Frozen Festivus of NIghts

Conditions for this years Festivus were very cold and the trail was covered with several inches of snow. Fat Bikes ruled the day at this years Festivus of Nights

Several small groups formed with most turning around early due to the conditions.

 

Studded tires were a good choice if you did not have a Fat Bike.

One of the few that completed the entire course was Jeff Arnaud.  Look Jeff's ride on January 26th, 2014.  A nice gravel tour North of Lawrence.

Chris Thomas testing out the course conditions and showing earning some style points.

Several different methods were used to try and stay warm.  MX goggles over your eye glasses worked until your body generated heat.  Then they just fogged up. 

Gerard and Tim crossing one of the slick bridges.  Gerard is a master at riding ice so he had no problems.

Christopher had a good time riding at night. On the return trip home he bonked and it took over 3 hours to make it back.  He as tired and cold by the end of the night. 

The view of the trials at night.  Just pick a track and follow it. 

The winner of for t he Best Lighting Display Make sure you see me about your award Rod

Gravel News Shorts - 12/20/13

 Updated 8:00 am...

Calling all Snow Bike riders.  Snow Bikes with your tires so fat and wide won't you guide our Festivus Ride tonight. 

Sunday is the 4th Annual Festivus of Nights Gravel Grinder.  The weather folks are calling for a cold one so dress is your warmest gear.  Expect temperatures in the low 20's.  Snow fall is also expected (they weathermen were correct this time) with some accumulation (~ 1 to 2 inches) so this years Feats of Strength will be who can ride the best in snow/ice.  My money is on Gerard Arantowicz - that dude can ride ice like no other person I know. 

After the ride it looks like El Jinete has $1.00 Taco's on Sunday night.  They are located just East of Natures Pantry on E 40 Hwy.  Sounds like a plan to me.  Check them out at http://eljineterestaurant.com/new/

Notice: There is a short detour on the Little Blue Trace.  See below map.

The Little Blue Trace Trail Map is below and HERE

Any updates about Sunday Nights ride will be posted here. 

4th Annual Festivus of Nights

The holiday season is upon us.  Please join us as we prepare for another fun Festivus. 

What: 4th Annual Festivus of Nights Gravel Grinder 
When: Sunday Night, 12/22/13 - Time 5:00pm
Where: Little Blue Trace 
Who: Any and all are welcome
Why: To celebrate Festivus , air any grievances you may have,  partake in Feats of Strength and last but not least ride your bike at night on the fun Little Blue Trace Trail.

Join us on Facebook - Festivus of Nights

We meet in the parking lot outside of Nature's Pantry, 19019 E 48th St, Independence, Missouri 64055 . Access to the trail is just yards away. 

What do I need to bring? Besides a working bicycle, you will need lights. Red flashing light on the back and an LED or HID light on the front required. Many decorate there body/bikes, but this is not required.  Special prize for the best light display. 

Will will encounter any traffic? 99 % of this ride is on the Little Blue Trace trail. The trail does cross several roads so please use extreme caution while crossing any roads. 

We will meet up after the ride for dinner.  At this time  feel free to lashing out at others and the world about how you have been disappointed in the past year.

Disclaimer for the Festivus of Nights Gravel Grinder : 

You are 100% responsible for yourself! You are totally on your own.  There are no rider services.  There is no support. If you choose to participate, you agree to taking full responsibility for what happens to you out on the course.  Please have someone you can call to come get you in the case of emergency, fatigue, freezing weather or bike failure. 

Gravel News Shorts - 12/04/13

The Gravel Guru team has been out of commission for a few weeks.  We have another week to heal up and then we are back on dirty stuff.  Look for our next Gravel Grinder the weekend of 12/15/13.

Save the date!  12/22/13 is our biggest event of the year.  The Festivus of Nights will be held on Monday night on the Little Blue Trace trail in Independence, MO. The weather this time of year can bring all kinds of challenges.  Last year was the Festivus of Ice.  The 2011 Festivus was a bitter cold evening but one of the most fun events ever.   Start thinking of how to decorate your bike for this years event.  As always there will be Best Lights display contest.

We have been out trying to find new exciting routes.  The one above looks very promising.  This route will be a mix of urban, old fields and of course gravel.

Who got in?  CIRREM registration was on Friday.  It sold out in record time.  Did you make the registration list?  If you did not, do not worry, there will be plenty of winter gravel grinder here.