In a tie for the mostest biggest deal ride of the month (you didn't know we had that competition, did you?!)- Nick Wethington, Matt Maxwell and Tom Anderson each logged some centuries.
Nick and Matt decided enough was enough and hosted the 2nd(?)Annual TOBASCO ride, logging 201 miles - and earning a Cup O' Mississippi Mud each! Nick's first and Matts second! Congratulations! Here's their report:
Maxwell and I were both at 4
until Saturday, on which we did a very long, somewhat windy 201 miles
for the TOBASCO ride. We couldn't fool anyone else into going, so it
was just he and I this time around. I think we'll likely do another
ride of the same length about this time next year.
We went through Ledges, then North along the Des Moines River valley
to Stratford, were blown East to Gilbert and past McFarland park,
then fought the wind all the way down to Maxwell. It died down a bit
and we went over to Polk City to see my girlfriend, who gave us
cupcakes. After that, we went just north of Big Creek and then were
basically blown home by that wicked West wind that picked up about
10pm and made Sunday all windy up here. Started at 5am and got done
around Midnight. That puts us both at 6 centuries, and a Cup O' Dirt
earned apiece! When do you send those out? Hope all is going well,
and thanks so much for organizing this: it inspired me to ride a lot
more this summer than I would have.
~Nick Wethington
Meanwhile, back in Des Moines, Tom Anderson completed what many have been talking/thinking about for years - a full century on the Center trails! Sweet!
That keeps Tom in the One-A-Month Club - and in great shape for Cross season!
Here's his report: http://iowagriz.blogspot.com/2008/10/center-hundy-completed.html
Dave Giegerich fell in love with this sprot so much - he bought himself a sweet Trek XO2, and had to nail a bonus 100k! It must be lucky 13!
I'm pretty sure Fuller nailed a hundy the same day as the Dr. Bob ride - (I'll verify) and I was the only one to take me up on my offer to count the distance ridden at the Dr. Bob ride - as long as it was on a mountain bike on fat tires... 100k of pavement... and wind... and very fit people on road bikes... I was tired!
Anyway - Keep riding and enjoy the Fall!
Peace - Dave
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Ten...... eleven.......
Mr. Grelk did a couple metrics last weekend...In his own words:
30 miles of unassisted longtail from work to home, then switched to the mtb for another 35 on Friday: Details
And another pretty hilly 63 on the mtb with a little trail mixed in with the windy gravel, Sunday: Details
Meanwhile, Tim Bierbaum has been logging the dirty miles -
Hi Dave, finished up another two metric centuries over the past couple of weekends.
Way back on Sept 21st, I got out of Des Moines and headed west. Didn't go anywhere, just west and then I turned around for a total of 103 km.
On Sept 27th, I went out for another metric and had mechanical problems. I ended up
hiking a couple of miles to the Kum & Go at the I-35 and highway 92 where my absolutely wonderful wife came and picked me up.
Finally, last Sunday I went out and headed towards Indianola and then wandered around in circles just south of Norwalk for a total of 102 km.
-Tim Bierbaum
I must say that I'm pretty amazed at what people are willing to do for a chunk of clay - that being said - I'd imagine that, whether you finish out the year with one century, or a whole bunch of em - just getting out on dirt and enjoying the day was worth the chase! I know I've enjoyed each of my long dirty rides - from a couple of long gravel rides on the tandem with Dee, and, of course, Leadville, to my 100 miles of Seven Oaks - each ride stands alone as a great day on the bike. Nuthin wrong with that!
As a little bonus - I'd like to offer this to anyone out there looking to fill their Cups this weekend... Saturday is the Dr. Bob Ride - and if you do it on a mountain bike (fat tires - not cross bike, not 29'er with cross wheels.. but a real mountain bike) I'll give you credit for your distance. The ride is either 100k or 200k -
Why? Because Dr. Bob was a good friend and I'd love to see ya'll out there supporting the ride - and the cause - The proceeds from this ride benefit area trails - both paved and dirt- (Richard Brown, the DSM Park and Rec Trail Guru, is a huge proponent of the center trails - and supports CITA and it's work in a big way!)
