The Daily Grind: January 23rd, 2013

New Event Announcement: 

Got an itch to ride in the mountains off pavement, but not on a mountain bike? This might appeal to you. Arguably the highest race of its sort on Gravel Grinder News, the "Colorado Dirt" race is set for August 17th, 2013.

The event will consist of a 130 mile or so course featuring 4 legs with checkpoints where riders will be allowed to resupply and receive support in solo, duo, relay, and team categories.

There will be four climbs over 10,000 ft, so bring your lungs and legs in August for some high country, challenging dirt! See the event site for details here.

The Daily Grind: January 22nd, 2013

New Events:
  The state of Illinois is fast becoming a big gravel grinder area and we're hearing about another new event down that way called the Dirty Mudder. Here's a bit of a description from their site:

​"Grab your mountain, cyclocross or even road bike and head out to Streator's Marilla Park to try our new 62 mile ride full of rolling hills of gravel, dirt and grass and less than 7 miles of blacktop. We think you're gonna really enjoy this one!"



Find out more about this April 28th event, in its second year, right here.


Registration News: 

Get reg'd up for the Westside Dirty Benjamin starting February 1st by post card only. The event is limited to 200 riders, so mail early and often! Go here for more details. 


Also, the Red River Riot, a 100+ mile event in northeastern Texas, is holding registration now. Get in on this event by going to their registration site here.

The Daily Grind: January 13th, 2013

300 Miles Of Gravel Documented this event

Ride Stoke: 

Looking for some motivation for your trainer sessions? Maybe you are just curious about this event and want to see an excellent documentary on gravel grinders? Well, the documentary, "300 Miles Of Gravel", which won a Chicago Regional Emmy Award last year, is finally available for sale here. 

The format is DVD for now, but a digital downlaod is also in the works which should be available soon. Iowans can check this out on PBS sometime in the Spring of 2013. Check your local listings.

Registration:

Check out the ultra-gravel grinder, Odin's Revenge, in late June by registering by post card starting on February 14th, 2013. For details check out the Facebook site here.

The Daily Grind- January 11th, 2013

Start line of the Mammoth Gravel Classic 2012

New Addition: 

Just added a new event for Gravel Grinder News- Wisconsin's own Mammoth Gravel Classic is going to happen in the beautiful area of St Croix Falls, Wisconsin. The event is a free to enter event with a course length of 100 miles. A shorter option will also be announced at a later date. registration is day of event only. Last year this event attracted over 200 riders, so check it out!

Another new addition to the calendar is a fun, gravel group ride set to happen the first weekend in February. Called GRR2BRR, it is a group ride from Johnston Iowa to Perry Iowa where the annual "Bike Ride to Rippey", (or "BRR"), is happening on pavement.

Registration:

Wake up early tomorrow to register for the Dirty Kanza 200 online at Bikereg.com. Last year the DK sold out in 2.5hrs, and even with a higher roster limits this time around, don't bet on having a second chance to enter Sunday! Most classes start at $95.00 each to sign on for this classic event.

Also, don't forget to send in your post card to enter the Almanzo 100 before the end of January.  Of course, the same deal stands for the satellite events- The Royal 165 and the new Dirty Nellie.

Registration for the 3rd Annual Gravel Ride For Masie's Pride will be on Bikereg.com and will open January 14th.

Finally, look for an announcement on the team time trial based event, the Renegade Gents Race 3.0 to happen soon. Stick close to the latest on this event here. the event will happen near Ankeny, Iowa on April 6th, 2013.

Announcing The Morganzo 55: Double Nickels on the Grime

In Montana in August. Yep! That's where ya gotta get to if you want to do the 2nd running of the Morganzo 55: Double Nickles On The Dime.

Here is a bit of info I was forwarded on this event:

"It's 55 miles of gravel outside of Bozeman, MT.  It's a beautiful course in the shadow of the Bridger mountain range -- rolling hills and gorgeous views -- just watch out for the cattle and the grizzly bears.

 Of course it's free, all self-supported, and the first one done gets first crack at the beer."

I'll post more info as it develops, but you may want to keep your eyes peeled here as the date draws nigh.

The Daily Grind

Hey gravel grinders! This year I am adding a bit of something to the site I am calling "The Daily Grind". It will be posts that make you aware of event details, new event listings, and other gravelly related happenings in the cycling world when they happen.

Registration News:

January is a big month for registrations for 2013 gravel events. The Dirt Bag Dash has opened registration, the Dirty Kanza 200 opens its online registration Saturday January 12th, and the ever popular Almanzo 100 is accepting post card registrations all month this month. Hurry while the gettin' is good!

New Events:

In the New Events column there have been many new additions to the 2013 Calendar Page here, so check that out. The most recent additions are the events that make up the Iowa Spring Classics Series, a four week series that has been going on in Iowa for years.  If you want some great fun and intense training/racing, these events are a must ride.

Support: 

Recently Twin Six announced  a way that you out there can support free gravel racing, and in particular, the aforementioned Almanzo 100, by getting some cool gear that T-6 designed especially for fans of the Almanzo and gravel riding everywhere. See the gear here.

Event Promoters: Keep sending in any info on gravel grinders you may have and I'll report on it here. New event information, registration info, or other pertinent info is always welcomed for The Daily Grind.