Trans Iowa V9: Working On The Route

Trans Iowa V9 registration will kick off in a little over a week's time now, but that isn't all that's been going on behind the scenes with this event.

I've spent a fair amount of time going cross-eyed over maps lately. Doing calculations, adding miles, and looking for interesting things to ride by. Now all of the investigation will be focused "in the field", as it were, as I and a cohort hit the back roads of Iowa in search of the route I have envisioned for Trans Iowa V9.

The plan is to start in Grinnell and then to drive the route to Checkpoint Alpha. From there the route will be traced to Checkpoint Bravo. By this time, I figure the day will be mostly shot. Doing 170+ miles of recon in one fell swoop is pretty time consuming. (And that doesn't count the mileage driving to get to the start and back from where recon ends.)

You see, you just don't drive pellmell down the road, making sure it is there, and get it over with. No- you have to look for signs, make notes on concerns like rickety old bridges, bad B Roads, or low water crossings. B Roads sometimes have to be walked, since cars may not be able to traverse them at the time they are checked over. Convenience stores have to be walked in to and looked over to see if they will have proper eats and drinks available. It's a lot of detail work, and it just takes a long time to get it right.

That said, I find it to be fun to do, (yet), so I don't mind. This year I have a partner in crime that is volunteering to help, so the work load will be a bit easier. It should be a good time. Look for a full Recon Report soon.....