Bean Lake Gravel Challenge

Updated: 01/23/16

Map My Ride link added below along with a tick sheet.

What: Bean Lake Gravel Challenge
When: Sunday January 24, 2016, 9:00 am
Where: Weston, MO
Why: Come enjoy a scenic and challenging ride to one of the few remaining marshes left in the Missouri River Floodplain.

Course conditions are great.  See pictures below.  Course is 95 percent gravel with most of it packed or with very little snow cover.

We will meet at the Weston Bluffs Trail head just south of the Weston Bend State Park.  We held a fun ride here several years ago and it is about time to venture out that way again.  See map below for parking.

 The main trail head only has room for about 25 vehicals.  If that lot fills up there is additonal parking on Beverly Drive - see pictures below.

The main route is just under 40 miles in length.  A combination of scenic trail along the Weston Bluffs Trail and the Missouri River.  Hills?  Yes there will be some hills and some of the finest gravel around.  There are several bailout options for those not up to the full challenge.

A little history on Bean Lake...Bean Lake  in a section of the Little Bean Marsh Conservation Area. The 400 acre oxbow is home to migrating waterfowl and shorebirds during spring and fall. Amazingly, more than 130 species of birds have been seen here though the number of birds depends on the water level. There is half a mile of disabled accessible trail that is perfect for hiking with families and friends. This leads to a viewing platform over the freshwater marsh. Another 200 yard trail leads to a viewing blind overlooking Cottonwood Slough.

This the route we plan to try on Sunday.  As I mentioned above I will recon the route and make and changes Saturday night.

Create Routes or Search for a route from millions at MapMyRide

 Old school directions:

Disclaimer for the Bean Lake Gravel Challenge:
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. 

The Mullet Review

The Mullet Review.  

Photo by Kim Morris

Kim Morris was onsite and took some great photos.  Check out Kim's pictures - 2016 Mullet Ride by Kim Morris

Boneyard Bicycles has a nice video of his Mullet Ride -Riding the Mullet 2016

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The 2016 Mullet Ride

Updated 1/8/16

Historic Gravel Road Bike Ride (aka - The Mullet Ride)
28 and 56 mile options
Saturday, January 16th, 2016
At 10 am In Baldwin city, Kansas
A Mullet Ride is business at the front and a party in the back!

Join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/events/192850181060190/

Contact Gerard at 785-691-7099 if you get lost

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.

Antiques on the Prairie is on the left. park there.
Presents: There will be a king of the mountain sprint award on Dead Squirrel Hill.

Course maps below:

High tech map: http://www.mapmyride.com/us/baldwin-city-ks/mullet-ride-course-1454952

Low tech Mullet Map: 

 
 

6th Annual Festivus of Nights

What: 6th Annual Festivus of Nights Gravel Grinder
When: Wednesday Night, 12/23/15 - Start Time 6:00pm
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.

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. 

Two course options:  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.  Short course (~24 miles) riders will turn left and head North to Blue Mills Road.  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 there 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. 

Halloween Margarita Gravel Grinder

Gerard is hosting our first gravel ride of the year.  This ride is a very social ride so we kept the mileage short so all can enjoy.  Come celebrate Halloween and enjoy a few Margaritas after the ride with us. 

What: G's Halloween and Margarita Bike Ride
When: 10/31/15 @ 10 am
What: 18 mile gravel road ride on gravel
Where: 602 High Street start. Baldwin City, KS

Notes: Park in Antiques on the Prairie lot. Costumes optional. King of the mountain prize : 1 frozen margarita 

Margaritas afterward at El patron 715 8th street, Baldwin City, KS

Maps provided but if you are a like an online map here it is - Halloween Morford Farm Loop

2015 Strada Grigia - Sweet Love Gravel Grinder

Update 2/12/15:  The weather for Saturday morning will be a little cold (30), but it will be dry.  Gravel conditions are very good with only a few sections of new gravel. The rest of the course is fast undulating gravel fun.  See everyone Saturday morning

What: 2nd Annual Strada Grigia
When: Saturday February 14, 2015, 10:00 am
Where: Oskaloosa, KS (Just North of Lawrence)
Why: Two fun "grey roads" routes to pick from.

Join us on Face Book - Sweetlove Gravel Grinder

The 2015 Strada Grigia starts at 10:00am, Saturday, February 14^th, from Sweetlove Farm, 13248 102^nd Street, Oskaloosa, Kansas 66066. This is the home of race host Phil Holman-Hebert and his family. Strada Grigia is Italian for “grey roads” and the ride is meant to be a celebration of the grey gravel and typically grey weather of mid-February in Jefferson County, Kansas. 

The full course is designed to take in as many of the challenging uphills as possible in this steeply rolling southeastern quarter of the county. For the fit or adventuresome, the full course can be a solid and enjoyable test. The short course will also present several steep obstacles, and a couple of fast descents, for those not interested in the long ride. Come and enjoy what I think are some of the best gravel roads anywhere. We’ve chosen a 10am start time to encourage those who might like to come from a little farther afield and in the hopes it might allow the morning to “warm up” a bit, in this, the dreariest month of the year.

 Here are the two courses from Garmin maps.

 Long course: http://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/5513688

 Short course: http://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/5513623

Thanks,

Phil

**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.**

Lake Dabinawa - Frozen Death Ride

I just love conditions like this.  Why I still do not know, but I really enjoy riding on frozen roads. 

13 brave riders showed up for today's Lake Dabinawa Gravel Ride.  At the end of the ride we all agreed to change the name to the Frozen Death Ride.

Gerard was on hand sporting his new custom made skull cap.  He would need it later in the day for sure has temps slowly fell from a starting temp of 33 degrees.  It would later drop to around 26 but the 30 + mph winds made it feel more like single digits.

In preparation for CIRREM I brought out my new Bar Mits that my lovely wife Carolynn bought me for Christmas.  It has been so warm that I have yet to use them.  I am glad I had them today especially after my cogs got all frozen and I had to remove my gloves.

Jeff led the way for the first mile on the levee.  The levee which is usually a nice warmup became a real suffer fest due to the softness.  Instead of a nice easy 2 mile warmup we all basically had to endure what felt like a 2 mile climb of a steep mountain road.  Only this road was cold as hell.

Most riders ride in the middle of the levee.  A quick secret.  If you ride right on the grass line it is usually a little harder.  Not always, but I used this as a way several times to bridge back up to the group after taking photos.

No snow in Lawrence but as we rode North the conditions changed to frozen slush.  These conditions were actually good.  It was when we reached roads that were thawing out and had water on them that it got demanding.

Several small groups formed as usual.  I was glad Bret and his group waiting for us.  I give them credit  for waiting but I just think they were lost :-)

Problems started to develop on the way back South.  The roads were a mess and frozen drivetrains became common.  I believe everyone had to stop at one point to try and clean out the frozen gravel.

Sometimes I think it is better to just ride single speed when conditions are like what we had today.  I suffered miserably when I had to remove my gloves and try to dig out my frozen cog.  Today I really could have used a knife.  I always make fun of my son Christopher for caring a knife on rides we go on.  After today I will be caring one also. Sometimes you learn things from your kids.

Frame clearance is very important when you are dealing with frozen gravel and water.  This is one of the reasons that I like to use a 29er with cross wheel set on it.

On my Ritchey P-29er I had a lot of buildup but I had no tire clearance problems.

Check  the remaining photos - 2015 Lake Dabinawa Gravel Grinder Photos.