Great Lakes - Hows the hilly hundred in Indiana

Just wondering if anyone has done the hilly and what they thought of it, I am thinking about doing it.

I've done it 10 or 11 times. It's a really good ride weekend. The hills aren't really that bad and since it's only 50 miles/day it's a nice way to usher out the hard riding of summer.

Frank

Great ride, some of the prettiest country Indiana has to offer. Three great stops each day with food, drink and music. Hills no where near mountains, people and bikes of all kinds and really well put together. A great way to wind down a summer of cycling providing the weather stays nice.

There's some nice steepness to some of the hills. Often the weather is great - usually chilly in the morning, but often sunny and clear. There's about 5,000 people each day, but it's not a mass start, so there's a steady stream along the whole route. Support is very good - lots and lots of portolets at the stops, plenty of food and fluids. Participants vary from weekenders on comfort bikes and tandems with kids on the back to the hard core.

As a kid I used to work band boosters providing food concessions during packet pickup....That was at least 25 years ago.

Last time I rode it was in 1993.

It's a great ride. Very well run and very popular. You don't get many opportunities to ride with that many people.

If you are even remotely considering it I would definitely recommend following through.

Every year it seems like something comes up and gets in the way. This year I am attending a convention in Las Vegas the whole week and flying back into Ohare on Friday. I don't see any way I can make it there in time.

Next year I guess.

EDIT: ..and it's not THAT hilly. It is split over 2 days and the climbing isn't impossible. It's a great ride.

I've ridden the Hilly many, many times. First time in 1979 while a student at Indiana University. It really is the macdaddy of fun rides. You will see all kinds of riders and bikes from all over the world. Depending upon your interests there is something for everyone. Great support, great vendors, and very well planned. It moved to Elletsville, In (Edgewood HS) a couple of years ago. Some folks complained, but the ride had really outgrown the old Bloomington North HS site. The campground area takes on refugee-look. Tents everywhere...but not too crazy...

The route is a challenge if your out of shape or not used to hills, but you do have all day.:thumb:

I'll be there with a couple of teen sons. We'll do the volunteer gig and ride for free.

Here's the link- http://www.hillyhundred.org/

PappyD

Really the only thing stopping me is the prices of hotels in that area for those nights.:( Maybe I should just camp, although a shower would be a nice thing to have.

Try Columbus, IN - from what I remember the prices were reasonable there the last few years. Also try South side of Indy or Martinsville.

ill look into it thanks psimet

Well i did it, i registered and booked a hotel room, talked the wife into coming along and leaving the kid at home with my parents ( Im not sure how i managed all that). Hopefully it doesnt rain.

Well i did it, i registered and booked a hotel room, talked the wife into coming along and leaving the kid at home with my parents ( Im not sure how i managed all that). Hopefully it doesnt rain.

...and if it does rain you have the weekend alone with your wife in a hotel room....HELLO!!!

Another option if you want to bring kid(s) is seeing if there's any room in the lodge at McCormick's Creek State Park near Spencer. It's not far from Elletsville and is a nice big state park for the kids to enjoy - depending on age. Horseback riding, hiking, pool (though maybe not in Oct.). They also have cabins in addition to camping and camper/RV spots. The ride actually goes quite close to the park too.

...and if it does rain you have the weekend alone with your wife in a hotel room....HELLO!!!

ah yes musn't let my OCD about bicycles get the best of me.

Another option if you want to bring kid(s) is seeing if there's any room in the lodge at McCormick's Creek State Park near Spencer. It's not far from Elletsville and is a nice big state park for the kids to enjoy - depending on age. Horseback riding, hiking, pool (though maybe not in Oct.). They also have cabins in addition to camping and camper/RV spots. The ride actually goes quite close to the park too.

Thanks, she's probably a little young though, not quite two. I'll keep it in mind for next year, if i do it again.

Another option if you want to bring kid(s) is seeing if there's any room in the lodge at McCormick's Creek State Park near Spencer. It's not far from Elletsville and is a nice big state park for the kids to enjoy - depending on age. Horseback riding, hiking, pool (though maybe not in Oct.). They also have cabins in addition to camping and camper/RV spots. The ride actually goes quite close to the park too.

Ahhhhh....McCormick's Creek. I still carry a cigarette burn from my father I received there. Sounds horrible, but total acident. Still....it's one of those moments I remember from being a child.

From what I remember the cabins fill 1 year in advance, as soon as they are available for booking. The lodge usually has rooms though...again...IIRC.

