Resources to Get You Riding Gravel

The idea for this post came to me after I received an email from a woman who was a gravel first-timer and thought she would enjoy riding gravel but didn't know where to start.  She asked me for some recommendations of where to ride near the Twin Cities.  I gave her a list of resources to point her in the right direction.  Riding gravel is one of my passions so I decided I should put this information into a post so others can enjoy the Minnesota gravel riding experience.

There are several resources I use to help me discover new places to ride.  With this information I can plan out routes and by using my smartphone I can stay on track without the worry of getting lost in unfamiliar territory.  If you are new to riding gravel or an experienced aficionado, I hope this information will help you find new roads to ride.

Google Maps

Google Maps has been a longtime favorite of  mine for finding gravel and planning routes.  Using the Google Earth (satellite) layer I can find gravel roads and map out a ride.  Once my route has been created, Google Maps displays the route distance, elevation profile and the option for turn by turn directions by selecting "List all steps" in the elevation profile box.  From here you can print a cue sheet by selecting "Print text only" or with the map included by selecting "Print including maps" in the print options above the map.

Mobile Apps

There are quite a few cycling website/apps that use Google Maps for their mapping engine to plan routes, Strava, MapMyRide, RideWithGPS, Runtastic, and Endomondo just to name a few.  Creating routes using these websites will sync them with the corresponding mobile app for use out on rides to keep you on course.  These apps will also let you search other user's routes and some even give you the option to download GPX files of the routes for export into the app website of your choice or Garmin GPS devices.  For more information and features on Runtastic's Road Bike Pro app see my post App Review: Runtastic Road Bike Pro.  To learn how to create routes with your PC using the Strava Route Builder for use with the Strava iPhone and Android apps, see my post Strava Routes Now Available For iPhone & Android.

Gravelmap

Gravelmap is an interactive user-submitted gravel route database created by a web developer/cyclist from southern Oregon.  This is a growing resource with new road/routes being added weekly as the word gets out about it.  Read my post Gravelmap Launches Interactive User Submitted Gravel Route Database for more details.

 Forest Roads

Image Credit:  MN DNR

Minnesota has many miles of forest, logging and fire roads located in our State and National Forests waiting to be explored.  For more information on riding gravel in Minnesota's State Forests, see my post Explore Minnesota's State Forests by Mountain Bike With Resources From the MN DNR.  GORP has compiled a list of road and trail rides in Superior National Forest and more information can be found on the USDA Forest Service website.  Information for Chippewa National Forest can be found on the USDA Forest Service website.  The Cook County Visitors Bureau has also compiled a list of adventure riding opportunities in Northeastern Minnesota.

Riding Gravel Forum/
Gravel Grinder News

The Riding Gravel Forum is a place to share your knowledge, experiences and photos with others that like to crush gravel. It's also a good resource to learn from experienced gravel riders, ask questions and join in the conversation on everything from bikes, components, accessories, gravel racing and everyday gravel riding.  Read my post New Riding Gravel Forum Provides a Place to Talk "Gravel" to learn more.

Another one of my go-to gravel resources is Gravel Grinder News from Trans Iowa Race director, Guitar Ted.  It covers everything from bikes, equipment, events and gravel-related links.

Riding Safely

There are several good articles on how to stay safe out on those lonely gravel roads.  Guitar Ted has put together this post entitled Safety And The Gravel Road Rider.   Marsh Jones, Miesville Grinder organizer has some Common sense tips for riding gravel on his blog.  I have on many occasions encountered aggressive dogs out in the country and Crazy Guy on a Bike has written Some tips for handling encounters with "Man's Best Friend" while cycling that will help you know what to do in just such an event.

Gravel Events

For those looking to challenge themselves or ride with others there are still quite a few gravel races/rides left for 2014 in Minnesota.  I have compiled a list of 2014 Minnesota Gravel Grinders with links to more information and registration details.  2014 is winding down and I will be publishing a new list for 2015 as next year's gravel events start to be announced.  For additional gravel events outside of Minnesota, visit the Gravel Grinder News Calendar of Events page.

