September Escapade™ Preview and Registration Information
September 10-15, 2017

• General Overview
• Route Preview
• Rates & Deadlines
• Cancellation Policy
• September Escapade™ 2017 Details
• September Escapade™ 2017 Participant Guide (PDF): REQUIRED READING

September Escapade™ General Overview

September Escapade™ takes in the scenic and historic sites of south central Indiana, with overnights at three state parks: Brown County (two nights), McCormick's Creek (one night), and Turkey Run State Parks (two nights). Turkey Run is in Parke County, known as the "Covered Bridge Capital of the World." September Escapade visits Parke County once every three years. Don't miss this opportunity in 2017.

Lodging, meals, rider meetings, mechanical support, and massage therapy are offered at each inn. Indiana State Park Inns are modern and well-appointed, with free WiFi, high quality linens, comfortable furniture, and air conditioning. Learn more about the Indiana State Park Inns.

Routes use rural, hard-surfaced roads, with stops in small towns for services. Terrain ranges from rolling to hilly with some challenging hills. Many riders find a triple or compact crank a welcome addition in hilly southern Indiana. The routes in Parke County have less overall elevation gain, but do contain some challenging hills.

Five breakfasts and five dinners served in the inn dining rooms are included; the first meal provided is dinner on Sunday. Menus are carefully planned for sound nutrition and variety, and include vegetarian options.

Expect to ride an average 75 miles on the days we travel to a new state park, and train to complete this distance over hilly terrain. Two layover days offer two or three loop rides of varying distances, or free time to explore the park, with activities such as hiking, horseback riding and photography. NOTE: Routes and mileage are subject to change.

Want to learn more?

• The fun and adventure of September Escapade 2016 were captured in a tandem captain's blog.
  
• Read a description of September Escapade 2012 written by a member of the Toledo Area Bicyclists.

September Escapade™ Route Preview

• Sunday (66 miles): Camp Camby to Brown County State Park, +2,931 ft. The Brown County area is known as "The Little Smokies." Home to bluegrass music, antique shops and incredible views, a visit to Brown County is a beautiful way to begin the week.

  
  

• Monday (layover day at Brown County; variable miles): Loop rides from Brown County State Park. Loop rides will go to the Cordry-Sweetwater area north of the park, or east of the park, with the long loop stopping in Seymour. Check back for more information.

  
  

• Tuesday (52 miles, +2,122 ft): Brown County State Park to McCormick's Creek State Park. Stop in Bloomington on your way westward to visit Indiana University, home of the Lilly Library & the Little 500 Bicycle Race. Enjoy the shops and ethnic restaurants along Kirkwood Avenue, Fourth Street, and the courthouse square.

  
  

  Wednesday (77.5 miles; +2,853 ft): McCormick's Creek to Turkey Run State Park. Cycle to Turkey Run State Park in Parke County, home to thirty-one covered bridges. On the way, visit the oldest general store in Indiana, Cataract Falls, and Bridgeton Mill, a grist mill with the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating mill in Indiana.

  
  

  Thursday (layover day at Turkey Run; 0, 25, 61, or 87 miles; long route elevation gain is 2,125 ft.): On the layover day, visit the town of Wallace, with its covered bridge, Model T garage, and delicious pie at the Wallace Opry. The medium and long routes pass more covered bridges, and the long route goes to the town of Crawfordsville, with its rotary jail. For a day off the bike, hike the unique trails at Turkey Run State Park.

  
  

• Friday (67 miles, +1,649 ft.): Turkey Run State Park to Camp Camby. Close out the week with a quiet ride among friends back to Camp Camby.

September Escapade™ 2016 Rates & Deadlines*

Your September Escapade™ registration fee includes the following:

• shared or private inn room;
• five hot breakfast & dinner buffet meals for a total of ten meals;
• evening rider meetings and programs;
• evening socials with Indiana craft beer;
• a commemorative embroidered polo shirt;
• Indiana State Parks entry fees;
• baggage transport from park to park;
• support vehicles on the routes with HAM radio communications;
• massage therapy availability;
• well-planned, clearly marked cycling routes with maps and cue sheets, and
• donations to the Indiana State Parks and Bicycle Indiana.

Registration fees are due in full at the time of enrollment. Registration opens January 1, 2017 and closes August 1, 2017. Confirmation postcards will be mailed after the closing date. We reserve the right to cancel September Escapade if fewer then 50 participants enroll; full refunds will be given.

September Escapade™ Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be in writing (see Contact Us for assistance), and received by August 1. Electronic mail is accepted for cancellations. Those who cancel on or before August 1 will receive their registration fee minus $80.00/person. No refunds will be given after August 1 for any reason. Consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance in case you are forced to withdraw after this deadline. Trip cancellation insurance is available through McKay Insurance at 800.942.0283