Anyway - the ride starts and finishes at Bike World West at 7:00am Saturday. Cup O' Dirt logo designer Brian Duffy will be along for the ride - as will the girls from the All9yards Cycling Team -- and it's always a treat to ride with them! (If I DO say so myself!!) So - get those fatties out and get out and RIDE!
See you in the dirt! - Dave
30 miles of unassisted longtail from work to home, then switched to the mtb for another 35 on Friday: Details
And another pretty hilly 63 on the mtb with a little trail mixed in with the windy gravel, Sunday: Details
Meanwhile, Tim Bierbaum has been logging the dirty miles -
Hi Dave, finished up another two metric centuries over the past couple of weekends.
Way back on Sept 21st, I got out of Des Moines and headed west. Didn't go anywhere, just west and then I turned around for a total of 103 km.
On Sept 27th, I went out for another metric and had mechanical problems. I ended up
hiking a couple of miles to the Kum & Go at the I-35 and highway 92 where my absolutely wonderful wife came and picked me up.
Finally, last Sunday I went out and headed towards Indianola and then wandered around in circles just south of Norwalk for a total of 102 km.
-Tim Bierbaum
I must say that I'm pretty amazed at what people are willing to do for a chunk of clay - that being said - I'd imagine that, whether you finish out the year with one century, or a whole bunch of em - just getting out on dirt and enjoying the day was worth the chase! I know I've enjoyed each of my long dirty rides - from a couple of long gravel rides on the tandem with Dee, and, of course, Leadville, to my 100 miles of Seven Oaks - each ride stands alone as a great day on the bike. Nuthin wrong with that!
As a little bonus - I'd like to offer this to anyone out there looking to fill their Cups this weekend... Saturday is the Dr. Bob Ride - and if you do it on a mountain bike (fat tires - not cross bike, not 29'er with cross wheels.. but a real mountain bike) I'll give you credit for your distance. The ride is either 100k or 200k -
Why? Because Dr. Bob was a good friend and I'd love to see ya'll out there supporting the ride - and the cause - The proceeds from this ride benefit area trails - both paved and dirt- (Richard Brown, the DSM Park and Rec Trail Guru, is a huge proponent of the center trails - and supports CITA and it's work in a big way!)
Anyway - the ride starts and finishes at Bike World West at 7:00am Saturday. Cup O' Dirt logo designer Brian Duffy will be along for the ride - as will the girls from the All9yards Cycling Team -- and it's always a treat to ride with them! (If I DO say so myself!!) So - get those fatties out and get out and RIDE!
See you in the dirt! - Dave
Monday, October 06, 2008
Fuller Continues.... and gets a new steed!
Steve Fuller nailed a hundy this weekend: "101 miles from Johnston to Adel. With the ride home on the RRVT from Adel, 118 miles total. 7800+ ft of climb. Plenty of critters, a plethora of combines, and one shaken up pickup truck driver."
I think there is a story or two in there somewhere.... maybe he'd be willing to regail us of the stories while riding his shiney new steed -a Specialized One-Cross won at the Crohn's and Colitis raffle at the Cross Mafia race last weekend - congratulations on your great victory!
Reguarding this little cup chase - I thought I'd share with you a bit of history of the cups, themselves -
See - back in the mid-seventies my sister, Jackie, went to UNI to earn an art and teaching degree - and upon graduation, and maybe during the summers during her stint at UNI, she worked at Living History Farms - She worked in the Textile building - you might have seen it on your right as you head up to get your dognuts after the Living History Farms Race! Anyway - she met this potter, see - Russ - He worked in the pottery shop which was right behind the textile building... and they gazed lovingly into each other's eyes - fell in love and got married.
Russ continued to be the potter at LHF for many years - until he voiced his oppinion on organic farming during a Dow Chemical company picnic... and he was promply excused.. so began New Harmony Pottery!
Russ and Jackie have been creating authentic stoneware pottery ever since - selling their wares at Folk Art in Valley Junction, the State Fair and at the Covered Bridge Festival - as well as creating custom pieces for special orders, like the Cup O' Dirt! They have created awards for races such as Living History Farms Race, the Most Excellent Run and the Sycamore 8... and now these hand thrown, custom mugs for your Cup O' Dirt!
