Getting old sucks, might as well have a nice bike
Fitwave Gravel has a fantastic sense of humor around the Turkey Burner. This was evident last year, and it’s visible in spades this go around. The image above is just one example of this. Last year this race was a ton of fun, and this year it’s shaping out to be more of the same, but with a deeper pool of folks who will be there: currently sitting at 50 registrants. And,…
Snaggy Ridge 105 represents my one year raceiversary, so I was looking forward to it, and somewhat dreading it, as a benchmark for progress over the last year. Intro: 00:07 Thank you: 02:11 Some Feedback: 02:46 The Race: 07:25 Teaching Moments: 13:05 Looking Ahead: 14:19…
Last year’s Turkey Burner was a highlight last year. The course was awesome, the organizer was awesome, and it was just all around feel good event. I signed up for the 2022 race, on Saturday, November 5th, a while back but forgot to get this post up pointing that out. It should be fun, and the winner takes home a frozen turkey, and last year they got some malt liquor too :).…
I will be heading back to Tipton, IA for the Snaggy Ridge 105 gravel race in a few weeks. I was unprepared for the experience last year, but in my defense it was my first gravel race, ever. Not sure I’ve learned enough, or am fit enough, to be more than an “also-ran”, but I couldn’t say “no” to the incredible benchmark that doing it again, a year on, will be. ATM,…
Gravel Worlds is the largest organized event I’ve ever participated in, and the longest hardest race I’ve ever done. Race didn’t go to plan, but it was a fantastic experience that I hope to do again some day. Intro: 00:05 An Item of Feedback: 01:15 Race Start: 02:00 Thoughts on Aerobars: 03:40 Mistakes Were Made: 04:52 More Feedback: 06:40 Making Lemonade: 07:47 Grabbing the Takeaway(s): 09:07 Celebrate Good Times: 11:39 Measuring the…
I had been toying with the idea of racing the Hammer Hundo in September. It’s being put on by the same group that did the Turkey Burner, so I have every confidence that it will be a great event, with a great course. But September is a long time away, and life happens… So… I’ve just let this sit on the slow burner of things I plan to do, but haven’t gotten…
Having just finished cleaning, but not yet reassembling the Lynskey after Melting Mann, I have been talked into another spring gravel race. This time past the wall in northern Wisconsin. I hope this won’t be as bike-hostile as the sandy mud of western Michigan, but I guess that’s part of the adventure. The Bear 100, Hibernator 100, and Nicolet Frosty Bear are fundraisers for the Laona Rescue Squad. They will be out…
It would be a lie to say that I don’t know why I keep signing up for events that can only be described as masochistic. I know exactly why, not only do I sign up for these guys, but I sign up for the longest, hardest, version of them. And it’s because for reasons that I can’t explain, I let my friend, the one that’s actually good at these, talk me into…
So, remember when I was questioning how much I hate myself before? Turns out the answer was “a lot”, because there really isn’t a better answer to why I signed up for what is sure to be a completely miserable ride. There really isn’t much chance of anything but misery given that it’s taking place on March 19th in Michigan. On the plus side, at least I didn’t hate myself enough to…
The Rough Road 100 was supposed to be my first gravel race, way, way back in 2020. For some reason, that didn’t happen, and with things still looking pretty crap last spring, IIRC they punted on even trying. Now that the COVID situation is mostly under control for those who understand how science works, I’ve been only too happy to get some events in. So at least for now, this will be…