Hilly Hundred facts for kids

The Hilly Hundred is a super fun bicycle event that happens every year in south-central Indiana. It's a two-day bike ride, not a race, where people cycle through beautiful areas like Morgan, Monroe, and Owen Counties. Riders usually cover about 50 miles each day, making it a total of 100 miles over the weekend! There's also a shorter 40-mile option for the second day. This amazing event brings together over 5,000 bike lovers from all over the country.

The bike routes go through rolling hills, which means there are both challenging climbs and exciting downhill stretches. Along the way, there are special rest stops. These stops often have live bands playing music and offer free food for everyone who has signed up for the ride. This helps create a really friendly and welcoming feeling among all the cyclists.

History of the Hilly Hundred

How the Hilly Hundred Started

The Hilly Hundred was first imagined by three people: Hartley Alley, Bernard Clayton, and Tom Prebys. They wanted to create a two-day, 100-mile bike ride through central Indiana. The Southern Indiana Bicycle Touring Association (SIBTA) helped organize the very first event. On June 15, 1968, 54 riders set off from Bloomington for the first-ever Hilly Hundred.

Growing Bigger and Better

By 1979, the Hilly Hundred had become much more popular. About 1,900 riders signed up that year! The Central Indiana Bicycling Association (CIBA) took over organizing the event.

In 1982, around 2,800 cyclists participated. To handle so many people safely, they started using a "staggered start." This means groups of riders would begin at different times instead of everyone starting at once. By 1995, the event became so popular that organizers decided to limit the number of riders to 5,000. This helps make sure there are enough volunteers and resources for everyone.

In 2003, the Hilly Hundred moved its main meeting place to new facilities in Ellettsville, Indiana.

How People Communicate at the Hilly Hundred

Using Ham Radios for Safety

During the Hilly Hundred, volunteers use special radios called ham radios to communicate. Many of these volunteers are members of the Bloomington Amateur Radio Club and K9IU, along with other ham radio enthusiasts from the area.

These ham radio operators ride along in "SAGs" (Support And Gear) vehicles, which are like rescue cars for cyclists who need help. There's also a radio station at each rest stop. Many of these stations, especially the SAG vehicles, use something called an APRS unit. This unit sends out their location, so a central control team knows exactly where everyone is.

The Communication Network

All the communication happens through a "directed net." This means one main station, called "Net Control," manages all the radio messages. Net Control is located in Ellettsville at Edgewood High School. They coordinate all the ham radio traffic and guide the SAG vehicles. In recent years, this network has used a special radio system called the WB9TLH 2m repeater, which is located on the Indiana University, Bloomington campus.

Why Radios are Better Than Cell Phones

You might wonder why they don't just use cell phones. Well, cell phone service can be spotty or even non-existent in many parts of the bike tour route. Also, the organizers decided it's helpful for all communication to be "open." This means everyone involved can hear what's happening elsewhere. It helps make sure important announcements and information don't need to be repeated, and everyone stays informed.

Other Important Volunteers

Besides the ham radio operators, many other volunteers help make the Hilly Hundred a success. This includes medics, who are often registered nurses, ready to help if anyone gets hurt. Local law enforcement officers are also usually present. They help manage traffic and keep everyone safe during the event.