Gravel cycling event returns this Saturday

The world of gravel cycling has taken off in recent years, allowing beginners to push themselves on roads that are both more scenic and less busy. This weekend, several of them will be riding in western Putnam County in Greencastle’s original gravel event.

“Get Buried” is a one-day gravel race/ride with no registration fee. Begun by local cyclists, the course was created to highlight some of Putnam County’s real treasures such as Houck Covered Bridge.

This year’s ride will feature two routes, a 30-mile and a 46-mile edition. Cyclists will mostly stick to the gravel roads north and south of West Walnut with a few miles on the nicer pavement. So drivers are asked to be alert.

With help from the Putnam County Visitors Bureau and Putnam Parks & Pathways, this year’s course will be marked with directional signs. The signs will be placed on the course this Friday, April 7 and picked up on Monday, April 10.

The “Get Buried” race/ride is free and open to anyone who would like to participate. Helmets are required, and either a gravel or mountain bike will do. The riders will meet outside of Scoops Ice Cream on South Indiana Street at 9 a.m. on Saturday for a quick info meeting. The participants will be out on the course from 9-11 a.m. with others finishing by 2 pm.

For those interested in a shorter ride, the Greencastle Cycling Club hosts weekly group rides at 5:30 p.m. The group meets in the parking lot next to DePauw’s soccer fields (Reavis Stadium) and is for beginners and those looking to meet other cyclists.

Finally, the Parks & Pathways is also hosting the Pedal Putnam ride on Saturday, May 6 at 9 a.m. More details can be found on Facebook and the visitor center’s website at www.goputnam.com