Only a limited number of these exclusive mugs are ever created - and to sip a bit of joe from one is surely an honor - an honor that the sipper had worked hard all year to achieve!
So - there is still time - get out there and ride -and share a toast with GPickle, Big John, and others - in your very own Cup O' Dirt!
I think there is a story or two in there somewhere.... maybe he'd be willing to regail us of the stories while riding his shiney new steed -a Specialized One-Cross won at the Crohn's and Colitis raffle at the Cross Mafia race last weekend - congratulations on your great victory!
Reguarding this little cup chase - I thought I'd share with you a bit of history of the cups, themselves -
See - back in the mid-seventies my sister, Jackie, went to UNI to earn an art and teaching degree - and upon graduation, and maybe during the summers during her stint at UNI, she worked at Living History Farms - She worked in the Textile building - you might have seen it on your right as you head up to get your dognuts after the Living History Farms Race! Anyway - she met this potter, see - Russ - He worked in the pottery shop which was right behind the textile building... and they gazed lovingly into each other's eyes - fell in love and got married.
Russ continued to be the potter at LHF for many years - until he voiced his oppinion on organic farming during a Dow Chemical company picnic... and he was promply excused.. so began New Harmony Pottery!
Russ and Jackie have been creating authentic stoneware pottery ever since - selling their wares at Folk Art in Valley Junction, the State Fair and at the Covered Bridge Festival - as well as creating custom pieces for special orders, like the Cup O' Dirt! They have created awards for races such as Living History Farms Race, the Most Excellent Run and the Sycamore 8... and now these hand thrown, custom mugs for your Cup O' Dirt!
Only a limited number of these exclusive mugs are ever created - and to sip a bit of joe from one is surely an honor - an honor that the sipper had worked hard all year to achieve!
So - there is still time - get out there and ride -and share a toast with GPickle, Big John, and others - in your very own Cup O' Dirt!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Well, That was a fun weekend!
No, I didn't get any kind of hundy in - but I sure rode my bike alot....and I got to meet Mr. Freakn-ride-his-bike-a-lot-nvrest-Dennis Grelk! What a treat!
Of course, his first comment to me, when I introduced myself was "Hey, you're the guy who always looses my e-mails!"
I thought that was funny!
So - what was he doing in Des Moines, and why did I have so much fun this weekend? Well -the newly annual great dirty stage race across Polk County... or at least parts of some little parks in Des Moines - With Squirrlies Quarter Rage on Friday night and Robbie V's Capital City Cross dressing on Saturday and Sunday, it was just like a freakn stage race across France or some such thing.
Near as I can figure, only me and Kurt Benson did all three stages (like anyone even knew it was a stage race) - but the Friday night $.25 rage and the cross dressing was enough to lure Mr. Grelk up here from SE Iowa. I was a little disappointed that he A) took to lots of pavement and B) rode his little weed-eater engine bike up here - so "No centuries for you!" - still, it was good to meet him and great of him to come on up for a couple o' days of good racing!
Now - there was some Cup chasing going on this weekend - seems the good Mr. Anderson was motivated to get his September hundy in - here is his report....
Dave,
Finished my September hundy this past Sunday. Did 55 miles of gravel via Dallas Center, Adel, DeSoto, Cumming and entered Waterworks park from the south. Then did 25 or so on the Center trails. Finished by heading out Booneville road to VanMeter and up to Waukee. Somewhere around 106miles. A good ride and route. I’ll have to find a way to shorten the first half and add more miles on the Center trails, although I think that 50 at Center would be my max. I was getting dizzy in Denmans after the 25 (dizzy in denman’s – sounds like a good song title).
Tom
Of course, his first comment to me, when I introduced myself was "Hey, you're the guy who always looses my e-mails!"
I thought that was funny!
So - what was he doing in Des Moines, and why did I have so much fun this weekend? Well -the newly annual great dirty stage race across Polk County... or at least parts of some little parks in Des Moines - With Squirrlies Quarter Rage on Friday night and Robbie V's Capital City Cross dressing on Saturday and Sunday, it was just like a freakn stage race across France or some such thing.
