So mush for DK200 being "epic"! (well it is still epic just a different kind of epic). I've ridden in this area and this is going to be a very difficult event. Especially for those finishing after the sun goes down. The roads and two tracks through the woods will be narrow, densely treed and dark, very dark. This means you will have to use slower speeds, and racing the sun will be much more difficult due to road conditions. Plus there are a lot of two tracks that split off from your two track and those won't be marked well at all, if at all. No horizon to get your bearings from either. I'm glad the route is posted now. I'm going to try to ride the western 100 miles in the next few weeks to see what it's like.
The good things about this event is the time of year. Early May finds not many trees with leaves in northern MI, Weather can be very pleasant too and usually never hot, but snow is not out of the question! Rare yes but it does happen. hopefully high ground moisture will mean the sand traps on the two tracks will be firm and rideable and the regular gravel roads less dusty.
This past Saturday I had a chance to do a short 30 mile recon ride from Mile 75 to around 105. Overall the gravel roads are in great shape! And why wouldn't they be!
Speaking of Barry, word has it that they are going to be having a 100 mile option in 2018. The ride is 3 weeks before this event so that might make it a good training choice.
I did see that Derek... it's actually listed on the front page of their website but if you go into the detailed pages it only lists the three traditional distances. I'm definitely signing up for the 100. Another one I was hoping to ride was the HellKaat Hundie but I think that's a week before C2C and that's probably a little too close.
Doing the BR 100 three weeks before the C2C is good but the Hellkaat the week before I don't think would allow for enough rest/recovery time. Unfortunately, Almanzo 100 is the week after C2C and I'm sure I won't be recovered in time to do that ride either! But three weeks after C2C is DK and I might try to get in to that one.
I signed up for the HellKaat 50 earlier this week... I figure the shorter distance works during a taper and it benefits a good cause.
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\nMy rough plan is Barry 100 with a 50-60 mile ride the day after... the next weekend maybe ride White Pine from GR to Cadillac on saturday and then back on Sunday, then HellKaat then C2C!
DerekJ_MI wrote:This past Saturday I had a chance to do a short 30 mile recon ride from Mile 75 to around 105. Overall the gravel roads are in great shape! And why wouldn't they be!
I have never seen a truck like that on the East Coast here in rural Pa. But then we don't have gravel either. The only gravel we have is in the mts. on what you would call unmaintained fire tower roads with lots of washboards in them and plenty of ruts. They are much fun climbing and worse yet trying to descend.
JMosey wrote:I signed up for the HellKaat 50 earlier this week... I figure the shorter distance works during a taper and it benefits a good cause. My rough plan is Barry 100 with a 50-60 mile ride the day after... the next weekend maybe ride White Pine from GR to Cadillac on saturday and then back on Sunday, then HellKaat then C2C!
I didn't know HellKaat registration was open. that might also work good too doing a 50 mi ride.
DerekJ_MI wrote:I didn't know HellKaat registration was open. that might also work good too doing a 50 mi ride.
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\nAnd Lowell 50 just added a 100 mile version a couple of weeks before Barry! Looks like my ass needs to be in shape for 100 miles of gravel come early April!
JMosey wrote: And Lowell 50 just added a 100 mile version a couple of weeks before Barry! Looks like my ass needs to be in shape for 100 miles of gravel come early April!
Really! Wow, this is great for the Great Lake State! We need more late summer GG rides now.
Now that the Dirty Kanza is a done deal I wonder if the numbers will increase for this ride. As of today the registered riders exceed 150! Not bad for a first year event! it's going to be epic.
I'm not registered for it yet. I managed to get my ticket punched for DK 200. This event is three weeks before DK. That should be enough recovery time so I'm thinking on doing both. IDK.
Congrats on getting into DK! I had a few friends who were waiting to see if they got in... if not, they were going to sign up for C2C. I'm all signed up for the 100 miler at BR, then Hellkaat, then this... should be an absolutely epic month of rides!
I haven't decided what my gravel riding/racing season is going to be yet as I have to travel/fly to everything. My thoughts right now is the Dirty Pecan in Ga. in March/ Funks Bottom in Ohio as I can drive to that and then for my big ride of the season either Sarah Cooper's Spotted Horse 150/200 in Iowa or the Gold Rush in South Dakota. Has anybody done either one of these rides. I see on Spotted Horse last year because of really nasty weather not too many finishers.
JMosey wrote:Congrats on getting into DK! I had a few friends who were waiting to see if they got in... if not, they were going to sign up for C2C. I'm all signed up for the 100 miler at BR, then Hellkaat, then this... should be an absolutely epic month of rides!
Thanks! my friends didn't get in. I'm wondering if I got in because I bought a jersey and the support. I was paying quite a bit of $ and maybe they noted that and wanted me in! Idk, makes me wonder. I'm also signed up for the Waterloo grit and gravel (60 miles), then the 100 mile Lowell 50, then the 100 mile Barry Roubaix, then C2C, then DK, then MMM Spring Classic 100 miles, then ODRAM (143 miles), then, then, then.... I collapse! Actually then starts the fall gravel rides! I'm working very hard on the trainer now 6 days a week. lots of intervals!!
Damn Derek!!! I thought my schedule was rough! I’m signed up for the HellKaat 50 but have been going back and forth between the 50 and 100. I come from a long distance tri background so I’m used to a two week taper before a major event and HellKaat is only 6 days before C2C. Once C2C is done I’m switching to the mountain bike and have Lumberjack and Marji on the books. I’ve never really spent much time on a mountain bike so it should be interesting! Where are you located? I’m in the GR area but spend some time in Petoskey as well and am always looking for like minded idiots, I mean people, to ride with!
I'm on the east side of the state surrounded by humanity. I have an hour car ride to get to gravel or single track. I do a couple of MB rides a year. Arcadia Grit and Gravel and Iceman to name a few. But I'm not a big fan of single track. Too many dam trees to hit and you develop tunnel vision flying through the woods. No time to enjoy the view, if you know what I mean.
