Gather your shipmates to help you sail the gravel seas hunting for the treasured covered bridges.
Major changes for the 6th edition of the Crusher! If you’ve participated in the past or are planning to participate this year, the event is moving locations. We will be starting from Mansfield, Indiana. (10miles north of Brazil, 15miles west of Greencastle) Not only is the start location changing, but there are more bridges, mileage changes, route changes, and new support challenges.
Rather than crossing paths with the 9 Covered Bridges of Putnam County, we are moving west to take on the 31 Covered Bridges of Parke County. We aren’t abandoning Putnam County forever, just keeping the event interesting.
If you like the sound of this adventure, keep reading to find out the specifics.
Welcome to the 6th Annual Bridge Crusher 100+! Indiana's Original First (grassroots, unorganized and discombobulated) Gravel Century. Not to be confused with that dusty race classic we all love as the first official gravel century. That classic remains king of gravel, truly deserving of its claims.
This ride is a little bit different. You're about to take part in the gravel underground cycling mecca of rides.
The goal of this ride is to cross paths with Covered Bridges, experience a taste of some of the best gravel Indiana has to offer, and take in some rich century old history.
Sounds pretty normal, right? Didn't you just read about the underground?
There is no registration. There is no official timing. There are no prizes, other than the honor of completing a spring century (and then some) which practically makes you a god among your friends, careful now, that's blasphemy. There is no published route for would-be imitators to follow. There is no race director or volunteers. There are no course markings to follow. There is no ride support roaming around the course. Very little support altogether, except for what the organizers may have marked on the treasure map for you to find. (bring your gold $ to barter for provisions. Not all trading posts accept credit cards.)
This is a true self supported treasure hunt. Yet the course is not as hard as you might think. The course is an even mix of gravel and pavement. Remember, it's a taste of the sweetest gravel.
All participants except their own risk for this event. It is as though you were on a social ride with all your friends. The organizers are merely riding buddies that give you a route to take on. Ride as fast or as slow as you like. Test your physical prowess over the road or your mental toughness over the elements. Or enjoy the escape from civilization for the day. A pirate in search of bounty. Plundering bridges for the prize views they offer.
ROUTE CHANGES: 3 routes available.
125mi
96mi
63mi
The shorter options for those without the confidence to take on the total crusher.
And for the true underground of it...
Ye must apply to join this adventure:
Though the start time is 7am on May 10th, the start location, not being a secret this year, the routes are the treasure map and remain a secret only from those that don't accept the challenge. The routes will not be openly posted. If you want to take on the Crusher, ye first must reach out in such a way to elicit a response. Text me. DM me. Leave a message on this page if you dare. ASK and YE SHALL RECEIVE.
The route will be shared via text/DM in .gpx format a few days in advance only to those who are vying to become a true Bridge Crusher.
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Carbon, Sports events in Carbon, Workshops in Carbon.
