Welcome to the home of one of ultracyclings
most unique events! The Metamora 4X50 has grown in popularity since it began in
2005. A fifty mile course with no major climbs - is repeated 4 times to complete
one of the flattest double century races in the UltraCup Series. But that
doesn't make this ride easy! Illinois in August often sees temperatures in the
90 degree range that can make this race a challenge for the best cyclists.
The event headquarters is still in Washington, IL (still no motels in Metamora) and riders
are given a special rate at the Sleep Inn. See the Directions > Accomodations
menu item for details!
The Team Challenge! Although no one entered as a
team last year, we will still offer a Team Challenge! Get
a 4 person team together - give yourselves a name and ride.
The Metamora loop follows a route originally established by the Peoria bike club in the 1990's. In 2001, the Big Dogs
borrowed the
route for one of the legs of the Midwest Triple Crown, a short-lived series of
double centuries based on the California Triple Crown.
So, when we started looking for a relatively flat double century that would
appeal to recumbents, HPV's and handcyclists, Metamora came to mind.
As you ride along low trafficked county roads, lined by fields of tall
corn, you will get a good idea just how Illinois got the nickname the Prairie
State.
The race consists of a 50 mile loop, traversed 4 times to complete 200 miles, thus,
the 4X50! The roads are straight, flat and well-marked, with only one climb of
any significance. There is a rest stop at the
halfway point where riders can stop and take advantage of refreshments or simply
sit in the shade. Although we avoid routing riders through towns, the loop comes
close enough to a few communities that you can locate a convenience store if
needed.