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International Women’s Day: 100K
March 8 @ 9:00 am - 3:44 pm
$5.00
Join us for the first ride of the season, the Boiler Up 100K in celebration of International Women’s Day: We Ride Together.
| The route departs from Brokerage Brewery, West Lafayette’s oldest brewery! They are an intentionally small brewery that offers a place for people to share a local beer and life. They believe communities come together over food, drink, and the valuable matters of life. I highly recommend the Walking Ashland, a light hybrid and 2018 IN Brewer’s cup gold medal winner, after returning as a refreshment for spending the day in the saddle. |
| The route leaves Brokerage through quiet neighborhoods before taking cyclists southwest towards the banks of the Wabash River, the largest tributary to the Ohio River and spanning 503 miles. About 10 miles into the route, cyclists will encounter the first of the four big hills. Local cyclist have dubbed this hill, Kerber Hill, and it is a staple in the Purdue’s TT course. The route continues towards the small town of Green Hill before winding on towards Independence following the Wabash River and passing by Weiler-Leopold NICHES Land Trust. |
| The preserve has oak savannas, wooded slopes, and old fields dotted with boulders deposited by glaciers. The 100+ acres of bottom lands was planted with trees in 2000 to help return the area to a native forest habitat. A 12 acre grassland was restored to a native tall grass prairie. Just before Independence cyclists will pass Cicott Park, a prime meeting spot of local gravel enthusiasts. |
| The route follows the Wabash River all the way to the outskirts of Attica and towards the small town of Williamsport. Just before the first control, cyclists will encounter a steeper but shorter hill than Kerber on Cemetery Road. The first control is the BP gas station in WIllimasport at mile 30. The route reverses out of the control and back to Cemetery Road before crossing the river for the first time as cyclists travel into the small town of Attica. Along this section of the route cyclists will find additional restaurants and service stores. |
| The next biggest climb occurs coming out of Attica leaving the river valley and entering old farmlands where some farms date back to the late 1800s. Don’t forget the information control! As cyclists make their way back towards Independence they will be rewarded with a long straight downhill. Be careful! There are railroad tracks and a stop sign at the very bottom. The route then travels through forest and farmland on quiet back Indiana country roads. |
| Just before West Point cyclist will come across the fourth biggest climb, llama llama climb. As you approach the top of the climb take a look to your right. We have it on good word the llamas will be out and about. If you have time in hand, go ahead open the grain bucket by the mailbox and give them a handful. Llama take a selfie! Please use caution on highway 25 coming into the next control the Dollar General in West Point at around mile 45. |
| Leaving West Point, the route takes cyclists the quickest way back to the river. After crossing the river the route follows the river all the way to Lafayette. Now, I couldn’t call this route the Boiler Up 100k and not take cyclists through Purdue’s campus! The final climb for the day takes cyclist up to campus and pass notable features of Purdue including, the Bell Tower, Engineering Fountain, Neil Armstrong sculpture, Mackey Arena, the Boilermaker statue, and Ross-Ade Stadium. |
| The Purdue Bell Tower standing 160 feet tall was completed in 1995, a gift from the class of 1948. The bells ring at the hour, half hour, and the end of classes. The Engineering Fountain is a water sculpture and fountain positioned in the heart of campus, a gift from the 1939 class. The bronze Neil Armstrong sculpture, located at the corner of Stadium and Northwestern, depicts Neil Armstrong as an undergraduate student in the 1950s. Over the statue’s left shoulder on the ground sculpted moon boot impressions and other symbolic features can be found. Mackey Arena is the home to Purdue Basketball and has a seating capacity of 14,804. The Boilermaker Statue was dedicated in 2005 as a “momentum commemorating the ‘indomitable spirit of the Boilermaker.'” Finally Ross-Ade stadium is the home field for the Purdue Boilermakers football team. The stadium was dedicated in 1924 and today has a seating capacity of 57,236. |
| After winding through campus cyclists will ride through neighborhoods before returning to Brokerage Brewery. Cyclists can lock their bike at the bike rack and watch their baby on the bike cam while enjoying a refreshing beverage. Hungry? Brokerage allows outside food to be brought in and enjoyed inside the brewery so bring something from home or have something delivered! BOILER UP! |
