Sixth Annual “Five in 50” returns to Rush County
September 5, 2024 at 12:01 p.m.
The sixth annual Willkie Days Covered Bridge “Five in 50” bicycle ride will make its return on Sept. 21. The 50-mile route (shorter 14 and 26-mile routes are also available) takes bicycle riders through the heart of Rushville before going through five additional Rush County towns, Milroy, Moscow, Gowdy, Homer, and Arlington as well as several of Rush County’s historic covered bridges. With over two weeks left to go, there are already over 170 riders signed up.
Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. at the start/finish line at Rushville Elementary School, 400 W. 16th St., Rushville. The “Beat the Heat” start time is 8 a.m. The standard start time is 9:45 a.m. Cyclists will lead off the Willkie Days Parade with a full police escort.
“Spectators will be given cowbells to make riders feel like you are the peloton of the Tour de France,” the Wellkie Days Ride website says. “Not really, but it is fun. And seriously, who doesn’t need more cowbell!”
There will be seven “Support and Gear” (SAG) stops in each town and bridge on the 50+-mile route. The SAG stops will open after the Willkie Days Parade starts. Roads will be marked, and restroom facilities will be available.
The “Five in 50” is not a timed race. However, there are “Strava segments” that give riders the ability to compete against the clock and other riders and include:
•2 mile – “Sprint to Moscow”
•2.9 mile – “Sprint from Milroy”
•4.1-mile – “Sprint to Arlington”
The full 52 miles take between 2.5 hours for elite riders and 5.5 hours for the slowest riders. It will take an average rider between 3.5 and 4.5 hours.
Post ride
Following the ride, participants vote for their favorite SAG stop. Each town will be vying for riders’ “Best SAG” vote. After voting, participants will enjoy a BLT sandwich with bacon from local Gettinger Family Meats and ice cream from BRICS (Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station) in Indianapolis.
Money raised by the “Five in 50” will be split between the preservation of Rush County’s Covered Bridges, other historic sites, and organizations supported by The Rush County United Fund (RCUF).
The “FIVE in 50” is the brainchild of David Willkie, as a way to honor his late mother, Virginia, who was an avid Rush County bicyclist. The grandson of Wendell Willkie, David is the principal of Willkie Ventures, a specialty finance company based in Rushville. He is a former staff member for former U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar. David is an endurance athlete and bicyclist.
For more information or to register, visit www.willkiedays.com
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The sixth annual Willkie Days Covered Bridge “Five in 50” bicycle ride will make its return on Sept. 21. The 50-mile route (shorter 14 and 26-mile routes are also available) takes bicycle riders through the heart of Rushville before going through five additional Rush County towns, Milroy, Moscow, Gowdy, Homer, and Arlington as well as several of Rush County’s historic covered bridges. With over two weeks left to go, there are already over 170 riders signed up.
Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. at the start/finish line at Rushville Elementary School, 400 W. 16th St., Rushville. The “Beat the Heat” start time is 8 a.m. The standard start time is 9:45 a.m. Cyclists will lead off the Willkie Days Parade with a full police escort.
“Spectators will be given cowbells to make riders feel like you are the peloton of the Tour de France,” the Wellkie Days Ride website says. “Not really, but it is fun. And seriously, who doesn’t need more cowbell!”
There will be seven “Support and Gear” (SAG) stops in each town and bridge on the 50+-mile route. The SAG stops will open after the Willkie Days Parade starts. Roads will be marked, and restroom facilities will be available.
The “Five in 50” is not a timed race. However, there are “Strava segments” that give riders the ability to compete against the clock and other riders and include:
•2 mile – “Sprint to Moscow”
•2.9 mile – “Sprint from Milroy”
•4.1-mile – “Sprint to Arlington”
The full 52 miles take between 2.5 hours for elite riders and 5.5 hours for the slowest riders. It will take an average rider between 3.5 and 4.5 hours.
Post ride
Following the ride, participants vote for their favorite SAG stop. Each town will be vying for riders’ “Best SAG” vote. After voting, participants will enjoy a BLT sandwich with bacon from local Gettinger Family Meats and ice cream from BRICS (Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station) in Indianapolis.
Money raised by the “Five in 50” will be split between the preservation of Rush County’s Covered Bridges, other historic sites, and organizations supported by The Rush County United Fund (RCUF).
The “FIVE in 50” is the brainchild of David Willkie, as a way to honor his late mother, Virginia, who was an avid Rush County bicyclist. The grandson of Wendell Willkie, David is the principal of Willkie Ventures, a specialty finance company based in Rushville. He is a former staff member for former U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar. David is an endurance athlete and bicyclist.
For more information or to register, visit www.willkiedays.com