
A good climb and a nice ridge top section brings you to the big blue water tower on the height of land. This would be McVille. A nice downhill and a stout climb brings you on to Newark (pronounced “New Ark” according to Greene County friends). Turn left there at the church and you are following the old Hilly Hundred Day 1 route. You then get to do the “Three Sisters” of Hilly fame, but going downhill since you are now riding the Hilly route in reverse.
There is rough section CR 480N to navigate through at the bottom of the Three Sisters, but you soon reach a climb back out of the valley and under the railroad trestle to Solsberry. Take a break here, regroup, and buy a pop a Yoho’s on the square.
From Solsberry the route gets increasing more familiar as you work your way back to Monroe County. That burning sensation in your legs also gets more familiar as you navigate east on both Elwren and Ison Roads. Some people had a little better luck with this than others. Keith V’s freehub seemed to be developing a terminal seizure at this point.
Overall, it was a very good ride and nice, clear, fall day. I’ll do it again next year.
The Positives:
Vernal Pike and SR 43 to Hendricksville
Scenic Eastern Greene County
Those great Ison Road rollers (east bound, at least)
The Negatives:
Bring your own potty
Did I mention all those cute little dogs?
Eastern Greene county is dotted with little crossroad communities like McVille. Although my wife who taught at Eastern Greene schools for 29 years had never even heard of it, McVille was one of the highlights of last Saturday’s BBC ride. Note: Clare M says that BBC should now stand for “Black and Blue Cyclists”!
It was one of those cool mornings when you knew that whatever you wore you would spend part of the day too hot, or too cold. It was apparent looking at the 20 or so riders who gathered at 10:00 AM at Bryan Park that all kinds of thermal strategies were being employed. It was a nice mix of regular riders and at least one new face, Charles V from Ellettsville.
The scheduled McVille, Newark & Solsberry ride is one of my favorites. Maybe it’s the long downhill section from Hartstraight Road on the west side of town to Rosie’s in Hendricksville, or the great tree-line county roads in eastern Greene, or maybe that steep climb to the traditional rest stop at Yoho’s in Solsberry that is most appealing. But, Google Map applications give this a modest 3,000 feet plus of climbing, so bring your better hill game for this 50 miler. This is Hilly Hundred Country.
The route west follows Vernal Pike (now open to through traffic) and SR 48 to Whitehall. Take a little break at the store in Whitehall and regroup.
Then fly along a fast, level section of SR 43 to Hendricksville. You might usually turn left here and follow Gardner Road back into Monroe County, but McVille, Newark & Solsberry turns west on CR 800W just past Rosie’s Dinner. At least it starts out as 800W. Be careful with road designations out there - this is one of those areas where numbering roads north, south, east, and west from the courthouse does not always work very well.
A good climb and a nice ridge top section brings you to the big blue water tower on the height of land. This would be McVille. A nice downhill and a stout climb brings you on to Newark (pronounced “New Ark” according to Greene County friends). Turn left there at the church and you are following the old Hilly Hundred Day 1 route. You then get to do the “Three Sisters” of Hilly fame, but going downhill since you are now riding the Hilly route in reverse.
There is rough section CR 480N to navigate through at the bottom of the Three Sisters, but you soon reach a climb back out of the valley and under the railroad trestle to Solsberry. Take a break here, regroup, and buy a pop a Yoho’s on the square.
From Solsberry the route gets increasing more familiar as you work your way back to Monroe County. That burning sensation in your legs also gets more familiar as you navigate east on both Elwren and Ison Roads. Some people had a little better luck with this than others. Keith V’s freehub seemed to be developing a terminal seizure at this point.
Overall, it was a very good ride and nice, clear, fall day. I’ll do it again next year.
The Positives:
Vernal Pike and SR 43 to Hendricksville
Scenic Eastern Greene County
Those great Ison Road rollers (east bound, at least)
The Negatives:
Bring your own potty
Did I mention all those cute little dogs?
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