Trans Iowa V10: Pre-Race Review

How wet will it get?

Last night I finished off doing the cue sheets, a big hurdle that has been jumped, and now it is all downhill to Trans Iowa V10 and the start at 4:00am in Grinnell, Iowa.

Here's a few tidbits in review that as a rider or casual observer you won't want to forget. In no particular order.....

The Barn: There is a barn located three miles west of Grinnell on Jacob Ave where we will be having the finish line. Starting Saturday evening, you can come out, hang out, camp out, grill out, and generally hob-nob with other support folks and Trans Iowa fans if you want to. I already am aware of at least a handful of individuals that will be hanging around out there, so please do check it out. If you have a car to park, please do so at the Nature Area just past the barn to the West where the road makes a 90° turn South up on a hill. There are restrooms there and plenty of parking on a gravel lot. If anyone can finish Trans Iowa this year I expect that won't happen until shortly after sunrise on Sunday.

Pre-Race Meat-Up: If you are riding in Trans Iowa v10, be on time for rider check in which MUST BE DONE BY 6pm SHARP at the GRINNELL STEAKHOUSE!! You can start filing in to eat by 4pm, and I highly suggest that the earlier you get there the better. Anyone in the area that wants to stop in to eat with us is certainly welcome to come and meet the racers.

The Start: In front of Bikes To You at 921 Broad Street at 4:00AM. Riders should show up by 3:30am and we will be lining you up at 3:50am for the roll out. Spectators are welcome.

Getting ready to start a Trans Iowa- Image by GNAT

 Trans Iowa Radio: Trans Iowa is not a spectator sport and people are discouraged to be out looking for riders, as this is seen as breaking the rules of "no support/self support" the event is based upon. To get a read on what is going down, we have worked out a deal again with Mountain Bike Radio to air rider call-ins and my updates on their Trans Iowa Radio Page. Riders are encouraged to use the phone number provided on that page to call in during the event and give brief updates. I will also be giving my viewpoint on the goings on as I cruise the course over the 34 hours of the event. Stay tuned for a new update later today on the Pre-event outlook.

Imagery: Of course, the images of Trans Iowa are always a very popular thing, and with the weather being what it looks to be for this one, the images should really be fantastic. Our event photographer, Wally Kilburg is researching and testing ideas to grab some great stuff out there this weekend. Look for some tasty shots from him later after the event. However; if you just can't wait that long, I will be posting some cheesy shots from my amateur viewpoint on Facebook and on Twitter. Just search the hashtag "TIV10" for my updates on social media.

Okay, that's a wrap from me on Trans Iowa stuff for now. This weekend expect to see some Trans Iowa images and a couple of audio prompts to go to the Trans Iowa Radio Page. I'll have my News And Views up for tomorrow, which will be heavily Trans Iowa flavored, as you can imagine.

Trans Iowa V10: Pre-Race Review

How wet will it get?

Last night I finished off doing the cue sheets, a big hurdle that has been jumped, and now it is all downhill to Trans Iowa V10 and the start at 4:00am in Grinnell, Iowa.

Here's a few tidbits in review that as a rider or casual observer you won't want to forget. In no particular order.....

The Barn: There is a barn located three miles west of Grinnell on Jacob Ave where we will be having the finish line. Starting Saturday evening, you can come out, hang out, camp out, grill out, and generally hob-nob with other support folks and Trans Iowa fans if you want to. I already am aware of at least a handful of individuals that will be hanging around out there, so please do check it out. If you have a car to park, please do so at the Nature Area just past the barn to the West where the road makes a 90° turn South up on a hill. There are restrooms there and plenty of parking on a gravel lot. If anyone can finish Trans Iowa this year I expect that won't happen until shortly after sunrise on Sunday.

Pre-Race Meat-Up: If you are riding in Trans Iowa v10, be on time for rider check in which MUST BE DONE BY 6pm SHARP at the GRINNELL STEAKHOUSE!! You can start filing in to eat by 4pm, and I highly suggest that the earlier you get there the better. Anyone in the area that wants to stop in to eat with us is certainly welcome to come and meet the racers.

