Almanzo 100 Adds 2nd Event Distance- Announces Registration

Registration, Second Longer Event Added To The Almanzo 100: Event organizer, Chris Skogen, has announced that on January 1st, 2011, the registration for the traditional Almanzo 100 will open, along with its "brother" event, the "Royal 162".

Chris explains in this post from the Almanzo site, that many ideas were kicked around and the addition of a second, longer event was taken on as the best way to go. Last year the Almanzo had many riders finishing in under six hours, so Chris felt that something more difficult might be the ticket to challenge these riders and break up the field into two groups right away. last year saw over 400 people register for the 100.

Go here for the latest updates on the Almanzo 100 and the Royal 162.

Dirty Kanza 200 Increases Field Limits And Adds More Classes

The Dirty Kanza 200, which will happen out of Emporia, Kansas June 4th, 2011, has just made major announcements concerning field limits, registration, and more. Look for details soon on the soon to be updated website, but for now, here is an excerpt from a press release: 

We are hard at work putting the finishing touches on numerous changes and improvements, guaranteed to make our 2011 event the best Dirty Kanza 200 ever.  As these enhancements are wrapped up, and as more details become available, we'll be adding that information to our website and sending further email updates.  However, for a brief rundown on some of what we're working on, here are a few highlights...

• Addition of a Two-Person Team Relay Classification. (Each rider does 100 miles.)
• Increased Field Size... 300 individual spots, plus 25 two-person teams, for a total of 350 participants.
• Bigger Saturday Evening Block Party at the Finish Line, with more vendors and more activities for the family.
• New Course, with lots of super sweet sections guaranteed to blow your mind.

In addition to the above, we are giving serious consideration to adding yet another race classification.  We have been asked to add a Tandem Class.  We want your input.  Would any of you out there be interested in racing a Tandem at the Dirty Kanza 200?  If the class was offered, would you give it a go?  Let us hear from you.  We want to know what you think.  If sufficient interest exists, we'll add the class. 

Participation in the Dirty Kanza 200 will once again be on a pre-registered basis only.  Registration will be conducted online at www.BikeReg.com, and will open at 6:00 am on Saturday, January 15, 2011.  Registration will remain open until we reach our field limit of 350 participants, or on Sunday, May 15, 2011... whichever comes first.  NOTE:  Last year's field limit of 150 participants was filled in under 14 hours.  While the 2011 field limit is over twice the size as 2010... we do expect to sell out.  Will it take 14 hours?  Or will it take 14 days?  Or will it take 14 weeks?  We don't know.  But if you want to participate in the Dirty Kanza 200, you will be wise to act quickly.


Updated 12/19/10: In order to clear up some confusion in regards to the "Two Person Relay" class, which is a new addition to the DK 200 this year, event promoter, Jim Cummins has released the following information which is straight out of their upcoming 2011 rule book:
New Non-Competition Class for 2011... Two-Person Team Relay:
One team member will start the event and ride to the official halfway point. It is here the baton will be passed to the second rider, who will then complete the second half of the course. Teams may switch riders at the designated halfway point only. Note: This is a non-competition classification, designed to serve as an introduction to endurance cycling. If you want to someday compete in the Dirty Kanza 200, but feel a little intimidated by the thought of 200 miles of gravel in one day, then this class may be for you. Grab a buddy, sign up and check out this gravel grinding thing. Get 100 miles of gravel under your belt this year. Then go for the full 200 in 2012. If you are seasoned “Ricky Racer” types, looking to throw down a couple of hot gravel centurys... please look elsewhere. That's not what this class is about. No prizes will be awarded for top finishers in the Team Relay event. However, all Teams completing the entire route will receive a special Finishers Award. Also, Team Relay entrants will also be eligible for our multitude of prize drawings and give-aways.

CIRREM Registration Now Open

More 2011 news and another event opening registration. CIRREM, the February 26th, 2011 metric gravel grinder that is part of the AGRS series of events has announced registration is open on-line.

Go to their site for the Registration link. Here are the details:

event details

-100k gravel race sw of des moines
-start/finish @ cumming tap
-saturday, february 26 2011
-8a.m. free breakfast begins
-9-9:45a.m. registration $25
-10a.m. CIRREM begins
-categories- mens, womens, single speed/fixed
-email us at CIRREM (at) gmail (dot) com

Paris To Ancaster Registration Now Open

REGISTRATION FOR 2011 IS NOW OPEN!!!
MAIL-IN & ON-LINE

APRIL 17, 2011 - 18TH ANNUAL CLASSIC

For over a century the roads of northern Europe have been home to the toughest bicycle races in the world. The most famous of these, Paris to Roubaix, takes place each spring over brutal cobblestone roads that have been preserved in their historic condition for over 100 years.