Near as I can figure, only me and Kurt Benson did all three stages (like anyone even knew it was a stage race) - but the Friday night $.25 rage and the cross dressing was enough to lure Mr. Grelk up here from SE Iowa. I was a little disappointed that he A) took to lots of pavement and B) rode his little weed-eater engine bike up here - so "No centuries for you!" - still, it was good to meet him and great of him to come on up for a couple o' days of good racing!
Now - there was some Cup chasing going on this weekend - seems the good Mr. Anderson was motivated to get his September hundy in - here is his report....
Dave,
Finished my September hundy this past Sunday. Did 55 miles of gravel via Dallas Center, Adel, DeSoto, Cumming and entered Waterworks park from the south. Then did 25 or so on the Center trails. Finished by heading out Booneville road to VanMeter and up to Waukee. Somewhere around 106miles. A good ride and route. I’ll have to find a way to shorten the first half and add more miles on the Center trails, although I think that 50 at Center would be my max. I was getting dizzy in Denmans after the 25 (dizzy in denman’s – sounds like a good song title).
Tom
Monday, September 22, 2008
Grelk has 9 metrics and Nick and Matt are in the Chase!
From Dennis:
"Took another crack at the Missouri metric I did a couple months ago, only this time I tried to reverse the route.
Felt good to be back on the cross bike. Weather was good cross training weather too, brisk, alittle breezy, and it rained for the last twenty or so miles.
Sure looks alot different without the flooding, but I still did alot of backtracking. I still want to know how the mail gets to those people, no street signs to be found, crazy."
Meanwhile - up in Ames...
"Dave,
We met at the 24-hour race: I'm Matt Maxwell's friend. I'm chasing
the 600 mile cup this year, and as of now have 3 of the centuries
done. Should have another this weekend. So go ahead and put me up on
the blog and be ready to send me some mud soon!
Also, (Matt) Maxwell and I are planning to "organize" a double gravel
century on the 25th of October. We did a shorter one two years ago,
and decided to call it the TOBASCO ride (Tour Of Boone And Story
COunties). I'll get some more info about the route and meeting place
and whatnot, and when I do I'll pass it on so that you can put it up
on the site.
Thanks!
~Nick (Wethington)
So I say - Rock out Grelk - 3 more and you've got yourself 2 cups!
And Nick and Matt - welcome to the 2008 chase - we'll look forward to your 200 miler in October! Hmm - with that on the calener - I might actually have a chance at a real cup this year! (ed. note: I do enjoy a daily cup of coffee from an official Cup O' Dirt - but somebody had to end up with the prototype.....)
PS - I've heard that the Sycamore Trail is in good to great shape from one end to the other! There are also rumors that, starting next Spring, more trail could be added to the area..... watch for details on that exciting bit of news! So - I've mapped out a Denman's style trail... check it out - 21 miles, one way!!! Wouldn't THAT be fun! Geez - 21 miles... Do it twice and have a metric! That WOULD be cool!
"Took another crack at the Missouri metric I did a couple months ago, only this time I tried to reverse the route.
Felt good to be back on the cross bike. Weather was good cross training weather too, brisk, alittle breezy, and it rained for the last twenty or so miles.
Sure looks alot different without the flooding, but I still did alot of backtracking. I still want to know how the mail gets to those people, no street signs to be found, crazy."
Meanwhile - up in Ames...
"Dave,
We met at the 24-hour race: I'm Matt Maxwell's friend. I'm chasing
the 600 mile cup this year, and as of now have 3 of the centuries
done. Should have another this weekend. So go ahead and put me up on
the blog and be ready to send me some mud soon!
Also, (Matt) Maxwell and I are planning to "organize" a double gravel
century on the 25th of October. We did a shorter one two years ago,
and decided to call it the TOBASCO ride (Tour Of Boone And Story
COunties). I'll get some more info about the route and meeting place
and whatnot, and when I do I'll pass it on so that you can put it up
on the site.
Thanks!
~Nick (Wethington)
So I say - Rock out Grelk - 3 more and you've got yourself 2 cups!