The Start: In front of Bikes To You at 921 Broad Street at 4:00AM. Riders should show up by 3:30am and we will be lining you up at 3:50am for the roll out. Spectators are welcome.

Getting ready to start a Trans Iowa- Image by GNAT

 Trans Iowa Radio: Trans Iowa is not a spectator sport and people are discouraged to be out looking for riders, as this is seen as breaking the rules of "no support/self support" the event is based upon. To get a read on what is going down, we have worked out a deal again with Mountain Bike Radio to air rider call-ins and my updates on their Trans Iowa Radio Page. Riders are encouraged to use the phone number provided on that page to call in during the event and give brief updates. I will also be giving my viewpoint on the goings on as I cruise the course over the 34 hours of the event. Stay tuned for a new update later today on the Pre-event outlook.

Imagery: Of course, the images of Trans Iowa are always a very popular thing, and with the weather being what it looks to be for this one, the images should really be fantastic. Our event photographer, Wally Kilburg is researching and testing ideas to grab some great stuff out there this weekend. Look for some tasty shots from him later after the event. However; if you just can't wait that long, I will be posting some cheesy shots from my amateur viewpoint on Facebook and on Twitter. Just search the hashtag "TIV10" for my updates on social media.

Okay, that's a wrap from me on Trans Iowa stuff for now. This weekend expect to see some Trans Iowa images and a couple of audio prompts to go to the Trans Iowa Radio Page. I'll have my News And Views up for tomorrow, which will be heavily Trans Iowa flavored, as you can imagine.

Trans Iowa V10: Prizing and Cue Sheets

Prizing for T.I.V10 from Wheel Werks (Image courtesy of J. Barre)

Of course, as always, there is going to be prizing for Trans Iowa V10. Most of it will be going in the raffle at the Pre-Race Meat-Up which all riders must attend and be checked in for by 6:00pm Friday. (You will be checking in, right? Because if you don't, you will not only miss the meeting and the chance to get prizing, but you will not ride in T.I.V10. )

Anyway, here's the heads up on the prizing and the meeting. We really need to get the meeting started early, so get to the Steakhouse right at 4pm or shortly after to get checked in if you are eating. See.......we have a metric ton of prizes to raffle off, and it's gonna take time to do it! Raffle items from Wheel Werks, pedalonline.com, Michelin, Shimano, Hammer Nutrition, and more will be up for grabs. Plus everyone riding in T.I.V10 will get a commemorative hat and t-shirt.

Prizing for placing or competing in Trans Iowa V10 will include Ergon SM3 saddles, Oakley goods, WTB Nano 40 tires, a Surly frameset for the "Most Gritty Ride" from the Slender Fungus, and a set of HED Ardennes+ wheels to the last rider on time to Checkpoint #2.

Okay, that has to make T.I.V10 the version with the biggest pile-o-schwag of any of the ten so far. Amazing! Thank you to all of our awesome sponsors!

Taking care of bidness! (Image by S. Fuller)

Now for a word or two about the cue sheets. First of all- A Heads Up To All Riders: The cues are in some zip-locs this year that were donated to the cause. These fit the cue cards very snugly. If you are using your own system, and not the baggie the cues come in, disregard this, but please dispose of the zip-loc correctly! Don't be a litter bug, okay! Otherwise, if you were planning on using the baggy the cues come in, just know that you will have to bend the cards in a "U" shape to get them out. It's a tight fit! I have stuffed them all in, so it can be done! 

There are 4 cue cards to get to Checkpoint #1, six cue cards to get to Checkpoint #2, and eight cue cards to get to the Finish. 

Finally- Cue Sheets Are For Riders Only!! There will be no "extra cue sheet sets available. None. I will make sure of that. Don't even ask me for any. Captains at the checkpoints will be instructed to keep a very close eye on cue sheets, and any not claimed at checkpoints will be sealed and given to me at a later time.

Look- I get it: You want to check in on your racers, check out the scene, yada-yada...... You promise not to get in the way, or to support anyone. Ummmm.......the answer is still NO!! I will not allow for anyone to be directed to Checkpoint #2, nor will I even tell anyone where the course is.

