Less than a week remains! We put the cue sheets and release forms up on the site yesterday so those are now available for you to download. Please keep in mind that having a signed release form will definitely expedite your sign-in process.
A Reminder to All: You are welcome to sign in Friday night at the VFW in Spring Valley, MN between 6:00pm and 8:00pm, as well as Saturday morning in the main parking area between 6:00am and 8:40am. If, for any reason, you cannot make it to sign in before 8:40am on Saturday, please be patient and we'll get you signed in after the start of the Almanzo 100. Word.
A Reminder to Almanzo Riders: Please get yourself and your things together in the main parking area before moving to the start/finish area before 8:45am on Saturday. There will be plenty of RED SHIRTED volunteers to point you in the right direction. Don't argue.
A Reminder to Royal Riders: Please be sure to download your cue sheets by following this link. Also, please be at the start/finish line by 6:50am on Saturday morning.
Happy May Day! 17 days to go until sign-in begins at the VFW in Spring Valley, MN. 18 days to go until we're neck deep in gravel. We hope you've been spending some time on your bike and that the miles you put away at Almanzo this year will be easy and swift.
We know some of you may have questions about where to be, when to be there and what to bring with you. Our hope is that after reading this post you'll be able to make the trip to Spring Valley with confidence. So, without further adieu, we present you with the Final Word.
What to bring: (This is a list of basic, yet mandatory items)
Where to bring the aforementioned items:
If you have people coming with you for the weekend of the race, the city of Spring Valley has gone well out of their way to make plenty of activities available. Please check out their Facebook page for more information and as always, please consider us in your online life on either Facebook or on Twitter.
Also, on the subject of support and/or help. THIS IS A SELF-SUPPORTED EVENT, outside help is not an option. If you have people that would like to watch you race, they can travel to Preston, MN to do so. We would like to keep the roads as free from traffic as possible, as it helps us ensure your safety. If you need to refill bottles and such, you can do so in Preston (approx. 40 mile mark). There is also water available in Forestville State Park (approx. 60 mile mark). YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. RIDE SMART.
We know some of you may have questions about where to be, when to be there and what to bring with you. Our hope is that after reading this post you'll be able to make the trip to Spring Valley with confidence. So, without further adieu, we present you with the Final Word.
What to bring: (This is a list of basic, yet mandatory items)
- Yourself.
- A bicycle in good working order.
- An extra tube, some way to inflate it and some tools to make the job easier.
- Enough food to sustain yourself for at least 40 miles, if not 100.
- Enough water to sustain yourself for at least 40 miles.
- A cell phone to call in backup, or to report that you will not make the cutoff*.
- Appropriate clothing. (Please check the forecast and plan accordingly)
- A helmet.
- A signed release form. (These will available via this post beginning the week of the event)
- Cue Sheets. (These will be available via this post beginning the week of the event)
- A manageable way to hold your cue sheets. (We recommend this)
- Front and Rear flashers if it is going to be rainy, or if you're planning for DFL.
Where to bring the aforementioned items:
- Friday night sign-in will be held in conjunction with a spaghetti dinner ($7/per) at the VFW in Spring Valley, MN. This will take place between the hours of 6:00pm and 8:00pm. Having a signed release (available via download the week of the event) ready will make this go super-duper smooth.
- Saturday morning we will be parking cars in the old Ford Car Lot on the north end of town. If you're not familiar with where this is located, you can find it highlighted in blue on this map. Once you are parked, you will be able to sign-in at a tent located near the main building in the parking area. There will be plenty of RED-SHIRTED VOLUNTEERS there to help. If you have question about where to be, these folks will help you.
- Once you are parked and signed-in, you may move to the start/finish area. This will be located across HWY 63 in an old, undeveloped area. There will be RED-SHIRTED VOLUNTEERS in the area to help you find your way. Be nice to them.
- Once at the start/finish we will line up for the beginning of the race. It will make sense once you are there. Please note that if your interested in competing for first place, arriving early and getting a good place at the start line is imperative. We are expecting 800 riders, plan accordingly and RIDE SMART.
- The lead out will be controlled. There is about one mile of pavement to the first gravel road. Please pay attention to yourself and the other riders around you during this time. It is important that we get to the gravel in one piece. Stay to the right on the pavement and RIDE SMART.
- Sign-in Friday night from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the VFW in Spring Valley.
- Sign-in Saturday morning from 6:00am to 8:40am at the Old Ford Lot in Spring Valley.
- The Royal 162 will begin from the start/finish promptly at 7:00am. Those in the area that would like to send these animals off, please make yourselves available at the start line just before 7:00am.
- The 100 mile pre-race bull-horn announcements and Happy Birthday Song will take place at 8:50am.
- The controlled lead out will begin sharply at 9:00am.
If you have people coming with you for the weekend of the race, the city of Spring Valley has gone well out of their way to make plenty of activities available. Please check out their Facebook page for more information and as always, please consider us in your online life on either Facebook or on Twitter.
