2017 Mullet Ride

Post Event:

171 Mullet riders today. That is a new record my gravel friends.  Thank each and everyone one of you for coming out.  If you enjoyed today ride be sure to come out to one of our other riders.  Calendar is on the side.  Next up is the Lake Dabinawa Challenge out of Lawrence and then the following week is the very popular Bean Lake Challenge out of Weston, MO.

Pictures from today's Mullet ride - 2017 Mullet Gravel Ride Pictures.

Cue sheets for the Mullet routes will be available at the Antiques on the Prairie.  Garmin files have being created - Roger created the Mullets Revenge( long course), Chris created the Traditional Mullet ride (both posted below).

We are expecting a large turnout for Saturdays Mullet.  Additional restrooms are available at the Baldwin City Library.  Additional parking is available one block North at the Collins Gym parking lot.  Start, instructions and pictures are at 10:00 am at the Antiques on the Prairie. See map below for details.

It is almost time for our biggest and best ride of the year. 3 courses for this year - see below...

What: The one and only Mullet Ride
When: Saturday, January 21, 2017
Where: Baldwin City, Kansas
Why: The Mullet Ride is business in the front and a party in the back!

Directions:  Take 56 Hwy to Baldwin City. go south at 6th street (the only stoplight in town) and go about 5 blocks to High Street and 6th.  Start location is at Antiques on the Prairie which is at the corner of High Street and 6th.  Ample parking is along High Street.

New course for 2017.

The Mullets Revenge - 43
The Traditional Mullet - 28 miles
The Mini Mullet - 12 miles

Cue sheets for all courses will be handed out prior to the course.  Garmin files are posted below. Course maps are posted on our FB event page - The Mullet Ride 1/21/17

The Mullets Revenge (Long Course via Garmin)

The Traditional Mullet (28 Miles via Garmin)

The Mini Mullet Ride 

2016 Festivus of Nights Gravel Grinder

Post event:  Wonderful weather greeted our Festivus of Nights ride tonight.   A very good turnout on a great night for a ride.

Pictures are up on Facebook: Festivus of Nights Gravel Ride Pictures. 

Update 12/22/16:  We went on a little recon ride today to check the course.  As of this evening the course is in great shape.  Mostly dry with only a few sections of packed snow.

What: 7th Annual Festivus of Nights Gravel Grinder
When: Friday Night, 12/23/16 - Start Time ~ 6:10 (After group photo and announcements)
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.

We meet in the parking lot outside of Natural Grocers, 19019 E 48th St, Independence, Missouri 64055 . Access to the trail is just yards away. Meeting and group picture at 6:00 pm and then we roll out.

Course options:  Standard course (~24 miles) riders will turn left and head North to Blue Mills Road. For those wanting more miles we have the long course (~30 miles) which will turn right and head South on the trail head to the far end of the trail (Lees Summit Road) before turning  around and heading back North completing the entire length of the trail.  Note: There are several shelters along the way.  Feel free to turn around at any one to shorten your Festivus adventure. 

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 their body/bikes, but this is not required.  Special prize for the best light display.

Will we encounter any traffic on the ride? 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? Per our normal custom we meet at Corner Cafe', 4215 S Little Blue Parkway, Independence, MO

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. 

Danny's Dellight Gravel Grinder

Post event: Congrats to all who braved today's conditions.  All of you are true Gravel Grinders.  Thank you Danny Noble for hosting our ride and creating two fun courses.   You have some mighty fine riding up in Oskaloosa, KS.  Pictures from today's ride - 2016 Danny's Delight Pictures (link fixed)

Update 12/07/16:  Due to construction Danny has updated the long course.  Thankfully Danny and Ron rode the course last weekend and found some road closures and bridges that were missing.  Updated 50 mile long course is below.  Short course has not changed.

What: Danny's Delight
When: Sunday, December 11, 2016, 9:00 am
Where: Oskaloosa, KS (Start at the Oskaloosa High School)
Why: Two delightful gravel routes to enjoy.  50 miles long course and a 26 mile short course.

Join us on Face Book - Danny's Delight Ride

 Danny Noble brings us a new ride for 2016 in his hometown of Oskaloosa, KS.  Plenty of fine gravel in that part of Kansas for sure.

UPDATED Danny's Delight Long Course Map

Danny's Delight Short Course Map

Badger Run 2016 Report

Thank you Tim Greene for hosted today's ride.  Tim offered 3 different course depending on your ability level.  Mostly fast rolling gravel.  Pictures can be found at - The Badger Run 2016 Photos and below.

First cold ride (at least for me) of the season.  I spend the morning looking for my cold riding gear that I stored away.

A good mix of riders came out.  Hopefully everyone stayed warm enough during the ride.

Tim leads the way out to the start of the gravel.

 The good think about Spring Hill is that the gravel adventures begin only a few miles from town.

If you have not gotten a pair of these mitts I along with Michael highly recommend them.

