Gravel Grinder News: Almanzo Becomes “The Heywood Ride” – by Guitar Ted
This morning Riding Gravel discovered on social media that the former Almanzo event, possibly the most famous free, grassroots gravel event in the World, was to become “The Heywood Ride”. This news points to a new beginning for the Northfield, Minnesota based gravel grinder which last Spring was still called the Almanzo 100.
The Almanzo events, including the Royal 165, and the ultra-distance 380+ mile Alexander, had gone through some surprising twists and turns in the last 15 months or so. In the end, these changes eventually resulted in the end of those seminal events as most knew them.
These events included the surprising return of the Almanzo 100’s founder, Chris Skogen, after having been out of the event for several years. Then Skogen had the venue changed from Spring Valley, Minnesota to Northfield, Minnesota, causing the event to have three completely new courses. Finally, the format was changed as well on the eve of the event last Spring. Another surprise then came as Skogen left the events again for the second time, turning them over to their new caretakers, Marty Larson and Ben Witt. Then shortly afterward Mr. Skogen, “retired the name” Almanzo. The now unnamed event going forward was said to be scheduled for the same traditional Almanzo 100 date, which has been the third weekend in May for over a decade.
That name has now been revealed by Marty Larson, and he posted to Riding Gravel’s Facebook page the following:
” We have some final behind the scene’s type work to polish up, but Ben Witt and I are producing an event that will take the fabled Almanzo heritage and create a good ride day for all who participate.“
What format The Heywood Ride will be held under, or whether there will be multiple distance options, is not known at this time. Riding Gravel hopes to get the details of The Heywood Ride, and we will share that news when it becomes available.