Why? Because if I see anyone out on course, I will know that a rider contacted them and that will mean someone is possibly going to get DQ'ed, unless they are dropping out anyway. (Calling in your DNF to me first would be greatly appreciated) I will be cruising around more this year than ever, so keep that in mind folks. (For my take on cheating in Trans Iowa, see this post.) Seeing random cars on course that clearly are not farmers, or that have out of state plates will be a cause for me to investigate, so please- do not even try to go out there. 

There is, of course, one main exception to the rule, and that is Checkpoint #1. Of course that will be revealed at the time riders pick up their race packets. However; there will be no other revelation made. Checkpoint #1 folks will not even know where the riders are going to....so don't pester them. Only six people know where CP#2 even is now, and I plan on keeping it that way until it happens that folks start dropping out of the event there and call in for rides, which is cool at that point.

Bottom Line: Trans Iowa is not a spectator event. Seeing folks on course that the riders may know is defined as support here, and that is not allowed. Please play by the rules folks. I have allowed for riders to be able to call into Mountain Bike Radio to post on the Trans Iowa Radio page, which is where you'll find my updates as well. Check that out here. If you have the need to know, have your rider call in intermittently, and listen to my and all the other updates. But please- stay off the roads unless you have been asked to pick your rider up.

Trans Iowa V10: Prizing and Cue Sheets

Prizing for T.I.V10 from Wheel Werks (Image courtesy of J. Barre)

Of course, as always, there is going to be prizing for Trans Iowa V10. Most of it will be going in the raffle at the Pre-Race Meat-Up which all riders must attend and be checked in for by 6:00pm Friday. (You will be checking in, right? Because if you don't, you will not only miss the meeting and the chance to get prizing, but you will not ride in T.I.V10. )

Anyway, here's the heads up on the prizing and the meeting. We really need to get the meeting started early, so get to the Steakhouse right at 4pm or shortly after to get checked in if you are eating. See.......we have a metric ton of prizes to raffle off, and it's gonna take time to do it! Raffle items from Wheel Werks, pedalonline.com, Michelin, Shimano, Hammer Nutrition, and more will be up for grabs. Plus everyone riding in T.I.V10 will get a commemorative hat and t-shirt.

Prizing for placing or competing in Trans Iowa V10 will include Ergon SM3 saddles, Oakley goods, WTB Nano 40 tires, a Surly frameset for the "Most Gritty Ride" from the Slender Fungus, and a set of HED Ardennes+ wheels to the last rider on time to Checkpoint #2.

Okay, that has to make T.I.V10 the version with the biggest pile-o-schwag of any of the ten so far. Amazing! Thank you to all of our awesome sponsors!

Taking care of bidness! (Image by S. Fuller)

Now for a word or two about the cue sheets. First of all- A Heads Up To All Riders: The cues are in some zip-locs this year that were donated to the cause. These fit the cue cards very snugly. If you are using your own system, and not the baggie the cues come in, disregard this, but please dispose of the zip-loc correctly! Don't be a litter bug, okay! Otherwise, if you were planning on using the baggy the cues come in, just know that you will have to bend the cards in a "U" shape to get them out. It's a tight fit! I have stuffed them all in, so it can be done! 

There are 4 cue cards to get to Checkpoint #1, six cue cards to get to Checkpoint #2, and eight cue cards to get to the Finish. 

Finally- Cue Sheets Are For Riders Only!! There will be no "extra cue sheet sets available. None. I will make sure of that. Don't even ask me for any. Captains at the checkpoints will be instructed to keep a very close eye on cue sheets, and any not claimed at checkpoints will be sealed and given to me at a later time.

Look- I get it: You want to check in on your racers, check out the scene, yada-yada...... You promise not to get in the way, or to support anyone. Ummmm.......the answer is still NO!! I will not allow for anyone to be directed to Checkpoint #2, nor will I even tell anyone where the course is.

Why? Because if I see anyone out on course, I will know that a rider contacted them and that will mean someone is possibly going to get DQ'ed, unless they are dropping out anyway. (Calling in your DNF to me first would be greatly appreciated) I will be cruising around more this year than ever, so keep that in mind folks. (For my take on cheating in Trans Iowa, see this post.) Seeing random cars on course that clearly are not farmers, or that have out of state plates will be a cause for me to investigate, so please- do not even try to go out there. 

