Red River Riot and PCL's Tour Of Dirt Roads: Updates

The Red River Riot is happening April 23rd and there is a bit of a change in the event. It isn't a race, but is now a "adventure", so to speak. Here's a bit from the registration page:

The 2011 Red River Riot will be a grass roots ride this time around with the focus being the best and most challenging route possible. This is not an official "event" so don't look for prizes, sag support, portapots or schwag.

There is no registration fee, but land access fees will be necessary for those wanting to ride. There are two route options of 120 miles, or 60 miles. (Approximately) Hit this link for more!

Next up we have an update on the PCL Tour Of Dirt Roads, which will be on April 16th down in Lincoln, NE. All PCL events are free, and self supported. Check out the cool cue sheet!

For more info, hit this link to the PCL blog.

Polk County Wildflower Ride 2011

The folks down in Polk County Missouri like riding crushed limestone and wildflowers. Sounds like my knid of people! maybe yours too? If so, check out the Second Annual Polk County Wildflower Ride happening again on June 4th, 2011. You can check out more details on their site here. 

Ronde Van Stony Will Take Place Again In 2011

This event will be taking place again in 2011 on September 24th. Last year was the first year for the event and it featured a 33 mile course of dirt and gravel with a shorter option for those so inclined. This event is located in Shelby Township, Michigan. Check out the site for more details and stay tuned for further updates there.

Grampian Challenge

2011 Grampian Challenge from brian hudson on Vimeo.

October 1st, 2011 the Grampian Challenge will take place in Michigan again. This event has a great mix of gravel, dirt, paths, and single track. Check out the video above for a tasty sampling. Here is some more description from the events website:

The Grampian Challenge will be a culmination off all the things you like about racing your bike in beautiful scenery of Michigan in the Fall. The "Grampian" is a 40 or 20 mile ramble over dirt roads, two tracks, single track, and rail trail. The intent is the ultimate fall bike race combining varied riding surfaces, technical challenges, scenic roads, and some decent southeast Michigan hills.

Need to find out more? Check out the site here. 

Barry-Roubaix Preview

2011 Barry-Roubaix Course Pre-Ride from XXC Magazine on Vimeo.

Check out this preview of the Barry-Roubaix course, which was shared with me by promoter, Rick Plite. It is a sped up view of the entire course, so look quickly!

Rick says that as of now he is expecting 1000+ riders at the event, which makes Barry-Roubaix one of the, if not the, biggest gravel road racing events in the United States. Obviously the popularity of these events is growing, as only three years ago the Barry-Roubaix had half as many riders. Pretty amazing.

Further proof that gravel rides are getting attention is seen in the caliber of riders being attracted to these events. This year Rick says they have riders the likes of Brian Matter, Michael Simonson and defending champs Derek Graham and Mackenzie Woodring lining up for the March 26th running of this "killer gravel road race".

Rick says that even though things are growing and attracting top-caliber talent, he's still keeping things real with 10 kegs of Founder's Beer at the finish line.

For more on Barry-Roubaix, see their site here.

Good Life Gravel Adventure/ Gravel World Championships Announces Registration

Want a jersey like the one in the image? Come and earn it at The Good Life Gravel Adventure/ Gravel World Championships to be held August 20th in Lincoln, Nebraska. This is another "self supported-you are responsible for yourself" event put on by the Pirate Cycling League.

The registration process is pretty simple: send in a post card with the proper information, but hurry! They only have a limited time to accept these and a limited number of spots open for racers.

Last year's event was marked by very hot and humid conditions, but good times were certainly had by all. The Pirate Cycling League does a bang up job making sure things go smoothly, and last year I had a blast at this one. It gets my recommendo for sure.

Want to keep up with the latest? Hit the link.

Renegade Gents Race

Here's a different sort of event that is happening soon in Central Iowa. From the event website:

On Saturday, April 2nd, the BIKEIOWA.COM cycling team would like to invite you and 4 of your teammates to the first annual RENEGADE GENTS RACE. What is a gents race, you ask? Well, to quote the folks at Rapha that started the whole concept (and that we've blatantly stolen it from):

"I sold it to the racers as an unsupported, unsanctioned, unmarshalled, five-rider team time trial meets alley-cat, meets 'Cannonball Run".

So there you have it. 5 teammates (friends), racing for nothing more than pride over the roads north of Ankeny. 75 (or so) miles of mostly gravel. Winners get nothing but pride and high-fives. No money to enter, no money to win.

For more info, see the site here.

Bonkfest 100

Looking for some training miles? Well, the "Slender Fungus Cycling Association" has something for you a week from this Sunday called "Bonkfest". It's a 100 miles of slugging it out on gravel and getting your bonk, er......base miles in. Yeah.......something like that anyway!

Here are the ride details as given to me by the Cheif of Slender Fungus Operations:

The ride will start from my house:
548 S. Peace Rd.
Sycamore,IL 60178
March 13th at 8:00 am.
Ride will be 100 miles and will include pavement, gravel,dirt, hills, and misery since nobody is in shape. Cue sheets will be provided and all riders are on their own. No support, but some gas stations around the 40 mile mark. 

So, if you are in the Illinois area, head on over to check it out.