The upcoming Fall riding season is my favorite time of the year to hit the gravel.  Weather conditions can range from warm and sunny to cool, cloudy and sometimes windy.  Dress accordingly and be prepared for sudden weather changes because you may find yourself a long way from your finish destination if things turn cold or rainy.  When the leaves begin to change colors expect some spectacular scenery on rural country rides.  Southeastern Minnesota is where I like to ride this time of year, the hardwood forests along gravel roads in this region are quite a sight for the eyes.  Begin a new adventure, leave the hustle and bustle of the city and head out into the country for some great riding on the road less traveled.  

2014 Arrowhead 135 Stories

The 2014 Arrowhead Ultra 135 lived up to its reputation as one of the world's toughest ultra-endurance races with extreme cold putting these athletes' minds and bodies to the ultimate test.  Participants have 60 hours to complete the 135 mile trek from International Falls to Fortune Bay Casino in Tower on the Arrowhead State Trail.  Racers are required to stop at three checkpoints that are spaced about 35 miles apart, where race officials can pull a racer due to frostbite or other medical concerns.  With the second coldest start (-24º F) in the history of the Arrowhead 135 accompanied by even colder winchills, these brutal conditions resulted in only 34% of the 141 runners, skiers and bikers completing the race.  I have compiled all of the stories, photos, video and news articles of  racers who chose bike propulsion pertaining to this year's epic race.  For full race results, click here.

Image Credit:  David Garbys, 45NRTH

To get a taste of what the Arrowhead Ultra 135 requires from the athletes that take on this monumental challenge, watch "Salsa Cycles - The Push"

Map of Arrowhead 135 course

Race Participants:  Bike Propulsion

Jay Petervary

Image Credit:  Arrowhead 135

Jay Petervary’s Arrowhead 135 Victory In Photographs

Jay Petervary Wins Arrowhead 135 in Negative Temps Aboard Rocket V

Jay Petervary wins Arrowhead 135

Petervarys win brutally cold Arrowhead 135

Jay Petervary Surmounts Freezing Conditions to Win the Arrowhead 135 

Petervarys brave cold to win fat bike race

Tom Puzak

Image Credit:  Arrowhead 135

Fat Bike, Survival Mode, And Drinking Your Own Urine At Minus-27 F. How To Podium At 'Arrowhead 135'

Tracey Petervary

Image Credit:  Arrowhead 135

Petervarys brave cold to win fat bike race 

Petervarys win brutally cold Arrowhead 135 

Christopher Tassava

Image Credit:  Arrowhead 135

Don’t Get Froze, part I: The Arrowhead 135 (Miles 0-110)

Don’t Get Froze, part II: The Arrowhead 135 (Miles 110-135)

Didn’t Get Froze: After the Arrowhead 135

The Arrowhead 135 in his own words

Northfield's Tassava, Bilek take on the daunting Arrowhead 135

135 miles of COLD!

Ice, sweat and tears: Northfielder Christopher Tassava fat bikes his way to a 7th place finish at the Arrowhead Ultra 135

Ken Zylstra

Image Credit:  Arrowhead 135

135 miles of COLD!

Richard Chinn

Image Credit:  Arrowhead 135

36 hours of frozen cycling? You'd have to be crazy, right? Well ...

Erv Berglund

Image Credit:  Arrowhead 135

An Old Manʼs Look at The ArrowHead 135 — 2014

71 years young + 135 miles

Judd Rohwer

Image Credit:  Arrowhead 135

Arrowhead 135 v2014: Holy Moses... Simply Unbelievable

Mark Scotch

Arrowhead 2014

 

Matt Burton-Kelly 

Arrowhead 135 - 2014 Gear Setup and Race Recap, Part 1

Alan Dixon

Arrowhead 2014 Racer’s Recap

Ben Doom

Arrowhead 135 2014 Recap.

