1987 Just Called

1987 Just Called

Flicking through a December 1987 copy of Bicycling Magazine, I found several little gems worth sharing.  In case anyone says anything, EVERYTHING here is relevant to Gravel Grinding.  Sort of.

Critical Film | Documentary

If you love Gravel Racing and Ultra Cross, this is a must see German made documentary film.  It really typifies the spirit associated with this genre of cyclocross. CRITICAL DIRT…
Road Bikes & Limerock Roads

Road Bikes & Limerock Roads

Another Long Road Ride
Picture a hot and humid Sunday morning, in Gainesville, Florida.  Seventy eight miles were planned, from the agreed meeting place, but more if you rode to the start.  That’s what I did.  Weather forecast called for showers around 1pm, which is pretty typical in Florida for this time of year.

Note to self: prepare for the ride by wearing not your best kit, not your best shoes, and riding not your best bike, aka the “rain bike”, “frog bike”, etc.  If you’ve only got one bike, well, that’s a bugger.  The route was carefully chosen; I have a nice library of rides I have prepared over the years, and rotate them in and out on any given weekend day.

Is it “next right” or “right”?

Is it “next right” or “right”?

This is the conundrum our grupetto faced during today’s 86 mile training ride.  “Next right”, or “right”?  First world problems abound here.

Setting the Scene
Imagine a two by two group of riders, 12 in all, chugging along on serene Florida back roads.  The bloke leading the ride, yours truly, was calling out the turns to whomever was on the front.  A few of the riders were ignoring me, as they had swiped a copy of my awesome course file, and loaded onto their little Garmin 705’s and 800’s.  The purple line can rule your life.  Lemmings.

20140809_090630
It’s a little sandy early on…
Map
Where the trouble started.

The group was heading South along a paved road (at left).  Yours truly, a row or two from the front, calls out “next right”, not once, not twice, but thrice, each time increasing in volume.

Hilly Billy Roubaix 2014 & Cyclocross Magazine

Hilly Billy Roubaix 2014 & Cyclocross Magazine

Ultra CX is on the rise!  Hilly Billy Roubaix and Ultra CX just made the web pages of Cyclocross Magazine, check out the article hereHillyBillyLogoJR Petsko, you are an evil man for creating Hilly Billy Roubaix.  Thanks!, I will be back for more stupidity in 2015.

You know Ultra CX and Gravel racing is *really* growing when a well known pro cyclist friend said to me… “One hour of punching* yourself doing laps in a park, versus cool gravel / extreme stuff.”  I couldn’t have said it better myself.  Ultra CX and Gravel racing is GROWING.  Embrace it (hugs).  * = cleaned up.

National Bike Challenge 2014

National Bike Challenge 2014

For the past three years, the League of American Bicyclists have held the above-mentioned challenge.  Rather than explain it, allow me to quote directly from the challenge website.

The National Bike Challenge is a nationwide event uniting Challenge2 thousands of current bicyclists — and encouraging countless new riders. In its simplest form it is a logging center for users to record miles ridden and be part of the national community of bicyclists. It is a free and easy way to challenge yourself, colleagues and the greater community to ride more. Users compete on a local, state and national level. The Challenge aims to unite 50,000 riders to pedal 30 million miles from May 1, 2014 until September 30, 2014. Now in its third year, the Challenge is a successful partnership between the League of American Bicyclists and Kimberly-Clark’s Scott Natural Brand.”

Upcoming Race – Red Clay Ramble

Upcoming Race – Red Clay Ramble

Signed up!  August 16, 2014, the Red Clay Ramble is happening in Milledgeville.  Milledgeville, GA, is a small town about 30 miles North East of Macon, GA. The event is organized…

Upcoming Race – Savage CX 2014

Savage CX for 2014 is happening on August 23, 2014, and is the first race of the Blue Ridge Monster Cross Series. From the web page: "Savage CX is happening…