Sunday, Apr. 2 - 9:00 A.M.
HBC Kickoff Ride & Spring Picnic!
Ride Start: Hillsboro Elementary School, 5412 Pinewood Road, Franklin 37064
Post-Ride Picnic: Leipers Fork Distillery, 3381 Southall Road, Franklin 37064
The weather looks delightful and we have an exciting day planned for our HBC Prime Season Kickoff on Sunday! We will have various routes, followed by some socializing, corn hole, a catered nacho/taco bar, gear swap, live music, and whiskey tasting! Tours/Tastings can be booked ahead of time, on the hour, on their website under BOOK A TOUR.
This is the perfect time for new members to join us and for those who are beginning their cycling career or getting back into our sport to check out the Harpeth Club! A special route has been planned for Cycle-Lite and beginner riders!
HBC Members - Please remember to wear your HBC kit so we can get some good club photos!
The rides will start at Hillsboro Elementary School promptly at 9:00 A.M. Our friends who sponsor the upcoming Erase the Trace charity ride on May 13 will be providing coffee, fruit, and bagels before the ride and will share more information about their ride. To learn more about Erase the Trace, here's a link: Erase the Trace 2023 (scottcares.org). We will stagger the starts by a few minutes on Sunday so not everyone will head out at the same time. See the route options below.
Parking: There is plenty of parking in the school parking lot. At Leiper's Fork Distillery, please try to park in the far-left grass parking lot. See map below for "HBC parking". If that lot is full, you may park in the venue's regular designated parking spots in the gravel lots.
Restrooms: NO restrooms are available at the school. Please do not use school property to use the restroom and make other arrangements on the way to the ride. Leiper's Creek Market has restrooms available. Two public restrooms are available at the Distillery; however, if they are busy there could be a line, so be prepared for that As a courtesy, you may want to change at your vehicle before heading over so as to not hold up their restrooms.
Routes: Three route options are available, of 22, 39, and 57 miles. The Long route circles around much of our usual riding territory, with a rest stop at the Fairview market. The Medium route cuts back a little shorter, and skips Fairview in order to make the fun run down Pewitt Road! In this country cyclists can't avoid some hills, but the Short route is designed to be easier and will be a collegial, no-drop ride. We have fine leaders who will sweep each of the routes. All riders should be ready by 9:00, although we will dispatch the separate groups at intervals of several minutes. Here are the cue sheets:
Kickoff Ride - Long route - 57 miles - GPS. Michael DeRoche will lead this ride. Dr. Michael will make sure that our Long riders get back for some food! Riders on this route will go right by the Distillery at mile 55 and may stop for the picnic if they wish.
Kickoff Ride - Medium route - 39 miles - GPS. Dan Fisher will lead this ride and make sure riders take the split from the Long route at mile 27.
Kickoff Ride - Short route - 22 miles - GPS. Jim Keffer will lead this ride at an easy pace and make sure no one gets dropped.
Post-Ride Picnic: Following the ride, we will plan to meet at the Leiper's Fork Distillery at the picnic tables inside the venue. The HBC will be providing a catered Nacho/Taco Bar and some sodas and water to be served between 11:30 and 1:30. Be sure and mention that you are with HBC, since the venue is open to the public. You can bring your own chairs and beverages, but outside alcohol is not permitted on their property. The distillery will have flights, mixers, and non-alcoholic mixers available. Stay and hang around with some of your HBC friends following the ride. The Distillery will have tours and tastings available, as well as a great little gift shop for souvenirs and take-home whiskey! They will also have live music from 1:00 until 4:00.
Gear Swap: We will also be hosting a Gear Swap at the picnic. Bring that cycling gear and parts that you've been wanting to donate or swap. Members will have a chance to pick from the gear for your own needs or for someone else getting into cycling. All gear and parts remaining will be donated to youth groups and other organizations that help youth and adults who may not be able to afford these items. In addition, the older blue and white HBC jerseys will be on sale for $20.
LAST CALL! IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, PLEASE RSVP BELOW SO WE CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY FOR FOOD!