There is, of course, one main exception to the rule, and that is Checkpoint #1. Of course that will be revealed at the time riders pick up their race packets. However; there will be no other revelation made. Checkpoint #1 folks will not even know where the riders are going to....so don't pester them. Only six people know where CP#2 even is now, and I plan on keeping it that way until it happens that folks start dropping out of the event there and call in for rides, which is cool at that point.

Bottom Line: Trans Iowa is not a spectator event. Seeing folks on course that the riders may know is defined as support here, and that is not allowed. Please play by the rules folks. I have allowed for riders to be able to call into Mountain Bike Radio to post on the Trans Iowa Radio page, which is where you'll find my updates as well. Check that out here. If you have the need to know, have your rider call in intermittently, and listen to my and all the other updates. But please- stay off the roads unless you have been asked to pick your rider up.

Trans Iowa V10: Cutting!

Chop shop.

Note: Loyal readers and casual visitors to this blog beware! This week is the lead up to my production of the 10th Trans Iowa gravel road event which happens this coming Saturday and Sunday. I have pretty much nothing else going on in my brain that isn't related to this event, so that's the content for the next two weeks, most likely. You've been warned!

Well the cues are all printed! WooHoo! One hurdle jumped, but there are others yet to clear before Friday. I will say that getting these printed is a big hurdle to jump through though!

Printing took about 500 sheets of card stock, three regular Model 74 HP ink cartridges and one Model 74 x-tra large ink cartridge. With that done, it moves on to the cutting phase.

This is another big hurdle, and once it is crossed, the cues are pretty much ready to consume. All I have to do with them is separate them into packets for each rider. Easier said than done though, as trimming down the cues to fit into their baggies takes a lot of manual labor. I'm using the shop's rickety old cutter too, which makes things.........interesting. There definitely is a skill to using this old thing and if you get lazy, it bites back! Not that it cuts me, but rather, it doesn't cut. It just bends the paper instead of cutting it making a mess of things. So far, so good. No ruined cues, but I have already come close.

I've gotten as far as getting the cues cut and stuffed for Checkpoint #1 with the exception of about the last 25 sets. Then I'll move on to sets two and three. For the record, there are four cue cards to Checkpoint #1, Six to Checkpoint #2, and eight cue cards to the Finish. Speaking of "finish", I better get on with things so I can!

Trans Iowa V10: Cutting!

Chop shop.

Note: Loyal readers and casual visitors to this blog beware! This week is the lead up to my production of the 10th Trans Iowa gravel road event which happens this coming Saturday and Sunday. I have pretty much nothing else going on in my brain that isn't related to this event, so that's the content for the next two weeks, most likely. You've been warned!

Well the cues are all printed! WooHoo! One hurdle jumped, but there are others yet to clear before Friday. I will say that getting these printed is a big hurdle to jump through though!

Printing took about 500 sheets of card stock, three regular Model 74 HP ink cartridges and one Model 74 x-tra large ink cartridge. With that done, it moves on to the cutting phase.

This is another big hurdle, and once it is crossed, the cues are pretty much ready to consume. All I have to do with them is separate them into packets for each rider. Easier said than done though, as trimming down the cues to fit into their baggies takes a lot of manual labor. I'm using the shop's rickety old cutter too, which makes things.........interesting. There definitely is a skill to using this old thing and if you get lazy, it bites back! Not that it cuts me, but rather, it doesn't cut. It just bends the paper instead of cutting it making a mess of things. So far, so good. No ruined cues, but I have already come close.

I've gotten as far as getting the cues cut and stuffed for Checkpoint #1 with the exception of about the last 25 sets. Then I'll move on to sets two and three. For the record, there are four cue cards to Checkpoint #1, Six to Checkpoint #2, and eight cue cards to the Finish. Speaking of "finish", I better get on with things so I can!