Inspired by this classic race, the Paris to Ancaster has taken place for the past seventeen years over the roughest farm lanes, trails and gravel roads we can find. Combined with unpredictable spring weather and the largest field of riders assembled in Canada, it has become a classic race experience for everyone from average riders to Canadian Olympians. Join us on April 17, 2011 to become part of the history of this unique race.

Go here for registration info.

Race Update: Barry -Roubaix Registration Now Open!

 Barry-Roubaix registration is now open. Check the on-line registration site here.

WELCOME TO THE KILLER GRAVEL ROAD RACE…

The third Annual BARRY-ROUBAIX March 26th 2011

Barry County Michigan

Presented by KISSCROSS EVENTS

Michigan’s 2011 cycling race season kicks off this year with the Killer Gravel Road Race- The third annual Barry-Roubaix! Like the classic it’s named after, Barry-Roubaix will test riders against rolling gravel roads (80%), pavement, one mile of rough two track, rocks, sand, mud, and possibly snow and ice, along with 2200 feet of climbing over its 35 mile loop.

Kansas And Missouri Winter Gravel Grinders

<==image by Ben Witt:  Hey, just because it is winter time that doesn't mean you won't see gravel being ground. In fact, if you live in the Kansas City area, you should check out these rides that will be happening. The following is courtesy of the "KC-MTB" blog. Click the underlined title to go to their site for more.

MTB-KC Dirty Road Ride Series

December 12, Sunday, 9:00 am--Winter Wander Dirty Road Ride (from Volker Velowerx-18th street)

December 18, Saturday 9:00 am--Halcyon Holiday Gravel Grinder (from Sunflower Bikes)

January 15, Saturday, 9:00 am--Gravel between the Lakes (likely from Free State High)

February 12, Saturday, 9:00 am--MetroGreen Loop. (likely from Volker 39)

Also happening in Kansas throughout the winter months are a series of Wednesday night gravel rides. Here is the copy of the post from "Guru's Gravel Grinders" site. Again, click on the underlined header to go direct to their site.

Wednesday Night Gravel Grinders

Night time gravel grinding is contagious and that is why a weekly night time ride has sprung up down in Stilwell, Kansas. The Tri 2 Ride with Us group presents....

What: Wednesday Night Gravel Grinders
When: Wednesday's starting at 5:30 pm
Where: Peoples Bank parking lot - corner of 199th and Metcalf
Who: Anyone that is not afraid of the dark. CX bike recommended, MTB bike o.k.

You will need lights. Red flashing light on the back and an LED or HID light on the front required.

Distance is 38 miles and the pace is between 16 and 17 average. Here is the course map courtesy of Tim Greene: http://beta.mapmyride.com/routes/detail/24807876/

Times and dates subject to change depending upon weather, so stay close to the linked sites for any last minute updates.

Ride On!

Gravel Grinder News Updates

Hey folks! I hope you all are getting some quality ride, or trainer time in during these colder months. I just wanted to update everyone again on the site changes. The following things have been done to hopefully make using this site a little easier.

#1: The Gravel Grinder News 2011 Event Calendar: As discussed before, this is still under construction, but I am slowly getting links added in and more dates are always welcomed. Please note that the Calendar can be accessed by links found directly under the GGN header, and on top of the right hand side column. Click either of these to access the calendar and have a look.

#2: The Links List: I will continue to maintain the alphabetically listed Links List on the right hand column which has been cleared of all the older 2010 links and dates. If you do not see your event, or the event you were looking for, and know the new 2011 date, let me know and I will post it. This link list will be kept current from now on to cut down on clutter. So, for instance, unless I know your event is an annual one, the link will be removed after the date of your event has passed. If the event is thought to be occurring again the next year, I will need to be notified and the event can be restored to the list, (or added), with any new info, or just a "???" forthe date.

That's it for now. Hit the comments section for any suggestions or e-mail me at g.ted.productions@gmail.com I hope you have found this site to be useful!

Ride On!
Guitar Ted