Gravel Growlers
Group Overview
Gravel growler rides feature gravel roads, single- and double-track trails, and just enough pavement to string the aforementioned together into fun, woodsy adventure loops.
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Routes are suitable for mountain bikes or gravel bikes; some routes are better for one or the other. Rides begin at different locations, primarily associated with Yellowwood State Forest, Brown County State Park, and the Hoosier National Forest in Monroe, Lawrence, and Brown Counties. Specific routes may be dictated by weather conditions, but starting locations, route maps, and GPS file links will be posted on the club calendar in advance.
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Expect a lot of trees and few cars.
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If you are not yet a member, sign up for a free one-month trial membership. It requires you to electronically sign a liability waiver prior to riding with the club.
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Helmets are required, and front and rear bike lights are encouraged.
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We recommend that you download the emergency contact list and/or share your cell number with other group members in case of an emergency on route, but keep in mind that cell reception is often spotty.
How We Ride
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We are a no drop group.
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We don’t necessarily ride as a group but we do regroup regularly. You can ride as hard as you want until the next significant turn.
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If you lose contact with the group it’s not usually a problem.
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If you think you’re lost or haven’t seen anyone in a long time, go back to the last place on the route where you saw a fellow rider. Someone will come looking for you.
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The same applies if you have a crash or a mechanical issue. Stay where you are. Someone will come looking for you.
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If you lose contact close to the start, go back to the start. Someone will come looking for you.
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Download the emergency contact list.
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Check the calendar for ride start locations and routes. The only time we communicate with the entire club is when a ride is changed or rescheduled due to weather.
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Familiarize yourself with the route before the ride. Each rider should have an idea of where we are going.
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We call these rides adventure rides for a reason. We don’t scout the route ahead of time, and we deal with whatever we come across on the way. We could encounter water, snow, mud, or fallen trees to traverse—or all of the above, if it’s epic.
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We typically hang out and have a beverage at the end of each ride. Bring the beverage of your choice.