It's Just A Race.

Neil Beltchenko

Arrowhead Ultra 135 - Reflection

2014 Arrowhead 135 Press

Arrowhead 135 endurance racers experience the wild of a north woods winter-Duluth News Tribune
THE ARROWHEAD ULTRA 2014 RACE REPORT-Bikepackers Magazine
Arrowhead 135: The story behind the photos-MPR News

Arrowhead 135 race grows into survival of the frostiest-StarTribune 

47 finish 10th Arrowhead 135 ultramarathon-International Falls Journal

135 miles of COLD!-Timberjay  

In International Falls, it’s the perfect day for a bike ride-MPR News

Arrowhead 135: Frozen Inspiration-Pedal Minnesota
Arrowhead Ultra: 2014′s Coldest Ultramarathon Ends-Actionhub

Photos

2014 Finisher pics!-Arrowhead 135
Mobile Uploads-Arrowhead 135
Photos: The brutal Arrowhead 135 Ultra-MPR News
2014 Arrowhead 135-bjorn1101
2014-1-27 Arrowhead 135 Ultra-Burgess Eberhardt
Jay Petervary’s Arrowhead 135 Victory In Photographs-David Garbys (45NRTH)
Race 2014-Sveta Kovalchuk

Video

2WheelWeather Providing CycleCast For the Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride

Snaploonphotography.com

Meteorologist and avid cyclist Kristin Clark will be providing her 2WheelWeather CycleCast services for Minnesota's longest running century ride, the Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride (MIBR).  These hyper-local forecasts will be updated in the days leading up to the MIBR and be valuable to cyclists with their detailed weather information for the St. Croix River Valley.

 

Kristin has provided her 2WheelWeather CycleCast for events that heavily rely on knowing the weather.  These have included the Fatbike Frozen Forty, Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout, currently the Trans Iowa V9 and the T.I. V9 CycleCast on Mountain Bike Radio.

Here's what Kristin had to say about the MIBR CycleCast.

"Every Ironman rider has a story and almost every story involves the weather.  Over its 47-year history, the Ironman Bicycle Ride has gained quite the reputation for showcasing Minnesota’s wide array of weather. From sweltering heat to snowy streets, the weather can add it’s own element of difficulty and riders need to be prepared.
 
The MIBR CycleCast will take the guesswork out of the weather by providing riders with a highly detailed, hyperlocal ride forecast. As a biker and a meteorologist, I take my scientific background along with my knowledge of biking to better inform cyclists of the weather they will likely face along the Scenic St. Croix River Valley.  

There's no denying that weather affects everything we do, especially when it comes to cycling!  Hoping that the MIBR CycleCast can be your home for all your cycling weather needs. Best of luck to all the Ironman riders!"

The CycleCast provided by 2WheelWeather for the MIBR will include all of the details below and will posted on ironmanbikeride.org & 2WheelWeather.com.

• 5 days prior to race - Blog forecast (CycleCast)

• 3 days prior to race - Video forecast - This will be 2-5min hyper-local, geography driven weather forecast specifically for the ride. It will include many graphics and me specifically. Just like you would see me if you were watching me on WeatherNation TV.

• 24 hrs prior to race - Blog forecast (CycleCast)

• 24 hr after race follow-up - Blog forecast (Post-Race Weather Round Up)

What to wear for a ride that is known as the best organized with the worst weather is crucial to being prepared for the elements and remain comfortable. Coach Bob from Total Cycling Performance has put together a list of things to consider, as well as some recommendations in choosing the proper clothing in a post entitled "A Simple Question:  What to Wear?".

Check Kristin's CycleCasts and video forecast so you are prepared for what the weather has in store for the MIBR.

If you are a race, ride or event organizer that is interested in 2WheelWeather's forecasting services, contact Kristin directly at kristin@2wheelweather.com.