Well i did it, i registered and booked a hotel room, talked the wife into coming along and leaving the kid at home with my parents ( Im not sure how i managed all that). Hopefully it doesnt rain.

I'm heading down to B-town for this also. It'll be my third time. Just note that the safety video at registration is a bit painful, but everyone has to go through it. Just park yourself close to the exit doors so that you can pick-up your packet soon afterwards.

If you can head down on Friday, that's even better. However, with childcare that might be difficult.

Coming from Chicago, I hope you get some time in going up the local parking ramps!

I'm not in for the Hilly Hundred this year. House repairs and cleanup still take precedence.

Thomas

My mom and I will be there this year! Looking forward to it.

Have you done the ride before? If not, you should really enjoy it...it's an extremely well organized and supported ride.

I haven't ridden it before. I've heard nothing but good about it so fingers crossed that the weather cooperates.

According to the weather channel its supposed to be 62 and sunny, sounds good to me, hopefully it really is like that.

That sounds great. Autumn should be in its splendor there as well. I already can't wait for the weekend.

I've done it 10 or 11 times. It's a really good ride weekend. The hills aren't really that bad and since it's only 50 miles/day it's a nice way to usher out the hard riding of summer.

Frank

+1 on the "nice way to usher out the hard riding of summer". Hilly Hundred really is a nicely run ride and the routes are scenic and fun. I've done it the last three years, and am bummed I'll be missing it this year.

Enjoy!

(hey Frank)

Hey Dobo!

Looks like it's going to be a little nippy this year.

yep... and i'm camping out. should be nice and frigid on the toes friday and saturday night.

quick question regarding Saturday morning.

My mom and I would rather wait and roll out around 9 instead of going at 8. For those of you who have ridden this before, is it ok to wait later (will there be parking, will the lines be shorter to pick up packets, etc) or should we get there earlier?

Bring the bug spray!!! I've never seen mosquitoes like we have right now. Granted i am 50 miles from the start of the hilly but i bet they are bad there also. So if camping or for the circus i mean rest stops bring some spray or be eaten alive

quick question regarding Saturday morning.

My mom and I would rather wait and roll out around 9 instead of going at 8. For those of you who have ridden this before, is it ok to wait later (will there be parking, will the lines be shorter to pick up packets, etc) or should we get there earlier?

Parking will be an issue, but you should be OK. My understanding is that they don't have a full field of pre-registered riders, although a lot of people will commute from Indy (both registered and unregistered) to ride. getting the packets is normally pretty smooth, so you should be OK there.

Hope you have a great time!

All i can say is two words: Three Sisters- ouch!

It was a great ride. Three days in a row for me. 68 miles on the ride from Indy to Bloomington on Friday... then the Hilly. Camped out. It was a great experience. I've ridden alot of those hills before so I was ready, but the atmosphere up top Mt. Tabor from all of the people cheering was pretty cool.

Does anyone know what happened with the accident on Sunday?

No... but the guy looked in bad shape. He had a huge gash on the side of his head and there were alot of bloody rags around. Hopefully he's ok. There were also two other accidents. One in the shower truck believe it or not (resulted in a trip to the hospital) and one other slight fall that I know of on a downhill... but that one didn't look too serious.

Here's a shot of me and my college cross country teammate back in the day. It's at the 2nd day rest stop after eating. I'm in the red with the goofy skull cap. It was chilly that morning.


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/erikalbers01/Hilly%20Hundred%202008/HillyHundred.jpg

I recognize you. I saw you several times and asked you if you had eaten too much chicken as we were leaving lunch. It sure was cold in the morning. We were riding along with a tandem who broke their chain on Mt. Tabor. Fortunately they were pretty near the top and we were able to pull a link a put the chain back together. All-in-all a nice weekend.

Did you say chicken?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/erikalbers01/Hilly%20Hundred%202008/HillyHundredchicken.jpg

Nothing like gaining weight on a ride. This was my second trip up to the line on Day 1. The lady thought I was serious when I said that I didn't want that piece. She got scared... lol. I had to break it to her that I was just kidding. I rode 168 miles in three days and still gained a half a pound from the weekend. :)

There was an accident Saturday too. Didn't see what happened at all, but saw a guy on a gurney with a neck (that's standard procedure though) awaiting going to into the ambulance. Saw a gal on the other side of the road with shoe off having her ankle checked. That one had 2 ambulances on the scene.

Found out today that all the sirens I heard Sunday morning when I arrived were likley going to the murder scene in town. Talk about an eventful weekend for the small town. I don't know that they've had so much action in a decade.

