BICYCLE CLUB of the YEAR - we were picked!

[Mr. Bloom]

We are hyped! The Bloomington Bicycle Club (http://www.bloomingtonbicycleclub.org) was one of eight clubs to be awarded this honor by the Bike League!

What's more exciting is that things are hopping in Bloomington. We got Silver designation for Bicycle Friendly Communities and are trying to get to Platinum by 2016 (http://bloomington.in.gov/Bloomington_Platinum_Biking_Task_Force). The city and county are sincerely trying to come up with a comprehensive plan, new trails and greenways are being installed as I type, and we are right next door to Mountain Bike Mecca - Brown County Indiana.

Things are good in Btown - the home of Breaking Away, Mellencamp, and Indiana University!

[spindizzy]

Whoo Hoo!!! What a fantastic accomplishment. I love it that you are still setting higher goals. Congratulations!

[indysteel]

Yet another reason why I desperately miss Bloomington! Congrats!!!

[Melalvai]

You are setting a great example for our baby group KA-Motion. :) That's so exciting!

[Catrin]

Congratulations, that is great news! Indianapolis is trying, and we did win some kind of award last year (year before?) on being bicycle friendly - but we have a long way to go in that department.

[Bike Chick]

Well now how cool is that???? You must be proud! Congratulations;)

[Tri Girl]

That's quite an accomplishment- congrats!!!!:D:D:D

[Laguna]

Congrats on the award Mr. Bloom.

An off the wall question for you; I watch Breaking Away at least once a year...a classic. If I came to Bloomington, is there any chance I could ride some of the same roads and if so, would I recognize them? Or, like most of hollywood...are most of the cycling scenes not really even in the Bloomington area?

Could I visit the quarry that was in the movie?

[Mr. Bloom]

Laguna: yes, the BBC usually has an annual Breaking Away ride that involves a roughly 40 mile loop and usually attacts 40-50 participants of all skill levels. Bloomington is now much more beautiful than during the filming- particularly the city square where many scenes take place. A shorter loop is possible including access to a ride on the Little 500 track, the serenade location, the bowling alley, Morgan Monroe Forest, some race locations, locations on the square, their house (still there!), etc...plus, coincidentally, I also have a 280SL...it's just red, not blue.

The quarry is still there...with big "No Trespassing" signs; the owner is very particular because of the drownings that periodically occur there...but it is accessible for the adventuresome! If you search "Empire Mill Road" on google maps, you'll see where it is.

If you have an interest, we can organize a small group to make our own Breaking Away ride...I bet Catrin, and Indysteel and Mr. Indysteel might join as well! Plus, there's just some generally beautiful rides around here!

[Catrin]

....If you have an interest, we can organize a small group to make our own Breaking Away ride...I bet Catrin, and Indysteel and Mr. Indysteel might join as well! Plus, there's just some generally beautiful rides around here!

hmmmmmm it does sound interesting!

[Mr. Bloom]

The picture is crooked ( up is east) ,but the actual swimming hole is on the top in the center

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m516/MrBloom1963/32ba2e00.jpg

[indysteel]

When is that ride usually Mr. B? I've never done it. I'm all over any ride through Morgan Monroe though, and Bloomington remains close to my heart. If it was at all convenient to either of our jobs, Brian and I would live there in a heartbeat.

[Mr. Bloom]

I just checked and the Club's Breaking Away ride is TENTATIVELY scheduled for Sunday, Sept 11. But, I'll make it happen for any group (small or large) that wants to visit Bloomington...

[Laguna]

Very cool, thanks Mr. Bloom. I live north of Atlanta but we just moved our daughter to LaPorte, IN and plan to drive up to see her sometime this spring or summer. I'd certainly consider a side trip to ride the Bloomington roads and will stay in touch with you.

Now...can we get Dave Stoller, Mike, Cyril and Moocher to join us? Oh yea...and Katherine. ;)

Refund, refund!!

[Catrin]

Mr Bloom, are there any rides scheduled for Morgan Monroe? I want to head down there once I've had a chance to rebuild some of my leg strength - I hear it is a great place for hill training for us flat-landers ;)

[Mr. Bloom]

Refund, refund!!

The Atlantans are Coming! The Atlantans are Coming!

Another idea for you: while I've not done it, I believe there's a Greenway Systm that allows you to ride from Chicago to Michigan


Catrin: I don't think there's a specific ride doing that...just much longer rides that may go through that area.

