Great Lakes - Hilly Hundred - Any BF'ers?

I grew up working support for this ride when it started out of Bloomington North High School (at least until 1986). I rode the Hilly Hundred out of Bloomington many, many years ago and I have been trying to get back to it.

My problem is that I really don't know anyone I can stay with in the area anymore, and I think that all of the hotels are probably filled up by now.

Is anyone else planning on going? Anyone know of good staying arrangements I can take advantage of??

I'll be there. There are rooms available in Columbus Indiana.

Columbus is kind of a long haul from there...My parents are in Carmel, and it is starting to look like I might just need to stay with them...

Maybe I'll get a hotel in Columbus for Saturday night only. I think the crappy motor lodge in Bloomington on 17th and either College or Walnut had rooms for something like $120...that place has always been a hole. We would drive past it as kids and my mom would always say, "Yuck!"

My wife and I are driving from NYC again this year. We booked a motel in bloomington. Last year we camped out by Lake Monroe, but the long drive made for late starts each day. Hope to start training soon. It's been raining a lot here in the big apple.

My wife and I are driving from NYC again this year. We booked a motel in bloomington. Last year we camped out by Lake Monroe, but the long drive made for late starts each day. Hope to start training soon. It's been raining a lot here in the big apple.

That's a long drive from NYC...I used to drive to Bloomington from Syracuse to visit my sister at IU while I was still in high school and it would take us something like 14 hours.

I am starting to think about camping this one. Aham mentioned he might be good for some camping, but I got the impression he might have to negotiate that one....

Anyone have any good links to camp sites?

(I did camp at lake Monroe back in 2001, but it was on someone's private property and not exactly on the up and up....and it is a long drive from there to the start...still closer than Columbus though...)

I think you can camp on the grounds of the high school in Ellettsville (where the start is).

http://www.hillyhundred.org/GenInfo.html

I'm not sure if I'm going yet, seeing how most of the second day ride is my regular 50 mile weekend loop from Bloomington. It is a really nice ride though!

I've done it in 12 hours (NYC to Greenfield), minimal stopping, but it takes around 16 as a casual drive. My wifes from Greenfield so we do some visiting along with the ride.

Im going to be doing it. I forget where im staying, about 20 miles otuside of bloomington i believe.

It is a NO go for me. Wife has us going to Starved Rock that weekend. She will NOT budge and I dont blame her. She has spent all summer supporting my riding habit. Later.

this sounds like the perfect ride for me... but I got other plans already made for my fall break

I'll be there for the Saturday ride. Sunday I will be at the Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington. I reserved a retreat cottage for $45. You don't have to be a Buddhist to stay there. I don't know if they will have any left but it won't hurt to check.

http://71.18.71.59/new/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=12

I'll be there attempting to prove that yes recumbents can climb hills

Maybe, depends on schoolwork I have to keep up with!:rolleyes:

I mailed the organizer and he confirmed that there is camping available at the school. I messed around and didn't get pre-registared. I'm not too sure about heading down and doing day of event reg. and keeping my fingers crossed that there is still room to camp...

...not looking good...

I mailed the organizer and he confirmed that there is camping available at the school. I messed around and didn't get pre-registared. I'm not too sure about heading down and doing day of event reg. and keeping my fingers crossed that there is still room to camp...

...not looking good...
The camping area is a rough piece of ground, hard to find a level spot. You almost have to get there Friday night to find a good spot. (Unless they moved it to a different place this year)
Sleeping bag spaces inside the school might be another option.
I've camped every year I went to the Hilly and always managed to find a spot even setting up on a Saturday after the ride.
I'm sure they will find a place for you somewhere.

I'll be there attempting to prove that yes recumbents can climb hills
I don't remember ever seeing anyone pushing a Bent up the hills. They must climb better than people think.

I don't remember ever seeing anyone pushing a Bent up the hills. They must climb better than people think.
I know a recumbent trike can sure climb! The only limiting factor is the strength of the seatback and you can climb as slow as you want without falling over!

I know a recumbent trike can sure climb! The only limiting factor is the strength of the seatback and you can climb as slow as you want without falling over!


Yeah, trikes can climb rather well even the steepest of grades. I was out in new york playing with my catrike on some hills. Climbs pitifully slow, but was able to climb some monster steep hills. I found some that were very long in the mile and a half range................... if you get tired, simply stop and lock the brakes............eat a sandwich........ swat some flies.........drink some sport drink........take some pictures of the hill in front of you and the hill behind you...........answer questions from hick idiots in cars that stop to ask you dumb questions as you are sitting there.................. and when you are ready, start cranking back up the hill.

don't worry about the whole camping thing... it's not a big deal. everyone at the hilly are in good spirits, even if they curse the 3 sisters & mt tabor. the only thing you need to worry about is the saturday breakfast & perhaps having a spare tube. not sure if i'm going to go yet; the only thing i'm worried about is bumping in to my ex, not my sleeping situation. i think anyone from out of town who sleeps more than 5 miles from the schools is making a mistake, but that's just me.

the only thing i'm worried about is bumping in to my ex, not my sleeping situation.

:roflmao: With 5,000 cyclist the odds of running into them seems slim. I'm glad my Ex doesn't ride.


i think anyone from out of town who sleeps more than 5 miles from the schools is making a mistake, but that's just me.

Being right there on the grounds of the Hilly is GREAT ! But two years ago when it dropped into the 30s was no fun in a tent. So far it doesn't look that bad for this years Hilly.

I will be riding in it for the first time this year. Only riding on Sunday, though. Still have a bit of recovery from a summer accident and don't think I'm ready for 50 on successive days. I was wary of the weather with the recent cool down, but the forecast looks great now. Partly Cloudy, lower 50s in the am, 70s for a high.

will be there with some friends.

karl