Did you say chicken?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/erikalbers01/Hilly%20Hundred%202008/HillyHundredchicken.jpg

Nothing like gaining weight on a ride. This was my second trip up to the line on Day 1. The lady thought I was serious when I said that I didn't want that piece. She got scared... lol. I had to break it to her that I was just kidding. I rode 168 miles in three days and still gained a half a pound from the weekend. :)

Runwithit,

Is that a pic of you? If so, I think I met you through a friend of mine at the vendor tent...

There was an accident Saturday too. Didn't see what happened at all, but saw a guy on a gurney with a neck (that's standard procedure though) awaiting going to into the ambulance. Saw a gal on the other side of the road with shoe off having her ankle checked. That one had 2 ambulances on the scene.

Found out today that all the sirens I heard Sunday morning when I arrived were likley going to the murder scene in town. Talk about an eventful weekend for the small town. I don't know that they've had so much action in a decade.

I know there was at least one wreck Sunday as well, right before 37 at the first stop. Don't know what happened, but there was a lady down, apparently had been on tandem. Didn't think that it was pertinent to stop as the situation was under control when I came upon it.

Yeah that's me. I was either in the vendor tent, riding, running, or in my sleeping bag in my tent trying to keep warm. That's all I did for 3 days ;)

sunday sounded like an eventful ride! I wish i could have made it on sunday. I almost got wiped out my self from a pickup truck trying to cut across the road ahead of me on saturday. I think some of the drivers on the roads would get freaked out with all the bikes around and just floor it. I saw it happen two other times to people ahead of me.

I saw an ambulance somewhere near McCormicks Creek. The person was on the ground but I could see their arm moving.

A great two day's. Even made it up Mt Tabor for the first time!

I had a great time. No near misses or cars around me anywhere. Plenty of bikes, though. What awesome weather we had. I definitely preferred the day 2 course. So many folks didn't ride the 2nd day which I thought was a shame as it was fabulous. The miles just flew by. The only hill that reminded me of the Dairyland Dare was Mt. Tabor. Tough!

My ride time was at 3:30 both days and with stops I was out about 4 hrs.

Organization was top notch. I would definitely go back.

Met lots of nice folks and chatted with people from all over the midwest. I liked the fact that most everyone had their name and city/state on their back.

Hope no one was hurt seriously. I saw a couple of tandems that made me really nervous. They just didn't seem to have the control to stop that they needed on those downhills.

As in the past few years, it was pretty darn chilly early, but warmed quickly with the sunshine. We improved our time again this year to just over 2.5 hours each day. The only stop of any substance was when I flatted on day 2 going uphill on a modest hill. My favorite section is always the Forest Road after Bean Blossom Hill climb. The climb is a challenge with some length, following by the gorgeous ride through the forest on wonderfully smooth asphalt capped at the end with a fun downhill that hits 40 mph.

Had a great time again this year. And, yep, it was pretty chilly. I took the 40 mile route on Sunday for a change this year and was pleasantly surprised! Nice route and saw the sun coming up over a beautiful little pond coming into the state park.

Next year i'm making sure to set it up so i can ride both days.

As in the past few years, it was pretty darn chilly early, but warmed quickly with the sunshine. We improved our time again this year to just over 2.5 hours each day. The only stop of any substance was when I flatted on day 2 going uphill on a modest hill. My favorite section is always the Forest Road after Bean Blossom Hill climb. The climb is a challenge with some length, following by the gorgeous ride through the forest on wonderfully smooth asphalt capped at the end with a fun downhill that hits 40 mph.

I'd have to agree....that ride through the forest was just fabulous!

I would have to also agree. That part through the forest with a gradual climb forever and then riding on the ridge and the long downhill was awesome. Best part of the ride, hands down.

I'll also second the tandem issue. They are out of control. Nothing like an old man and his wife yelling at you because he lost momentum on a downhill. Nothing you can do when a car is passing from behind and there is rough road all over the place. That irritated me a bit. Had to talk to that guy for a bit before leaving them on the next uphill.

Ditto on the ride through the forest. This is awesome every year. It's not as dangerous as when you used to turn right and go to the water tower. Then you had riders going 25 mph both ways going over the line. There WAS some extremely dangerous riding in the forest this year though, to the point that I shut it down a little. First time I've ever done that.

It seemed to me that the crowds were pretty heavy this year, especially on Sunday. Maybe it was the late start that we got to keep from freezing to death, but for the first 10 miles on Sunday we just couldn't safely ride faster than about 16 mph, just too many bikes across the road.