Tour de Ramps
September 12, 2026

​This annual event can be a beautiful, pleasant bike ride around Lake Monroe, or, by a series of poor decisions, you can visit each of the 10 boat ramps to create a very challenging ride.  Proceeds for this event help support bicycling in and around Monroe County, and this year, our charity partner—Friends of Lake Monroe.

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​Date:

• September 12, 2026

Time:

• Start window 8:00–9:30 am

• To avoid a large group of bicycles on the road at once, we use this 1.5-hour-long start window.  Please be on the route by 9:30am.

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Location:

• Ride starts and ends at Fairfax State Recreation Area, just south of Bloomington, Indiana, on beautiful Lake Monroe.

• Park at the Fairfax Beach parking area.  Check in up the hill at the Big Oak Shelter.

• The entrance fee to Fairfax SRA is $7 per vehicle for in-state plates and $15 per vehicle for out-of-state plates. If you come by bike, the entrance fee is $2 per person. Entrance is free with a DNR annual pass.  Your TdR ride wristband will get you into Paynetown SRA, Hardin Ridge National Forest recreation area, and back into Fairfax at the end of the ride.

Each ramp is an opportunity to make a bad decision...

• Full Ride (≈63 miles)           Spoil the normally pleasant ride around Lake Monroe by descending and climbing all the boat ramps. The ride has ten of them, plus many assorted hills in between! 63 miles, more than 4,500 feet of climbing…

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• Scenic Tour (≈40 miles)       Stick to the pleasant ride around the lake. Yes, you'll climb a few hills, but you will only visit 3 of the ramps! 40 miles, 2,200 feet of climbing​​

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• Custom Mix (43–60 miles) Make this ride your own.  Try a few of the ramps until your legs give out—each ramp is a new opportunity to demonstrate your lack of common sense. , 2,400–4,000+ feet of climbing.

• One well-stocked SAG stop (lunch), plus water/snack stops at most of the other boat ramps.

• On-course SAG vehicles (with capacity to provide minor mechanical support), transport back to start/finish.

• Post-ride meal included with your registration.

• Opportunities to create tall tales of your hill climbing prowess.

• A RAMPS CHAMP award for all who do all 10 ramps

• The chance to support local cycling and this year's charity partner—The Friends of Lake Monroe.

Bring your family or friends and enjoy all the area has to offer for the weekend.​

• Check out Visit Bloomington for activity ideas.

• September 12th is an IU home football game day against the Howard University Bison (time TBD).  This could make lodging more difficult—plan ahead.

• We will offer free Sunday rides for anyone interested.

  • A Nice & Easy road ride from Switchyard Park in Bloomington.​

  • A Gravel ride in Hoosier National Forest.

• Check out lodging and camping options.