Trans Iowa v13: Pre-Race Meat-Up Day

The wetness started the day before T.I.v13

Trans Iowa events start for me on the Friday morning before the riders take the start. This year I loaded up most of the prizing in to my friend Tony's Ford truck on Thursday. Then Friday I took my personal items and the t-shirts along with me to recon the first almost 100 miles of the T.I.v13 course. Since the course left Grinnell heading West, I went out West to a point where I could drive the course backward to Grinnell. That way I could save some time and not have to rush back 100 miles to get to Grinnell to host the Meat-Up.

On the way over to my rendezvous point, it started to rain. Not heavily, but enough that by the time the day was over, the Level B roads were going to be too wet to ride. The last time Level B roads were a factor, other than v11 when no one finished, was way back in v8, when the moistness of the days previous to that Trans Iowa made the Level B roads all unrideable.

The roads I saw Friday also were being maintained. In fact, I saw two road graders during my recon. There were also plenty of patches of fresh, extra-chunky gravel as well. There was one thing that was pretty evident- the roads were not going to be all that smooth.

Minimalist shelter

Grade On!

After seeing the course, that it was all okay, and that it would be challenging, I went to check in to my motel. I actually had time to hang out and relax. Wow! What a concept. Then I drove the short distance to the Grinnell Steakhouse. I met old friends and new and we got the gig fired up one more time.

The "Gravel Family Reunion" for me and those who come to Trans Iowa.

This year the Pre-Race was a ton of fun. It has been a highlight of the year for me for a while now. There was one dark cloud though. That being the drops from the roster which occurred over the few days leading up to the event. The drops were for all sorts of reasons, some quite unusual and understandable. However; with the forecast being dialed in for a lot of rain and wind, it was hard to believe that many of these drops weren't simply the folks giving up due to the promise of poor conditions. I'll never know for sure, but the coincidence seems convenient.

So we had fewer folks than we've had in some time. It is really too bad. We really have a lot of fun at this meeting. Of course, Trans Iowa itself is a good time. The entire weekend really is a highlight for many folks' year. So it rained. Folks taking up a spot shouldn't "commit" and wilt when the conditions promise to be poor.

Nuff said........

My previous two weeks before Trans Iowa were......difficult. I suppose I let that have the best of me in the sense that I partook of too much beer. That didn't work well the next day for me. Speaking of which, that will kick off tomorrows blog.