Bicyclists on area roads: It's time for Hilly Hundred in Monroe and Owen counties
More than 2,000 bicyclists will be riding up and down the roads of Owen and Monroe counties as participants in the 55th Hilly Hundred weekend. Here are details about the two-day bicycle ride.
What is the Hilly Hundred?
The Hilly Hundred is a bicycle ride, not a race, that takes riders along some of the hillier roads in Owen and Monroe counties. This is the 55th year of the ride that offers two routes each day, from 36 to 65 miles in length. Each day there are several stops along the way where registered bicyclists can get a snack or lunch and listen to live music.
Where is the Hilly Hundred?
The Hilly Hundred begins and ends at Edgewood High School, 601 Edgewood Drive, Ellettsville. See below for the routes.
When is the Hilly Hundred?
The actual rides are Saturday and Sunday but cyclists often spend Friday night at the high school in Ellettsville, with many camping on the Edgewood campus near the softball fields. Riders can begin the routes between 8 and 10 a.m. each day. Most cyclists are off roads by 4 p.m. or a little later.
How many bicyclists are expected to ride in the Hilly Hundred this year?
The website, www.hillyhundred.org, anticipates up to 2,000 participants.
Can I still register to ride this year?
No. Registration ended on Oct. 4 and there is no on-site registration.
What are the routes for the Hilly Hundred?
Saturday's routes will begin in Ellettsville and head west into Owen County. The longest ride will head north on Flatwoods Road to just south of Gosport and then through Stinesville to the Liberty Church Road crossing over Interstate 69 and then into the Morgan-Monroe State Forest, across I-69 to Dittemore and North Bottom roads and back to Ellettsville on North Maple Grove and West Delap roads and North Matthew Drive before going onto West Vine and Sale streets then along Edgewood Drive.
Sunday's routes also begin at the high school and head south along North Louden Road and then east on West Ratliff and West Woodyard roads before turning on North Loesch Road to West Vernal Pike, taking bicyclists into Bloomington past Will Detmer Park, continuing on West 17th Street and turning north onto Arlington Road and then heading up North Prow Road to North Kinser Pike. Once riders cross over I-69, the route takes them along North Bottom Road through Modesto to West Simpson Chapel Road and then back over I-69 along East Sample Road to East Anderson Road and then north on North Bean Blossom Road into Morgan-Monroe State Forest and then west on Forest Road to Old State Road 37 through Hindustan and then onto Chambers Pike, back over I-69 and on to West Dittemore Road to North Denny and then North Buskirk Road. Heading west, riders will take West Wampler Road to West Brighton and North Mount Tabor roads. A turn onto West Tabor Hill Road takes riders into Stinesville on West Main Street to North Railroad, Walnut and Elm streets before heading into the country on West Walker Lane, back to North Mount Tabor Road and then along North Matthews Drive into Ellettsville. Then riders follow West Vine to North Sale and West Association streets and then finally along Edgewood Drive back to the school.
Another route: The Hilly Hundred's Little Hilly route can be taken either day. It takes riders along Edgewood Drive to North Sale and West Vine streets and North Matthews Drive to the country north of Ellettsville. Riders then take West Delap Road to North Mount Tabor Road to West Walker Lane and into Stinesville. Riders then turn around and take the same roads back to Edgewood High School in Ellettsville.
For more maps of the routes, go to www.hillyhundred.org/routes.
Who sponsors the Hilly Hundred?
The Central Indiana Bicycle Association sponsors the ride.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Hilly Hundred brings hundreds of bicyclists to Ellettsville
