What Is BALLS?

In a Nutshell
BALLS is two days of riding bikes in whatever mother nature provides.  Is it the best trail you'll ever ride?  Nope. Do we usually get perfect weather?  Nope.  Does any of this matter?  Not a chance.  Over two days YOU along with a great group of riders will rack up 165 miles of almost entirely unpaved trail with no vehicles to get in your way.  It's part group ride, part adventure, part training ride, and part reason to be outside. Got BALLS?

The Date
April 28-29, 2012!!!

The Route

In a nutshell it's about a 135 mile loop starting and ending in Barneveld Wisconsin. Nearly pavement free. The two day total hits 165 miles due to a spur ride taking us to the overnight location.

Day One: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1500895

Day Two: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1500901

As a generalization the course is flat. Very flat. Pancake flat. Never stop pedalling flat. The surface varies from nicely graded limestone rail-trail to rutted, breaker rock, mud and sand infested ATV trail. There are only about 7 miles of pavement total in the two days.

What trail passes are required?

-WI DNR state trail pass covers everything we ride!

Lodging
We'll be staying at Crazy Horse Campground on Saturday night.  The campground is about 1 mile from Brodhead.  All overnight gear will be transported by the SAG wagon.  Bring a pillow, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad (backpacking style not an in-laws-are-visiting blow up mattress).  We will have four cottages and six cabins and can sleep 50 riders comfortably.  Showers will be available.

Support Logistics
Food
During the ride you are on your own. There are a number of small towns we pass through so all I can say is you better be happy with a burger that's been sitting under the heatlamp for three hours too long, pints of Jack Daniels from a hole in the wall liquor store, and locals that will forever think there is something wrong with you for wearing tights. Saturday, when you arrive at the campground, there will be a nice little buffet of beef au jus sandwiches, homemade potatoe salad, cookies, chips, etc. etc. etc. We will make sure there is plenty of food at the end of the ride. The campfire will be roaring and we'll tip back a few beers.

SAG
For all planning assume you are taking care of yourself from start to finish. Having said that there will be a vehicle available to rescue you if near death. The vehicle might show up if you call.....and it might not.....don't rely on it. If you do need a heated seat and satellite radio to get you to a bed you better call early....there's only room for a couple slackers. Your flogging for bowing out early will come in front of the group a little later in the evening.

I've Still Got Questions!!!!!!!
Check the registration/roster page for information on how to get in and who's riding.
Check the FAQ page for a huge list of other questions riders have had.
Check the route page for maps of the ride broken down in to sections.
Check the Update page for any news that might be beneficial.

Posted by Bear at 2:07 PM