Albino squirrels from Olney! Not your normal squirrel, or postcard! In years past, I had aspirations for the Grumpy Grind ride to grow in numbers and have people mark the GG as one of their target rides. I had the "If you build it they will come attitude." But this never really happened. Maybe it's the distance of the ride early in the spring that turned people off. Maybe its the remote location or the unpredictable weather that comes upon Illinois in the spring. But for whatever reason, the number of riders that have attended the Grumpy Grind were always about the same.
Last year, after having the most beautiful weather an event could offer, and still having a similar rider turnout, I contemplated allowing the Grumpy Grind to retire as a ride. After doing a little soul searching and talking with a few friends, I decided to keep it going. The feedback I have always gotten from riders has always been positive, and I personally love riding gravel. So rather than pouting about the GG not turning into something bigger than it is, and probably ever will be, I decided to just keep doing my thing, and be happy with whoever shows up. That being said, I am pleasantly surprised, and a little bit humbled by those who have chosen to send me postcard entries already for this years ride.
Last year, after having the most beautiful weather an event could offer, and still having a similar rider turnout, I contemplated allowing the Grumpy Grind to retire as a ride. After doing a little soul searching and talking with a few friends, I decided to keep it going. The feedback I have always gotten from riders has always been positive, and I personally love riding gravel. So rather than pouting about the GG not turning into something bigger than it is, and probably ever will be, I decided to just keep doing my thing, and be happy with whoever shows up. That being said, I am pleasantly surprised, and a little bit humbled by those who have chosen to send me postcard entries already for this years ride.
Maybe some Hopewell brews will find their way to the Grumpy Grind? The postcards I have received have been a lot of fun this year. There have been many custom postcards, some of the "gas station" variety, and some pretty darn creative and silly. Some people have contacted me about why they have to send in a postcard? The answer is because that is how I wish for you to submit entry into the event. Every event has some form of entry, right? And I like getting postcards. Life is full of impersonal and technological communication. It's nice to get a postcard in the mail sometimes. Even though it's just a postcard, there is something just a little more human about it.
Asparagus anyone? I was kind of hoping to find a recipe on the back of this postcard. I apologize to those who would like to know the concrete mileage for this years ride. I have my route in mind for this year, but every spring when I go out and ride it, I run into new roads that catch my attention, and then the route and mileage change. So just plan on it being somewhere between 70 and 85 miles. That should be just enough to either satisfy you are scare you away.
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