Trans Iowa V10: Print Shop

Note: Loyal readers and casual visitors to this blog beware! This week is the lead up to my production of the 10th Trans Iowa gravel road event which happens this coming Saturday and Sunday. I have pretty much nothing else going on in my brain that isn't related to this event, so that's the content for the next two weeks, most likely. You've been warned!

The weekend was awesome here, as far as weather. A lot of folks were busting out their dusty bicycles and getting their creaky legs going roundy-round again after months of stinkin' freezing, unfriendly weather. But not I! Oh no, not I.

This is the time that I am doing anything and everything Trans Iowa related to get my loose ends tied up and to try and not forget anything. Last year, I almost left without my cell phone! I'll try not to do that again this year....

The big job for the weekend was sandwiched around doing Easter activities at church and with my family West of here. If I had a spare moment, I had the printer fired up and running cue sheets for T.I.V10. While there isn't much hoopla necessary to do a Trans Iowa from my end, the cue sheets are a vital component. Get that wrong, (and in the past, there have been issues), then it gets to be a stressful weekend. Get it right, (as has been the case the past two years of Trans Iowa events), then it becomes a non-issue. I'm hoping for more "non-issue" than the other choice!

 I've burned through my second toner cartridge.......  Need to run out and get some more ink!

I used to have this job done "professionally", but seeing as how most print shops don't know what cue sheets are, they can be printed up and you'll never know if something is wrong until it is too late and you've paid your money. (Ex:  Trans Iowa V3) Last time I paid a shop to print these it was $75.00 and there weren't as many sheets and not as many cues. Yes- it is tedious to do the cues myself, but I can get them done almost perfectly, check them as I go along, (for the fourth time), and make any necessary changes on the fly with minimal cash detriment, unlike how it would be with a print shop. In fact, I almost changed a cue last night, but after "further review" it was deemed unnecessary. So yeah.......things can change after you have several eyes consider the cues for you! 

More Trans Iowa madness coming tomorrow.......................

Trans Iowa V10: Print Shop

Note: Loyal readers and casual visitors to this blog beware! This week is the lead up to my production of the 10th Trans Iowa gravel road event which happens this coming Saturday and Sunday. I have pretty much nothing else going on in my brain that isn't related to this event, so that's the content for the next two weeks, most likely. You've been warned!

The weekend was awesome here, as far as weather. A lot of folks were busting out their dusty bicycles and getting their creaky legs going roundy-round again after months of stinkin' freezing, unfriendly weather. But not I! Oh no, not I.

This is the time that I am doing anything and everything Trans Iowa related to get my loose ends tied up and to try and not forget anything. Last year, I almost left without my cell phone! I'll try not to do that again this year....

The big job for the weekend was sandwiched around doing Easter activities at church and with my family West of here. If I had a spare moment, I had the printer fired up and running cue sheets for T.I.V10. While there isn't much hoopla necessary to do a Trans Iowa from my end, the cue sheets are a vital component. Get that wrong, (and in the past, there have been issues), then it gets to be a stressful weekend. Get it right, (as has been the case the past two years of Trans Iowa events), then it becomes a non-issue. I'm hoping for more "non-issue" than the other choice!

 I've burned through my second toner cartridge.......  Need to run out and get some more ink!

I used to have this job done "professionally", but seeing as how most print shops don't know what cue sheets are, they can be printed up and you'll never know if something is wrong until it is too late and you've paid your money. (Ex:  Trans Iowa V3) Last time I paid a shop to print these it was $75.00 and there weren't as many sheets and not as many cues. Yes- it is tedious to do the cues myself, but I can get them done almost perfectly, check them as I go along, (for the fourth time), and make any necessary changes on the fly with minimal cash detriment, unlike how it would be with a print shop. In fact, I almost changed a cue last night, but after "further review" it was deemed unnecessary. So yeah.......things can change after you have several eyes consider the cues for you! 

More Trans Iowa madness coming tomorrow.......................

Trans Iowa V10: Volunteers and Supporters

Hooray! A Checkpoint!

I figured that this year I would acknowledge all the folks behind Trans Iowa now instead of waiting until after the event is over. Trans Iowa doesn't happen without volunteers, and I have had the great fortune and blessing of being supported by some awesome volunteers over the years. This year you can expect to see some more great people at the checkpoints. These folks are doing this job for you for nothing. No pay, no recognition, nuthin.

