SpinningHoosier

Anyone riding this ride at the end of August? I guess they moved the date and location.

https://www.wheelmen.com/harmon.htm

Seemed like people liked the ride last year, so I hope they keep up the good work with all the changes.

Kenal0

I plan on riding it along with a friend of mine. Not sure what distance, have not been on the bike for anything over 35 miles all season.
kenal0

midschool22

I'm thinking of going. Either 75 or 100.

Psimet2001 

...i....don't.....know.....what...to say.....

Kenal0

It is easier to read about the epic rides here than do them. Actually work and kids have made it tougher to get out for the longer rides but I am in training for this ride. I am glad they gave me an extra 2 weeks!
Kenal0

nietsmas

anyone else riding this on sunday?

Kenal0

I am still planning on going but probably going to ride the 50 route.
Kenal0

JT1

I plan on riding the century.

wireless

I am planning to ride 50 or 75 with late start - sometime between 8 and 9am.

JT1

Let's ride the century with a fast but reasonable pace, roll out 7:30?

SmokinMiles

I'm riding the 70 or 75, which ever it is. With the record low temps predicted I'm thinking of a later start. I loved this ride last year.

JT1

I could start a little later like 8:00

nietsmas

I'll plan an 8:00 rollout, but don't wait up for me if you don't see me.

Remember that the new start location is in Island Lake this year, FYI

wireless

OK - I did 50 miles. I did like some rolling hills, food at rest stop was great , did not like traffic at first 20 miles ( probably should have started earlier).
If they keep the same location next year - I'll do 70 or century with proper rollout at 7 am instead of 9 am.
Great day overall!

SmokinMiles

I did 51 miles. Rode the whole way with JT1. Was intending to ride 75 miles. We went out to the first rest stop (27 miles) and then there were 2 loops you could choose from at that point. We planned to ride another 27 mile loop and then I would head back in and JT1 was going to do the final loop to complete the century.

Unfortunately we missed a turn on our second loop and ended up riding back on the "home" route and ended up back in the parking lot at 51 miles. I decided to call it a day as I was not up for heading back out the 27 miles. JT1 headed back out as he was really hoping for a century and it was a gorgeous day. Hope he had a good ride in spite of our screw up.

I definitely preferred the previous route. It was more rural and scenic. This was a nice route and I would ride it again for sure but it was busier roads...some that weren't in great condition and lots more traffic to deal with. We took off right at 8:00

51 miles was a good workout for me as we were riding a good pace and the course had some decent rollers.

It was great seeing Kenal0 at registration. He really is out there!!! Never saw nietsmas; we figured he'd catch us at the rest area.

wallybrau

I rode the entire 100 mile route and agree there is plenty of room for improvement. I've never done the Harmon before and always heard great things about it, but I'm not so sure I'd ride this one again. Some suggestions for improvement:

1)Stay off the major roads!!! For Example: Crystal Lake Road was VERY busy with little to no shoulder. We had no business being on this road at all. ( the route could have taken some of the lesser traveled road north thru Bull Valley and minimized or eliminated the travel on this very busy road.

2) I don't think I've ever been on a century ride with only 3 rest stops. 4 or 5 is the norm. I was okay with it but 27 miles to the first rest and another 27 until you looped back isn't that friendly for some of the less experienced riders, who may have been riding their first century.

3) Route Markers - there were quite a few missing route markers. I'm sure they were placed there originally but it would have been nice if someone drove the route this morning and perhaps replaced them. There were alot of folks going off course and missing turns

4) SAG - I don't think I saw a single SAG vehicle out on the course the entire day. Maybe they were out there but they were not clearly marked at all.

5) Central Rest Stop in heart of McHenry. I like the idea of a central rest stop because you can tailor the ride and adjust mid-stream, you do not have to commit early in the ride to the distance. But the location of this rest had us going in and out of the very busy McHenry area three times. Lots of traffic, lots of impatient drivers.

Kenal0

I too did the 51 miles with a buddy and we both agreed that they could come up with a better route.
Too many busy roads. Good to see SmokinMiles and meet JT1. I will have to try and make more or the rides next year with BFNIC members.
Kenal0

TurboTurtle

Can anyone post the route map? - TF