Sometimes putting the final touches on an event that you worked so hard on takes the most work.  I had good intentions of putting together a post ride blog recap last night, but I was tired, and I needed some time to sit back and process things.  

​Yesterday was the 5th riding of the Grumpy Grind.  It was the least grumpy the event has ever been, mostly due to what had to have been the most perfect weather one could ask for.  Over 100 riders participated, the most that have ever attended the event.  My "official unofficial" results have 85 finishers, but I'm guessing that number still might change as people contact me and let me know that I errorred in some of my results (and please do contact me, I like to try and make it as accurate as possible).

Bryce Mead led the field, and was the first men's finisher.  And Kae Takeshita wasn't far behind as the first women's finisher.  There were a couple of speedy single speeders rounding out the top 10 finishers (always impressive).  The finishers filed in pretty steadily, with nobody finishing very late into the day like they had in previous years.  

I had the privilege of being able to participate in the ride as well being that my veteran volunteers had the everything taken care of and gave me the go ahead.  After starting the race, I get the privilege of riding through the different groups of riders as I worked my way through the field.  Gravel riders are truly a special community.  They are much more social and supportive than the "racing" crowd of cyclists.  I love looking at the variety of bikes that are ridden; from single speeds to carbon frames, to steel frames with baskets on the front, everyone seems to find their own happy niche, and nobody judges or seems to mind what flavor of bike you choose.

This great attitude carried over into the finish as well.  Riders came into the finish area tired, but with a peaceful and positive energy from the days event.  Maybe it was the happiness they had from knowing they didn't get lost while following cues for 80 miles, or maybe it was the joy they knew they would soon be experiencing from some post ride chow.  But I heard no complaints, which is a good things when you put on an event.

On a final note, thank you to all who chose to attend this year event.  My volunteers were terrific, the riders I met were friendly, and the weather was phenomenal. I can't promise there will be a GG6, but if not, there will likely be something in the works (a date or distance might change, I'll just leave it at that).  The results page has been posted.  Please contact me if I messed up on the results, I'll be happy to make the change.  There were a few photographers out on the course.  If I hear about these images being posted somewhere, I'll let you know (or you can let me know).  Next weekend I aim to tackle TransIowa.  The weather for that looks to be truly grumpy. I might do a posting on that if you feel like checking back.  See you all next year... or somewhere down the road.

I have still been getting some last minute registrants.  As I've said before, nobody will be turned away from the event.  I have prepared some custom bibs for the first 60 who check in on Sunday morning.  And I'm prepared for feeding about 90 people (that's one time through the buffet line please).  My numbers have always fluctuated in the past, so that is what I was comfortable preparing for.  If you know you are going to take a long, long time to finish, it might be in your interest to bring your own food supplies in case my provisions are all eaten up.  Again, this situation all depends on just how many actually show up.  I never really count on everyone who says they are coming to actually attend. I understand that things come up in life, and plans change sometimes.  That's just how it is.  So more than likely my rations will be plenty for everyone.

RIDE SAFE.  PLEASE!  
** Don't take unnecessary risks going fast downhill on loose gravel.  (use rear brake, not front)
** Never ride more than two abreast.
** Give each other space so you can see the potholes, washouts, etc.
** Always ride right, especially when cresting a hill.  
** Obey road signage, especially stop signs at blind intersections or when crossing a paved road.
** Bring plenty of food and water. 
** There are no stops along the 80 mile course for food or water provisions.
** Trust your cues and common sense, not necessarily the choices of the person ahead of you.
** Be friends with your fellow riders and help with flats and other mechanical.  It's good karma.

Okay, I'm done with my mothering rant.  Tomorrow should be a great day for a bike ride!  Hope to see you there!

It's getting close to game day.  The extended outlook on weather for Sunday's Grumpy Grind 5 looks to be near perfect.  It could be a little chilly for those camping out at the farm the night before, but things should warm up during the ride.  Last year temperatures reached about 80 degrees and people unprepared for those temps ran low on water, so come prepared with plenty of water bottles and hydration plans.  
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     Postcards have still been trickling in.  The last minute enthusiasm among cyclists once they see the weather always entertains me.  So it goes.  If your name is not on the list, it means I have not yet  received your postcard.  If you choose to show up on the day of the event without having preregistered, you won't be turned away, but do know that I'm not currently prepared for more than the current pre-registered amount.  That's my kind admonishment to you.  The Grumpy Grind is a pretty low key grass roots ride.  I would never be so pretentious as to turn anyone away from a good bike ride. Here is a quick list of Sunday's itinerary, along with some notes about the ride.