Most colorful rider of the day award belongs to this Velo+ team member

The leaders of today's ride killed the course.  They were flying on the way back and having a good time.

Thank you Dave for taking a picture of me.  See you guys in a couple of weeks at Danny's Delight on 12/11/16.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving and be safe. 

The Badger Run 2016

What: The Badger Run 2016
When: Saturday,  November 19, 2016, 9:00 am
Where: Spring Hill, KS (Start at Hwy 7 and 223rd Street - shopping center)
Why: On this route we will be able answer the question, Do cows really only graze while pointing either due North or due South.

Tim Greene brings us one of his classic rides on some Spring Hill's fine gravel roads.

We will meet at the Hy Vee shopping Center in Spring Hill at the Spring Hill/Bucyrus exit off of 169 Highway.  This is a combination of the traditional route and the Moonlight route we did a few years ago.  There is about 1700 feet of climbing on this ride with most of the big hills on Somerset that are part of the 40 mile loop.  The shorter routes are sparred the big climbs.

Routes (Garmin) below:

The Badger Run Long Route (40 miles)

The Badger Run Medium Route (29 miles)

The Badger Run Short Route (22 miles)

Routes (Mapmyride) below:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1358414983 (40 miles)

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1358399884 (29 miles) 

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1358403586 (22 miles) 

The Margarita Report

Thank you to this guy for hosting another fun gravel grinder out of Baldwin City.  17 Years of working together to promote local cycling.

Pictures and the Margarita movie are below.  I hope you all enjoyed the ride.

Antiques on the Prairie is deserving a big Thank you.  They always open their doors for us.  Be sure to pay the a visit next time you are in the market for Antiques or just passing through Baldwin City.

It is great to see Carolynn back on the bike.  Only her fourth ride since breaking her foot.

It is always good to see a tandem on our rides.  We will be adding another very soon.

These folks decided to skip our ride and vote.  Nice to see.  Be sure to vote because your vote does count.

David and Christopher rocking the new Cow Town "Flo" kits.  They may take your breath away the first time you see them but they will grow on you.

Roger took a break from his busy schedule to come ride with us.  Good to see you Roger!.

We had a great turnout including many newer gravel grinders.  Always good to see new faces.

Speaking of new.  Looks like we have a new team out of Lawrence.  I like their kits.

This was my favorite costume of the ride.  Looking good Sam.

See, the Signal Hill climb is really not that bad.  Plenty of smiles at the top.

Complete pictures: https://plus.google.com/photos/116713196318315798246/albums/6347007940869993793

Movie : The Margarita Movie

The Margarita Gravel Grinder Ride

Mark you calendars!!!!

Our 2016/17 Good Times Gravel Tour rides begin with Gerard's Margarita Ride. Come enjoy a fun morning riding gravel and then meet at El Patron for Margaritas and food.

**Remember, you are responsible for yourself and you ride at your own risk. 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.Always follow all traffic laws and rules. Always choose safety first and be prepared.**

Facebook event: The Margarita Ride Event Page

Here are the routes:

• Short 1 lap - http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1332343435
• Long 2 lap - http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1332365155

Here is the Cue Sheet

Start @ 602 High Street, Baldwin City, KS
Go north on 6th street Cross Ames St
.7 Right on Quayle
.9 Left on Eisenhower
Turns into 1750 and 375th Rd (Eagle Lake Drive)
2.2 Right on 1814th Rd.
3.5 Right on N. 500th Rd K-9 Kuts Klimb
5.4 Left on 2000th Rd.
5.6 Turns into 600 N.
7.3 Left on 2100 Road
8.3 Left on 700 Rd Morford Farm
9.8 Left on 1950 Nut-Cracker Climb
10.8 Right on 600 Road Dragon’s Back Climbs
12.7 Left on 1750
13.7 cross 500th Signal Oak Climb KOM
15.0 Cross 12 County Rd.
15.2 Right on 375th (Eagle Lake Drive) Turns into Eisenhower
NOTE: 2 lapers will turn Left on 375th (Eagle Lake Drive) 
      and complete another lap.
15.9 Right on Quayle
16.1 Left on 6th Street
16.2 Cross Ames St.
16.8 Finish at 6th and High Street.

God's Country Fat Tire Festival

The God's Country Fat Tire Festival is this weekend at the Lawrence River Trails.  Yes I know this is not a gravel event, but many riders use their cross/gravel rigs to participate. See picture below from last years God's Country Marathon event. 

Festival includes an off-road duathlon on Saturday (long, short and relay classes) with a traditional cross country event on Sunday.  Sunday's event has a class for everyone including the 3 hour Marathon class and a fat tire (3.8 inch tires) only event.  We have live bands each day and free food. 

Info can be found at http://fattireduathlon.blogspot.com/

Register before Wednesday evening to avoid late fees. https://www.bikereg.com/godscountryfattirefestival

Kings of the Ville Ride Photos

Pictures are up from today's King of theVille Ride

2016 King of the Ville Ride Photos

Thanks to Kevin Nierman and the Dirty Dogs for hosting today's ride.

