2024 Brown County, Indiana Rally - June 20 - 23, 2024

[Redman]

This one came down to the wire. The wife's surgery is scheduled for her tumor removal is July 2nd. I will be in attendance this year, as will Steve Graham. I think we will have a passenger this year too.

That said, anyone out there in GS world have a clutch cable that'll fit an 82 650G? I try not to ride without a spare these days. I'll bring cash, or do venmo, PayPal or whatever works.

Good that you can make it Brenden.

As it happens, I have already packed spare clutch cable in the rear trunk so that will be available if needed. (although is for 1100G. I understand that the 650s was the model that had the most unique parts.)

[bwringer]

One more thing: Room rates have been unchanged for several years. I keep telling Jay to charge this bunch more to compensate for the plumbing abuse, but he likes us or something:

Single room, 1 or 2 people: $50/night + 12% tax = $56.00/per night
Double room (two beds), 1 or 2 people: $55/night + 12% tax = $61.60/per night
Third and fourth person: add $10+tax per night per person.

[bwringer]

ONE DAY TO GO! Hope y'all have been out for a ride or three this year.



OK, some routes -- copy/paste from last year. Lots of disclaimers, so keep your wits about you.

-=-=-=-

he following GPX tracks follow roads that are flawed, freaky, filthy, and have all sorts of weird stuff going on. And sometimes the tracks ended up in places they shouldn't have, like unpaved roads. So stay alert, stay flexible, and stay upright.

But anyway, here they are if this sort of thing is the sort of thing that's your sort of thing:


Here's my Saturday track, pretty much the most intense twistacular kookoo kokonuts route I could dream up. Dale and I were completely beat by the end of the day -- everyone else tapped out. Yes, really. This one's wild. There's an older track called "Bedford Borden Blunk Bash" with a lot of these elements, but this one is even better, and has fewer errors.

Twisted Overload
https://www.bwringer.com/gpx/bedford...t-overload.gpx
It takes a lovely scenic and twisty back road route to and from Salem, and routes around the road closing in Salem (this might be open by now... not sure). Then another back road route to Borden, and a romp up and down and around the hills around Borden, shoots over to the spectacular Skyline Drive on a high ridge overlooking New Albany and Louisville (please stop if you want to look at the scenery... it's impossible to both ride and look). Then it goes up and down the Ohio river valley several times (Blunk Road is one of my favorites -- positively demented). There's a busy little country store in Elizabeth, a rather "authentic" biker bar in Mauckport, and a gorgeous but very narrow and twisty back road route from there to Corydon, then back through Salem via Beck's Mill Road.

This is the raw track, no cleanup or anything, wrong turns and all, so buyer beware. There is one very short, less than 1/4 mile, segment of gravel near the end of the day just outside Bono. Just work around it on the next road to the south.



Below are some more links to some of my area GPX tracks from past years. These are pretty flawed, but could help show you a good time if you don't take them very seriously.

As ever, these routes are only a faint echo of the reality on the ground, and are the product of a deeply imperfect memory coupled with a terribly flawed computer translation of what may or may not be actual roads that may or may not be passable on two wheels shod with street tires.

Plus, in several spots I couldn't figure out how to alter an incorrect route I already created using Alltrails, so I just drew some alternates.

I cannot offer any assurances that these routes exist, or are paved, or are safe. There could be anything from dead animals to tractors, Orcs, dragons, weird cults, wormholes or even (horrors!) minivans out there. Yes, there WILL be gravel in every corner. There WILL be unexpected construction projects.

Take these routes as only the vaguest hand wave of a suggestion. Pay attention, stay sharp, CARRY A PAPER MAP (I will bring some), and you may eventually figure out how to get back to Bedford.

Still, this is Indiana, so there are no mountains to get trapped behind. Or bears. I did see a camel once.

Except for the "short" route, these make for a VERY long, exhausting day of intense twisties; there are lots of opportunities for shortcutting loops as needed, so please take advantage of these as you see fit.

Bedford 1 - 280 miles
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/ma...rd-1-280mi?u=i
https://www.bwringer.com/gs/bcgsrall...-280-miles.gpx
Starting at the Rosemount Motel in Bedford. Nice paved twisty road track. 280 miles. Includes detour around 2021 construction on 145 south of Birdseye. This is no longer needed, so stay on 145; it's much more fun. This one mostly goes south of Bedford.

Bedford 2 - 305 miles
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/ma...-305-miles?u=i
https://www.bwringer.com/gs/bcgsrall...-305-miles.gpx
Nice scenic twisty road track starting at the Rosemount Motel in Bedford, Indiana. Paved. 305 miles is a lot, so choose where to cut off a loop by continuing on a main road as needed. Wesley Chapel Gulf, Orangeville Rise, Story, Tulip Trestle, etc. Includes small detour around construction on 135 for 2021 that isn't needed, but may be worth a look if you're curious. This one mostly goes north of Bedford.

BC North Short - 115 miles
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/ma...orth-short?u=i
https://www.bwringer.com/gs/bcgsrall...orth-Short.gpx
About 115 miles, originating from Bedford, IN. Nice shorter route, mostly north of Bedford.