Meteorologist Kristin Clark Launches 2WheelWeather

Image Credit:  Kristin Clark

Meteorologist and avid mountain biker Kristin Clark has been very busy over the last year with her work at Weather Nation TV, the MORC Weather Blog and providing detailed forecasts for the Fatbike Frozen 40 and the Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout.  Her passion for weather and cycling has spawned her newest project, 2WheelWeather.

"As a meteorologist and a mountain biker, I've always had the vision of combining weather and cycling.  Over the past year, I've provided relevant weather information for cyclists across the state of MN via my weather blog on MORC.  Out of this idea, 2WheelWeather.com was born...like the MORC Weather Blog but with more emphasis on getting the cyclists involved in sharing a cycling experience impacted by weather, uploading cycling photos and videos, or talking about the micro-climates that make their local trails special.  2WheelWeather will be an interactive, national cycling community about weather and it's impacts on cycling."

Image Credit:  SnapLoonPhotography.com

2WheelWeather will be your source for "everything and anything related to cycling weather".  It will contain a variety of information about cycling the four seasons and weather's affects on gear and trail conditions.

"2WheelWeather will  also be able to provide accurate, highly detailed hyper-local weather forecasts for events and races.  A white-labeled race day forecast has proven to be a tremendous asset to any race website.  Participants will keep coming back to the race website to get the latest weather updates and trail conditions.  With previous race day forecasts that I've done, knowing the specific weather details for race day has helped with early registration and has been a benefit to racers, sponsors and volunteers.  There's no denying that weather affects everything we do, especially when it comes to cycling!"

Image:  Kristin Clark

Kristin says 2WheelWeather is an ever evolving idea and will include the "CycleCast" providing past, present and future weather data.  If you have followed the MORC Weather Blog, you will know how valuable the CycleCast has been to cyclists planning and preparing for rides.  It has helped me many times to pick which days are best to ride and how I should dress for the weather.  It will provide cyclists with all the standard weather information such as temperature, wind speed and radar but with a much more in-depth look.

"Imagine getting a hyper-local quantitative precipitation forecast, seasonal outlooks, one-hour precipitation estimates, soil moisture anomalies and freeze outlooks for your favorite trail.  The possibilities are endless for what can be included in 2WheelWeather's CycleCast."

Kristin's hope is that 2WheelWeather will be a valuable resource to all cyclists, whether they are doing a long distance competitive endurance race, a leisurely Saturday afternoon ride or a quick trip down to the local mountain bike trail.  It is still a work in progress, but Kristin says, "2WheelWeather.com is rollin' along slowly but surely".

If you are a race or event coordinator that is interested in hyper-local weather information for your event, contact Kristin@2WheelWeather.com. 

Follow Kristin on Twitter @KClarkWNTV.

MisAdventure Racing's Bonnie Moebeck

Image Credit:  Bonnie Moebeck

Bonnie Moebeck is an avid cyclist and triathlete with quite a story to tell.  Bonnie has faced some tough obstacles along the way, including a brush with death, to get where she is at today.  Her spirit and her drive is what makes her so unique, she is not intimidated by even the toughest of challenges.  I wanted to share Bonnie's story because she is such an inspiration to others.  MisAdventure Racing is Bonnie's blog where she can share her racing stories and her life's adventures as an ultra athlete in her unique writing style.

To see what Bonnie has overcome and what inspires her meet the challenges ahead, watch the short video below.



I had a chance to talk with Bonnie about her love of adventure, the MisAdventure Racing blog, her cycling background and the obstacles she has overcome.  She answered them with such character that I had to quote her to best show her unique personality. 

Can you briefly explain the illness that almost took your life?

In 2010 I was rushed into emergency surgery after months of being misdiagnosed with only severe pneumonia. A bacteria that had spread throughout my body called Fusobacterium Necrophorum was killing me. It started in my lungs, forming a deadly blot clot, which subsequently burst and sent the bacteria spreading through my body faster than cancer. I had been suffering from not only extreme pneumonia but also from the bacteria eating through my insides. As a result of the bacteria I developed Lemierre’s Syndrome, one of the rarest diseases in the U.S.  After several surgeries, massive amounts of antibiotics and a grim prognosis, I was sent home to see if I would live. The doctors told me to go and do whatever I wanted to do as they were unable to assure me that they had healed me. When I got home I was unable to walk twenty feet on my own.

