2016 Lake Dabinawa Grinder

What: 5th Annual  Lake Dabinawa Grinder
When: Sunday January 31, 2016, 9:00 am
Where: Lawrence, KS (Lawrence visitor center)
Why: Come enjoy a beautiful 44 mile tour of North Lawrence.

Jeff Arnaud brings us the 5th Annual Lake Dabinawa Grinder. A very popular ride with a route that all ability levels will enjoy.  This ride will tour North of Lawrence and visit Lake Dabinawa . Meet in the Lawrence visitor center parking lot across from Johnny's Tavern. Cross bike or MTB needed.  For those who want some post ride food, maybe a crowd favorite pizza, head over to Johnny's Tavern after the ride.

Lasts event was hit with some bad weather.  Still a hardy group showed up to take on the challenge.

Course was 44 miles of frozen gravel.  Not the best thing for a drive train. It made a few riders consider building up a single speed for such conditions :-)

The forecast for this years ride looks a lot warmer so we should have conditions like our 2014 ride.

The Course - The Lake Dabinawa Course 

**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.**

The Bean Lake Report

First we want to thank everyone who ventured up North to ride the Bean Lake Gravel Challenge.  We have been wanting to hold a ride around the lake for several years.  Finally got done in 2016.  Expect this ride to be a staple on our "Good Times Gravel Tour".

Lots of lonely gravel miles have been put in by this rider.  It was awesome to get so may fellow gravel riders to share the roads with.

Plenty of Fat Bikes out today.   The Fat Boys sure looked like they were rolling along good on the soft snow that we had to deal with during the trip up to Weston.

It is always fun watching a trail full of gravel enthusiast.  

The first section of our route was on the Weston Bluffs Trails.  Overall I think everyone handled the snow pack that was softened up by hikers very well.

Gary it was so nice seeing you today.  You looked good.  Next time I will put down the camera and ride some with you.

The Dirty Dogs were out in force today.  John Porter rolling the fat boys.

It is nice to see so many women out enjoying our rides.  Smiles on most everyone's face today at the beginning.  Maybe not so much out on Mt. Bethel Road.

Shout out to my son Christopher for riding back with me out of Iatan.  My hip was not up for the full challenge today.  We enjoyed a nice ride back and even caught with with Carolynn and Tara on the way back.

Speaking of them, Both Carolynn and Tara did a shorter version of the route and stayed on the West side of 273 - the flat side.  There were still a few little hills that they had to conquer.

2016 Bean Lake Gravel Challenge Photos

The remaining photos are above.  I accidentally dropped my camera and the settings changed.  I only noticed after I took about 30 more photos. Sadly they were some good photos of the route East of 273 - the hilly side.

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