We ain't afraid of no rain

Nothing but rain in the days leading up to it...no problem
Two river flood warnings in the area from so much rain...no problem
Pouring rain on the whole drive to the start...no problem
24 bikers ain't afraid of no rain! 

Great job by all who showed up and rode the Gritty Goose 2016. 

In conditions more like April than August, shivering at the start as more rain began to fall, 24 people set off for an epic adventure. The relentless rain, the roads that just kept getting worse, the new minimum maintenance road surprise, the gritty sand covering everything, the grinding of gears, the never ending hills, nothing could stop this group of riders from finishing. To have 24/24 people finish with conditions like these is awesome and shows just how tough you are. Each and everyone of you finished with a smile on your face, or at least what we could see of it with all the grit covering it :) 

Thank you to the 24 riders who did show up today. Thanks to my co-organizer Cory for all of his work behind the scenes and promoting the heck out of it on social media. We had way more pre-registered, so hopefully 2017 will bring us back to the dry weather and larger attendance. Huge thanks again to Trailhead Cycling in Champlin (http://www.trailheadcycling.com/) for providing all of the food and their Ambassadors Tammy and Diane for taking care of food and other details on race day. The day couldn't have been such a success without them and I am incredibly thankful for their hard work and help. If you're ever in Champlin stop in and check out the Trailhead Cycling shop and thank them for their continuing support of gravel events in MN. 

Here are are the results we recorded at the finish 

70.3 mile
Name	M / F	Time	Avg Speed	Notes
Nick Vetter	M	4:23	16	1st Male
Brian Delaney	M	4:34	15.4
Kurt Stunek	M	5:08	13.7
Karen Christy	F	email me	TBD	1st Female
Brian Groh	M	email me	TBD
50.3 mile
Name	M / F	Time	Avg Speed	Notes
Scott Robertson	M	2:57	17.1	1st Male
Mitch Nordahl	M	3:01	16.7
Andrew Worth	M	3:07	16.1
Tim Norrie	M	3:07	16.1
Mike Campbell	M	3:18	15.2
Emily Nordahl	F	3:18	15.2	1st Female
Rich Zvosec	M	3:22	14.9
Devin Obrien	M	3:39	13.8
Wade Mueller	M	3:39	13.8
Leif Irgens	M	3:57	12.7
Frank Thueringer	M	4:10	12.1
Jim Ringuette	M	4:10	12.1
Aaron Ollswang	M	4:10	12.1
Dan Mueller	M	4:14	11.9
Jim Lloyd	M	4:15	11.8
Shaun Sava	M	4:24	11.4
Scott Mays	M	4:24	11.4
Adam Seger	M	4:24	11.4
Josh Coder	M	5:18	9.5

And a photo of each of the winners and their own Gritty Goose :). We have a few more photos that will be posting in the next few days. 

Nick Vetter 1st male 70.3 mile

Karen Christy 1st female 70.3 mile

Scott Robertson 1st male 50.3 mile

Emily Nordahl 1st female 50.3 mile

Thanks all!
-Shaun

Routes are posted and a few notes about them

The routes and cue sheets have been added to the previous ride day information post.

There are two sections that could be confusing to people and/or their GPS device that are called out below. These will also be discussed at the pre-ride meeting. 

Triangle of confusion:
At 33.8 miles the 70 and 50 course split apart here and go different directions. The roads here form a triangle which confuses a lot of GPS devices and sends you on some weird loop with the road triangle.

What you need to-do is easy.
The 70 mile continues straight through here and turns left onto Greer Ave NW shortly after.
The 50 mile turns right here onto Gowan Ave NW.

The 70 mile ends up back here again at 53.8 miles and turns left onto Gowan Ave NW


Yes there really is a road here:
If you're checking out the route ahead of time you might see at mile 40.6 (50 mile route) or 60.6 (70 mile route) what looks like an off road adventure through a field. Don't worry its not, the city just moved the road since last year and kept the same name. None of the online satellite maps show it yet. So there is a road here, the new "Donnelly Dr NW" and not any adventure through a field like it appears on satellite maps

Ride day details
The ride day is fast approaching and its looking like we'll have some nice cooler weather too. Both of the routes have some improvements from last year that we hope you'll enjoy.  

Date: Saturday August 20 2016
Registration: Opens at 7AM (see parking info below)
Distance: 70 miles / 50 miles You can select or change your distance when you check in
Start Time: 8AM rider meeting, 70/50 mile depart immediately following with neutral lead out until the gravel

Route:
The 70 mile and 50 mile routes are the same until just before mile 34. 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 that would be appreciated.

70 mile route : https://ridewithgps.com/trips/10547032
70 mile cue sheet: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5xr84VGv8izZWhOZHNYSy1aQ2s

50 mile route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/10547031
50 mile cue sheet:https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5xr84VGv8izMjlULXc0UkpRZGs

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 options for download. Chose what is appropriate for your device.
  
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:
For both the 70 & 50 mile routes, there is an unmanned stop at approximately 32.5 miles where the public water access road is. There will be a large cooler with water for sure and possibly other beverages and a few snacks will be available there. There is also an option at approximately 57 miles (70 mile route) or 37 miles (50 mile route) to ride slighty off course 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