So, if you could please extend courtesy and kindness to these fine folks when you, (if you are riding in T.I.V10), see them at the checkpoints, that would be awesome of you. You should want to be awesome.

Here in no particular order are the volunteers and support folk behind Trans Iowa V10 this year:

Trans Iowa V10 Volunteer List

 

Dennis Grelk: T.I.v7@ CP #2 Image by W. Kilburg

Checkpoint #1

·         Eric Kemp  

·         Mike Baggio, Brian Moore, Michael Jones, Brent Irish, Arik Gum, Eric Jensen, Julia Winkels, Julie Quinn, and Emily.·         

Checkpoint #2

·         Scott Redd,  Jeremy Fry 

n

       These folks will be the ones checking you through and getting you new cue sheet sets at the checkpoints. Please have you number plates visible for them, as this is how we are checking through the riders this year. 

        The Barn: The Barn will have some folks hanging out that are also supporting Trans Iowa. I know Rob Versteegh, Jared Morford, and Eric Kemp will be a few of those folks, but there will likely be others as well. Again, the barn is Trans Iowa V10's finish line and Saturday evening hang out. 

       Trans Iowa Radio: Mountain Bike Radio will again be hosting the Trans Iowa Radio page with call ins from riders and reports from myself. This is all facilitated by one individual who mans the controls throughout Trans Iowa's 34 hours. His name is Ben Welnak and if you can support Mountain Bike Radio, please consider it, as he is a talented and great person to work with. 

    

      Official T.I.V10 Imagery: The Studio At 46 West will be in charge of taking the "official images" of Trans Iowa this year. Look for photographer Wally Kilburg and his assistant, George Keslin out on the course throughout the weekend. Stay tuned after T.I.v10 for an announcement on what will be done with images and how you might be able to get some of them for yourself.

       Grinnell Steakhouse: Thanks to Laurie and Cindy and all the employees at the Grinnell Steakhouse for graciously providing the meeting room, set up, and space for us to check in riders for Trans Iowa. The Grinnell Steakhouse has always bent over backward for us, and have been awesome to deal with all these years. Please say thanks to them when you come by for the Meat-Up.

     

      Miscellaneous: Rachael from the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce, Comfort Inn & Suites of Grinnell, Bikes To You (Craig Cooper), and Jeremy Fry, Wally Kilburg, and George Keslin for course recon help.

Trans Iowa V10: Volunteers and Supporters

Hooray! A Checkpoint!

I figured that this year I would acknowledge all the folks behind Trans Iowa now instead of waiting until after the event is over. Trans Iowa doesn't happen without volunteers, and I have had the great fortune and blessing of being supported by some awesome volunteers over the years. This year you can expect to see some more great people at the checkpoints. These folks are doing this job for you for nothing. No pay, no recognition, nuthin.

So, if you could please extend courtesy and kindness to these fine folks when you, (if you are riding in T.I.V10), see them at the checkpoints, that would be awesome of you. You should want to be awesome.

Here in no particular order are the volunteers and support folk behind Trans Iowa V10 this year:

Trans Iowa V10 Volunteer List

 

Dennis Grelk: T.I.v7@ CP #2 Image by W. Kilburg

Checkpoint #1

·         Eric Kemp  

·         Mike Baggio, Brian Moore, Michael Jones, Brent Irish, Arik Gum, Eric Jensen, Julia Winkels, Julie Quinn, and Emily.·         

Checkpoint #2

·         Scott Redd,  Jeremy Fry 

n

       These folks will be the ones checking you through and getting you new cue sheet sets at the checkpoints. Please have you number plates visible for them, as this is how we are checking through the riders this year. 

        The Barn: The Barn will have some folks hanging out that are also supporting Trans Iowa. I know Rob Versteegh, Jared Morford, and Eric Kemp will be a few of those folks, but there will likely be others as well. Again, the barn is Trans Iowa V10's finish line and Saturday evening hang out. 

