22 February 2010 - 8:23Gravel Grinder Update

Even though we are still in the throes of winter, it is time to start getting excited about spring. Mentally, this is the worst time of year for me, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but old man winter seldom relaxes his icy grip so easily. We are frequently blessed with random March and April ‘nor easter snow storms, leaving feet of snow each time, which prolongs the wait for sweet sweet singletrack.

This is why there is the Gravel Grinder. Think of it as a bike ride with a whole bunch of your new best friends. If you want to go fast, that’s OK, but it is a social event, so everyone should feel obliged to ride it at their own pace.

Nat I rode it in about 2:45 yesterday, although I did cut out the last hill (Blush). I’m currently thinking I might cut that one out for good, it doesn’t add a lot of distance, it’s all pavement, and you have to cross busy Rt 100 not once but twice. The fun:danger ratio is not that great, but I do have something planned to make up for it.

These developments I will make know as soon as I can.

One detail that is now official though, is that Frida’s Taqueria will be providing the post ride meal. I am very excited about this, not only because Josh (the owner of said establishment) is a friend, but because he makes some of the best food I have ever eaten. Anyone who attended the first Gravel Grinder will remember how good the food was, he was responsible for that too.

Now with his restaurant up and running, he will be providing us with some of the best Mexican food you will ever eat this far north.

It is important to sign up early to be guaranteed a spot. We are only allowing 150 riders, and we are already a little over a 1/3rd full. No day of sign ups this year. Sign up now!

I was going to take some pictures during the ride yesterday, but it was so damn cold. I reckon that when I left my house, it was about 23°, and it only got worse from there. There was a stiff north wind, snow flurries, mud, ice and all sorts of other unpleasantness. Still, 2:45 is a good time considering that it is still February.

I will upload our route just as soon as I can get my Garmin to talk to one of my computers again, until then, enjoy some aftermath pictures of my bike. My bottles froze about halfway through the ride.