Sunday, Dec. 22 - 9:00 A.M. - Sunday Polar Bear Ride - Hunters Bend Elementary School, 2121 Fieldstone Pkwy., Franklin - The Club’s most classic event is the regular Sunday Ride from Fieldstone Farms over to the Leipers Creek area.  During Polar Bear Season, we don't arrange for a formal sweep each week, but some of the regular riders will assist any visitors and we'll make sure our riding groups watch out for each other, as we should always do anyway.  We tend to break into 3 groups: A = 19-20 mph, B = 17-18 mph, and C = 15-16 mph.  Because of the road construction that has closed Old Charlotte, the route has been changed to go from Del Rio to Carlisle and a bit farther on Hwy. 96 before getting on Boyd Mill Pike.  Then we generally make the climb up Parker Branch. From the top of Parker Branch, the short route descends on Old Hwy. 96 to Leipers Fork for a rest stop and then heads back for a total of 28 miles.  Most riders, however, take a longer course to enjoy the scenic roads south and west of Leipers Fork; the route for these riders is usually 40-50 miles.  And fairly often we make some changes and some groups do something entirely different!  While we always welcome guests, visitors should have basic group riding skills and be able to average at least a 15-mph pace.  Here is the cue sheet for the 28-mile route:

HBC Sunday Ride - Short route - GPS version