41st Annual Hilly Hundred ride scheduled Oct. 18-19; route will wind through eastern Greene County

Organizers of the event, the Central Indiana Bicycling Association, are anticipating a record number of riders. Riders from over 40 States and several foreign countries make the annual journey to Southern Indiana to enjoy a full weekend of cycling, entertainment, and shopping bargains. Often referred to as a "Family Reunion" of cyclists, Managing Director Skip Higgins said, "This is our 6th year in Ellettsville and we've grown every year."

The Hilly Hundred uses the entire Edgewood Campus for parking, registration, entertainment, camping, and a huge vendor tent where bargains on all types of cycling gear can be found. Although the Hilly Hundred headquarters are in Ellettsville, many consider this to be a Bloomington event with riders staying at Bloomington motels and dining at Bloomington restaurants. Higgins comments "the Hilly Hundred Weekend is scheduled around IU football each year because of our heavy reliance on Bloomington facilities."

This year marks the 41st anniversary of this event and in continuing with the Hilly tradition; CIBA is planning a weekend of fun-filled events. Long time riders are encouraged to come to the 41st anniversary and join in a celebration of the long history of the Hilly.

With over 5,000 cyclists on the road each day motorists can expect some delays if their route overlaps the Hilly route as it winds through Monroe, Greene and Owen Counties. Higgins urges motorists to use extreme caution and patience when passing cyclists and is quick to remind all drivers that bicyclists have the same laws as cars in the State of Indiana. As part of the Hilly's focus on safety for both motorists and cyclists, Higgins reminds the riders to be courteous and respectful of the local residents; additionally, each rider must attend a mandatory safety briefing before riding. The riders start and return to the high school after completing a different 50-mile loop each day. Higgins explained, "The Hilly is a delightfully challenging tour, not a race, and is open to riders of all abilities." He also added that "faster riders start around 8 a.m. and can complete the 50 miles in around 3 hours, while the average riders take their time, enjoy the scenery, and usually finish the ride in about five hours after stopping for several rest stops and lunch each day."

The Hilly Hundred Weekend is one of the oldest and largest cycling events in the country and has won numerous national awards in the past several years from the League of American Bicyclists and Bicycling Magazine.

Walk-in registration will open at 5 p.m. on Friday evening (Oct. 17) and again at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning (Oct. 18).