Dusk to Dark 60

It is August and after a little break we are getting hungry for some gravel grinding.  Luckily for us our friends at High Gear are having a little ride in Emporia, KS in a couple of weeks.   Check out High Gear Cyclery's Face Book page to RSVP.  

The Hairy Hundred

Gravel racing continues next weekend with the Hairy Hundred.   I personally like my beavers shaved, but some like em hairy....

Date: June 15, 2013
Starting Location: Rocheport, MO
Starting Time: 8 a.m.
Distance: 100 miles
Categories and Fees:

• Team ($45)
• Women Open ($30)
• 30 and under ($30)
• 31–45 ($30)
• 46 and over ($30)

Registration is open, so be sure to sign up early.

The Hairy Hundred is a 100 mile challenge through the rolling hills of Howard County.  Riders will challenge themselves on the scenic backroads of Central Missouri, taking in the expansive views of the mighty MO, historic homesteads, grave yards, and the rustic beauty of gold old Missouri. 

Register today: The Hairy 100 Registration.

Memorial Day Gravel Grinder

In final preps for the upcoming Dirty Kanza Race, A few of us will be
riding a 40-mile gravel ride North of town on Monday.

Meet at Johnny's Tavern in North Lawrence at 9am.

The route will head out on the levee, cross hwy 24 onto Rice road. Then
at 13th street, we will head over to Republic and follow that on up to
78th street. The return route will be along Buck Creek Road, back down
to 13th street. From there it's reverse from the way out.

There will be a few options to turn back early if you want a shorter
ride. The pace will be easy, maybe around 10-12 average. Let's fine
tune those bikes before the big day! See you there.

-Jeff

Gravel Ride for Maisie's Pride

Looking for fun and rewarding event?  Need training for your next gravel adventure?   Check out Ryan Dudley's little gravel adventure down in Eskridge, KS.  Details below.


What: Gravel Ride For Maisie's Pride 
Where:  103 N. Main, Eskridge, Kansas

When: Saturday, May 11, 2013

Why:  We are excited to bring you our 3rd annual Gravel Ride For Maisie's Pride.  This is a fundraising event, to help keep out local pool running. Maisie Devore collected and recycled aluminum cans for 30 years, to realize her dream of a community swimming pool.  Maisie turns 94 soon!

 

Register today:  Gravel Ride for Maisie's Pride Registration

 

Info and updates at  http://www.maisieride.blogspot.com

Baldwin City Historic Gravel Grinder

What: Mullet Ride
When: Saturday, February 16, 2013 @ 10:00 a.m.
Where: Baldwin City, Kansas
Why: The Mullet is the reason why gravel grinding is so popular.

Start location is at the Antiques on the Prairie, 520 High Street, Baldwin City, KS. Maps and Popcorn provided for the 25 mile ride (50 if you do it twice)

This is old school gravel grinding at its finest.  The one and only Mullet Ride (aka the Baldwin City Historic Gravel Road Bike Ride) is this Saturday.  Gerard's Mullet Ride is great for both the experienced gravel grinder and any newbies out there - 25 and 50 mile routes are available.

Speaking of old school. Check out our Gerard back in the day.  One hell of a track racer when he lived in Pennsylvania. 

Old School Map:

The Spoke Pony Report

You know Tim is hosting a gravel grinder when you wake up and turn on the news and the weather man is reporting high wind advisory.....

 I do not know what it is about Gardner.  That place has to be one of the windiest places on earth.  Or maybe it is just Tim Greene's calling to host the rides that have 40+ mph winds in them. I give Tim credit for trying to break the curse however.  He changed the name of his ride from the Wind Howler to the Spoke Pony Gravel Express.  But as the saying goes, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig.   You can not change the fact that it will be damn windy on any ride out of Gardner, Kansas.

We had several first time Gravel Grinders out today including Joe Parker.  Just so you know Joe, we only have 40+ mph winds when Tim hosts a ride.  Next week is Gerard's Mullet ride and he guarantees no wind

Echelon was the word of the day. Not always an easy task on gravel. Jason, Tim and Jeff show perfect form.

 Strong man of the day was Edd Pineda.  Edd rolled away from the leading group numerous time only to have wait for us at every turn.  Next ride we will do a better job of keeping up. 

Thank you Tim for another fun yet painful ride.  Maybe next time we have a point-to-point gravel grinder.  We will transport everyone out into the wind and then we can enjoy a brisk tail wind all the way home. 

A few pics from the day. Not that many because every time I went to take a picture I about got blown off my bike.... Spoke Pony Gravel Express Photos

Spoke Pony Gravel Express

Updated 02/08/13 - New map w/cue sheets

Tim Greene brings us another fine gravel grinder

What: Spoke Pony Gravel Express
When: Sunday February 10, 2013, 10:00 am
Where: Gardner, KS
Why: Because it is time to start putting in some more training mileage for the upcoming season. The Quachita Challenge, DK 200/100 and ORGE are right around the corner.

A quick course review of by the ride leader Tim: Spoke Pony route has around 12 miles of pavement and 41 of gravel. No killer climbs, but some long gradual grades where you know you are going uphill. Lots of options to make shorter for those that don't want to do 57 miles. The last time I did parts of this route (1 week ago) it was reminiscent of the Wind Howler ride with a 10 mph (mostly downhill) average out with 20 mph (mostly uphill) average back. So expect the wind show up like it did for the Can't get lost ride. We can pull into Eudora for a break at 22 miles and pull into Baldwin City if necessary for water.

Starting point is 600 New Century Parkway, New Century(Gardner), KS in the Century Link Parking Lot. Right off I 35 and 175th street.

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

Course maps below:

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