By Jennifer Miers
Mike Finger, Paul Toth, Steve Emery, Stan Ellis, Kathy Smith and Mark Napier embarked Saturday morning from Bryan Park for the Madison Double Century. With lodgings procured, participants chose different ways to enjoy the weekend. Mark and Kathy planned to drive directly to Clifty Falls State Park and explore a 60 mile loop ride from there on Saturday, joining the other riders on Sunday for the route home. Melanie Miller and Pat Muyskens headed down to Madison via Stream Cliff Herb Farm in Commiskey. They would join the group for dinner Saturday night, then hike in the park and schlep the shops in Madison on Sunday. Stan Ellis, back on the bike after a midsummer injury, planned to test knitting bone and muscle on the more scenic parts of the ride and help drive the SAG vehicle. Mike, Paul, and Steve opted for a speedy century south Saturday, arriving at the Inn shortly after 3:00 p.m.
The century routes used for the weekend were an amalgamation of a Rudy Savich Double Century route, part of Joe Anderson’s TRIRI routes, and a significant amount of handlebar research on the part of Jim Schroeder. Jim devised a two day course that incorporated some new roads, great scenery and good climbs. In the end, Mother Nature also put her touch on our final route as flood waters from rain at the beginning of the week lapped at Brownstown and cutoff access to Medora from the east.
Riders were in familiar territory as the group headed out Highway 45 toward Nashville, via Lanham ridge and Owl Creek Roads. From there it was a quick hop to Spurgeon’s Corner on Highway 135 where the group took its first rest and Stan would join the pack. The road was clear of storm debris but mud smeared pastures and fields showed where creeks had recently jumped their banks. Evidence of the week’s rain was more obvious further south where one of the first county roads on our route was closed due to high water. As it has been frequently in recent memory, US 50 at Brownstown was again surrounded by water. By the time our group approached Saturday, water had receded off of low-lying areas of Highway 250 allowing riders to head east from Dudleytown and, happily, avoid a 10 mile detour. Once past Uniontown, the roads got more interesting and the scenery improved markedly. A profusion of Queen Ann’s Lace nodded by the roadside and all makes and models of horses stoically watched two and four-wheeled traffic pass. Favored with a tailwind, riders pushed themselves faster through this section of rollers and curves near Paris Crossing and Paris (proper). A turn at Lancaster on to Rector Road brought riders closer to the state park and past, (possibly) the largest collection of concrete lawn characters yet assembled in a single yard.
While Kathy and Mark enjoyed the Inn’s restaurant (desserts come highly recommended), the rest of the group drove five minutes to downtown Madison in search of dinner. A classic car show was in progress on Main St. but protein trumped Packer, and a hasty retreat was made to a bar and grill. The evening ended with a pleasant walk along the Ohio River and a stop at the Madison Creamery to replenish calcium stores.
The Ohio was shrouded in fog Sunday when riders gathered at the well-stocked breakfast buffet to gird their loins for the long journey home. By the time the last pancake disappeared the fog had lifted and a clear sky boded the warm day ahead. Mark took the wheel of a second SAG vehicle and five cyclists; Kathy, Mike, Paul, Stan and Steve, started the day. Riders enjoyed descending the steep mile to the south park gate and set out on the gentle climb out of the river valley on Highway 56.
A short stretch on Highway 62 with the accompanying traffic was the price to pay for beautiful, no-traffic Highway 356 to Lexington. Saturday’s first stop was slated for Scottsburg, short of mile 30, where riders stocked up on liquids for the lonely, non-commercial stretches ahead. In about ten miles the exhaust, fast-food, concrete and litter of US 65 was forgotten in the tranquil, tidy environs of Little York.
Detouring around another high water closure on Highway 39, the five riders made their way to the heretofore unknown hills and valleys of Mt. Eden Road. The road skirted the base of the wooded knobs in this area, providing some good climbs, intermittent shade, and views of flooded fields in the bottoms. Temperatures had hit the upper eighties and riders were consuming a lot of water. A sympathetic farmer unlocked his well pump and offered cool water for head-soaking. Thus refreshed, they climbed 2 miles over a knob via Rooster Hill Road. The farmer was impressed.
Back on Highway 135 the group encountered another “road closed” sign blocking access to Medora from the east via Highway 235. They retired to the Vallonia Gas and Grill for lunch (homemade sweet breads for sale at the register) and to take stock of the situation. Saturday’s rides had taken a toll and now, at mile 65, heat and lack of shade were upping the ante and slowing the pace. Reaching Medora to rejoin the route (which included some healthy climbing on Old US Highway 50 to Leesville and a few packs of energetic dogs) would require a 15 mile detour. Satisfied with another 60+ mile ride, Kathy decided to join Mark for an air-conditioned ride home. The remaining four riders chose to abandon the route and continue north on Highway 135, picking up Highway 58 near Freetown, and suffering the chip and seal of Highway 446 for a no hassle, familiar slog home. SAG stops where now requested every 15 miles (or the next batch of shade, whichever came first) so the salt-encrusted riders could continue consuming the gallons of water and Gatorade needed to keep them upright. Stan suffered some cramping and at the 58/446 junction, with nearly 160 miles under his belt (jersey) for the weekend , he agreed to help (wo)man the SAG truck. Not too shabby after a serious injury and 6 weeks off the bike!
The smell of hay was strong at our final stop, the Fishin’ Shedd, and spirits lifted when plans were made to reconnoiter at Mike’s house for a celebratory beer. Much deserved after 213 miles!
Thanks to the participants for signing on to this BBC adventure.