Sunday, January 29, 2012

Chucky's Challenge

What: Chucky's Challenge
When: Saturday, February 11, 2012, 10:00 am
Where: Jamesport, MO
Why: Come enjoy a 56 mile tour of the Amish land to our North including a pass through Poosey.

Doug sends us a little teaser - Chucky Recon Ride



Proposed route below. The course will be marked and there are will be bail out options for those who do not have full Chucky's legs yet.



Friday, January 27, 2012

Gravel News Shorts - 01/27/12

Mother nature is not cooperating with our planned Colder than a Well Digger Ass ride on Sunday. The course we intend to use needs to be frozen over and is currently very muddy. We will reschedule the ride once the weather turns really cold. You can not really have a Colder than a Well Digger Ass ride when it is 40 degrees out can you. That would just be wrong.

In replacement for our ride the crew will be out at the SFT Annual Bicycle CancerThon held at Abele's Field in Leavenworth, KS. This is Santa Fe Trails Bicycle & Coffee Shop's annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Lake Dabinawa Grinder

What: Lake Dabinawa Grinder
When: Sunday January 22, 2012, 9:00 am
Where: Lawrence, KS (Meet behind Johnny's)
Why: Come enjoy a nice tour of North Lawrence. Two routes available - 51 mile long course and a less hilly 36 mile short course.

This ride will tour North of Lawrence and visit Lake Dabinawa and the long course will offer a food stop at Casey's in Tonganoxie. Jeff is hosting this ride and promises a relaxed pace. Meet in the parking lot across from Johnny's, 9am Sunday. Cross bike or MTB needed.

Courses below:

Long





Short



Sunday, January 15, 2012

The Prowl Report

A great ride today as another mild day greeted our gravel grinders. A little chilly at first as most riders opted for a light layer of clothing with the afternoon highs around 60. A strong South wind combined with temps in the 30's and some rather steep climbs made for a real challenge as we headed toward Drexel. We may have to rename this ride the Wind Howler II. All that hard work riding into the wind paid off with a nice ride back.

A very nice route with a couple of "C" roads and abandoned bridges were navigated. Most agreed that this was good preparation for the upcoming DK200.

Thanks to John Williams for hosting the ride and to everyone who came out and made today's ride very fun.

Some photos from the day:



Video in route to Drexel.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Gravel News Shorts - 01/12/12

A busy weekend for rides this weekend.

Friday the 13th we have a night ride planned. Check out the Paraskevidekatriaphobia Night Ride if you enjoy riding at night. Current plan is to ride the Smithville MTB Trails. Bring your mountain bike, some lights and get ready to cure that Paraskevidekatriaphobia you might have.

Sunday John Williams host the Peculiar Prowl. John has a nice 58 mile route (shorter option also available). Expect a brisk pace for the A group with a B group option for those putting in more relaxed base miles.

UPDATE on Jeff's Lawrence ride. Jeff is under the weather and will not be able to lead Lawrence ride.... The Gravel Ride will be postponed by one week.... I have a head cold and will not be able to lead the ride.

New date and time for the Lawrence ride is 1/22 at 9am. See you there.

Jeff

We have another gravel grinder option on Sunday over in Lawrence, Kansas. This ride will tour North of Lawrence and visit Lake Dabinawa and offer a food stop at Casey's in Tonganoxie. Jeff is hosting this ride and promises a relaxed pace. Meet in the parking lot across from Johnny's, 9am Sunday. Cross bike or MTB needed.



Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Peculiar Prowl

What: Peculiar Prowl
When: Sunday January 15, 2012, 9:00 am
Where: Peculiar, MO (Country Mart)
Why: Why would you want to be stuck on a trainer when you could be gravel grinding :-) Forecast is for temps in the 30's/40's which is really nice for this time of year.
Who: Anyone who has a long endurance challenge on the calendar in 2012 and would like to train with like minded folk.

John Williams host this week ride with a nice route down to Drexel. For those who do not wish to do the entire 58 mile route there will be a shorter option as well as A and B groups.

Route below:



Sunday, January 8, 2012

Badger Run Recap

While no one was attacked by mad Badger this time, several small Badger like dogs made up for it....

Another fun gravel grinder in the books. Weather was just about perfect for a ride for this time of year. All in all a beautiful day to be on the bike. Two flat tires in the A group kept the B group close enough that they finished within 5 minutes of each other. Ride leader Tim Greene learned a valuable lesson "that sprinting ahead to take pictures, putting the camera away and then sprinting to catch the group is harder than it looks" I would have to agree with your sir. It is harder than it looks. Adds a few interval sessions to the ride for sure....

Tim sends us a link to his pictures: Spring Hill Gravel Grinder Photos

A short video of the start:




Guru's Photos:

Monday, January 2, 2012

Spring Hill Badger Run

Updated 01/04/12....

What: The Spring Hill Badger Run
When: Sunday, January 8, 2012, 9:00 am
Where: Spring Hill, KS
Why: Because we all know you want to ride a section of gravel where Rob Pennel saw a Badger and thus became Badger bikes. This route also features the coldest spot in JOCO. Time to get on your bike and start training for all those races and long epic spring rides. That and it is too early to start breaking your New Years resolution to ride more....

Cue sheets will be provided. We have three route options for you. All are tried and true routes that we can all enjoy. The weather looks great for Sunday. Come enjoy

Ride Starts at the Price Chopper parking lot at 223rd street and route 7/169

Map below:





Option #2:





Option #3: