This is the OLD site for the 2006 Brown County Rally. Please visit the new site for the 2007 Brown County GS Rally to get the correct information and sign up for the current rally, May 18-20, 2007.
Schedule
Visit the Maps & Routes page to download detailed Route Instructions, Maps, and Schedules.
Please note that Indiana now observes Daylight Savings Time. We are in the Eastern time zone, so our time is now the same as Cincinnati, New York City, etc. (EDT) and one hour ahead of Chicago (CDT). All times are given as EDT.
A Few Tips
- Saturday will be a long day of hard riding. Make absolutely sure that you and your bike are up to the task. All maintenance and repairs should be reasonably up to date, and you tires should be reasonably fresh. Proper riding gear, including a full-face helmet, gloves and jacket, is essential -- you're going to be in a world of hurt if you try this ride in a black t-shirt and biker beanie.
- We will meet and have some sort of ride no matter what the weather (except maybe a blizzard). However, we will likely postpone departure times and/or shorten or change routes if the weather is very bad. Watch the GSR thread and the weather forecast.
- If you're bringing a passenger or newer rider who may not be a red-eyed iron-butted GS maniac, please attend anyway. There are less challenging but still scenic alternate routes marked in green on the map that allow more time for shopping, stopping to stretch, and looking at scenery, but still allow you to catch up with the group at various points.
2006 Brown County GS Rally Schedule
Friday, May 19, 2006
7:00 pm EDT
Dinner at Maldonado's Mexican Restaurant
51 S Parkview Rd, Nashville, IN 47448
Maldonado's is located 1.1 mile East of Nashville along SR46 on the South side of the road. It has a large billboard sign, and is pretty hard to miss.
After a suitable period of consuming tasty Mexican treats and GS admiration, we'll retire to our various lodgings for a good night's sleep.
This will be a good time to start sorting out groups of three to six riders with compatible styles and preferences and to start familiarizing yourself with the routes if you haven't already.
We'll also exchange cell phone numbers and discuss the weather forecast for Saturday and any changes that might be needed. Rain will not cancel the ride, but could alter the routes.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
8:30 am EDT
Gather at Speedway Gas Station in Nashville
279 S Van Buren St, Nashville, IN 47448
It's important that we depart reasonably close to 9:00, so let's all try to get there at around 8:30 so we can hand out maps and directions and review the routes before blastoff. If there's an immediate weather threat, we will most likely postpone the start time by an hour -- heavy weather in the summer tends to pass rather quickly. I'll attempt to inform as many as possible by cell phone if this happens.
This is the time to form groups of three to six riders for the first leg of the ride. Riding in larger groups or riding in any kind of formation is EXTREMELY dangerous and is STRONGLY discouraged. These are mostly small, two-lane roads, often with hidden hazards and poor sightlines, so you MUST maintain the clearance to move left or right, accelerate, and brake as needed. Ride your own ride, ride single file, and leave plenty of space between riders. Remember that blocking or impeding traffic in any way is illegal.
Stay hydrated, and bring or buy snacks along the way -- lunch will be a bit later in the day (about 1:00) and you'll be using a lot of energy.
Less challenging routes that can be used by cruisers, as shortcuts, or as flooding alternates are marked on the map in green. Many local and county roads in this area are in poor condition or are not paved, so shortcuts on local roads are not usually worthwhile.
9:00 am EDT (0 miles)
Speedway Gas Station, Nashville, IN
Faster groups will depart first, with a minute or two between groups.
Approximately 9:40 am EDT (31 miles total)
First BRIEF stop at Marathon Gas Station in Bloomington
On SR48 just West of SR37 on the right side
Nothing to see here, folks, so there's no point to hanging around. This is just a chance for folks with small tanks to top off, since the next major brand gas is another 68 miles. It's also an excellent opportunity to change groups if you're scared stiff or bored silly, or if you just want to look at some different bikes for a while.
Approximately 11:40 am EDT (79 miles total)
A BRIEF stop at a lovely little covered bridge. You'll see it on your left as you're leaving the tiny hamlet of Williams. Hang a left on Huron-Williams Road to see it up close.
Approximately 12:00 noon EDT (96 miles total)
Marathon Gas Station, Shoals, IN SR50/SR150
The Marathon gas station in non-scenic Shoals is at the intersection of SR50 East and SR150 East on your right. Again, no dancing girls, no reason to hang around. A great road is calling...
Approximately 12:30 - 12:45 pm EDT (126 miles)
157 N Maple St., Orleans, IN 47452
LUNCH in Orleans, Indiana at the Maple Street Restaurant. Good home cookin'. There's a Shell station on your left a few blocks before the restaurant, also on your left. The next gas is 63 miles, so you peanut tank folks might as well top up now.
Approximately 1:45- 2:00 pm EDT
DEPART Maple Street Restaurant
Approximately 3:30 pm EDT (181 miles total)
World's Longest Covered Bridge
Gather at small park at the West end of bridge. Decide whether you want to do the optional SR 39 loop.
Approximately 4:15 pm EDT (189 miles total)
Gas at Shell in Brownstown for peanut tankers. Back to Nashville for some people, SR39 loop for the truly dedicated. Next available gas is in Nashville, about 35 miles.
WITHOUT SR 39 Loop:
Approximately 5:30 pm EDT (220 miles total)
Arrive at 46/135 intersection. Hang a left to go back to Nashville OR turn right SR46 and go to Columbus
WITH SR 39 Loop:
Approximately 6:15 pm EDT (246 miles total)
Arrive at 46/135 intersection. Hang a left to go back to Nashville OR turn right SR46 and go to Columbus.
7:30 pm EDT
Dinner at Riviera Restaurant, Columbus, IN
This restaurant is located along SR46 just east of the intersection with I-65 in Columbus (20 miles East of Nashville), in front of the Sleep Inn where many riders are staying.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
9:30 am EDT
Gather at Speedway Gas Station in Nashville
279 S Van Buren St, Nashville, IN 47448
10:00 am EDT (0 miles)
Depart in small groups, faster groups first.
The Sunday ride will reprise a few routes from Saturday, but in reverse. At SR446/46, those who want to savor a few more twistys before going home can turn left and enjoy SR45, and those who need to save a few minutes can turn right and head back to Nashville.
Everyone should be back in Nashville by 12:30 for our fond adieus.