       Trans Iowa Radio: Mountain Bike Radio will again be hosting the Trans Iowa Radio page with call ins from riders and reports from myself. This is all facilitated by one individual who mans the controls throughout Trans Iowa's 34 hours. His name is Ben Welnak and if you can support Mountain Bike Radio, please consider it, as he is a talented and great person to work with. 

    

      Official T.I.V10 Imagery: The Studio At 46 West will be in charge of taking the "official images" of Trans Iowa this year. Look for photographer Wally Kilburg and his assistant, George Keslin out on the course throughout the weekend. Stay tuned after T.I.v10 for an announcement on what will be done with images and how you might be able to get some of them for yourself.

       Grinnell Steakhouse: Thanks to Laurie and Cindy and all the employees at the Grinnell Steakhouse for graciously providing the meeting room, set up, and space for us to check in riders for Trans Iowa. The Grinnell Steakhouse has always bent over backward for us, and have been awesome to deal with all these years. Please say thanks to them when you come by for the Meat-Up.

     

      Miscellaneous: Rachael from the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce, Comfort Inn & Suites of Grinnell, Bikes To You (Craig Cooper), and Jeremy Fry, Wally Kilburg, and George Keslin for course recon help.

Trans Iowa V10: The Spirit Of Trans Iowa

Only one week to go until Trans Iowa V10! As I think about that, I have several things I would like to express, but there is one thing in particular that I am going to talk about this time. It is a very serious- (to me)- subject, and that subject is cheating.

From the Merriam On-line Dictionary:

¹cheat

verb \ˈchēt\

: to break a rule or law usually to gain an advantage at something
: to take something from (someone) by lying or breaking a rule

: to prevent (someone) from having something that he or she deserves or was expecting to get

I know that all these definitions of cheating have occurred in past Trans Iowa events. I wish that wasn't the case, and it grieves me to think about it, because it takes away from the Spirit of Trans Iowa. This event is devalued by those who choose to cheat. How do I know cheating has happened? Well, I cannot 100% prove it has by terms a court of law might accept, but consider the following.....

• I have witnessed cars out on course with support people. A definite no-no
• I have witnessed a rider dressed warmly, riding with no bags or means of storage. Then I saw him later stripped down to a jersey and shorts. Later I saw him with a jacket that wasn't on him previously, but all the while it is supposed to be a self supported event. Later I found said rider's father on course in a pick-up truck. Hmmm......
• I have seen photographs taken at checkpoints and convenience stores showing individuals connected to riders in the event speaking with and even massaging riders. A clear violation of the intents of Trans Iowa's rules. 
• I have read the race reports where riders are mentioned meeting "loved ones" on course. A definite support mechanism and clearly not allowed in Trans Iowa.

So, the first definition of "cheat" was evidenced in past Trans Iowa events. But you know what? So was the second. Those individuals took away something of the Spirit of Trans Iowa from those who were playing by the rules. That really makes me sad. 

Finally, even the third definition was evidenced here. Those who chose to cheat prevented themselves and those around them from receiving the "gift" that one gains only by following the Spirit of the rules. Too bad they didn't get it.......

As you get ready next weekend, please consider how you'll run the event.

So, what? What can ya do? Well, I learned a valuable lesson last year at T.I.V9. I have a lot of time on my hands. Time I can now use to roll back through the field and check on things. It didn't used to be that way, but after two successful runnings of Trans Iowa, I now know I can afford to be places riders won't expect to see me. Does that mean I will catch the cheaters? Probably not, but.......you never know. If I do, there will be DQ's. 

Think about that.......is cheating worth it? 

I encourage everyone riding in Trans Iowa V10 to carefully consider the following:

• Ride with no support, as the event dictates. (Remember- riders can help one another though)
• Remember- support also includes seeing and speaking with "loved ones" or support people not in the event. 
• While I cannot stop riders from calling their support folks just to get encouragement, updates, or what have you, I highly encourage you to not do that as it takes away from the experience for you and others. 

 I know folks invest a lot of time and energy into getting prepared for Trans Iowa. I know it has a special meaning for many. Some of you folks don't get that yet, and maybe you never will, but please don't cheat to gain an advantage over the event, or those you have riding with you. It isn't fair to me, to the other riders, and most of all, it isn't fair to you.