** If you haven't ridden this event before, you'll feel like your drive to Milledgeville is taking you to the middle of nowhere, which is precisely where you will be.
** Registration begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 8:45.  This will take place inside the main barn.  Those riders who are camping out should know that I will be at the barn around 6:30.  If you are sleeping in the barn you will probably be woken up.  
** Registration will involve all riders signing an event waiver and checking in to receiving a cue card.
** The ride will begin at 9:00 sharp.  I will not wait on riders who are not prepared for this.
** All riders must check in at the checkpoint at mile 43.
** The second half of the ride involves much more gravel and will be more challenging.
** Any rider who feels they may not finish the full 80 miles can ask for an alternate cue card from my checkpoint volunteers that will supply them with shortcut directions back to the start/finish (still 10 miles away).  They will not be considered an official finisher. Unofficial finishers should still check in with the finish line volunteers to let them know you safely made it back. 
**  Riders will veer off and ride into a grass ditch for the last 1/4 mile that will lead them to the finish at the barn.  Please check in with my finish line volunteers to let them know you have safely arrived.
**  The first 50 finishers will receive an event mug.
** Post ride food and drinks will be waiting for everyone after the finish
** I anticipate the fast riders to finish in possible 4.5-5 hours.  Most will finish in the 5-7 hour range.
**I'll be cleaning up and departing the event around 5:30.

I try to make my cue cards as simple as possible.  Riders will receive one cue card, which has directions and mileage printed on the front and back side of one piece of paper.  The mileage you are at will be noted first, followed by a direction for turning Right, Left, Curving Right, Curving Left, Staying Straight, or making a Quick Right or Quick Left.  If any of this makes you nervous, I promise it will be be quite obvious and simple to understand once you look one over.  Please trust my cues.  If the cue doesn't provide you with information about a road change or a need to turn, just stay on the path you are on and trust that the cue is pointing you in the correct direction.  Don't over analyze things.  If your mileage becomes off by .05 or .10 of a mile, I trust you will be mathematically able to make the corrections in your head.  Over the course of 80 miles it's almost impossible that your odometer readings will remain perfect to my cues.  At least that is my experience.

Leading up to the event, I probably get a little wordy with directions and thoughts.  For that I apologize.  Just know I want to have all my bases covered so that you have the best experience possible.  Thanks again for reading this post and choosing to come ride.  There may be one more blog posting before Sundays ride, so check back in one more time before Sunday.

I did my final recon ride today of the 2017 Grumpy Grind course.  I like to check and double check my cues and mileage to make sure everything is spot on accurate.  I really didn't need to make any changes to my latest cue cards, so I'm feeling good that nobody will get lost this year.  Please make sure you bring some type of odometer to the event so you don't unnecessarily find yourself taking the scenic route.  The total mileage for this year will be 79.83 miles. 

I do want to remind everyone that this is a busy time of year for farmers and farm equipment being on the road.  They won't be everywhere, but most likely the planting season will be in full swing, so do look out for those farmers "plowing" down the road.  Also make sure you are careful crossing any roads, especially those with blind corners or hills.  And we do cross a few paved state roads, so slow down enough to  really look both ways and keep yourself safe.  And last but not least on safety thoughts... you may encounter a country dog or two.  I haven't run into anything terrible, but it's that time of year when dogs are finally emerging from their winter hiding places (so it seems) and seem  to suddenly appear out of nowhere.  

My last update for today is that a farmer friend of mind, who's home is along the route, told me he'd like to offer up a refreshment stand of some kind at his home.  Unfortunately, his home is  only 18 miles from the start, but it's still a super kind gesture.  He will have some drinks (not alcoholic!), some nibbles, and he will even have a port-a-potty available!  I know it would make for an early stop in the ride, but still feel free to take advantage of his kind hospitably.

Things are picking up steam with one week  left until the fifth riding of Grumpy Grind. About fifteen postcards entries have come in over the last 3 days, leaving me with the wondering doubt about who will actually show up.  I hate to be a skeptic, but entry numbers have been high in the past, but the actual number of riders who show up have always been about the same. Could this year be different?  Will this be the year over 100 participants show up?  It would be cool if that were the case, but I honestly won't get too worked up one way or the other.  I organize this ride for the love of riding, and riding gravel in particular.  Riding bikes and enjoying a good day in the saddle isn't about being a pretentious event organizer.  So if you sent in a postcard, I whole hardheartedly thank you for following my event and I hope you can make it.  If you didn't send in a postcard and are waiting until you have the latest weather reports, well, you are also welcome.

