Lunch break during a recon ride. On Saturday the final three postcard entries arrived, making registration for the 2016 Grumpy Grind officially closed. Thank you to all who chose to enter. I was a little unsure about what I would do if too many entries came in on the final day and the number didn't end on an even 100 participants, but lucky for me that was a non-issue. 100 riders is the most participants we have ever had enter the event. I realize that gravel events have grown in popularity, but regardless, I'm still a little bit humbled by the number of people who are interested and willing to travel to the middle of nowhere in Illinois to spend their day challenging themselves with an 82 mile ride. I will do my best to make sure that everyone who participates will have a positive experience. To those who who were indecisive about participating, and did not register in time, I'm sorry. Hopefully we'll see you next year.
Sunday's ride started off unexpectedly white. Sunday provided a good opportunity to ride the entire 2016 course. Before the event occurs, I like to ride the roads multiple times to make sure the mileage cues are accurate, and to get an overall sense of the rhythm of the course. Plus it's good training for TransIowa. The morning started off around the freezing mark, with fields covered with an unexpected layer of snow. The sun popped out later in the morning, making the high temperature of 45 degrees feel just fine. Every year I have managed to create a different course layout. This year has the most diverse layout of topography and scenery of any I've put together. It has flats, rollers, climbs, screaming descents, burning ascents, trees, vast open spaces, and a little bit of dirt to make everybody happy. It's the type of ride that will make a cold beverage at the finish feel well deserved.
An early version of a tiny house? During the next couple of weeks leading up to the ride I'll be posting information about how to read the cue cards, information about camping at the farm (or nearby areas), course safety, what to expect at the finish, etc. I know a lot of you are traveling a couple of hours to get to the ride, so I'll try to cover the basics so you know what to prepare for. Going over these details helps give me a mental checklist as well. Gravel grinds are really pretty simple. Just follow your cues, don't get lost, keep pedaling, and tell a few stories with fellow riders at the finish. It's going to be good!
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