September Escapade™ 2008 Preview and
Registration Information
September 14-19, 2008
September Escapade™ Week Preview
September Escapade™ 2008 travels over hard-surfaced roads to tour the scenic and historic sites of central Indiana and stays at three state parks: Brown County (one night), McCormick's Creek (two nights), and Turkey Run (two nights). Terrain ranges from rolling to hilly with some challenging hills. This tour is limited to 250 participants.
Our 2008 tour offers a choice of tent camping or inn or cabin lodging at all three of the state parks. Inn rooms fill up very quickly--please register early! Note: As of 3/18, we still have inn rooms available.
Canyon Inn at McCormick's Creek State Park has fewer rooms (75) than our other two inns (82). The last seven parties to sign up for inn rooms will be assigned cabins at McCormick's Creek State Park. Cabins are non-smoking and contain one set of bunkbeds and a pull-out queen bed. Linens and pillows will be provided.
All breakfasts (5) and dinners (5) are included; menus are carefully planned for sound nutrition and variety, and include options for vegetarian and diabetic participants. Our meals offer lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as multiple entrees and sides. Furthermore, we do not run out of food! All meals are served in the state park inn dining rooms.
Expect to ride an average 62 miles/day on the days we travel to a new state park. Three layover days offer short, medium or long loop rides. Or, take a day off the bike to explore the park instead. (Routes and mileage are subject to change.)
Sunday (54 miles): Camby to Brown County State Park & Abe Martin Lodge. Enjoy the journey to Indiana's largest state park, home to beautiful hiking and mountain bike trails, and a former host of the 1987 Pan Am Games cycling road race.
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Monday (52 miles) and Tuesday (layover day; 0, 10, 25, 61, or 87 miles): Brown County State Park to McCormick's Creek State Park. Travel through Bloomington, home to the Bloomington Bicycle Club and Indiana University's famous Little 5 bicycle race, to McCormick's Creek, known for its gorges, bridges, and caves. This state park is located outside the town of Spencer, home of the famous American Dough Boy statue.
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Wednesday (74 miles) and Thursday (layover day; 0, 28, 59, or 77 miles): McCormick's Creek State Park to Turkey Run State Park. Visit beautiful Cataract Falls on the way to Turkey Run State Park. On the layover day, ride past covered bridges on the way to Crawfordsville, home to picturesque Wabash College, the historic rotary jail museum, and the Ben-Hur Museum.
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Friday (68 miles): Turkey Run State Park to Camby. Say good-bye to Parke County, covered bridge capital of the world. Savor your final trip through rural Indiana, with its farms and small communities, on your way back to Camby.
September Escapade™ Rates & Deadlines
| September Escapade™ 2008 Rates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodations | Adults (10 years and older) | Youth (4-9)* | Children (3 years or younger)* |
| Camping | $320 | $180 | $90 |
| Private Inn Room or Cabin | $800 | $180 if rooming w/ parent | $90 if rooming w/ parent |
| Shared Inn Room or Cabin (2-3 people) | $560/person | $180 if rooming w/ parents | $90 if rooming w/ parents |
*Note: Indiana child safety laws requiring restraint seats make it illegal for our support vehicles to transport children 7 and under; Therefore, all children transported by bicycle must be at least 8 years old. Younger children are welcome if a member of their party is registered as a Driving Participantand acts as their personal SAG each day.
Your September Escapade™ registration fee includes a long-sleeve t-shirt, five breakfast and five dinner buffets, state parks entry and camping or room fees, showers, baggage transport, SAG and mechanical support, massage therapy availability, maps, marked routes, and a week-in-review DVD (one per address).
The state parks offer a rich environment for hiking, photography, bird watching, canoeing, and other outdoor activities. Therefore, we welcome non-cycling family members and friends of participants who would like to join us by car. You'll receive the standard tour items and privileges, along with a special set of maps to help you avoid the official TRIRI® cycling route. Complete the regular application form and supply us with your vehicle information to receive a special pass that covers park entry and allows you to park at the September Escapade™ group campsite, if you are not staying at the inns.
There are two registration deadlines: August 1 for participants staying in the inns, and September 1 for campers.
September Escapade™ Cancellation Policy
Please read our cancellation policy carefully:
All cancellations must be in writing (triri@triri.org) and postmarked or time/date stamped by the appropriate date. Those with inn rooms who cancel on or before August 1 will receive their registration fee minus $50.00/person. Those who cancel between August 1 and September 1 will receive the camping rate minus $50.00/person. Campers who cancel on or before September 1 will receive their entry fee minus $50.00/person.
No refunds will be given after September 1 for any reason, but we will accept substitutions; notify us in writing and ask your substitute to fill out a registration form.
We know that accidents happen, from broken bicycle frames to broken arms, and urge you to consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance in case you are forced to withdraw from the tour after the deadline. Trip cancellation insurance is available through McKay Insurance at 800.942.0283.
After your entry has been received, you'll get a confirmation postcard in the mail. Registration packets, with your maps for the entire week and any jerseys, vests, or extra t-shirts ordered, will be available at registration packet pick-up just prior to the ride.
Want to learn more? Get a taste of September Escapade™ 2006.
