Wanting to do a century in 2020? This
one will be swept to a 14 mph moving average.
Yesterday I rode the Story Century to
do my best to ensure that there are no surprises. That does not mean
they won't start construction on something today, but as of yesterday
it was fine. Please note the late start time. Wheels will not roll
until 8:30.
The reason for the late start is the
lunch stop. Lunch is at the Story Inn and it does open for serving
food until noon. There are two choices at the Inn. You can eat
inside or there is an outside grill. Plan on spending more time
dining if you chose to eat indoors. There is plenty of outside
seating but it does fill rather rapidly from what I have been told.
https://www.storyinn.com/
If you arrive a bit early, they used to allow you to look at the
rooms they rent out that are not occupied and to glance at the guest
journals. Not sure if they still do this or not. Perhaps you will
catch a glance of the local ghost: the Blue Lady.
https://www.haunted-places-to-go.com/haunted-places-in-indiana.html
Another option would be to pick up at
sandwich at Mel's in Waymansville and eat early in the ride or carry
it with you to Story.
As a side note, at one time, the club
had what they called the annual “Leaf Ride.” Part of that route
is included in this ride. Susan Howell was the last to put this on
the schedule. That route would pass Story Inn on the way to
Nashville. The ride was held in the fall when Nashville had its
festival. Those that did not stop at Story for breakfast rode to the
festival, ate street fair food, then picked up the riders that ate at
Story on there way back. It was a 70 mile ride that started at
Brownstown and always drew a large crowd. While I feel certain that
with COVID there is no festival this year, I do have the route if
anyone ever wants to revive it.
This is a fairly easy century though it
is a century. Please note that at 25 miles yesterday, I had only 400
feet of climb on my Wahoo. Once you turn off State Road 39, which is
no longer chip and seal but nice pavement, it is perfect for those of
you who want to try a double rotating pace line. The pavement is
acceptable if not great, the road is flat, wide, and fairly empty.
The century is not all flat, however. Most of the climb is in the
middle.
Please note that the route is bathroom
challenged. The first store stop is in Freetown and DOES NOT have
public restrooms. There is a Dollar General Store that just went in
there, however, that I suspect has bathrooms so feel free to stop
there is you would rather. Otherwise, there are lots of corn fields.
There are bathrooms at the lunch stop.
The third store stop is in Brownstown,
Indiana. Officially, it is Dairy Queen, however, yesterday there was
window service only. If you would prefer, there are two gas
stations: one next door to Dairy Queen and one across the street.
There is some chip and seal in places.
I did not find it particularly rough, but it was definitely
noticeable. Unlike most of my routes, there are a number of miles on
state roads. I don't think the traffic is any worse that on BMB so
it should not be an issue.
There remains a section where you will
have to dismount, climb over a stone barrier, ride or walk a eighth
of a mile or so, and climb back out. The road is closed. Please
note the new GPS route. There NO LONGER IS A GRAVEL stretch. I was
able to route around it. Because of this re-route, there is a new
GPS file https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34242461
I don't anticipate any problem with the file, but feel free to
check it yourself.
The Shield's Covered Bridge is now
completely restored and you can go through it if you like. Walking
your bike is recommended, but you are big boys and girls.
Feel free to e-mail if you have
questions.
