well whoops don't I feel silly...somehow I never actually posted the last update and its just sat here in draft for a very long time :(

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Gritty Goose 2015 has finished with a great first turnout of 45 riders and some perfect weather. I don't think we could have asked for better weather actually. Everyone I talked to had a great time and lots of questions about if i'll do it again next year....we'll see next year won't we :)
notes were taken for things that could be improved.

It was a lot of work to-do, but very fun and worth it in the end. Thanks to my co-organizer Cory for all of his work behind the scenes and many pre-rides we did. Special thanks to my mom & dad, and Pam & Larry from Trailhead Cycling in Champlin (http://www.trailheadcycling.com/) for everything they did on race day! Without them it wouldn't have been anywhere as nice and their help allowed Cory & I to ride as well :)

-Shaun

70 mile

Name	M / F	Time	Bike Type	Bib Number
Eric Thompson	M	3:12	Geared	30
Nick Vetter	M	3:15	Geared	23
Jim Bell	M	3:16	Geared	21
Adam Bergman	M	3:16	Geared	31
Josh Roeser	M	3:27	Geared	7
Charles Allgood	M	3:29	Geared	3
Greg Bernhardt	M	3:29	Geared	15
David Shulman	M	3:29	Geared	16
Noah Middlestaedt	M	3:29	Geared	22
Dave Hoglund	M	3:29	Geared	77
Ian Hoogendam	M	3:30	Single Speed	17
Ren Stinson	M	3:43	Geared	2
Mark Rathbun	M	3:43	Geared	32
Andrew Worth	M	3:43	Single Speed	33
Danny Storm	M	3:43	Geared	34
Justin Tan	M	3:56	Single Speed	26
John Egbers	M	4:06	Geared	17
Matthew Dowling	M	4:07	Geared	5
Kelly Hines	M	4:13	Geared	10
Wade Mueller	M	4:13	Geared	24
Ed Prosser	M	4:13	Geared	29
John carline	M	4:16	Geared	28
Charles Wolf	M	4:18	Geared	11
Emily Flynn	F	4:18	Geared	8
Rich Zvosec	M	4:20	Geared	9
Scott Robertson	M	4:30	Geared	24
Bob Orange	M	4:37	Geared	18
Cory Hedin	M	4:40	FAT	1
John Ribes	M	4:40	Geared	6
Alisa Reckinger	F	4:40	Geared	12
Kasey Carlson	M	5:14	Geared	36
Alicia Krueger	F	5:14	Geared	37
Brian Groh	M	5:16	Geared	19
Karen Christy	F	5:16	Geared	20
Kaleb Krause	M	5:32	Geared	38
Bri Whitcraft	F	5:32	Geared	39
Aaron Nyquist	M	5:38	Geared	14
Kate Nyquist	F	5:38	Geared	13

50 mile

Name	M / F	Time	Bike Type	Route Place	Bib Number
Joshua Coder	M	2:26	Geared	1	100
Paul Schoening	M	2:49	Geared	2	104
Cliff Csizmar	M	2:50	Geared	3	102
Walt Burns	M	3:12	Geared	4	101
Jason MacDonald	M	DNF	Geared	DNF	103

30 mile

Name	M / F	Route Time	Bike Type	Bib Number
Natalie Roeser	F	2:13	Geared	150

2015 online registration is now closed. You can still register in person at the start.

I drove some parts tonight and the gravel is dry, but not dusty. Mostly hard packed, with a few rumble strip parts. Didn't see any washed out spots from rain.

There is now an Minimum Maintenance Road too thanks to Road Construction ;)

See everyone out in the morning. We'll get there a bit before 7am when we'll open registration.

Got a couple questions about how to get the GPX files from ridewithgps.com, so here is how

To download the GPX files follow the ridewithgps.com link for your mileage and then in the right panel switch to the EXPORT tab and it will have the GPX files for download

Ride day details
Update 7/28/15

Date: Saturday August 1st 2015
Registration: Opens at 7AM (see parking info below)
Distance: 70 miles / 50 miles / 30 miles, select your distance when you check in
Start Time: 8AM rider meeting, 70/50 mile depart immediately following with neutral lead out until the gravel. The 30 mile will depart about 5 minutes later also with neutral lead out until the gravel.

Route:
The 70 mile and 50 mile routes are the same until mile 33.3. So if you change your mind and need to-do the 50 mile option, that is your best cutoff point.

