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?