Trans Iowa v12: It Is Longer Than You Think

The long road to the finish line of Trans Iowa starts long before you get to Grinnell.

Trans Iowa v12's roster has contracted from the original 120 that got on the Roster back in October to under 100 as of this writing. To many folks that I related this fact to, this seems to be a negative for the event. They see it as a reflection on how the event isn't something that folks are attracted to. However; anyone close to the event knows that is far from the truth. Others may see the attrition before the event starts as a sign that riders are not "committed enough" to actually showing up. They are often seen as "taking a spot" someone else could have used. This is also totally in error.

Personally, as race director, I was not ever concerned, nor am I now concerned with the actual numbers of folks that show up. You either do or do not. I only want to know if you will not, since I can adjust my expenditure in dollars and effort accordingly. Doing stuff and spending money on things for people that will not show up is not conducive to me keeping this thing going. So, first I want to thank those 21 riders that so far made the effort to let me know that I don't have to work for them or spend any more money to accommodate them for this year's Trans Iowa. The people that do commit to coming, and do show up, I will work gladly for them, and I enjoy seeing them, and meeting them. But as for the numbers, it doesn't matter to me if there are 50 or 100.

I was thinking the other day though and it occurred to me that Trans Iowa v12 won't start in Grinnell. Oh, sure......bicycle riding will commence at 4:00am April 23rd. However; Trans Iowa v12 won't start then. It already has started. I would say it started when I officially announced it, but for the riders, well most of them, it started when they got on the T.I.v12 roster. Training hell, mental gymnastics, and logistical nightmares all began when those names appeared on the T.I.v12 roster back in October of last year.

Of course, I have always known this for myself. I have thought and worked on Trans Iowa v12 going back to the day that T.I.v11 ended. I think about it 365 days a year, and I realized that some riders do as well. Trans Iowa is something of a haunting ghost. It never leaves you, and it can be a burden. I have had riders tell me that they don't do Trans Iowa anymore because it consumes so much of their energies throughout the year. They wanted to be free, so they wrote off ever doing another Trans Iowa again.

Then there are those who have all that intensity packed into the six months leading up to Trans Iowa. It can become overbearing, and it isn't even anything they paid to do, or anything that they will ever gain any material or worldly thing from, yet they run towards that starting date in Grinnell as if the very hounds of Hell were on their tail. It can be too much.

That's just the mental side. Then there are all the troubles of the world that can interfere. Weddings, funerals, jobs lost and gained. Injuries, sicknesses, and obligations. I get all manner of explanations for dropping off the roster for any particular Trans Iowa.

I realized that these folks were "in Trans Iowa", but didn't finish. They were putting in an effort unseen and mostly unknown to anyone but their closest friends and family members. Still, it was an effort, and they were trying, and they all had the best intentions of finishing. I really do not believe for a minute that anyone that has ever dropped out of a Trans Iowa was "taking up a spot" that a more "deserving" rider should have had. I have had potential race winners, past race winners, and riders with multiple finishes all drop out of Trans Iowa v12. I dare you to say that these, or any of the 21 so far were "undeserving" of a spot that they once held. No, they simply didn't make it to the end, for whatever reasons. I assure you that all 21 so far are bitterly disappointed......or relieved! 

 Now, I am not saying that "everyone is a winner", because clearly, that isn't the case. Those that don't get to Trans Iowa to ride that were signed up are not bitterly disappointed, or relieved for nothing. They are maybe feeling that way because they feel they failed, or missed a chance, most likely. That is my best guess.

It also is not true that Trans Iowa wasn't important enough for them to get their ducks in a row to make it work out either. We know this due to the reasons given which caused folks to be physically or monetarily unable to pursue the Trans Iowa finish line. Things out of the control of most of these folks.

Finally, this is one of the reasons why I don't maintain a waiting list to transfer in people. Trans Iowa is something that, I feel, at any rate, is serious business. It isn't something to be taken lightly, and months of preparation are required for anyone to accomplish the ride successfully. Slotting someone in in January, March, and especially April, would be foolish. It would be nonsense to think that anyone waiting on a list that may not get in would be training and scheming for a possibility of riding in Trans Iowa. That is not a realistic plan of action for this event.

Trans Iowa is an odd event. It isn't like others, and it is not for everybody. That's okay. Some people think it is stupid, and others think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think it is what it is. A challenge that has a reward that isn't what you might think going in to it.

Trans Iowa v12: It Is Longer Than You Think

The long road to the finish line of Trans Iowa starts long before you get to Grinnell.

Trans Iowa v12's roster has contracted from the original 120 that got on the Roster back in October to under 100 as of this writing. To many folks that I related this fact to, this seems to be a negative for the event. They see it as a reflection on how the event isn't something that folks are attracted to. However; anyone close to the event knows that is far from the truth. Others may see the attrition before the event starts as a sign that riders are not "committed enough" to actually showing up. They are often seen as "taking a spot" someone else could have used. This is also totally in error.

Personally, as race director, I was not ever concerned, nor am I now concerned with the actual numbers of folks that show up. You either do or do not. I only want to know if you will not, since I can adjust my expenditure in dollars and effort accordingly. Doing stuff and spending money on things for people that will not show up is not conducive to me keeping this thing going. So, first I want to thank those 21 riders that so far made the effort to let me know that I don't have to work for them or spend any more money to accommodate them for this year's Trans Iowa. The people that do commit to coming, and do show up, I will work gladly for them, and I enjoy seeing them, and meeting them. But as for the numbers, it doesn't matter to me if there are 50 or 100.