BC Rally Southern Classic - 289 miles
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/ma...th-classic?u=i
https://www.bwringer.com/gs/bcgsrall...rn-Classic.gpx
Starting from Bedford, IN, the classic southern route. Incredibly scenic and twisty. Closely related to Bedford 1.

-=-=-=-=-=-

And here are images you can print if you're so inclined and happen to have access to a larger format color laser:
One more thing... if you like paper maps and have access to a color laser printer, this is an old one that still mostly works that you could print, or print in sections. This covers the "northern" stuff. Ignore the stuff about breakfast, lunch, etc.

This is a large image file, 3MB:

https://www.bwringer.com/gs/images/bc2008_map_hq.jpg

This is the southern part of the state. No routes marked, just a map. Again, this is a pretty large image, 3.4MB:

https://www.bwringer.com/gs/images/southern_in.jpg

I will print out and bring some copies of these if you aren't able to print them. As with any paper map, these sort of fudge a lot of details. And they are pretty old, so some things are a little different now (for example, IN-37/237 around Tell City has been reconfigured.)

[cowboyup3371]

I’m heading out today destined for Campbellsville KY then north tomorrow for Bedford. Thank you for the information on the Overlook Brian as I had planned to stop there tomorrow. Oh well.

see you guys on thursday

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Would you believe, I lost a crown today. Actually I have it, just fell out of my mouth. My dentist is awesome. I’m at his office right now waiting for a chair to open up so he can glue the crown back in. Then to Walmart for some supplies. Hoping I can eat at some point tonight. Then to pack the bike. Heading to Norm’s tomorrow evening after work. See you all Thursday.

[bwringer]

It'll be good to see you Brendon. Best wishes to your wife for a full recovery.



One other item of business:

On Thursday, it's traditional for folks wandering in from northern parts to meet up for lunch at the Mayberry Cafe in Danville, IN at 1:00 EDT.

If you're so inclined.. just show up. We usually park in the shade across the street.

If you're coming from northern Indiana or Illinois, pay attention to the time zone.

Afterwards, some of us find ways to amuse ourselves along some long and winding way to Bedford. Some prefer to blat thataway more directly. or follow their own whims.

[FoxyBLankworthy]

This one came down to the wire. The wife's surgery is scheduled for her tumor removal is July 2nd. I will be in attendance this year, as will Steve Graham. I think we will have a passenger this year too.

That said, anyone out there in GS world have a clutch cable that'll fit an 82 650G? I try not to ride without a spare these days. I'll bring cash, or do venmo, PayPal or whatever works.

[marvinsc]

Actually around here cash is a good idea. Many stores and offices have started charging a 3% or flat rate upcharge for credit card transactions. I would rather spend that money on Beer! :-)

[storm 64]

Also remember Cash is King at the Rosemont!
So leave your big city cards for the gas station... haha.

[bwringer]

When were you last there Brian? I ran down 58 with the intent to take 135 North on Sunday when I saw that most of the road in Freetown was blocked off; there was a little space to get around the barricades but I wasn't all that willing to try and went 58 to Columbus instead.

I also came north on 135 on Sunday afternoon. The barricades are to warn of the closure on 258 east, in the flatlands just west of Seymour (although there's an easy workaround), and to keep trucks off 135. 135 is definitely open to the likes of us; there's a bridge replacement underway at the stop sign on 135 north of Story, just south of the school. It's a narrow one lane over the creek, and there's not enough room for a large truck to cross and make the turn.

I pretty much always go look when there are barricades that aren't completely closed. Quite often there's a way through, or around on another road known to locals. Sometimes you can only squeeze through on a motorcycle, maybe only with knobby tires. Once in a while the road's actually closed for real. Sometimes a closed road means you can romp for miles with little traffic...

Workaround for 250 east of Canaan is paved, but just barely one lane. Not really worth working around it. Instead, maybe take 262 from Dillsboro on 50 down to the river, then remember you wanted 250 and go back up. West of Canaan, head south on the road with bacon in the name. North Chicken Bacon Ranch Road or some thing like that. That'll get you to 62 just outside Madison. Then it's time to get creative on the way to Bedford.

Why, I'll have you know Bacon Ridge Road is at least six feet wide, maybe even eight in some spots... it's no Fishing Worm Ridge road, though.



Also, I just learned that the Overlook restaurant in Leavenworth is temporarily closed for repairs and renovations. There's a little restaurant/bar called The Dock down (WAY down) a steep hill on the south side of 62 right on the river, and Stephenson's General Store on the north side of 62 has snacks and food.

[ddaniels]

I will be rolling in mid-day on Friday so I'll see you all when you get back from your rides. Looking forward to sweatin' with the oldiess.

[oramac]

Two days! Looking forward to seeing y'all!

[cowboyup3371]

Just wondering if the rooms have AC. You know, for Dave’s sake. Yeah, for Dave

Yes and it does feel good towards the end of the day; though why would you need AC when we are all outside until the wee hours of the evening?

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Just wondering if the rooms have AC. You know, for Dave’s sake. Yeah, for Dave

[cowboyup3371]

Oh and there's a boil advisory in town; not sure how widespread they are treating it though as some places provided bottled water (Mama's and Papa's) while others wouldn't (Bob Evans) and Jay didn't say anything about it at all