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