Also, on the subject of support and/or help. THIS IS A SELF-SUPPORTED EVENT, outside help is not an option. If you have people that would like to watch you race, they can travel to Preston, MN to do so. We would like to keep the roads as free from traffic as possible, as it helps us ensure your safety. If you need to refill bottles and such, you can do so in Preston (approx. 40 mile mark). There is also water available in Forestville State Park (approx. 60 mile mark). YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. RIDE SMART.
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Instead of writing a lengthy recap on my experience in traveling to Iowa to compete in the Trans Iowa, I would rather like to take this time to thank the people that made my experience there truly amazing.
My Wife,
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this ever-growing gravel community. Your efforts to keep the home fire burning while I spend these weekends away are immeasurable. Thank you and I love you.
Josh Kruck,
Thank you for driving and for listening to me all the way down and all the way back. Thanks for encouraging the purchase of a 'coon skin cap, as well as copious amounts of cured meat. Thank you for detouring into Bass World and the Truckstop of America, those places were incredible and will last in my memory for eternity. Thanks for not stepping in when I waffled so early in the morning and thanks for being my friend. Your presence in my life is inspiring and I am grateful for it.
Hotel Desk Attendant,
Thank you for cluing me in to the inner workings of the international network and the many ways in which it is destroying the working man's livelihood. Your insight was invaluable.
Owner at Bikes to You,
Thank you for taking time out of your night to chat with a couple of out-of-towners and share stories about one of the most dis-HONEST bike shop owners in the state of Minnesota. You made me smile and that can be hard to do sometimes.
Jeff Frings,
Thank you very much for creating the Trans Iowa film and for taking the time to show it at the pre-race meeting on Friday night. Your vision allowed me to see and understand things about Guitar Ted and his event that I had only previously received through second hand knowledge.
Host at the Mexican Restaurant in Grinnell, IA,
Thanks for being a real kid with real concerns. You allowed me the opportunity to see firsthand that everyone has their own problems and that mine are no better or worse. I hope your prom went off without a hitch and that you didn't get rained on.
Guy in the Lobby Saturday Morning,
Thanks for mentioning the possibility of an impending tornado as I was headed out the door for the start line. You made riding that much better.
Riders that Didn't Speak,
Thank you.
Riders that Did Speak,
Thank you more. I went to Iowa to have fun, part of that comes directly from interacting with others. Whistling, laughing, making jokes and carrying general conversation is a pretty big part of why I enjoy riding my bike. Getting to know others, even if it's just for a moment while we climb a hill together, makes my participation in events like these priceless. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
The Two Guys from Alabama,
Thank for you taking the time to have a chat whilst we were slogging away. The All City folks are good people and you made a good choice getting that rig. If ever you find yourself in Rochester, MN, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Guitar Ted,
Thank you for taking the time to present this event. Thank you for arranging the volunteers and for giving us clear directions about how to get from point to point and when to do so. You run a tight ship and I respect that.
Alex Oenes,
Thank you for introducing yourself when I reached the first checkpoint in Montezuma. You are a good man for taking time out of your life to spend a weekend in Iowa giving instructions to weary travelers. I commend you.
Steve Fuller,
Thank you for taking pictures. Your efforts are invaluable to the people that participate in this event. Seeing the images and remembering the suffering that was taking place is something very unique to endurance athletics. It is a driving force behind every athletes return trip.
Derek Chinn,
Thank you for being you and for taking the time to say hello in Montezuma. Your insight and opinion as to how the remainder of the day went was profound and will forever impact my decision making process. I genuinely appreciate the time we spent discussing life, cycling and the importance of the two. Everybody changes everything...it's inevitable.
Scott Sundby,
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I know that I don't have the right words and that no matter what I try to come up with, it will probably be wrong. We undertook making a series of decisions according to another person's terms. I now know that this is not what truly living means. We live and die by our own actions and as such, should go forward according to our own terms...never anothers.
Thank you
My Wife,
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this ever-growing gravel community. Your efforts to keep the home fire burning while I spend these weekends away are immeasurable. Thank you and I love you.
Josh Kruck,
Thank you for driving and for listening to me all the way down and all the way back. Thanks for encouraging the purchase of a 'coon skin cap, as well as copious amounts of cured meat. Thank you for detouring into Bass World and the Truckstop of America, those places were incredible and will last in my memory for eternity. Thanks for not stepping in when I waffled so early in the morning and thanks for being my friend. Your presence in my life is inspiring and I am grateful for it.
Hotel Desk Attendant,
Thank you for cluing me in to the inner workings of the international network and the many ways in which it is destroying the working man's livelihood. Your insight was invaluable.
Owner at Bikes to You,
Thank you for taking time out of your night to chat with a couple of out-of-towners and share stories about one of the most dis-HONEST bike shop owners in the state of Minnesota. You made me smile and that can be hard to do sometimes.
Jeff Frings,
Thank you very much for creating the Trans Iowa film and for taking the time to show it at the pre-race meeting on Friday night. Your vision allowed me to see and understand things about Guitar Ted and his event that I had only previously received through second hand knowledge.
Host at the Mexican Restaurant in Grinnell, IA,
Thanks for being a real kid with real concerns. You allowed me the opportunity to see firsthand that everyone has their own problems and that mine are no better or worse. I hope your prom went off without a hitch and that you didn't get rained on.
