A few more postcard entries have come in this week, leading me to believe that enthusiasm for this years Grumpy Grind is growing. I'm happy to see some familiar names from past years, like "Bionic" Bob Anderson, back on the rider list. Seeing familiar faces each year at certain rides I do is all part of what makes the bike community special. For those who have ridden the Grumpy Grind before, my format for cues and allowing the event to have a grass roots vibe is all kind of old hat. For those who are new to this event, I'll try to answer some of your questions/concerns about the event over the next couple of posts I make. For this post I'm just going to lay out some of the basics of what this year's ride will be like.
Last weekends gravel was a soupy mess. -The route this year is 140 miles. It could end up being a little over or under that mileage depending on my final route choice, but it will be very close to that length.
-The route will only be given out on the morning of the ride. Upon registration, riders will receive cue cards to navigate. No GPS files will be available to download for this event. Sorry, that's just how I choose to operate.
-Approximately 85% of the roads are gravel. I wish that percentage was higher, but the darn road commissioners keep paving a little bit more each year. The biggest portion of road riding will be a 10 mile section around mile 90. These are still great riding roads with some formidable hills, so this section will likely not be seen as an easy gift to riders.
-There will be one checkpoint along the course around mile 80. Riders will be required to stop here to check in with my volunteers. At this point they will also receive a second set of cue cards that will direct them "home". This will allow them to zero out and reset their computers to help them stay spot on with mileage.
-The course takes riders through only one town. This will also happen around mile 80. There is a gas station here where riders can use a bathroom and stock up on supplies. There is also a small bar and grill in this town where riders are welcome to stop for lunch if that is how they want to spend their time. The Grumpy Grind provides no restrooms, water or food anywhere on the course. Riders will need to be completely self sufficient.
-There is another small bar and grill around mile 90 (in the middle of nowhere) that riders are welcome to take a break at.
-The start and finish is at a bar and grill called Keggers, which is on the outskirts of Sterling. They have a delicious menu and a variety of drinks available for riders to give patronage too.
More general information will be provided in the next post. Keep those postcard entries coming!
-The route will only be given out on the morning of the ride. Upon registration, riders will receive cue cards to navigate. No GPS files will be available to download for this event. Sorry, that's just how I choose to operate.
-Approximately 85% of the roads are gravel. I wish that percentage was higher, but the darn road commissioners keep paving a little bit more each year. The biggest portion of road riding will be a 10 mile section around mile 90. These are still great riding roads with some formidable hills, so this section will likely not be seen as an easy gift to riders.
-There will be one checkpoint along the course around mile 80. Riders will be required to stop here to check in with my volunteers. At this point they will also receive a second set of cue cards that will direct them "home". This will allow them to zero out and reset their computers to help them stay spot on with mileage.
-The course takes riders through only one town. This will also happen around mile 80. There is a gas station here where riders can use a bathroom and stock up on supplies. There is also a small bar and grill in this town where riders are welcome to stop for lunch if that is how they want to spend their time. The Grumpy Grind provides no restrooms, water or food anywhere on the course. Riders will need to be completely self sufficient.
-There is another small bar and grill around mile 90 (in the middle of nowhere) that riders are welcome to take a break at.
-The start and finish is at a bar and grill called Keggers, which is on the outskirts of Sterling. They have a delicious menu and a variety of drinks available for riders to give patronage too.
More general information will be provided in the next post. Keep those postcard entries coming!
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