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| What finish lines were like. Matt Gersib, Odin's Revenge finisher. |
I will be asking for your help in this, so as you continue to read here, please keep in mind what events were seminal and maybe not necessarily "well known", but were exemplary from a descriptive viewpoint. Events which were the definition of "grassroots gravel", if this helps you out any.
Of course, there are the events you just cannot leave off a list like this. Events like Trans Iowa, the Dirty Kanza 200, and the Almanzo 100. Barry-Roubaix, Red River Riot, and The Good Life Gravel Adventure also come to mind here.
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| Another influential gravel grinder long gone now. |
Obviously, there might be differences of opinion in regard to how influential some early events were. I'm here for this debate though. So, to keep things focused, I am going to cap the discussion to events predating 2013. So, anything 2012 or older is up for discussion here. If you feel strongly about an event which maybe has merit in terms of influence, and this event came after 2012, please go ahead and state a case for the event you have in mind here. For instance, I could see an argument for Odin's Revenge.
Okay, so if you have any events beyond these obvious ones I have already mentioned, let me have it. You can comment or send me an email at g.ted.productions@gmail.com.
Why I Am Doing This: Now, this effort is something I feel is worthwhile from a couple of viewpoints. One: In my opinion, the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame shows no capabilities, (at present), nor do they seem inclined to research and curate such a list. I have opinions on this subject, but this would be something I'd write about in a separate post.
Two: The term "grassroots gravel" gets used a lot as an over-arching term which includes events such as the ones I have mentioned and others, of course, which are/were similar in nature. But what does "grassroots gravel" actually mean? Do all of these early events help us define the term, or is there something else at play here? I want to get to the bottom of it to help us define what is meant by this term. I think by uncovering events which are in the collective consciousness as being events which "define" grassroots gravel, we might get a clearer picture.
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| "Gravel-adjacent"? Maybe. Influential? Definitely. |
Besides, this wet and windy Spring has kept me in the house more often than not, so as you long-time blog readers know - When I have time to think, watch out! Ha!
You know what they say about an "idle mind", don't you?
So, this idea will get explored more in upcoming "Where We Came From" posts and perhaps I can even come up with a few race directors to interview for the podcast. We will see.
Another positive concerning this idea is that I will get to "mine" the old dormant "Gravel Grinder News" blog I used to run for source material. Two of today's images coming from this treasure-trove of information.
So stay tuned for more on the events side of "Where We Came From" and I hope some of you will chime in with ideas for events to include in the series. I will be doing profiles on each one working from any suggestions I get up to the obvious events which would have to be included here.
Thank you for reading Guitar Ted Productions!
10 comments:
Not sure if you've covered it previously but the Blackfly Challenge in the Adirondack Mountains of New York was my first gravel event back in 2011, had already been running for a while. On the shorter side, but very welcoming and popular, and draws from the road, MTB, casual, and other cycling communities. Best part for me was it was the one time a year all my bike buddies got together in one place for a weekend :-) Cheers! https://blackflychallenge.com/
@Doug M - Great suggestion! I do recall having the Black Fly Challenge on my early Gravel Grinder News Calendars. Great event from the Eastern side of the USA. There are a few long-time rides like this which were proto-gravel in nature, especially in Vermont.
Odin's Revenge, Gothenburg, Nebraska. Barely makes your criteria, as the first event was in 2012. Documentation of Odin's Revenge was as "grass roots" as the event itself. Your multi-post reports are probably the most publicity it ever received. I'd still be traveling hundreds of miles to ride it, if it still existed.
@CrossTrail - I thought maybe Odin's first year was 2012. Thank you for the confirmation. Of course, you are very correct in saying it was a definition of "grassroots gravel".
Thanks for the suggestion and kind words about my reporting on the event. I feel Odin's, for all its anonymity in comparison to many other gravel events, may have had the most influential impact upon those who had the privilege to ride the event. I have not met a single person who does not feel as you do about riding there. What an amazing place and event!
I recall talking with Matt Gersib, (MG) back when Odin's was in its heyday, and we were convinced it could be as popular and "big" as the DK200 was at that time. (Not that we wanted this, in reality, but the vibe was as good if not better) But then again, the small nature of Odin's fostered that certain intimacy and "intangible" attractiveness to the event. This is to say nothing of the course, which was without peer.
2013 Odin’s was an incredible day on the bike. I think that may have been as deep as I’ve ever gone in an event. I was totally spent at the finish.
As far as I’m concerned, Odin’s represented the pinnacle of the gravel family experience. Those were some of the best, most fun, weekends on the calendar in the years it existed.
@MG - Wasn't that the year you pulled over at McDonald's and got some fries which energized you enough to finish?
Early events - Flint Hills Death Ride. I'd add The Renegade Gents Race in there because of its unique format
@Steve Fuller - Thank you for those suggestions. Both excellent examples!
I'll add the Flint Hills Death Ride. It predates DK and was 80 miles or so in the area of the south Unbound route. But it was held the last weekend in July in triple digit heat.
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