It's never too early to start training.
Ride Details:
Date: Sunday May 3rd, 2020
Cost: FREE - Donations are
welcome. Suggested donation is $10.
Field Limit: none
Start/Finish: Start and finish will be at Blue Goose Run, 14609 Blue Goose Rd, Sterling IL. (Please do not contact Blue Goose Run for information about the event, they are merely a start/finish location.)
Starting Time: 7:00 a.m.
Registration: Mail a postcard to: Mark Johnson, 1114 Hickory Rd, Sterling IL 61081. The postcard must contain your Name, Email, and Emergency Contact name/number. Day of event registration is allowed, but not preferred.
Morning Check-in: Morning check in will be held at Blue Goose Run, from 6:00- 6:50. All riders must sign an event waiver before riding.
Rider Meeting: 6:50, at the starting line on Blue Goose Road.
Finishing Time: 6 p.m. cut-off time. Those finishing outside of the cut-off time will not be considered an "official" finisher.
Distance: Approximately 109 delicious miles.
Route: Files for downloading the route will be posted on this website the week before, and likely on Facebook as well.
Checkpoints: No checkpoints this year.
Terrain: The terrain will be a nice mix of flats, rolling hills, grinding hills, and steep climbs. There will be a few more hills than some Illinois folks would like (or even knew existed), but there aren't any mountains. There are sections of pavement that tie together gravel roads. I think you will find the course to be challenging. There may even be "hike-a-bike" section or two, depending on weather.
Recommended Bike to Ride: Cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes, fat tire bikes, single speeds, tandems, cruisers, or any bike with tires that can handle gravel road conditions. You can ride a traditional road bike if you wish, but it will affect your comfort level, and might give you a lot of practice changing flats.
Ride or Race? Gravel grinds are more of a ride than a race, but feel free to lay down the throttle and race if you want to. Gravel grinds create a sense of camaraderie and are a challenging event for those with an adventurous spirit. Regardless of whether you ride or race, please be safe and use common sense (refer to the safety section below).
Rider Support: Riders must be self-supported! You are responsible for yourself! Mandatory equipment required for this ride is a helmet and a cell phone (to call for a ride if necessary). Recommended equipment for this ride would be necessary food/drink, repair tools/tubes, and odometer. Check the FAQ page periodically prior to registration for other suggestions for items to consider bringing along for the ride.
Food and Water Stops: Riders should come prepared for this ride with their own supplies in terms of food and drink. It is likely there will be some stop available along the course for refilling your drinks, if we feel like it, but don't depend on it or you may be disappointed.
Awards: NONE. Recognition of finishers in order of time and place will be done through the posting of online results. Everyone who finishes and enjoys riding a bike is a winner!
Post Ride Food/Beverages: TBA. There will likely be some post ride beverages available. I'm working on having a food truck at the finish but I'm not for certain on that yet. For now, plan to bring your own food/drink for the finish..
What Riders will Receive: TBA. "Official Finishers" items may or may not be handed out (yet to be determined). Riders will certainly receive a sense of accomplishment, camaraderie, and a slap on the back for finishing. You may also receive sore knees, tired shoulders, flat tires, an endorphin high, scorn from family members who don't understand "why you do this", etc.
Safety: Prior to riding, participants will sign an event waiver that states they are responsible for themselves and their actions. Riders are expected to follow the rules of the road. The route will include loose gravel, steep hills, unmarked intersections, crossing of state roads, crossing of railroad tracks, etc. Please ride responsibly, safely, and represent all bicycle riders in a positive fashion. Organizers and sponsors are in no way responsible for the rider's actions.
Camping: Camping will be allowed at Blue Goose Run the night before the event. Tent camping, RV's, or pull behinds are welcome. This is not a campground, but there is plenty of property to camp on. There are no showers or electrical hook-ups. A port-a-potty will be available. Refer to the "Free Range Updates" blog page for a posting with information on camping.
