Smithville Gravel Grinder

Ride report:

8 die hard gravel grinders showed up for today's ride. Conditions were not as bad as they looked (at least I felt that way :-)). Overnight the Smithville area got a few inches of new snow and turned some of the roads into a true test of bike handling skills.

Some pictures from the day adventure

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Get your own

We visit the Northland next week for another version of the Smithville Gravel Grinder. The 44 mile route will visit some new gravel and will feature rolling hills and the scenic Northland.

Curt Shelman is again hosting this ride and promises that the weather will be a lot cooler (and slower pace) than our last one back in September.

Who: Those Groovy Northland Riders and fellow Gravel Grinders.
What: Smithville Gravel Grinder
When: Sunday January 23, 2011, 9:00 am
Where: Smoke-N-Davey Trail head
Why: Because Curt says "it is a pretty cool course".

It looks like we will be enjoying some snow packed roads for Sundays ride. Those are my favorite so I am looking forward to it. See everyone Sunday morning.

Here is the link to the map: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/26660086

Cue sheets is below:

Course map is below.

Gravel Between the Lakes

Photos from today's ride from Mr. Guru....

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Get your own

The Gravel Between the Lakes ride is tomorrow. Brett did us all a huge favor and shorted the route to 42 miles. The weather forecast is a balmy 22 degrees at start time. Complete details with course map is on MTB-KC.

Who: Gravel Grinders unite!
What: Gravel Between the Lakes
When: Saturday January 15, 2011, 9:00 am
Where: Sunflower Outdoor and Bike
Why: why not?

42 miles...flat, climb to ridge, flat, come off ridge, flat. Hopefully the weather (wind) will cooperate with us.

Park in the FREE parking garage at 10th and New Hampshire in downtown Lawrence. Ride begins and ends at Sunflower Outdoor and Bike...Lunch/post-ride beverages at Free State Brewery.

Cue Sheet and Map will be provided.
Make sure you have AT LEAST 2 extra tubes, pump, multi-tool, etc.
Extra jacket/gloves recommended, especially if it's really cold.

We're gonna be out climbing some serious gravel stuff with nice stretches of flat along some water. Very pretty scenery along some ridges north of Lawrence.

come join the fun!

Riverside - Waldron Gravel Grinder

Ride Update - A very cold morning greeted our fellow gravel grinders this morning. Temps in the teens was a bit chilly, but everyone's adventurous spirit (that and some nice lobster gloves and embrocation lotion) kept everyone warm enough enjoy a great ride.

Kevin Nierman sends us his Riverside-Waldron Gravel Grinder photo album.

Pictures from today's ride from the Guru (including a very cold recon on Thursday night):

Riverside Waldron Gravel Grinder

Our next gravel grinder is a perfect opportunity for newbies with a shorter and flat route along the old Mighty Mo. We begin at E. H. Young Riverfront Park and proceed first to the Missouri Riverfront Trail. Next up is a trip through scenic English Landing Park and quick pass through the farm lands along the Might MO via Rush Creek Rd. We jump on the old River Road for our leg to the small city of Waldron. We take a trip around old Waldron via Moores Feny Road and the levee. Then it is back to Riverside to complete our journey.

What: Riverside - Waldron Gravel Grinder.
When: Saturday, 1/8/11 - 9:00 am start time
Where: 1001 Argosy Parkway, Riverside, MO 64150
Who: Any and all are welcome
Why: It is gravel grinding time.

Route map is below. Course is ~ 35 miles. Terrain is flat. Expect a ride time of just under 3 hours.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4208739

Picture (hint - download and bring a copy).

Festivus of Nights Gravel Grinder

A good group of guys showed up for tonight's ride on Little Blue Trace Trail. Temps were in the upper 20's with a light wind which made for a pleasantly cool night of riding.

Photos from tonight's little Festivus....

Festivus of Nights Gravel Grinder

Come celebrate the holiday with the 1st Annual Festivus of Nights Gravel Grinder. Our celebration will take place on the Little Blue Trace trail.

Info....

What: Festivus of Nights Gravel Grinder
When: Wednesday Night, 12/22/10 - Time 6:00pm
Where: Little Blue Trace
Who: Any and all are welcome
Why: To celebrate Festivus and ride our bike at night on gravel....

We will in the parking lot of the Hilton Garden Inn, 19677 East Jackson Drive, Independence, MO 64057.

You will need lights. Red flashing light on the back and an LED or HID light on the front required. Special prize for the best light display.

99 % of this ride is on the Little Blue Trace trail. The trail does cross several roads so please use caution.

More important info to follow, but save Wednesday night for or Festivus celebration.

Map is below


View Little Blue Trace in a larger map

Halcyon Holiday Gravel Grinder

Ride update...

Great turnout for the HHGG. John sends us some photos from along the route.

Halcyon Holiday Gavel Gridner

Brett is hosting the next GG this weekend. His Halcyon Holiday Gravel Grinder is a metric century and start out of good old Larryville...

Halcyon Holiday Gravel Grinder
Metric Century!
Will have 3 potential pit stop areas! (Baldwin x2 and Wellsville)
Gravel, roller, gravel, roller and repeat...bring your legs!
Ride starts at 9:00 am sharp.
Sunflower Outdoor and Bike
8th and Massachusetts, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
Cue sheets and maps will be provided.

Full details

Course Map

Gardner Gravel Grinder

Ride recap...

Quote of the day: "Probably the windiest day I've ever ridden - John Williams"

Wow, that ended up being epic. The wind was absolutely brutal with gusts over 30mph and sustained that had to be over 25mph. A total of 6 of us braved the wind. The first 16.4 miles were almost all into the wind, before we turned South and East for a good tailwind. The rest stop at 27 miles was a welcomed relief. Just about everyone grabbed a donut and cup of coffee to refuel. After about a 1/2 hour we went back out into the wind to do the last half of the route. More tailwind to about mile 33 before we turned North again into the wind. Of the last 16 miles 8 of them were against the wind. Our average was 12.9 mph for the ride. Just about everyone commented that this ride was windiest they had ever done. I agree, I ride out at Gardner just about every day and that is the worst I have seen it. We also did 2427 feet of climbing for this route. My initial GPS of the route was way off in that it told me we would do around 683 to 700 feet of climbing. So my legs are toast now - Tim

Here are some pics of what looks like very cold riders...

Gardner Gravel Grinder

It is winter and Gravel Grinder time. Tim Greene is kicking things off in style with a nice route out of Garnder, KS. Distance is 49 miles. There is a refueling stop 27 miles in. Pace will be easy to moderate so all ability levels are welcomed.

Info....

What: Gardner Gravel Grinder

When: Satday , 12/11/10 - 9:00 am

Where: CenturyLink Office building in Gardner (Queen Mary on the Pairie)

Who: Any and all are welcome

Why: It Gravel Grinder Season

Map below:

The Gobbler Ride

Happy Thanksgiving!

A great time was had out at Clinton Lake State Park on Turkey Day. A hardy group of riders braved the very cold temps and enjoyed several hours of sweet single track. Until next years Gobbler Ride...

GobblerRide

Not a gravel grinder, but always a good time out at Clinton Lake State Park.