It felt like a mid-summer weekend, but we had great rides anyway! Despite the best-laid plans, one can never tell what will happen on an HBC ride! That’s why each is an adventure, and Saturday’s ride was certainly that! At mile 9 a train was parked so as to block the turn onto McDaniel Road, and it showed no signs of moving. So, like your car’s GPS when you make an unexpected turn, “recalculating” was the order of the day. Now, some riders hoisted their bikes through the train, but most rerouted in a different direction. The lead group went over to Taliaferro and John Windrow, found the backside of Pulltight, and did most of the original route backwards! Others went down Horton Hwy. directly to College Grove and got back on the route more quickly. So, mid-ride, the two groups met each other, going in opposite directions, with each wondering where on earth the others had gone! Anyway, everyone finished on a very hot day with about the originally-planned number of miles! Thanks to Jerry Franks for trying to sweep on such a crazy day!
Sunday also required some revamping in the heat. Most riders tried to stay in the shade and climbed Stillhouse as a result. Thanks to Scott Block for sweeping! And on Memorial Day, we had a fine turnout of riders of all levels for the Parthenon-to-Pasquo Urban Retreat. There were groups taking all options, the main problem being the unexpected closure (due to remodeling) of the Shell Station next to Loveless Motel. This sent riders in different directions in search of water on another hot day! but it all turned out just fine.
We have the usual rides this week, leading up to the 2019 version of the Harpeth River Ride on Saturday! We’ve reduced the hassle, have some great route options, and it’s free to all! The routes showcase the areas in which our club most often rides, use country stores for rest stops, and actually go by some branches of the Harpeth River!!! After the ride, we’ll have a celebration with refreshments and entertainment at Hillsboro School. So talk it up and don’t miss it!
Here’s the schedule for the whole week:
Tuesday, May 28 – 6:00 P.M. – Cool Springs Ride – Sharecare (formerly Healthways) parking lot, 701 Cool Springs Blvd. East – Each Tuesday evening during the Prime Season the HBC sponsors this ride from Sharecare/Healthways in Cool Springs. This is a 25-mile route all the way down the new extension of Carothers Blvd. to Long Lane with its challenging rollers, over the steep Gosey Hill climb to Peytonsville, and back by Trinity and North Chapel. A cutoff on Crowder is available to make for a 21-mile ride. A 30-mile route is also available when daylight allows.
Peter Cacchioli and Fredia Barry will lead these rides, with assistance from David Wood, Steve Saxton, and Jeff Sammons. This ride is for experienced moderate riders as well as racers. There is considerable traffic on some of the roads, and the ride is NOT for beginners. The racers and A riders will head out first and watch out for each other! Then our leaders will make sure the more moderate riders make it home. Most riders will regroup at the intersection of Long Lane and Gosey Hill Road. We want the racing teams to keep coming and training hard, but those who are not setting a time record are encouraged to regroup for a congenial ride!
Here are the cue sheets:
Tuesday Cool Springs Ride – Short option
Thursday, May 30 – 6:00 P.M. – Hunters Bend Ride – Hunters Bend Elem. School, 2121 Fieldstone Pkwy., Franklin – The Thursday night ride will start at its traditional location at Hunters Bend. Fredia Barry, assisted by Scott Thurston and others, will lead the ride. The Trace, McCrory, and Waddell Hollow routes are all available from this location. As with the Tuesday night ride, this ride is suitable for experienced cyclists at all levels, from our racing teams to more casual riders, but it is NOT for novices. Here are the cue sheets for the various routes:
If it becomes necessary to cancel either the Tuesday night or Thursday night ride, a message will be sent by the General List that afternoon. So be sure you have subscribed to the General List. (It does not happen automatically. You have to add yourself through the HBC website! Click on “About” at the top, then “Mailing Lists,” and follow the simple instructions).
Saturday, June 1 – Harpeth River Ride – Hillsboro Elem. School in Leipers Fork, 5412 Pinewood Rd. – Century begins at 7:30, Other routes begin at 8:00 A.M. –
We have route options of 100, 63, 47, and 33 miles. They travel together for the first 15 miles. All the riders get to check out the amazing new pavement on Bailey and make the nice circuit around to Thompsons Station. Then,
The Half-Metric (33-mile) route has a rest stop at mile 18 at the Burwood store. It then circles around to Bending Chestnut and offers another rest stop at Fox’s at mile 28.
The Half-Century (47-mile) route offers the same rest stops at miles 18 and 28 but requires riders to climb Green Chapel and Backbone Ridge in order to enjoy North Lick, Pewitt, and Wilkins Branch.
The Metric (63-mile) route has the Burwood rest stop at mile 18 and lets riders enjoy the full length of beautiful South Lick before climbing Shoals Branch. It has a second rest stop at Fairview at mile 45 before returning on the fun Cumberland descent. Riders must then climb Backbone Ridge, descend Parker Branch, and enjoy Alpakistan before taking Bailey again to return home. Steve Saxton will sweep the Metric route.
The Century (100-mile) route sweeps way to the south and has its first rest stop at mile 32 (unless riders divert to Burwood also). It then does the western half of Snow Creek, goes up to Akin Ridge, and experiences the smooth new pavement through Water Valley before greeting Mr. Wilson Fly at his rustic store at mile 48. Riders will then climb Fly Hollow and Shoals Branch before taking Barnhill and Union Valley to the Fairview store at mile 65. There they should get well hydrated for the rest of the route, which takes them down Cumberland, around to Big East and up the steep climb, and to the old Pancake route. Then riders will love the smooth new pavement on Carl Road and on Bear Creek as they head home. Paul Aebischer will sweep the Century route.
After the ride, we’ll have cool refreshments and entertainment at Hillsboro School. We need volunteers to sweep the 33- and 47-mile routes. Please reply if you are willing to help out.
This should be as much fun as the Old HRR, and our members actually get to ride! So don’t miss it!
Sunday, June 2 – 8:00 A.M. – Pancake Ride – Hunters Bend Elementary School, 2121 Fieldstone Pkwy., Franklin – The Club’s most classic event is the regular Sunday Pancake Ride from Fieldstone Farms over to Leipers Fork. Our Vice-President R.J. Locurto will lead this week’s ride and make sure all riders have safely returned. Riders take the rolling course to the end of Boyd Mill Pike and then make the climb up Parker Branch. The direct route then descends to Leipers Fork for a rest stop and heads back for a total of 28 miles. Many riders will add extra miles from Parker Branch or the rest stop, enjoying the scenic roads south and west of Leipers Fork; the full route for these long riders is usually about 50 miles.
This is not called the Pancake Ride because it is flat or easy, but because you can enjoy some tasty treats at Leipers Fork! While new riders are encouraged to participate, the route is moderately hilly and is inappropriate for rank beginners.
So don’t miss all these opportunities surrounding the highlight of the season, the 2019 Harpeth River Ride!
Larry Lewis, HBC Ride Chair
The post This Week’s Rides – May 28-June 2 – Harpeth River Ride on Saturday! appeared first on Harpeth Bicycle Club.
