Any suggestions for ride routes in/around Bloomington, IN? My wife and I are going to be there for 4-5 days visiting some family and we are planning on riding each day as a sort of mini training camp. 40-100 miles a day, the hillier the better.

We went to undergrad there, but never rode/raced until after we had moved away. We did do the Hilly Hundred ride a couple years ago, so we might combine both of those routes together into one day. Any other suggestions? Is it worth hitting up any of the shops in town for a group ride?

Cue Psimet2001 post in 5...4...3...2...1....

zero.........WTF?

he cant be working. can he?

later.

I just noticed that there is a Brown County State Park road race, not too far from Bloomington ... the former Panamerican Games Road Race course? Sounds nasty, aina? Every time I ride down there, I get my butt kicked because those hills are STEEP!

:p

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/4228640
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/4228641

Hilly Hundred motionbased map. 2 x 50 miles. Southwest Bloomington.

zero.........WTF?

he cant be working. can he?

later.

Yes....yes I was.

There are tons of routes near Bllomington. Check with the Bloomington Bicycle Club (Linky (http://bloomingtonbicycleclub.org/wheretoride.html)

Brown County is stunningly beautiful. A definite must see. At least it was 15 years ago - the last time I was there.

Maybe these can help?

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/user/mjstamper

Most of these are north of town and are a nice mixture of flats and hills. We've had a lot of rain the past couple of days, so hopefully all the sand and other crap has been washed off the roads. I'll be putting up my thesis show this weekend so I doubt I'll be able to get out for any sort of ride. :(

If you're just doing big loops north of town and up to Morgan Monroe State Forest there's a water spicket at the main office (attached image)...I don't know if it's been turned back on yet though.

Oh yeah, the first ride listed, "Compact test", is when I was going to go test my new crank out on Boltinghouse Road...one of the steepest hills around here, but had to turn back. It was totally covered with sand that made it too dangerous to descend and probably impossible to go up without spinning out and falling over. I'll do it soon though.

Unfortunately, a good number of the roads on the good rides around here are currently closed by the county due to high water. Doesn't look like we have much respite from the rain, either.

Mike's "Bloomington to Martinsville" ride is good and has some great climbs, but make sure to access Main Forest Road initially by going up Old 37, since a good chunk of Anderson Road is under water at the moment. You can hit Bean Blossom Hill on the way back. Hope you manage to get a good ride or two in!

The list of closings from the Monroe County Highway Department in case anyone is interested. If you know this area, you'll see that many of the popular cycling routes are affected:
Anderson Road, Lydy Road to Farr Road
Baby Creek Road, north of Ind. 46
Bottom Road, Prather Road to Mount Pleasant Road
Bottom Road, Woodall Road to Dittemore Road
Cave Road at Gifford Road
Fluck Mill Road
Friendship Road
Frye Road
Kent Road
Gore Road
Kerr Creek Road
Mel Currie Road
Miller Road
Moon Road
Mount Pleasant at low water bridge near Bottom Road
Shilo Road, between Anderson Road and Miller Road
Showers Road
Woodall Road
Woodland Road
Wylie Road

Stipp Road by Moore's Creek is also under water at the moment, but I've not heard that it's officially been closed by the Highway Department. Seems like common sense, though.

ETA: OK, I thought you were coming here in four days, Briscoelab. Hopefully, the water will be drained by the time you arrive. ;) Check out Routeslip rides in Bloomington (http://www.routeslip.com/discover/USA/IN/Bloomington). I think most of the BBC rides are there under various names.

Actually, I can confirm that Anderson road between Old 37 and Bean Blossom is clear of water as of this afternoon, and that the Bean Blossom Hill is safe to ascend and descend. I highly recommend riding in that area, it's beautiful even during this "ugly" time of year, and the rolling hills are always challenging.

Any suggestions for ride routes in/around Bloomington, IN? My wife and I are going to be there for 4-5 days visiting some family and we are planning on riding each day as a sort of mini training camp. 40-100 miles a day, the hillier the better.

We went to undergrad there, but never rode/raced until after we had moved away. We did do the Hilly Hundred ride a couple years ago, so we might combine both of those routes together into one day. Any other suggestions? Is it worth hitting up any of the shops in town for a group ride?

The HH routes might be good places to start as mentioned. Also, depending on when you're in B-ton, you're only about 20 minutes to Brown County State Park. Really good hills, pavement should be in good shape, and I'm guessing 3 loops=6,000 feet of climbing?

Also, I would assume shop rides will start ramping up in early April. I can get/post numbers if you need 'em.

Also, I would assume shop rides will start ramping up in early April. I can get/post numbers if you need 'em.

I'd be interested in the shop rides as well. And what exactly is the "loop" around Brown County State Park? I've ridden around in there a bit but never done anything resembling something that could be known as "The Loop" :)

I was in Bikesmith's bike shop (on College Avenue, just south of the square) last weekend and I saw that they sell two guides to bike routes around Bloomington. That might be e good place to start. I'm sure the guys in the shop could give you up-to-date information.

I'd be interested in the shop rides as well. And what exactly is the "loop" around Brown County State Park? I've ridden around in there a bit but never done anything resembling something that could be known as "The Loop" :)

I refer to it as a loop, but it more resembles a "dumbell" in shape. Basically pick up the main park route off or SR 46. I will check, but I think someone has posted it on route slip. As I recall, about 2000ft of elevation gain over approx. 14 miles. As a guidepoint, these are the roads that allow you to access Abe Martin lodge and the two observation towers.

If you ever do the "Jaws" ride in June, the century route is different only in that you add this loop in the park. Always fun, but you don't get to the park until about mile 70.

Unfortunately, a good number of the roads on the good rides around here are currently closed by the county due to high water. Doesn't look like we have much respite from the rain, either.

Bottom Road, Prather Road to Mount Pleasant Road
Bottom Road, Woodall Road to Dittemore Road

I don't know which one of these is closest, but I seem to remember a waste treatment plant out there somewhere during my college/Little 500 training days.

If it's still there, I bet that smells real nice about now. :eek:

i spent a few years there riding my bike (my parents thought i was in college), so if you would like some great routes in any lengths feel free to PM me! :)

oh & make SURE you do boltinghouse hill. it's a must, just like sink the biz at nick's & pizza at mother bear's.