Gravel Worlds is the largest organized event I’ve ever participated in, and the longest hardest race I’ve ever done. Race didn’t go to plan, but it was a fantastic experience that I hope to do again some day. Intro: 00:05 An Item of Feedback: 01:15 Race Start: 02:00 Thoughts on Aerobars: 03:40 Mistakes Were Made: 04:52 More Feedback: 06:40 Making Lemonade: 07:47 Grabbing the Takeaway(s): 09:07 Celebrate Good Times: 11:39 Measuring the…
Events
Hammer Hundo Gravel Race
I had been toying with the idea of racing the Hammer Hundo in September. It’s being put on by the same group that did the Turkey Burner, so I have every confidence that it will be a great event, with a great course. But September is a long time away, and life happens… So… I’ve just let this sit on the slow burner of things I plan to do, but haven’t gotten…
The Bear – 2022
Having just finished cleaning, but not yet reassembling the Lynskey after Melting Mann, I have been talked into another spring gravel race. This time past the wall in northern Wisconsin. I hope this won’t be as bike-hostile as the sandy mud of western Michigan, but I guess that’s part of the adventure. The Bear 100, Hibernator 100, and Nicolet Frosty Bear are fundraisers for the Laona Rescue Squad. They will be out…
Gravel Worlds – 2022
It would be a lie to say that I don’t know why I keep signing up for events that can only be described as masochistic. I know exactly why, not only do I sign up for these guys, but I sign up for the longest, hardest, version of them. And it’s because for reasons that I can’t explain, I let my friend, the one that’s actually good at these, talk me into…
Melting Mann – 2022
So, remember when I was questioning how much I hate myself before? Turns out the answer was “a lot”, because there really isn’t a better answer to why I signed up for what is sure to be a completely miserable ride. There really isn’t much chance of anything but misery given that it’s taking place on March 19th in Michigan. On the plus side, at least I didn’t hate myself enough to…
Rough Road 100 – 2022
The Rough Road 100 was supposed to be my first gravel race, way, way back in 2020. For some reason, that didn’t happen, and with things still looking pretty crap last spring, IIRC they punted on even trying. Now that the COVID situation is mostly under control for those who understand how science works, I’ve been only too happy to get some events in. So at least for now, this will be…
Turkey Burner – 2021
Back to the gravel roads of eastern Iowa for my last gravel race of my 2021 season. It was massive fun, and a great way to test some of the things I’ve been trying to learn about racing.…
Turkey Burner – 2021
I’ve been holding off registering for the 2021 Turkey Burner for a few reasons. The most important was weather; racing 65 miles in a snow storm didn’t sound appealing… Fortunately, it will only be cold and windy, so one concern down. The second was that they didn’t publish a route until earlier today, and it felt weird to signup for a mystery race. Two down. The last one is that I didn’t…
Lowell Classic 50 – 2021
Miserable, awesome, epic race in the peanut butter mud of Western Michigan. Better expectations, and the application of lessons learned in the last race, led to a much improved outcome.…
The Lowell 50 – 2021
I was hoping to get a few more gravel races in this year, but the challenge around work and family is an always looming presence. Got the go-ahead for this 50 miler out by Grand Rapids MI earlier this week. Hopefully, I can apply some of the lessons learned last Saturday :). Race Description: Lowell is a classic old world style gravel road race. You’ll race along the banks of the Flat…