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  #1  
Old 12-26-2016, 08:53 AM
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weisan weisan is offline
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Holey Roller Gravel Grinder - Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 8:30 AM

http://bicyclesportshop.com/m/about/...ler-pg2301.htm
RIDE OVERVIEW

The ride starts and finishes at Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, TX. The route takes you on (discuss terrain and landscape). There will be food available for purchase and free Real Ale beer waiting for you and your friends at the end of the ride.

What is a gravel grinder? It's an organized but self-supported bike ride on a set route on mostly dirt roads.

The ideal bicycle for conquering these gravel roads is one that can traverse them swiftly, perhaps one with drop bars to allow the rider to switch hand positions and to hunker down when facing a stiff headwind. But it should also have enough seat and chainstay clearance to run tires with sufficient volume to take the edge of the rough and rutted roads. The ideal bike should provide more stability than a road bike, but be nimble enough to make quick course corrections to avoid other riders, ruts, cowpies, and rattlesnakes masquerading as sticks. Cyclocross and mountain bikes are great options.

We are limiting this ride to the first 200 registratants.

START TIME

Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 8:30 AM

START LOCATION

Rocky Hill Ranch, Smithville TX

Ranch opens at 7:30 AM

Packet Pick Up Opens at 8 AM

COST

$35. Price includes long sleeve t-shirt, lunch, and 2 beers. Riders are responsible for the Ranch's $10 parking fee. Please bring cash for parking.

SHIRT

Register by February 6 to be guaranteed an event shirt. If you register after February 6, we may or may not have a shirt available in your size.

MANDATORY GEAR

Bike helmet

Sufficient food and drink for the ride. There are no rest stops!

Spare tubes, patch kit, and tire boots

Co2 cartridges or pump

Weather appropriate clothing including possible shifts in temperatures and precipitation

Multitool

Cell phone

GPS unit or bicycle computer (Very important. Many of the roads do not have visible signage or signs are turned around. You will need to know mileage to anticipate turns.)

ROUTE

Route map coming soon!

Last edited by weisan; 02-16-2017 at 12:52 AM.
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  #2  
Old 12-26-2016, 03:51 PM
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m_moses m_moses is offline
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Thanks for the heads up. I'm interested in doing this.


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Old 12-27-2016, 08:37 PM
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weisan weisan is offline
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you are welcome, moses pal. I hope to make it again this year, maybe I will see you there.
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Old 12-28-2016, 04:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weisan View Post
you are welcome, moses pal. I hope to make it again this year, maybe I will see you there.
That would be most awesome. Btw, a friend of mine is planning to ride the course this Sunday and is looking for others to join him. I can't make it unfortunately. If you're interested, I could put you in touch.

Regards,
Mick
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Old 12-31-2016, 08:30 PM
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Thanks Mick pal. I have been thinking about doing the route again on my own over the last few weeks. It's nice to have company and tomorrow the weather is going to be in the 70s but they are forecasting rain....plus I am slowpoke, I am afraid I might slow your friend down too much...
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Old 01-02-2017, 07:42 PM
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I think I would have also slowed him down. One comment he made about the course is that there is too much pavement and not enough gravel.


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Old 01-03-2017, 11:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m_moses View Post
One comment he made about the course is that there is too much pavement and not enough gravel.
He's right.

It's not as hardcore as some may like.
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Old 01-09-2017, 10:33 AM
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Registration opens today!

http://bicyclesportshop.com/about/ho...ler-pg2301.htm
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Old 01-10-2017, 01:26 PM
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m_moses m_moses is offline
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I've registered. First time I've been this early for anything.
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Old 01-10-2017, 02:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m_moses View Post
I've registered. First time I've been this early for anything.
Well done! They only accept 200 participants.
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  #11  
Old 01-20-2017, 11:48 PM
dmurphey dmurphey is offline
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Central texas gravel

I am signed up. See you there w bells on. I may not becfast but i should finish before the last few a^*wipes.
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  #12  
Old 02-04-2017, 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by dmurphey View Post
I am signed up. See you there w bells on. I may not becfast but i should finish before the last few a^*wipes.
murphey pal, I think we might just get along very well on this ride.
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  #13  
Old 02-13-2017, 07:06 AM
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Coming up next week...

Trying to decide tire choices...

A) Compass Switch Back Hills 650bx48

B) Challenger Gravel Grinder 700x38

C) Bruce Gordon RocknRoad 700x44

D) Panaracer Pasela T-Serv 700x35

Decision decision...

The route is 70%paved 30%gravel. One or two rocky sections, the rest smooth gravel.
The x-factor -- days of raining are forecasted this week, might alter the terrain and road conditions.
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  #14  
Old 02-13-2017, 08:33 AM
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m_moses m_moses is offline
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The ride is March 4 so you have an extra week to decide.

I'm sticking with these. Do you think they will be okay for the rocky parts?



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  #15  
Old 02-13-2017, 03:58 PM
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Oh yeah, I would think so.

Interesting... I didn't see that date change, thanks for drawing my attention to it.
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