Guy in the Lobby Saturday Morning,
Thanks for mentioning the possibility of an impending tornado as I was headed out the door for the start line. You made riding that much better.
Riders that Didn't Speak,
Thank you.
Riders that Did Speak,
Thank you more. I went to Iowa to have fun, part of that comes directly from interacting with others. Whistling, laughing, making jokes and carrying general conversation is a pretty big part of why I enjoy riding my bike. Getting to know others, even if it's just for a moment while we climb a hill together, makes my participation in events like these priceless. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
The Two Guys from Alabama,
Thank for you taking the time to have a chat whilst we were slogging away. The All City folks are good people and you made a good choice getting that rig. If ever you find yourself in Rochester, MN, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Guitar Ted,
Thank you for taking the time to present this event. Thank you for arranging the volunteers and for giving us clear directions about how to get from point to point and when to do so. You run a tight ship and I respect that.
Alex Oenes,
Thank you for introducing yourself when I reached the first checkpoint in Montezuma. You are a good man for taking time out of your life to spend a weekend in Iowa giving instructions to weary travelers. I commend you.
Steve Fuller,
Thank you for taking pictures. Your efforts are invaluable to the people that participate in this event. Seeing the images and remembering the suffering that was taking place is something very unique to endurance athletics. It is a driving force behind every athletes return trip.
Derek Chinn,
Thank you for being you and for taking the time to say hello in Montezuma. Your insight and opinion as to how the remainder of the day went was profound and will forever impact my decision making process. I genuinely appreciate the time we spent discussing life, cycling and the importance of the two. Everybody changes everything...it's inevitable.
Scott Sundby,
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I know that I don't have the right words and that no matter what I try to come up with, it will probably be wrong. We undertook making a series of decisions according to another person's terms. I now know that this is not what truly living means. We live and die by our own actions and as such, should go forward according to our own terms...never anothers.
Thank you
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We're almost there and as we prep ourselves mentally for Trans Iowa, we figured it would be a good time to lay out a timeline for Almanzo weekend. For more updates and current info, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter. At any rate, here goes...
Friday, May 18th:
The map.
Enough info. While we're gone riding around in circles in Iowa, please follow this link and enjoy our favorite film. Happy watching.
Friday, May 18th:
- 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Sign-in will be held at the VFW in Spring Valley, MN (see attached map)
- 6:00pm - 8:00pm - A spaghetti dinner will be held at the VFW in Spring Valley, MN. This dinner will be hosted by the local Kiwanis club. Price is $7.00/person and the money goes directly into the community of Spring Valley.
- 8:00pm - There will be a play preformed by a local troupe at a location that has yet to be announced. The subject of the play is related to the community of Spring Valley and the people that have occupied it's history (hopefully Almanzo and Royal Wilder).
- 8:00pm - Whenever - We think we might slip down the street and bowl a few frames at the local bowling alley...provided they'll have us. This may or may not happen...
- 6:00am - 6:45am - Sign-in for Royal 162
- 7:00am - Royal 162 start
- 7:15am - 8:40am - Sign-in for Almanzo 100 (8:40am is the cut-off to start with the group. We'll get back to getting late-comers signed in after we all watch the start of the main field.)
- 8:55am - 8:59am - Happy Birthday will be sung to Chris's son. It's a tradition now.
- 9:00am - Almanzo 100 start (We will roll the group out on pavement to the first gravel turn.)
- 10:00am - 5:00pm - The Eliza Jane Market will be open in Spring Park for those not participating in the events. There will also be a Grower's Market open to the public in the downtown area at this time. Additionally, the Visitor's Center and the Wilder Museum will be open during the day for those that wish to stop in.
- 9:00pm - Almanzo 100 cut-off (If you are out on the course and cannot finish before the cut-off, please let the Almanzo crew know. We'll give you a phone number when the time is right.)
- 10:00pm - Royal 162 cut-off (Same story as above about not making it back in time.)
The map.
View Saturday Morning Parking/Start-Line in a larger map
Enough info. While we're gone riding around in circles in Iowa, please follow this link and enjoy our favorite film. Happy watching.
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There are some folks in Wisconsin that are putting a gravel ride together at the end of this month. Looks to be a pretty decent route with a little something for everyone. Here is a description of the event.
The Strada Fango 100K Dirt Race/Ride
Sunday April 29th, rollout at 10 am.
No entry fee.
No swag.
No official timing.
Mileage:
29 mi Gravel
15 mi ATV
3 mi Singletrack
4 mi Paved
7 mi Ski trail/doubletrack
More information can be found over on their Facebook page.
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The following map is an overhead view of the Northwest portion of Spring Valley, Minnesota. Since we lost the High School this year, we had to make do. On this map you will see the Start/Finish highlighted in green, the primary parking lot in blue, secondary parking in red and the safe crossing zone in orange. This is what we have, so we are doing our best.
Please note that there will be a ton of VOLUNTEERS IN RED SHIRTS roaming around that morning. These RED SHIRTED helpers will get you parked correctly, signed in and across Highway 63 to the Start safely and efficiently. Word.
View Saturday Morning Parking/Start-Line in a larger map
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