If you have a GPS device, load up the GPX file from the linked routes. If not we will have some printed cue sheets at the start. If you can print your own up ahead of time

70 mile route : http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9293364
70 mile cue sheet: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5xr84VGv8izV1FfRllOUnFBZlE

50 mile route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9395309
50 mile cue sheet: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5xr84VGv8izZkFsYlhRR0xEdEU

30 mile route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9437083
30 mile cue sheet: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5xr84VGv8izZGtlSGlRUnFMS2M

Waiver:
You will have to sign a waiver when you register. We'll have these printed out

Registration:
Registration opens at 7 AM near the Pavilion at the MTB trail parking lot.
You will need to sign a waiver, get your number and a copy of the cue sheet if needed.

Location and parking:
We are starting at: Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park 1744 90th Street NE, Monticello, MN
Do not park in the actual MTB trail parking lot. We are parking on the gravel entrance road to not interfere with actual users of the park.

Bathroom: 
There is a biffy near the MTB trail parking lot.

Rest Stops:
The 30 mile route has no rest stops.
For the 70 & 50 mile routes, there is an unmanned stop at approximately 32 miles where the public water access road is. Water for sure and possibly other beverages and a few snacks will be available there. There is also an option at approximately 54 miles (70 mile route) or 36 miles (50 mile route) to ride up to a Gas Station and Subway restaurant. This is about 1/4 mile off the route as noted in the cue sheets

Support:
This is officially an unsupported ride. Bring enough drink, food, & tools for the ride. Besides the unmanned stop and possible gas station stop there isn't much else out there.

Finish:
We will be "collecting" finish times on a clip board near the finish. If you are concerned with your place, the sprint finish will be the utility pole at the intersection of 90th St. NE & Briarwood Ave NE right before finishing up the ride. Inform us of the placing when you finish as its on your honor

After:
At the finish Trailhead Cycling will be providing some post ride food and non-alcoholic beverages
*note* that alcohol is not allowed in any Wright County Park, so officially the event will not be providing any :(
Bring a chair though as there isn't many tables at Bertram

And last but not least, here is the 30 mile option course map for Gritty Goose 2015:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9437083

30 miles, 800 feet climbing and vast majority of it is gravel that so far has been in great shape this year.

The map is color coded just to make it easier to look at:
green = gravel
black = pavement
magenta = gravel overlap (i.e. out & back of the route are on the same section)
blue = pavement overlap (i.e. out & back of the route are on the same section)

Here is the 50 mile option course map for Gritty Goose 2015:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9395309

50 miles, 1500 feet climbing and vast majority of it is gravel that so far has been in great shape this year.

The map is color coded just to make it easier to look at:
green = gravel
black = pavement
magenta = gravel overlap (i.e. out & back of the route are on the same section)
blue = pavement overlap (i.e. out & back of the route are on the same section)

Riding Dirt Bag this weekend ? http://dirtbagride.blogspot.com

I am, so feel free to say hello and introduce yourself. Just look for my Bianchi Zurigo fromt he above header image and i'm easy to spot.

Final course map for Gritty Goose 2015:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9293364

69.5 miles, 2100 feet climbing and vast majority of it is gravel that so far has been in great shape this year.

If you aren't up for the full distance, it is possible to cut out ~20 miles to make it a 50mile route which is still very nice.

The map is color coded just to make it easier to look at:
green = gravel
black = pavement
magenta = gravel overlap (i.e. out & back of the route are on the same section)
blue = pavement overlap (i.e. out & back of the route are on the same section)

The Cue Sheets it automatically makes aren't perfect. I will have our own custom ones made up before the event.

The GPX file from ridewithgps seems to be correct from testing it.

*there is possibly going to be a water stop out there somewhere in the 30-40 mile range. that is still being worked on*

More details will be posted as they are ready.

Thanks!

Dirt Bag Ride posted a link to us on their site
http://dirtbagride.blogspot.com/2015/06/new-gravel-grinder-on-schedule.html

Thanks Dirt Bag Ride!

The Gritty Goose Gravel Grinder is a new Gravel bike ride in the Wright County area near Monticello, Maple Lake & Buffalo.

Who - The ride is free and open to anyone with a bike. Currently the gravel roads are in very good shape, but a 28mm or larger tire is recommended just like on any other gravel ride.
What - An unsupported gravel ride between 65-70 miles with almost 2000 feet of climbing. There will be 2 possible gas station stops and possibly a water stop as well.
When - Saturday August 1st 2015 with a mass roll out at 8AM sharp.
Where - The start will be near Monticello with the exact location to be revealed at a later time along with a course map, gpx file, and cue cards.
Why - You'll have to ride it to find out why its called the Gritty Goose


Pre-registration is requested and available <2015 online registration closed>  ahead of time so we have an idea of how many to expect.
You will need to sign a waiver at the start.
Helmets are required and use common sense out there as the roads are open.

For any questions click here to send an email