First ride on new bike!

[ridebikeme]

Thanks for the link Catrin... looks very interesting... may have to give it some thought.

[Catrin]

Have you done it before? My son and I are contemplating doing the lesser-mileage fun ride on our hybrid bikes.

I've not done either, though I have worked both events several times as a volunteer. It is a LOT of fun, and there are families and others who sign up for the 30 mile shorter/non race ride. Last year was the first time that the organizers had a meal catered after the event. There are also showers available. I've not ridden any gravel at all yet or I would consider the short route as well, but I will be there as a volunteer. Look me up if you come - there are usually only a couple volunteers. I will have my mountain bike with me and am planning to do a little gravel grinding myself if time permits.

Thanks for the link Catrin... looks very interesting... may have to give it some thought.

Do come! There are never many women competing, however there are more each year. Last year there were some seriously cool prizes for the winners of the different categories, as well as door prizes - and there were only a couple of women competing with each other in the Open Women category. It is a good way to ride off the Thanksgiving turkey

If I can get enough gravel practice this winter I would like to enter the Death March...but I will need a riding partner to do that.

[ridebikeme]

The reality of me getting away for Thanksgiving is more than likely just a dream... although I would definitely consider the Death March. I'll wait and see what happens with the other race that I'm trying to get into first ( it's a lottery) and if I don't get in, then I just may make trip back to the Hoosier state. I'll keep you posted...

[Catrin]

The reality of me getting away for Thanksgiving is more than likely just a dream... although I would definitely consider the Death March. I'll wait and see what happens with the other race that I'm trying to get into first ( it's a lottery) and if I don't get in, then I just may make trip back to the Hoosier state. I'll keep you posted...

Crossing my finger that I will get to see you for one of them I need a partner for the Death March, but it needs to be someone who is more interested in the experience of going to a couple of the cemeteries rather than truly competing and riding the entire 70ish miles. I KNOW my legs won't be up for that in early March...

[ridebikeme]

I guess time will tell... I know what you mean about mileage that time of year. I'm hoping to get into a ride in Iowa at the end of April, and mileage is 325 for two days... so very early indeed. But as always, if things are meant to be they'll somehow sort themselves out. If not, then there always this ride in Indiana that has a focus on riding to cemetaries

[Catrin]

I guess time will tell... I know what you mean about mileage that time of year. I'm hoping to get into a ride in Iowa at the end of April, and mileage is 325 for two days... so very early indeed. But as always, if things are meant to be they'll somehow sort themselves out. If not, then there always this ride in Indiana that has a focus on riding to cemetaries

The historical cemetery thing is cool, but what I find even cooler is the whole partner/"figure out how to get to each one and in whatever order you desire approach". It is basically orienteering on mountain bikes (or cyclocross)! For each cemetery you make (and take a pic of you and your partner to prove both of you were there), a certain number of minutes is taken off of your overall time. A certain number of check-points are required, but several more are optional. The racers know a certain number of check-points prior to the event, but several are selected that morning. Obviously really good maps are required for each team