What is your cycling background and what inspired you to take on racing?

It all started in 2008. I hadn’t ridden a bike in 20 years but while preparing for my first triathlon, I learned that those maniacs also rode bikes for the second leg of the triathlon races and so I drug an old Schwinn bike down from the garage rafters and tried to put a random amount of air in the tires. Satisfied, I rode around town for a few weeks and then raced the Buffalo Triathlon on it. To this day, I regret not oiling the chain. Two years later I rode that same bike in Lebanon Hills and realized something that changed my thinking, blood is hard to get off of old paint. It also looks kind of cool so I just left it there and that gives me something to talk about when I realize people are avoiding me.
In 2010 I became deathly ill through a bacterium called Fusobacterium Necrophorum. This bacterium formed a blood clot in my lungs that burst and as result of a story much too long to write in this sentence, I ended up in the ICU unit with Lemierre’s Syndrome. This disease is not very friendly and likes to kill people but I wanted no part of that and so I prayed God would heal me and let me ride my blood stained bike one more time. When I finally left the hospital in a wheel chair, the doctors told me they were not sure if I would live and to go and do whatever I wanted to do. I took that to heart. I had desperately longed to run, ride and eat massive amounts of chocolate. I tried to run but tore the fascia in my feet so badly that I haven’t been able to successfully rehab my feet in the two years since, but I’m still trying. I also started to mountain bike and found that I am horrible at it but that it provides me with an odd source of personal entertainment and torture and can’t seem to break the horrific hold it has on me. As a result, I went out and purchased a fleet of bikes. I found that racing allows me to get in a good workout, discover the wonders of hyperventilation and also meet cool people who would otherwise avoid me. 

What types of racing do you do? 

I don’t consider anything I do true racing. I just show up, hoping to survive, and I always end up having a great time. One of the results of my illness is being prone to getting pneumonia quite often. This takes a heavy toll on my lungs and it always feels like I'm starting over with biking because my lungs don’t ever seem to become any stronger, or become more efficient, especially if I am forced to take actual time off. This makes racing tough but I don’t want to miss out on the unique atmosphere that only comes at a race, as well as meet new people and see all of the cool bikes and gear.

What was the toughest race you competed in?

Tough is relative and I am adopted. I have done shorter races, ultras, dirt, single track, and gravel and they are all tough. The toughest is probably the Mall of America during Christmas because anything that demands quick changing of gears is hard. If I am shifting a lot, that means there are a lot of changes in the terrain. Single track is notorious for this. The quick changes do not give my heart and lungs a chance to really recover before I am already into the next interval and my breathing is usually quite labored. That is very tough for me. Riding my bike in the dead of winter with forty pounds of gear added to the bike, all the while trying to out-bike a snow storm is also tough, but so is racing at ten thousand feet with lungs that are damaged. I would have to venture to say that there are two races that are neck and neck for being the toughest. The Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race in Leadville, Colorado was the toughest race I have ever done up until last year. It is a pure sufferfest of many sorts with tons of climbing, single track, terrifying descents and then more climbing, but the toughest thing about it is trying to race with diminished lung capacity at that altitude. There is around twelve thousand feet of climbing and it is a brutally hard race in every way, but the damage to my lungs from Lemierre’s makes it even worse. The other toughest race is the Arrowhead 135. Try stuffing sixty hours of racing into one stretch while carrying forty extra pounds of gear on your bike, all while riding in the dead of winter through the snow and trying to out-bike the wolves. Actually, the wolves give me an adrenaline rush from fear and that can be helpful when climbing hills. 

What races have you competed in?

