We're about 4 1/2 weeks away from Grumpy Grind 3. The ride will include many veteran riders comfortable with reading a cue card. But there will also be many rookies with questions, like how to read a cue card. Regardless of your status, it's good to know what the cue cards look like and how to read them. Every gravel grind seems to do it a little different, based on what the organizers feels makes most sense and allows riders to have a successful ride. So the following are a list of thoughts and cue card examples that will hopefully give you peace of mind for your ride.
First off, the cue cards will be approximately 4" wide, and be printed on the front and back of card stock paper. They will be given to riders in a ziploc baggie, but it is still recommended that they get transferred to a cue card holder. There are many options for map or cue card holders, so I'll let you shop for yourself.
For any gravel ride, you have to read your cards. DO NOT just follow another rider and assume they are correct. Blindly following another rider can sometimes lead to many extra miles. Use common sense. Know that many country roads are set up on a one mile grid system. It also helps if you read a cue ahead of the one you are on. Here are what different cues mean and what a cue card might look like.
R- Right turn
L- Left turn
CR- Curve Right. When there isn’t an intersection or the road doesn’t make a 90 degree turn, but still changes names.
CL- Curve Left. Refer to above.
QR- Quick Right. When there is a turn taking place less than 200 meters after the previous turn.
QL- Quick Left. Refer to above.
ST- Stay Straight. When the road may seem ambiguous, or changes names, but you need to continue going straight.
CP- Checkpoint. Make sure you check in here.
XX- Could mean Start, Finish, or Caution. Read the cue card for details.
First off, the cue cards will be approximately 4" wide, and be printed on the front and back of card stock paper. They will be given to riders in a ziploc baggie, but it is still recommended that they get transferred to a cue card holder. There are many options for map or cue card holders, so I'll let you shop for yourself.
For any gravel ride, you have to read your cards. DO NOT just follow another rider and assume they are correct. Blindly following another rider can sometimes lead to many extra miles. Use common sense. Know that many country roads are set up on a one mile grid system. It also helps if you read a cue ahead of the one you are on. Here are what different cues mean and what a cue card might look like.
R- Right turn
L- Left turn
CR- Curve Right. When there isn’t an intersection or the road doesn’t make a 90 degree turn, but still changes names.
CL- Curve Left. Refer to above.
QR- Quick Right. When there is a turn taking place less than 200 meters after the previous turn.
QL- Quick Left. Refer to above.
ST- Stay Straight. When the road may seem ambiguous, or changes names, but you need to continue going straight.
CP- Checkpoint. Make sure you check in here.
XX- Could mean Start, Finish, or Caution. Read the cue card for details.
There will also be details on cue cards stating if there will be sections of grass, pavement, dirt, etc. If there is no signage at a turn, an arrow will be staked beside the road pointing the correct direction.
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