Kings of the Ville Ride

What: 2nd Annual Kings of the Ville Ride
Where: Downtown Pleasant Hill (at the Train Depot)
When: March 19th, 2016 - 9:00 am Start

Kevin Nierman and the Dirty Dogs bring us the 2nd Annual Kings of the Ville Ride.  A lovely 44 mile route starting in Pleasant Hill, MO and passes through some lovely small towns like  Kingsville,  Gunn City, and East Lynne before returning to Pleasant Hill.

Join us on Face Book for updates and a little history (also see below) :  https://www.facebook.com/events/348859961904311/353006941489613/

Route maps are below. 

Kevin is old school like me and uses good ole gmap-pedometer for his online map. Here is the link: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6815844

Cue sheet link (pdf) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B30D1tq16zzIN09DWGcySHY4YTA/view

Garmin map link:  -  https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11830967

Strava map link: https://www.strava.com/routes/4374239

Kevin's History Lessons:

History Lesson 1:
Kingsville Missouri was founded by settler William King in 1851ish. He was born in Independence, Missouri, in 1831, but due to its growing meth problem, King fled Independence to rural areas to start his own meth operation. Later, conveniently situated on the newly-built rail line, he had access to easy distribution and soon businesses and Meth-odist churches popped up and made it the thriving town it is today. The Stahl Mining Co - originally formed during the Civil War to cast lightweight canons for the South, still mines aluminum to this day. It just looks like a normal building, but the pit inside goes deep down into the earth. Fact.

History Lesson 2:
On this ride, we will pass the grave site of Missouri's famousest dog, Old Drum. Long story short, Old Drum was sniffin' the wrong place at the wrong time. His name was given to him by his owner, Charles Burden, describing the sound it made when he'd beat his dog for dragging home one of his neighbor's dead sheep. Old Drum met his fate three days before Halloween in 1869. So much for that sheep costume he was sewing together in the beet cellar behind the barn. Fact.

History Lesson 3:
Originally, Pleasant Hill Missouri was named "Pleasant Situation on an Elevated Prairie", but the Union Army hated this so much that they imposed a general order (No. 11) commanding they shorten their name or else the towns population would be dispersed and all livestock slaughtered and crops set ablaze. Pleasant Hill complied, obviously. These were hard times. We have it easy. Fact.

The Strada Gridia Report III

A record turnout for this years Strada Gridia.  Each year this event has grown.  I still remember the first one when we had and from them on this event has been one of my favorites.

Phil and his family really did an awesome job of hosting this years event at their Sweet Love farm.  His passion of cycling really shows.

It was nice to see so many Women enjoying the grow of gravel riding. 

The Sweetlove  farm is a fully functioning farm.  Lately we have been eating farm fresh eggs.  I personally really enjoy them.

The Dirty Dogs were out in force today.  A great team that really has a passion for gravel racing/riding.  I just love their new kit. 

You never know who you will see at one of these grinder.  It is always nice to see an old friend.  I was very surprised to see Keith Walberg since they moved to Washington a couple of years ago.  Turns out they have moved back to Kansas.  I have always enjoyed viewing Keith's videos.

Phil's daughter lead the neutral start to the first road.   She did a great job especially riding down that rocky driveway on her road bike.  Phil you need to get that girl a real bike.

 We had a first time gravel grinder today.  Carolynn invited our friend  from the Northland Sarah to come out.  It was her first time riding on gravel, the first time using clip less pedals and she was on a borrowed bike.  Sarah did awesome and looks forward to more gravel grinding with us.

And we begin the The Sweet Love Gravel Grinder.  I know Phil officially calls his ride the Strada Grida which means "Gray Roads" in Italian but in my heart it will always be Sweet Love.

The Sweet Love Farm is right in the middle of gravel grinding paradise - gravel right at his door step.  It was nice to see such a large group show up to take part in today's ride. 

R.E. Hobbs leading the way and kicking up a little dust storm.  The roads were very fast and dusty today.

 Roger Williams taking care of some last minute business before he settles into his ride.  Roger is training hard along with everyone else for his upcoming Gravelleurs Raid. 

Jeff and Keith leading a nice size group during the first part of the ride.

Danny Noble looking good in his new kit.  The Nobles hosted their "after the Sweet Love" party.  Their son served up some tasty pulled pork.

 Mike Bland rolled the long course today.  Looking good Mike.

Speaking of old friends.  Look who showed up.  None other than Jud Milham.  It was good riding with you today Jud.  Hope to see again soon.

After the ride Phil served us up some very tasty pancakes.  Thanks for not burning mine Phil :-)

Phil, his family and friends all pitched in to make this a very fun event.  I can not wait until next year's ride.

Carolynn really enjoyed the post ride pancakes.  They hit the spot for sure.

Here is the link to all our photos from today's 3rd Annual Strada Gridia.