South Park Dirty Fondo

Scene from the course

The South Park Dirty Fondo, (Yes.....that South Park!), is a new gravel grinder in Colorado and is part of the Colorado Endurance Series. This one will be a long, rough ride with elevation topping out at over 10,000ft and going for 150 miles, all self supported, of course!

Here is a little bit from the site describing what you might experience:

"Since you will be in South Park land in an oxygen deprived state at this elevation level, you may very well see Kenny, Stan, Cartman and Kyle or other cartoon characters deep within your imagination. There will be 100-mile and 150-mile ride options both returning to Buena Vista and all of this will be either on dirt roads with some pavement. This ride can be done on a mountain or cross bike. It is open to all Bike-Curious, ultra endurance riders that enjoy a tough days challenge, good company, humorous and sometimes not-so-humorous times and a good beer at the end of the day."

The Cedar Cross

The Cedar Cross is an event billed as "Missouri's First Endurance Cross Race". But since they are using a fair amount of gravel and back roads, I'm going to put it up on the site. But the big thing here is the intentions, which are pretty cool.

Here's the low down on what I am talking about here from the site:

"Well, there’s a no-kill animal shelter about 10 minutes from my house. It serves as a refuge for these abandoned animals, and the shelter needs help in a bad way. I’m not talking about money for spa-treatments and fancy dog-sweaters, I’m talking about 2×4′s for fencing, food and water-bowls….inexpensive things that you and I could easily provide for them.

None of this is mandatory; you don’t have to donate anything. BUT.. a little bit of help goes a long way and we have a real opportunity to do some good here. The best part is, we can do it all while having a kickass time riding our bikes across 100+ miles of gravel, singletrack and National Forest.

Now, how great would it feel to be part of an event that did something like that?"

So check out this free event on May 6th, 2012, and maybe you could help out some poor animals in the process. Yeah......it may not be a pure gravel grinder, but that's okay with me!

Odin's Revenge: A New Epic Gravel Grinder In Nebraska

As announced recently on Guitar Ted Productions, a new big distance, self supported gravel event is going to take place in west-central Nebraska. Called "Odin's Revenge", in reference to nearby Gothenburg, Nebraska's Swedish-Germanic heritage, this event will feature remote roads and a two-legged course that will be 180 miles in length.

This event will start on June 30th, 2012. Registration will be by post card only and will begin on February 14th, 2012. Roster limit for this inaugural event has been set at 75 riders with categories of Men's Open, Women's Open, Single Speed/Fixed, and Two Person Relay.

For further details see the website here.

Spokane Midnight Century

Riding gravel back roads at night is really a cool experience. I've done it a lot, and I hope to get out this summer and do even more. Well, it appears I am not the only one who feels this way.

Check out this quote from the Spokane Midnight Century site:

"It's an epic ride that is really a lot of fun if you're cycling with your friends. Riding over rough gravel roads with a group of friends under a dark sky is fun in the same way that sneaking out and night swimming was fun as a teenager."

There "may be some riders" out doing a route the first weekend of August. Maybe. The route is challenging, and "if" riders come out, they will need to be ready to take on a 100 mile challenge with zero support and no formal organized presence running a "ride". That is- if you can call it a ride at all.

Well, if you live anywhere near this, you can check out the details here.

Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational Announces 2012 Date

Come Burn With Me!

The 2012 version of the "Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational" will happen on July 14th, 2012. Routes for past GTDRI events have ranged from 80-150 plus miles in one sitting. How many miles will be on tap for this year? Stay tuned....

The ride is typically done on rolling terrain in a "no rider left behind", group ride style.Despite the pretentious name, anyone that wants to come out and ride this event is welcomed, and there is no rider event fee. This is a fully self-supported ride where everyone is responsible for themselves. Stay tuned for more coming soon....

Gravel Grinder Gear: Clement To Offer New Adventure Tire

USH Adventure 35mm

Clement Tires, the iconic roadie brand, has announced several new tires, but one of the first that will become available this spring for gravel grinders is the USH Adventure.

At 35mm, it should please most gravel aficionados with cyclo-cross rigs. The file type tread features a smoother center tread area that should prove to be very fast on smoother sections and the occasional paved sector.

