Hilly hundred
Encyclopedia
The Hilly Hundred is an annual, two day, non competitive bicycle tour through Greene, Monroe and Owen Counties in southern Indiana
. The ride takes place over one weekend in the middle of October, when most of the fall foliage is changing colors. It consists of two days of 50-mile routes, for a total of one hundred miles in a weekend. There is also a 40-mile option for the second-day route. The event draws upwards of 5,000 cycling enthusiasts from around the country.
The ride takes you through rolling country hills, with both steep climbs and downhills. Along the route are several rest stops, which offer live bands and free food for registered participants. This is meant to create a friendly and open atmosphere amongst the cyclists.
By 1979, the Hilly had grown to 1,900 registered riders, and sponsorship had been handed over to the Central Indiana Bicycling Association (CIBA).
In 1982, about 2,800 riders participated, so a staggered start was adopted to cope with the large number and for safety and, in 1995, a limit of 5,000 riders was adopted, to make sure there would not be too many bicyclists to work with for any given year.
The Hilly Hundred changed its headquarters to new facilities in Ellettsville, Indiana
in 2003.
operators, usually consisting of many members of the Bloomington Amateur Radio Club and K9IU, as well as other hams from the region. Hams accompany SAGs (rescue vehicles) and a station is present at each rest stop. An effort is made for every station, especially the SAGs, to include an APRS unit, which beacons their location for use by net control.
Communications are run through a directed net
. Net control is located in Ellettsville high school, and coordinates all ham radio traffic and SAGs for the event. In recent years, the net has run on the WB9TLH 2m repeater
, which is located on the Indiana University, Bloomington campus.
Cell phones are not used as the primary mode of communication, partly because coverage is poor or non-existent along many stretches of the tour, and partly because it was decided to be beneficial that all traffic be open. Reasoning for communications traffic being open includes benefits such as everyone involved knowing what's going on elsewhere, and important announcements and other information not needing to be repeated.
s. Local law enforcement is also often present to deal with traffic problems created by the event.
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. The ride takes place over one weekend in the middle of October, when most of the fall foliage is changing colors. It consists of two days of 50-mile routes, for a total of one hundred miles in a weekend. There is also a 40-mile option for the second-day route. The event draws upwards of 5,000 cycling enthusiasts from around the country.
The ride takes you through rolling country hills, with both steep climbs and downhills. Along the route are several rest stops, which offer live bands and free food for registered participants. This is meant to create a friendly and open atmosphere amongst the cyclists.
History
The Hilly Hundred was first created by Hartley Alley, Bernard Clayton, and Tom Prebys as a two day, one hundred mile ride through central Indiana. It was sponsored by the Southern Indiana Bicycle Touring Association (SIBTA). The first ride started with 54 riders heading out from Bloomington on June 15, 1968By 1979, the Hilly had grown to 1,900 registered riders, and sponsorship had been handed over to the Central Indiana Bicycling Association (CIBA).
In 1982, about 2,800 riders participated, so a staggered start was adopted to cope with the large number and for safety and, in 1995, a limit of 5,000 riders was adopted, to make sure there would not be too many bicyclists to work with for any given year.
The Hilly Hundred changed its headquarters to new facilities in Ellettsville, Indiana
Ellettsville, Indiana
Ellettsville is a town in Richland Township, Monroe County, Indiana, United States. The population was 5,078 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area...
in 2003.
Communications
Communications at the event are provided by volunteer amateur radioAmateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
operators, usually consisting of many members of the Bloomington Amateur Radio Club and K9IU, as well as other hams from the region. Hams accompany SAGs (rescue vehicles) and a station is present at each rest stop. An effort is made for every station, especially the SAGs, to include an APRS unit, which beacons their location for use by net control.
Communications are run through a directed net
Amateur radio net
An amateur radio net, or simply ham net, is an gathering of amateur radio operators. Most nets convene on a regular schedule and specific frequency, and are organized for a particular purpose, such as relaying messages, discussing a common topic of interest, in severe weather , emergencies, or...
. Net control is located in Ellettsville high school, and coordinates all ham radio traffic and SAGs for the event. In recent years, the net has run on the WB9TLH 2m repeater
Amateur radio repeater
An amateur radio repeater is an electronic device that receives a weak or low-level amateur radio signal and retransmits it at a higher level or higher power, so that the signal can cover longer distances without degradation...
, which is located on the Indiana University, Bloomington campus.
Cell phones are not used as the primary mode of communication, partly because coverage is poor or non-existent along many stretches of the tour, and partly because it was decided to be beneficial that all traffic be open. Reasoning for communications traffic being open includes benefits such as everyone involved knowing what's going on elsewhere, and important announcements and other information not needing to be repeated.
Other Volunteers
Other volunteers involved in the Hilly Hundred include medics, who are usually registered nurseRegistered nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
s. Local law enforcement is also often present to deal with traffic problems created by the event.