2017 Bean Lake Gravel Challenge

Post Event:

Pictures from today's ride (added Dean Bushnell photos): 2017 Bean Lake Gravel Challenge Pictures

We had a good size group today which filled the parking lot.  Next year we will move the start location to allow for more parking.  Sorry for any inconvenience. 

Updated 02/02/07:  Course map added - Garmin file and route sheet.  

What: Bean Lake Gravel Challenge
When: Sunday February 5, 2017, 9:00 am
Where: Weston, MO - Meet at the Weston Bluffs Trail head
Why: Come enjoy a scenic and challenging ride to one of the few remaining marshes left in the Missouri River Floodplain.

 Last years ride was held on snow packed trails.

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. 

The main trail head only has room for about 25 vehicles.  If that lot fills up there is additional parking on Beverly Drive.  Note: no facilities are available at the trail head (plenty of woods however...).
 
The main route is just under 40 miles in length. Course is 95% gravel.  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.  You will complete a loop around Bean Lake.

 Course map: Route sheet above.  Garmin below file below.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/14357700

  

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. 

2017 Lake Dabinawa Grinder

 Post event:

Thank you Jeff for another fun and challenging ride.  This is one of my favorite routes and I am already looking forward to next years. 

Pictures are up - 2017 Lake Dabinawa Gravel Grinder Photos

Updated 01/28/17:  Weather is looking great for tomorrows ride. Ride temps in the high 30's to low 40's.  For those who are not ready for the full loop, we added a modified shorter route which is 32 miles.  Updated route also posted below. 

What: 6th Annual  Lake Dabinawa Grinder
When: Sunday January 29, 2017, 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 6th 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.

Join us on FB: Lake Dabinawa Grinder

Course map via Garmin Connect:  Lake Dabinawa Grinder 44 Mile Course. 

Short Course map via Garmin Connec: Lake Dabinawa Grinder 32 Mile 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.**

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)