"Fred"

3 weeks from Saturday October 1st.

The Gravel Grinder is a gravel road race like nothing you can imagine
There will be a 20 mile, a 45 mile and a 60 mile race. The 20 mile race is very flat, but the 45 and 60 mile races will have long steep climbs, which will test your physical ability and mental sanity.

HUGE cash payouts totaling $12,300 including a $500 bonus for the KOM Contest.

Registration closes on September 28th...

Register here...https://www.zapevent.com/reg/event/8701

Ben I.

I can't remember how I heard about this but signed up awhile ago for the 45 mile one. Looking forward to it but slightly intimidated by the big climb on that route, ~550 ft in a little under 2 miles but hopefully I'll be okay haha. As long as I finish I'll be happy and I'm sure it'll be a blast.

scrming

Last year was my first Gravel Grinder. I did the 45 mile as well, with the hope of just finishing! The hills climbs, while indeed TOUGH, weren't absolutely outrageous... I'm a big guy and climbing is not my strong suit at all! Made every climb though and definitely had a big feeling of accomplishment when i was done!!!

The only part I had trouble with were a couple of the big sand traps. One section I actually hike a fair amount due to the sand. I was on my cross bike... Think the only way i would have been able to ride through it would have been to be on my fat bike! LOL!

Since most of my races/events are a bit shorter than the 45 miles, i decided to just do the 20 mile route this year...

@"Fred" - can you have them turn the heat up a little bit this year... last year we started out pretty cold!

kuroba

This sounds so fun! I wish we had these gravel grinding events in my area.

scrming

Last year was my first year back on the bike in a long time... was my first time racing in 25 years. I tried a little bit of everything last year but the gravel races were my favorite! Paved road races in this area (Michigan in the USA) seem to be disappearing while gravel races are springing up and becoming more and more popular.

"Fred"

I just rode the 60 mile route this morning and with recent rains the course was hard and fast. Even the sand was packed down, lets hope it holds for 2 weeks.

As far as weather I have the order in for warm weather and no wind.

scrming

Excellent on all counts!!! See you in a couple of weeks!

Ben I.

I really hoping the weather holds out. I don't mind the course being wet or damp but rather not have a downpour during it. Ideally, cool but not cold would be good too. Those of you have done it before, I currently have Challenge Gravel Grinders ~38mm, on my gravel bike and was hoping that would be okay since it's a gravel ride and not tons of mud like cyclocross would be. Anyone have thoughts on that? Would it be best to get cross tires with more tread?

scrming

I rode the 45 mile loop last year. These are my observations and are based on my own personal skills (or lack of skills). For me it wasn't the mud but the sand. There were some couple of larger "sand traps" that I had to hike through. I was on my Giant TCX cross bike running 33mm cross tires. I had to hike it through this sections. Also there was a couple of section of road that had some deeper sandy spots that were pretty challenging... It really is going to depend on the condition of the sand... looks like they are going to get some more rain this week but next week looks rather dry...

Ben I.

@scrming Thanks for the info. Sounds like I should be okay with my current tires, may pick up some cross tires with more tread just in case.

"Fred"

The course is in great shape and with the rain today and early next week it should be as fast as it can get. That being said there are some sections with some sand. I have had no problem riding through all of it with a 33 file tread. your 38's will help in the sand and some of the tougher sections.

The weather is looking amazing lets hope the forecast holds.

Ben I.

Thanks for the update @fred! I've started checking the weather for Boyne City now and it's looking decent.

How well marked is the course?

Do they have little signs posted? Arrows spray painted on the ground? Or are you kind of on your own to navigate the route?

"Fred"

yes my order for great weather has been approved.

The course is marked very well with yellow yard signs with black arrows at all intersections. We also have route Marshalls at 75% of the intersections helping to spot vehicles so if you don't have the right of way or cant see possible traffic someone will be looking for you. we do offer waterproof maps but nobody uses them.

a couple examples I found.

Ben I.

Awesome, thanks so much for the reply and the pictures too!! I'll still the route on my Garmin but really nice to know that it's pretty well marked.

"Fred"

3 days left to register, registration closes Wednesday at midnight.