Clement is going to release this tire in three versions: A wire beaded version at MSRP $35.00 with a 30TPI casing, a folding bead version with 60TPI and MSRP of  $50.00, and finally a 120TPI folder at MSRP $75.00 Look for tires to become available sometime in late March.

Look for more information to be coming soon on this model and others that are in the planning stages by Clement. Gravel Grinder News has been promised a set of these for testing, so stay tuned for a hands on look at these coming soon.

Pirate Cycling League Sets Ride Dates

The Pirate Cycling League, which is based out of Lincoln, Nebraska, D Street, U.S.A, Planet Earth, has announced that their traditional rides have dates set for 2012.

All PCL events are free, and most of these are group rides for fun and adventure. (Like any good Pirate activity!) The Gravel Worlds/Good Life Gravel Adventure being an exception here. Want to find out more? Tune in to the PCL channel here.

Arcadian Grit And Gravel

The Arcadian Grit and Gravel event is a new gravel grinder for 2012 out of the great state of Michigan. This will be 30 miles of back roads and gravel based near Arcadia, Michigan.

Here's a bit of a description for ya...

"Now, a little about the course. This may well be the longest 30-mile race you’ll ever gear up for. Even with miles of gravel roads, backwoods 2-tracks, and even some pavement, finishing this monster loop in less than 2 hours is going to be a challenge."

Interested?  Check out this May 19th event's details here.

Dirty Lemming Gravel Grinder

A new Minnesota based event, the Dirty Lemming Gravel Grinder, is setting a date of July 28th for the second running of this longer ride. (Last year they did 100, 100K, versions of the route)

Look for details to be released soon on their website here.

Westside Dirty Benjamin Announces Dates

The Westside Dirty Benjamin event has chosen a date and announced registration details for the 2012 running of this Minneapolis/St. Paul area gravel grinder.

The event is set to happen on June 16th, with registration by post card starting February 1st. The event will accept up to 200 entrants. As always, this AGRS affiliated event is free. Look for the grimy details here on their site.

The AntiEpic Gravel Grinder Announced

A new gravel grinder in Colorado is in the works called the "AntiEpic Gravel Grinder". Details are being worked out as of this post, but it sounds as though this will be in the 150 mile range and obviously, being set in Colorado, it probably will feature plenty of climbing/descending.

You can keep up with all the latest developments by checking in on their site here.

Renegade Gents Race Announces Date

From the 2011 Renegade Gents Race

The Renegade Gents Race has announced a date for the five person team event. This event is a lot of fun, and is about 75miles long with one checkpoint. Riders must start, check in at the checkpoint, and finish together to get scored. Fastest team wins.

This year the date will be April 7th. The event takes place near Des Moines, Iowa. Look for more fine details to be released soon. Here is a link to the site.

Texas Chainring Massacre 2012

It's back for 2012! The Texas Chainring Massacre, that is. Don't be afeard though. It ain't a horror flick, it's a gravel grinder, ya'all!

This one starts February 5th, 2012 down Valley View, Texas way. They even have a USA Cycling permit! (#2012-358)

So, register for this online here, and see that page for the details. Here is a bit to whet yer appetite some;

The Texas Chainring Massacre ride/race will be a unique combination of dirt roads and desolate country roads that promises to be both scenic and challenging. Riders will be able to enjoy a fantastic route that starts and ends in the "civilized" part of the D/FW Metroplex near Valley View, TX while meandering through some scenic rural areas..

Routes will be offered in the 50-ish and 90-ish mile ranges. Furthermore, know that entries are to be capped off at about 100 riders. The last fifty will have to pay a bit more, so get in first! There will be a coupon code offered on The Spinistry site for $5.00 off, AND they'll be giving away an Orbea Carpe!

Durango Gravel Grinder Announces Date

The Durango Gravel Grinder has just announced a date for this year's event. It will start on April 14th. The event will feature route choices of 115 or 160 miles for the truly twisted gravel junkies out there.

But hey, how can you argue with an event that ends at a pizza joint? (With beer, I might add!)

Sound like a good time? Go to the site and check into all the details here. Remember! This is a self-supported, ride at your own risk event. You are responsible for YOU!