Postcard Registration for Several Gravel Events Opens January 1st

The new year is just around the corner and that sparks the start of planning for the upcoming gravel season.  Several gravel racing events in Minnesota open postcard and online registration on January 1, 2016.  The "Granddaddy of all gravel races" the Almanzo 100 with its extended mileage races, the Royal 162 and Alexander 380 will be accepting postcards as well as some other favorites.  I have also listed several others where registration is already open or will be opening between now and Spring.

Registration opens January 1, 2016

Miesville FiftySix 

May 1, 2016

Jack Ruhr Stadium

Miesville, MN

56 miles
400 rider cap
Online Registration opens January 1, 2016

Facebook Page

Almanzo Races

Alexander 380

May 13, 2016

Spring Valley, MN

380 miles
Postcard Registration opens January 1, 2016

  

Almanzo 100 

May 14, 2016

Spring Valley, MN

100 miles
 Postcard Registration opens January 1, 2016

Royal 162 

May 14, 2016

Spring Valley, MN

162 miles
Postcard Registration opens January 1, 2016

 

Image Credit: Vengo Velo

3rd Annual Autumn Gravel Grovel

September 25, 2016

Miesville, MN
100 miles

100 rider cap 
Postcard Registration opens January 1, 2016

Facebook Event Page

Open Now

Image Credit: Larry Sauber

Lakeville-Milltown-Lakeville
March 26, 2016

Harry's Cafe

Lakeville, MN

Approx. 80 miles 

100 rider cap

Ragnarök 105
April 9, 2016

Red Wing, MN

105 miles

105 rider cap

Postcard registration November 27-December 31, 2015

Facebook Page 

Image Credit: Gal Alon

Dickie Scramble
April 23, 2016

JJ Tailgaiters

Elgin, MN

Approximately 75 miles 

Facebook Event Page 

Opening Soon

Le Grand Du Nord 

May 28, 2016

Grand Marais, MN

100, 50 miles

Online Registration opens January 15, 2016

Facebook Page

 The Filthy 50

October 9, 2016

Stewartville, MN

52 miles

Online Registration opens the First Day of Spring

On the first day of Spring, The Filthy 50 details will be announced here and on the Filthy 50 website, stay tuned, you're not going to want miss this one.

Miesville FiftySix Returns for Second Year

The Miesville FiftySix returns for its second year (formerly known as the Miesville Grinder) on Sunday April 19th, 2015.  This is a ride through some of the best scenery that country gravel roads close to the Twin Cities can provide and according to the organizers, "The route consists of more than 90% gravel roads through Dakota County."  Like its namesake, the route will be 56 miles starting and finishing at Jack Ruhr Stadium (home of the Miesville Mudhens) in downtown Miesville.

The idea for this ride was that of Marsh Jones who realized the area around Miesville, New Trier, Vermillion and Welch was "...one of the few places within 45 miles of the metro that had enough gravel roads that were interesting enough to make a complete ride".  After last year's successful turnout for the Miesville Grinder, Marsh has passed the torch to Sean Pease and Angela Hop as the Miesville FifySix event organizers. 

This free and unsupported gravel ride will travel through areas North and West of Miesville, including passing by the Little Log Cabin Pioneer Village, Alexis Bailly Vineyard and Chimney Rock Scientific & Natural Area.  From there the route heads South across HWY 50, through a stretch of Minimum Maintenance Road before turning East through the rolling gravel roads of  New Trier.  Then riders will take a short stretch of paved road which turns into gravel again as it descends into the Miesville Ravine. Climbing out of the ravine turns the route into easy rolling farmland before heading up a big hill for a second fast descent into Miesville Ravine Regional Park.  A short ride along the Cannon River leads through the floodplain towards another big, but scenic climb out of the valley on the Orlando Trail.  One more long and fast descent heads toward the valley floodplain and river on the Welch Trail before the final long climb of the route.  Rolling hills flatten out as the route makes its way back towards Miesville.

The Miesville FiftySix is a free ride with no support and no signs.  You are responsible for you, so bring everything you will need.  Printable cue sheet will be made available on the Miesville FiftySix website.  This will be a mass start with the first mile being blacktop.

If you want in doing so is easy, just send a postcard with your full name, date of birth, email address and emergency contact information (name and phone number) to:

Miesville FiftySix
8490 Forestview Ln. N.
Maple Grove, MN 55369

Ride will be capped at 250 participants.  A waiver will need to be signed the morning of the ride and then you will receive your ride number and packet.

Rules

1. You are in charge of yourself.  100%! This is an unsupported ride
2. You must send in a postcard to register.  You will be added to the list.  The list will be posted.
3. Everyone must wear a helmet.
4. Be prepared for anything. Weather. Mechanical issues. Hydration. Food.
5. Keep the course clean.
6. Be respectful and uphold all traffic laws.
7. Communicate with other riders.
8. Ride safely and use good judgement.
9. Don’t be a Dusche (German for shower, English for something not like a shower).  
10. Expect nothing; but if you need something, ask.

After the ride be sure to stop in at Miesville FiftySix sponsor Kings Bar & Grill.  It's a great opportunity to relax and have a cold beer or one of the best burgers around with fellow riders.

This low-key ride is a great opportunity for those that love gravel and those that want to try it out and experience some great scenery while riding with others.  Whether you are an experienced gravel rider or would like to give gravel a try, I encourage you to sign up for the Miesville FiftySix and crush some gravel.  I'll See you on April 19th!

For more information and updates, visit the Miesville FiftySix website and Facebook page.