Local Hotel Accommodations: TBA
Date: Sunday May 3rd, 2020
Cost: FREE - Donations are
welcome. Suggested donation is $10.
Field Limit: none
Start/Finish: Start and finish will be at Blue Goose Run, 14609 Blue Goose Rd, Sterling IL. (Please do not contact Blue Goose Run for information about the event, they are merely a start/finish location.)
Starting Time: 7:00 a.m.
Registration: Mail a postcard to: Mark Johnson, 1114 Hickory Rd, Sterling IL 61081. The postcard must contain your Name, Email, and Emergency Contact name/number. Day of event registration is allowed, but not preferred.
Morning Check-in: Morning check in will be held at Blue Goose Run, from 6:00- 6:50. All riders must sign an event waiver before riding.
Rider Meeting: 6:50, at the starting line on Blue Goose Road.
Finishing Time: 6 p.m. cut-off time. Those finishing outside of the cut-off time will not be considered an "official" finisher.
Distance: Approximately 109 delicious miles.
Route: Files for downloading the route will be posted on this website the week before, and likely on Facebook as well.
Checkpoints: No checkpoints this year.
Terrain: The terrain will be a nice mix of flats, rolling hills, grinding hills, and steep climbs. There will be a few more hills than some Illinois folks would like (or even knew existed), but there aren't any mountains. There are sections of pavement that tie together gravel roads. I think you will find the course to be challenging. There may even be "hike-a-bike" section or two, depending on weather.
Recommended Bike to Ride: Cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes, fat tire bikes, single speeds, tandems, cruisers, or any bike with tires that can handle gravel road conditions. You can ride a traditional road bike if you wish, but it will affect your comfort level, and might give you a lot of practice changing flats.
Ride or Race? Gravel grinds are more of a ride than a race, but feel free to lay down the throttle and race if you want to. Gravel grinds create a sense of camaraderie and are a challenging event for those with an adventurous spirit. Regardless of whether you ride or race, please be safe and use common sense (refer to the safety section below).
Rider Support: Riders must be self-supported! You are responsible for yourself! Mandatory equipment required for this ride is a helmet and a cell phone (to call for a ride if necessary). Recommended equipment for this ride would be necessary food/drink, repair tools/tubes, and odometer. Check the FAQ page periodically prior to registration for other suggestions for items to consider bringing along for the ride.
Food and Water Stops: Riders should come prepared for this ride with their own supplies in terms of food and drink. It is likely there will be some stop available along the course for refilling your drinks, if we feel like it, but don't depend on it or you may be disappointed.
Awards: NONE. Recognition of finishers in order of time and place will be done through the posting of online results. Everyone who finishes and enjoys riding a bike is a winner!
Post Ride Food/Beverages: TBA. There will likely be some post ride beverages available. I'm working on having a food truck at the finish but I'm not for certain on that yet. For now, plan to bring your own food/drink for the finish..
What Riders will Receive: TBA. "Official Finishers" items may or may not be handed out (yet to be determined). Riders will certainly receive a sense of accomplishment, camaraderie, and a slap on the back for finishing. You may also receive sore knees, tired shoulders, flat tires, an endorphin high, scorn from family members who don't understand "why you do this", etc.
Safety: Prior to riding, participants will sign an event waiver that states they are responsible for themselves and their actions. Riders are expected to follow the rules of the road. The route will include loose gravel, steep hills, unmarked intersections, crossing of state roads, crossing of railroad tracks, etc. Please ride responsibly, safely, and represent all bicycle riders in a positive fashion. Organizers and sponsors are in no way responsible for the rider's actions.
Camping: Camping will be allowed at Blue Goose Run the night before the event. Tent camping, RV's, or pull behinds are welcome. This is not a campground, but there is plenty of property to camp on. There are no showers or electrical hook-ups. A port-a-potty will be available. Refer to the "Free Range Updates" blog page for a posting with information on camping.
Local Hotel Accommodations: TBA