Here's a ride that Indysteel and I did a couple years ago from Martinsville. Take the Lake Lemon loop off staying north of Ben Blosom Creek and you have a decent hill workout that's about 30 shady miles


http://connect.garmin.com/activity/18021707

[Catrin]

The Atlantans are Coming! The Atlantans are Coming!

Another idea for you: while I've not done it, I believe there's a Greenway Systm that allows you to ride from Chicago to Michigan


Catrin: I don't think there's a specific ride doing that...just much longer rides that may go through that area.

Here's a ride that Indysteel and I did a couple years ago from Martinsville. Take the Lake Lemon loop off staying north of Ben Blosom Creek and you have a decent hill workout that's about 30 shady miles


http://connect.garmin.com/activity/18021707

Sounds good. Indysteel sent me a map last year of the area inside Morgan Monroe. We don't have very long hills here, so I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, but I need to find some way to find and feed my inner hill-climbing beast :)

[Mr. Bloom]

Consider driving to Monroe Dam. There's plenty of parking at the dam, surrounded by good hills on both sides so you can do repeats, plus there are rest rooms at a small park on a bluff overlooking the dam. I love Morgan Monroe, but if you need the practice, this might be a more digestible start...

[indysteel]

Consider driving to Monroe Dam. There's plenty of parking at the dam, surrounded by good hills on both sides so you can do repeats, plus there are rest rooms at a small park on a bluff overlooking the dam. I love Morgan Monroe, but if you need the practice, this might be a more digestible start...

The route I suggested to Catrin essentially cut off the begginning of the route you and I did to avoid the hill as you approach the Forest. I had her start in the park instead and more or less ride out to the turn off for Lake Lemon (at Robinson Road, I think) and then just turn around and head back on Old 37. That would allow her to hit a couple of the longer shallower climbs as you head back to the Forest. They are challenging, but with the gearing Catrin has, I thought it was doable. Plus, it's easy enough to stop to catch your breath. Then back into the Forest. There's a nice, gentle incline as you head toward the park headquarters.

[Catrin]

Perhaps I should start at Monroe Dam to get a feel for things, and then progress to Morgan Monroe? I am looking forward to doing more exploration this summer :)

[indysteel]

I'm not familiar with Morgan Dam. Do either or both; just don't overthink it. :)

From a skill standpoint, however, I'm much more concerned for you about the downhills. The worst that generally happens on a climb is that you just end up walking it. The worst on a downhill is that you crash. So, that's the thing that gives me pause. Mr. B, you got any good advice on how best to work on descending skills?

[Mr. Bloom]

Yeah. I'd park at the top of the hill at N Bean Bloosom and Forest RD. I'd go down Bean Bloosom hill and then back up. The climb will be a workout. Rest at the top and then go west on Forest to 37...a fun, steady descent. Then do the steady climb back to the car....and repeat if you want to.

Don't over think the downhills...just don't go faster than your comfort, your vision, or your line of sight allow. If you can only focus on road conditions 10 ft ahead, go slow. If conditions allow you to scan for potential hazards 50 to 100 feet ahead, then let it go a bit more. Comfort comes with repetition...and some hills I don't dare take more than 15...others I take at 45...

[Catrin]

Thanks Mr. Bloom and Indy! I will set these notes aside and head down with my new bike once I've had a chance to get some of my leg-strength back. Probably May or early June. I will take my light-weight Gunnar with me...

[indysteel]

Mr. B's advice is well taken. I'd note that the route I gave you last season bypassed Bean Blossom, both coming and going. I think it's a harder descent than your experience thus far would prepare you for, but if you're feeling brave, go for it. You just can't let your speed get away from you. Well, you could, but I'm a little more cautious on it. I'm always well behind my friends and husband when we do that descent. Going up it ain't fun (well, depending on how you define fun), but it's doable.

I still think it would be nice for us to go out there together. Maybe we can talk Mr. B into it as well!

[Catrin]

Mr B. are the hills more gentle around Morgan dam? Would that be a better place to start?

Indy - I think that would be very nice, the task of something that works with both of our schedules (and hopefully Mr. B.) is probably more challenging than the hill climbing :)

[sundial]

We are hyped! The Bloomington Bicycle Club (http://www.bloomingtonbicycleclub.org) was one of eight clubs to be awarded this honor by the Bike League!


That's FANTASTIC!!! Good job!