And Nick and Matt - welcome to the 2008 chase - we'll look forward to your 200 miler in October! Hmm - with that on the calener - I might actually have a chance at a real cup this year! (ed. note: I do enjoy a daily cup of coffee from an official Cup O' Dirt - but somebody had to end up with the prototype.....)
PS - I've heard that the Sycamore Trail is in good to great shape from one end to the other! There are also rumors that, starting next Spring, more trail could be added to the area..... watch for details on that exciting bit of news! So - I've mapped out a Denman's style trail... check it out - 21 miles, one way!!! Wouldn't THAT be fun! Geez - 21 miles... Do it twice and have a metric! That WOULD be cool!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Grelk and Fuller Just Keep Riding!
From Mr. Grelk:
Another metric for the tally. Rode home from work un-assisted on the longtail for the first 30miles, than finished it off with a little quicker 30 mile loop on the cross bike.
From Steve Fuller:
I had planned on doing a double this past weekend: 100 up to the CITA
Ales and Trails event on Friday with my camping gear attached, and
the same route in reverse for a ride back on Sunday while someone else
ferried my gear for me. As you may have heard, we had a bit of rain
come through during the week which made this ride a lot harder than I
had bargained for. Two photos that sum up the day perfectly are
Yuck
and
MRE?
I had 80 miles or so done when I decided that enough was enough and
accepted a ride from a great guy named Gil. It was well worth the case
of beer I forced him to accept for his trouble. With the skies not
looking good on Sunday, I opted to drive home and lick my wounds. I
had hoped to get my century total up to 9 so I could finish out the
year with 12. Instead, I'm still sitting at 7 and trying to figure out
a way to dig out of the hole. The rest of the year is gonna be tough.
We'll see what the next three months hold, I'm not completely ready to
throw in the towel yet.
Steve Fuller
Another metric for the tally. Rode home from work un-assisted on the longtail for the first 30miles, than finished it off with a little quicker 30 mile loop on the cross bike.
From Steve Fuller:
I had planned on doing a double this past weekend: 100 up to the CITA
Ales and Trails event on Friday with my camping gear attached, and
the same route in reverse for a ride back on Sunday while someone else
ferried my gear for me. As you may have heard, we had a bit of rain
come through during the week which made this ride a lot harder than I
had bargained for. Two photos that sum up the day perfectly are
Yuck
and
MRE?
I had 80 miles or so done when I decided that enough was enough and
accepted a ride from a great guy named Gil. It was well worth the case
of beer I forced him to accept for his trouble. With the skies not
looking good on Sunday, I opted to drive home and lick my wounds. I
had hoped to get my century total up to 9 so I could finish out the
year with 12. Instead, I'm still sitting at 7 and trying to figure out
a way to dig out of the hole. The rest of the year is gonna be tough.
We'll see what the next three months hold, I'm not completely ready to
throw in the towel yet.
Steve Fuller
Monday, September 15, 2008
Tim's Clickin' em off!
Dave,
Last Saturday I headed down to Patterson and then up through Bevington and going
north parallel to the interstate. A pretty uneventful ride that totalled 104 km.
This morning, I decided to get up early and try to get my ride in before the football games started. My original plan was to head out west to Earlham. I got about halfway there when the cold front moved through and the skies clouded over. I wasn't feeling too confident about the weather any more, so I decided that I would just stick closer to home and ride around in circles for a while. The only 'town' I visited was Orilla and I went back and forth from there to west of the interstate a couple times and explored every dead end road that goes north of there. I finished the day with 105 km.
Tim Bierbaum
Last Saturday I headed down to Patterson and then up through Bevington and going
north parallel to the interstate. A pretty uneventful ride that totalled 104 km.
This morning, I decided to get up early and try to get my ride in before the football games started. My original plan was to head out west to Earlham. I got about halfway there when the cold front moved through and the skies clouded over. I wasn't feeling too confident about the weather any more, so I decided that I would just stick closer to home and ride around in circles for a while. The only 'town' I visited was Orilla and I went back and forth from there to west of the interstate a couple times and explored every dead end road that goes north of there. I finished the day with 105 km.
Tim Bierbaum
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