I have done quite a few to include triathlon and running races, but since getting out of the hospital and starting back in early 2011, I have completed a twelve hour mountain bike race, the MS150 (Which is a road bike race cleverly disguised as a fund raiser. I saw this in jest.), a twenty four hour adventure race called END-AR that involved lots of mountain biking, the Frozen Otter ultra trek, the Lutsen 99er, the Leadville 100 Mtn Bike Race, Penn Cycle’s Get Phat With Pat, the Arrowhead 135, and the Fatbike Frozen Forty.  

What races are you doing in 2013?

This year’s calendar includes Penn Cycle’s Get Phat With Pat, the Arrowhead 135, Fatbike Frozen Forty, the Almanzo 100, Lutsen 99er, the Leadville 100 Mtn Bike Race. I am sure I will throw some others in the mix when something fun comes up but that’s it for now.   

What roles do your sponsors play in supporting your racing career?

My sponsors are mostly event specific, meaning they have come on board for just one race, or a specific season. Silverman Ankle & Foot sponsored me for a couple of events to include Ironman Wisconsin, which I raced right before I became deathly ill in 2010 and the MS150 in 2011. Dr. Silverman also reconstructed both of my ankles as I had destroyed them playing ultimate Frisbee and training for a triathlon. He’s picky that way- wanting to piece people back together who have broken themselves in the name of fun.
Penn Cycle is my first stop for biking needs. I love my Superfly 100 that I purchased from their Eagan store last year.  This year, they made sure I was well taken care of at the Arrowhead 135, sponsoring me with a 9:ZERO:7 fat bike and additional gear I needed to take on the race. I couldn’t have done it without them. The 9:ZERO:7 is definitely my favorite fat bike.
Talus Industries is a new sponsor and has graciously come on board this year. Their ColdAvenger product is unsurpassed in keeping my lungs safer in the frigid temperatures. For anyone who trains or races in the winter, you need to check out their products.


What bike advocacy or groups are you a member of or involved with?

I am currently a member of MORC. I really appreciate their trail work and all they do to give us mountain bikers a place to play. And, I apologize for the time I nearly ran one of the volunteers over while biking haphazardly through Lebanon Hills with my eyes closed.  I am also a member of the online Spinervals group, and I like to randomly spy on the Leadville 100 Yahoo group…. Do those count?

What inspired you to start the MisAdventure Racing blog?

I have had an affinity for writing since high school; probably because I didn’t have much else to do other than try to look cool. My writing style changes on occasion but typically I enjoy writing in self deprecating, dark humor. Usually I send my bizarre thoughts, highly exaggerated stories and race recaps to the Minnesota Tri News editors for consideration on their site and they are kind enough to pretend it does not adversely affect their readership base. Bribery helps. As I branched out from triathlon, they encouraged me to also start my own blog and share my stories in a broader sense, but I was reluctant (lazy) and just kept dragging my feet.  After I began preparing for the Arrowhead 135, one of my friends urged me to start a blog so they could follow my journey at a safer distance. I reluctantly decided it may be fun after all and thus the journey began to terrify readers on a larger scale with my tails from the trails and other such nonsense. Hopefully not too many readers have blocked me after hearing what I have to say.  

What are your plans for upcoming content on MisAdventure Racing?

I am thinking that I should probably update my blog on occasion so people know I am still alive. I have a vast reader group that consists of spam and my mom and I know they get worried if I wait too long between updates. I plan to include a write up about a couple of my sponsors because I think others will benefit from some of the great gear I use. I also will be writing from a motivational perspective on occasion in hopes of encouraging others to do the things they have always hoped to do, in spite of setbacks they may be encountering. 

Please add anything else you would like to let the readers know about your site.

My site is mostly dark humor so be prepared for truisms co-mingled with exaggerated humorous truths, generously sprinkled with bizarre imagery. Sort of like weight gain.   

Image Credit:  Bonnie Moebeck

Keep up to date on all of Bonnie's posts at MisAdventure Racing, subscribe via RSS Feed or follow her on Twitter @TriGirlMN.