In my last blog posting I spoke of what I expected to be "perfect" gravel for this years ride.  My latest recon rides have led me to provide a report that comes up short of being perfect.  I'll say that there is nothing unrideable by any stretch, but the gravel conditions are all over the place.  New gravel is still being laid.  Farm equipment is creating washboard conditions in some areas.  Road grading in remote areas is still kind of messy.  Oh well, it's all good.  There is no boredom on this coarse.  I will say that this years coarse may be one of the faster courses due to the fact that the course runs about an equal amount of each direction.  That being said, the wind is bound to get you going one of those directions, but who knows when that will play a factor?
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I hate to be redundant in my postings, but this is the week when I will be sharing all the little ins and outs about the Grumpy Grind, and try to answer any possible questions people might have.  So here are a few thoughts I have (with more to come this week).
**There are NO towns or convenience stores along the route to restock.  Be prepared with enough food and water to cover the full 80 mile course.
** Camping is available at the farm where the start and finish are located.  The farmer who allows us to make this ride home base is  very hospitable.  Even if you don't see him, just make yourself right at home.  Really!  The town of Milledgeville (3 miles from the farm) has s few small restaurants, bars, and a Casey's that you can find food and and such at.
**Cue cards will be issued only on the day of the ride.  I will post some more details on those later this week.
**I have planned to supply post-ride eats and drinks in the form of BBQ, beans, pasta, chips, and beverages for up to ninety riders.  I doubt more will come than 90, but be maybe be prepared just in case.  More than likely I will find a way to take care of you.
**T-shirts are not free.  If you want one, they are $10, but you need to contact me by  Midnight tomorrow night (4/16/2017) to place your order.
**I make custom printed tie-dye bibs for the first 70 riders that register the morning of the vent.
**The first 50 finishers get a Grumpy Grind finishers mug.
**The Grumpy Grind is a free event.  If you wonder why it is  free, the answer is because it would otherwise be need to be an insured event.  The nature of this event and individuals riding should of the spirit that supports cycling, adventure, and the personal challenge that this event offers to each participant.  That being said, the undertaking of this event is not free, and a donation of support of even of the smallest amount will be appreciated.
**If you have any questions or comments leading up to the event, please contact me so I can put put your mind at ease.\

 There isn't a whole lot of Grumpy Grind reporting to do right now.  I did a training ride earlier this week just to see what the state of the gravel is, and I'll just say that it's all over the place.  There has been a lot of fresh grading going on by the county road crews, providing a variety of gravel conditions.  Some areas had soft new gravel, while others were flat and very hard packed.  And then there were some spots full of dirt debris where it seemed that the road graders just didn't seem to care much about what they were doing, leaving the road a mess.  But no condition lasted too long and it was all very ride-able.  With all the rain we had the last few day, I would say the graders picked a perfect time to do their job.  With water, and some good packing down between now and April 23rd, the roads should be about perfect.
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This was my spring break week (I'm a teacher), so I was hoping to get several long training rides in of this years Grumpy Grind route.  I did manage to ride the entire course one time, and portions of it a couple of other times before a strong head splitting cold came my way.  It seems like I only get sick when I have time to get sick, like whenever breaks or vacations occur.  Or maybe I just put in too many long rides in cold weather (the weather this week was fairly dismal) and my body finally forced me to take a break. Regardless of which is the case, I did get in enough rides to provide an event update for those who like to think long and hard about what is coming their way three weeks from now.

Many of you will be thankful that this years ride won't have the killer hills in the middle of it like last years ride did.  This years course is what I like to call "sneaky".  Think of this years ride as an Illinois "Classic". About 12 of the first 40 miles will be paved.  This might bum some of the gravel purists, but the darn road commissioners and wealthy farmers keep adding more paved roads.  These early sections of "on again, off again", could be the undoing of those who become overconfident about their current speed and the eventual distance they will need to cover.  Only 2 of the last 35 miles will be paved roads, and the purists snobs will likely forget the early paved sections.  One nice thing about this years route is that it has almost an equal amount of riding that goes each direction.  That doesn't mean the route is a square by any means, but it does mean that you won't suffer a headwind for more time than you'd like.

In almost every post I've written, I have mentioned that the ride is completely self sufficient.  And I do mean this.  Not myself, nor anyone else will be there to pick you up if you need help back to the start.  I also mentioned that all riders must check in and be accounted for at the 43.5 mile checkpoint.  Riders who don't feel like they are of the fitness to continue the full course will be given a cue card with a more direct 10.5 mile route back to the start finish.  Food will still be there for unofficial finishers, and it will still be a solid day of riding.  No finishers "mug" will be issued, but at least you made it back to your vehicle safe and sound.  If you have ever organized a ride, you probably understand how truly concerned I am about each riders well being.  A smart rider always knows their limits.  Okay, enough preaching for now, the sun is finally shining on this beautiful Saturday, I'm going out to ride!