Cyclists plan 160-mile trek across Ind.

Beginning at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College outside Terre Haute, bicyclists from around the country will cycle to Richmond, Ind., in the Ride Across Indiana beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, July 21.

Last year, more than 1,600 riders registered for the event, which is organized by the Bloomington Bicycle Club, according to a press release. This is the 26th year cyclists will follow the 160-mile journey through Historic National Route 40 across the state to Richmond, with detours onto less-congested roads in the Indianapolis area.

“(Ride Across Indiana) attracts all sorts of bicyclists,” Bloomington Bicycle Club President Keith Vogelsang said in a press release. “Most riders are road bikers, some decked out like they should be at the Tour de France, but we’ve had mountain bikers, tandem crews, people riding recumbents.”

Proceeds from the ride help fund bicycle-related projects across the state, primarily in the Bloomington area.

Although some participants are relatively new to cycling, according to the press release, most have hundreds, if not thousands, of miles under their tires before they attempt the ride.

The first cyclists in this endurance event typically arrive at the finish line at Earlham College in Richmond at about 2 p.m., and the last arrive at about 9 p.m.

— Mark Keierleber