dannwilliams

Thought I'd create a thread for this year. And here is one from where I grew up:
Udder Century

bikemig 

University of Okoboji Campus Ride

https://www.allsportcentral.com/EventInfo.cfm?EventID=53648

https://www.threesons.com/

bikemig 

Fund Raiser, Apple Blossom Tour Home

https://www.bicyclelacrosse.com/route...apple-blossom/

dannwilliams

I hear the climbs to the bluff tops are brutal! Ride the Ridges, Winona, MN
Rotary Club of Winona

Cyclist0084

Here is the big ride I'm shooting for this year... LeTourdeShore

I've seen videos from the past two years and it looks like a blast. Really looking forward to doing it.

Cougrrcj

As I posted earlier this year in the 2013 thread, GOBA The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure is June 14-21. 50mi/day Registration closes May 14th.

I have signed up for both the MS150 'Pedal to the Point' Aug 2-3 Bike MS: Pedal to the Point 2014 - National MS Society and the Sweet Corn Challenge Sweet Corn Ride on July 27. I'm only doing the 50-mile loop for Sweetcorn since it is only the week before the P2P. I have not been on the bike for three years due to surgeries each year, and hope I can get back in condition by then!

skijor

Beloit and Beyond Bike Tour
Just found out about this free ride with optional lengths. A few are to the brewery in New Glarus

SwampDude

Hilly Hundred, October 10-12, 2014 near Bloomington, Indiana: The Hilly Hundred - Brought to you by CIBA

Two days of beautiful countryside, food, music and fun. As the name implies, the ride is challenging.

As BICYCLING MAGAZINE says: "Best Overall Event, Longest Running Event, Largest Event, Best Map, and Best Entertainment."

IARide4Fun

Just did this today. First time. Nice ride and trails. Might have to try the fall one.

bikemig 

I was there as well. The riding is very good there. I was a great ride.

IARide4Fun

I rode the 25 mile route. I left early though. I think I was on the road at 8.

bikemig 

lol, we must have passed each other. I ended up doing the 25 miler as well as I had a long drive to do that afternoon and the weather report called for heavy storms that afternoon.

IARide4Fun

The 50 was tempting, but I was concerned about the weather. Also I would have missed the boys last tournament game. You probably passed me. I was on an older Schwinn 10 speed, red.

bikemig 

I left early as well as I needed to drive home to D.M. and I was concerned about the weather. I was riding my Soma (orange)
:

Stomper

Sweet Corn Challenge Sweet Corn Ride on July 27

I am looking forward to this one!

IARide4Fun

Can't go wrong with that combination.

huizar

Here's the big ride I want to do this year:
Gran Fondo Cincinnati: granfondo_index_2k14.png

rm -rf

They picked some good hill climbs.

The 57 mile route climbs up 10 Mile Road at mile 38. ridewithgps says 12% max, but it's actually over 20% for part of the climb.

The camera is horizontal !


And the 57 mile route climbs up Washington Trace Road, then rides along the ridge line.

Here's some photos from April 2012

huizar

Holy butts! What did I sign up for!? haha, better start training a bit harder.

rm -rf

I think that's the steepest climb in the area. Most other roads rarely go over a "reasonable" 12-15% grade.

I found it on Strava: Ritter Ln Climb. About 70 feet of elevation are over 15%, with a max of 22%. On a 17-18% grade, I can stand up and go fairly easily at 3 to 3.5 mph. But I had to pull up hard on the bars and mash with a maximum effort on the steep part here.

Watch out for other riders stalling on this hill !

huizar

Sounds like this'll be a tough ride. I'm on a road bike for the first time a few years, so I'm hoping to get in shape before it. I built my new bike as a "sporty commuter" with the idea that I'd be able to both commute to work/school comfortable and handle this specific ride well. We'll see how that works out! Are you going to do it this year? I have a buddy flying out from California for it.

rm -rf

I don't usually do "pay" rides. But I'll probably do the Sunflower Revolution ride again this year on Sept 7. The 100k route to Rabbit Hash KY is good, with most of the climbing under 8% grade. Here's the 2013 route. It'll be similar this year.

~~~~~
For the fondo:

What's your lowest gear? I have a 34-29, good for hills. You'll need at least a 34-27.

Here's a good training ride, that follows part of the fondo route ( It's easier than the fondo). This is one of my favorite routes. Ride it for the scenery!

It starts at Pendery Park, on Route 8. First, an easy 6 miles, then up the scenic Washington Trace climb. There's a 12% grade in the middle, but the rest is easier. Follow Washington Trace to the end, then ride south to turn around at California Market, a grocery store and gas station.

Return on scenic Route 10, then turn onto Route 1997, and climb Stonehouse Road. The last climb is short, up 8 Mile Rd.
Or, for less navigation: at the market, cross over the AA highway to Ivor Rd. It ends at Route 8, so turn left and follow Route 8 all the way back.

Oh yeah, I had this 10 Mile / 9 Mile route already made. The two steep climbs are here. ( I rode it once. That was enough!)

rm -rf

Back to the original topic: Midwest must do rides

I did the 2013 Sunday ride of the Red River Rally, near Slade KY. It's a 2 hour drive from Cincinnati.

Since it's in the Red River Gorge area, I assumed it would a lot of hill climbing. But much of the 38 mile route is small rolling hills, with one steep (11-12%) climb up to Sky Bridge. The 65 mile route heads out of the Gorge area into rolling farmland.

This is a very scenic ride. Don't try to race along with the fast groups. Do the 38 mile loop at an easy pace, to give your self time to see the rock formations and the river valley. The unlit 900 foot Nada Tunnel is very cool.

huizar

Whoops, forgot to check in on this thread. Thanks for the practice routes! That's bizarre that there's a ride put on by UC Neuroscience and I didn't know about it considering I'm a grad student in that program (although the grad/undergrad programs aren't directly tied)! I'll look into that ride for sure, though.

My lowest gear is a 34-28. I'm new-ish to the area so still getting used to these hills. Having more trouble on the downhills than the uphills, mentally. Not used to fast, long descents.

IARide4Fun

Did the first day of RAGBRAI. My first attempt. It was a 70 mile day. That was a new personal best for me. The ride felt good. I would like to try the whole week. Maybe next year. Need a bike upgrade before I attempt something like that.