Once a dear friend sent me an e-mail that said "Trans Iowa is a gift that you give to others." I feel that is true, but I also know that if anyone cheats, they don't get that "gift". They just don't. Please don't be that person. You don't even have to finish Trans Iowa to "get it". I know that from the e-mails I have saved over the years from those "winners", those "eagles" that soared and found that special thing, even though they didn't finish. 

The cheaters know who they are, and they didn't get it. Don't be a turkey. Ride right. Do the right thing. Then you will see what I mean. 

See ya next weekend........

Trans Iowa V10: The Spirit Of Trans Iowa

Only one week to go until Trans Iowa V10! As I think about that, I have several things I would like to express, but there is one thing in particular that I am going to talk about this time. It is a very serious- (to me)- subject, and that subject is cheating.

From the Merriam On-line Dictionary:

¹cheat

verb \ˈchēt\

: to break a rule or law usually to gain an advantage at something
: to take something from (someone) by lying or breaking a rule

: to prevent (someone) from having something that he or she deserves or was expecting to get

I know that all these definitions of cheating have occurred in past Trans Iowa events. I wish that wasn't the case, and it grieves me to think about it, because it takes away from the Spirit of Trans Iowa. This event is devalued by those who choose to cheat. How do I know cheating has happened? Well, I cannot 100% prove it has by terms a court of law might accept, but consider the following.....

• I have witnessed cars out on course with support people. A definite no-no
• I have witnessed a rider dressed warmly, riding with no bags or means of storage. Then I saw him later stripped down to a jersey and shorts. Later I saw him with a jacket that wasn't on him previously, but all the while it is supposed to be a self supported event. Later I found said rider's father on course in a pick-up truck. Hmmm......
• I have seen photographs taken at checkpoints and convenience stores showing individuals connected to riders in the event speaking with and even massaging riders. A clear violation of the intents of Trans Iowa's rules. 
• I have read the race reports where riders are mentioned meeting "loved ones" on course. A definite support mechanism and clearly not allowed in Trans Iowa.

So, the first definition of "cheat" was evidenced in past Trans Iowa events. But you know what? So was the second. Those individuals took away something of the Spirit of Trans Iowa from those who were playing by the rules. That really makes me sad. 

Finally, even the third definition was evidenced here. Those who chose to cheat prevented themselves and those around them from receiving the "gift" that one gains only by following the Spirit of the rules. Too bad they didn't get it.......

As you get ready next weekend, please consider how you'll run the event.

So, what? What can ya do? Well, I learned a valuable lesson last year at T.I.V9. I have a lot of time on my hands. Time I can now use to roll back through the field and check on things. It didn't used to be that way, but after two successful runnings of Trans Iowa, I now know I can afford to be places riders won't expect to see me. Does that mean I will catch the cheaters? Probably not, but.......you never know. If I do, there will be DQ's. 

Think about that.......is cheating worth it? 

I encourage everyone riding in Trans Iowa V10 to carefully consider the following:

• Ride with no support, as the event dictates. (Remember- riders can help one another though)
• Remember- support also includes seeing and speaking with "loved ones" or support people not in the event. 
• While I cannot stop riders from calling their support folks just to get encouragement, updates, or what have you, I highly encourage you to not do that as it takes away from the experience for you and others. 

 I know folks invest a lot of time and energy into getting prepared for Trans Iowa. I know it has a special meaning for many. Some of you folks don't get that yet, and maybe you never will, but please don't cheat to gain an advantage over the event, or those you have riding with you. It isn't fair to me, to the other riders, and most of all, it isn't fair to you.

Once a dear friend sent me an e-mail that said "Trans Iowa is a gift that you give to others." I feel that is true, but I also know that if anyone cheats, they don't get that "gift". They just don't. Please don't be that person. You don't even have to finish Trans Iowa to "get it". I know that from the e-mails I have saved over the years from those "winners", those "eagles" that soared and found that special thing, even though they didn't finish. 

The cheaters know who they are, and they didn't get it. Don't be a turkey. Ride right. Do the right thing. Then you will see what I mean. 

See ya next weekend........