I was thinking the other day though and it occurred to me that Trans Iowa v12 won't start in Grinnell. Oh, sure......bicycle riding will commence at 4:00am April 23rd. However; Trans Iowa v12 won't start then. It already has started. I would say it started when I officially announced it, but for the riders, well most of them, it started when they got on the T.I.v12 roster. Training hell, mental gymnastics, and logistical nightmares all began when those names appeared on the T.I.v12 roster back in October of last year.

Of course, I have always known this for myself. I have thought and worked on Trans Iowa v12 going back to the day that T.I.v11 ended. I think about it 365 days a year, and I realized that some riders do as well. Trans Iowa is something of a haunting ghost. It never leaves you, and it can be a burden. I have had riders tell me that they don't do Trans Iowa anymore because it consumes so much of their energies throughout the year. They wanted to be free, so they wrote off ever doing another Trans Iowa again.

Then there are those who have all that intensity packed into the six months leading up to Trans Iowa. It can become overbearing, and it isn't even anything they paid to do, or anything that they will ever gain any material or worldly thing from, yet they run towards that starting date in Grinnell as if the very hounds of Hell were on their tail. It can be too much.

That's just the mental side. Then there are all the troubles of the world that can interfere. Weddings, funerals, jobs lost and gained. Injuries, sicknesses, and obligations. I get all manner of explanations for dropping off the roster for any particular Trans Iowa.

I realized that these folks were "in Trans Iowa", but didn't finish. They were putting in an effort unseen and mostly unknown to anyone but their closest friends and family members. Still, it was an effort, and they were trying, and they all had the best intentions of finishing. I really do not believe for a minute that anyone that has ever dropped out of a Trans Iowa was "taking up a spot" that a more "deserving" rider should have had. I have had potential race winners, past race winners, and riders with multiple finishes all drop out of Trans Iowa v12. I dare you to say that these, or any of the 21 so far were "undeserving" of a spot that they once held. No, they simply didn't make it to the end, for whatever reasons. I assure you that all 21 so far are bitterly disappointed......or relieved! 

 Now, I am not saying that "everyone is a winner", because clearly, that isn't the case. Those that don't get to Trans Iowa to ride that were signed up are not bitterly disappointed, or relieved for nothing. They are maybe feeling that way because they feel they failed, or missed a chance, most likely. That is my best guess.

It also is not true that Trans Iowa wasn't important enough for them to get their ducks in a row to make it work out either. We know this due to the reasons given which caused folks to be physically or monetarily unable to pursue the Trans Iowa finish line. Things out of the control of most of these folks.

Finally, this is one of the reasons why I don't maintain a waiting list to transfer in people. Trans Iowa is something that, I feel, at any rate, is serious business. It isn't something to be taken lightly, and months of preparation are required for anyone to accomplish the ride successfully. Slotting someone in in January, March, and especially April, would be foolish. It would be nonsense to think that anyone waiting on a list that may not get in would be training and scheming for a possibility of riding in Trans Iowa. That is not a realistic plan of action for this event.

Trans Iowa is an odd event. It isn't like others, and it is not for everybody. That's okay. Some people think it is stupid, and others think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think it is what it is. A challenge that has a reward that isn't what you might think going in to it.

The Monkey Decade: Plus Three- It Is Finished!

It has been a long, long time coming. The Karate Monkey is finally rideable again. This has almost been a rebuild of epic proportions, and I apologize for how this has dragged on and on, but I am pleased with the result. It's better than I could have hoped for, actually.

So, today I'm going to just detail the build here and there are some interesting pieces on this bike. Some old and some new. So, let's go here.....

• Frame & Fork: 2003 Karate Monkey in Campstove Green
• Wheels: Early 00's non-disc XTR hubs laced to Salsa Delgado cross rims. 
• Tires: Bruce Gordon Rock & Road w/tubes. 
• Crankset: TruVativ Stylo SS & bottom bracket w/ 32T ring
• Rear Cog: Boone Titanium 18T with a Boone Ti spacer mixed in with some other random spacers. 
• Chain: Some random 8 speed SRAM thing. 
• Seat Post: FSA SLK 27.2mm
• Saddle: Velo Orange leather
• Seat Post Clamp: Random black ano deal.
• Head Set: 1996 Race Face in turquoise ano
• Stem: Dimension 30° rise with Cane Creek plastic spacers.
• Handlebar: Soma Fab Gator Bar
• Levers & Brakes: Tektro
• Misc: Surly Tugnut, Salsa Cycles bar tape, Shimano clipless pedals, Velocity Bottle Trap, no-name front skewer, Salsa Cycles rear skewer, Niner Bikes YAWYD with a Coca-Cola cap.

These were often used on early Karate Monkeys for rims since "real" 29"er rims did not exist in '03!

Non-disc XTR hubs, a random SS spacer or two mixed in with a Boone Ti spacer and Boone Ti cog

Soma Gator Bar: Quite possibly the weirdest off road drop bar ever. The extensions fit mtb controls!

I removed the original head badge, (which I still have), and put this sticker on which says, "All sorts of weirdos ride Surlys"

So, that's the bike and build. The frame, fork, and the head set are all that remain of my original build on this bike. Of course, I switched from disc brakes to rim brakes here, and honestly, with the way Surly did those original drop outs, I should have just gone this route from the get-go. Much, much less of a hassle to get the rear wheel out. Plus, it is lighter.

The seat post was convenient, but may get replaced. I don't know what I will/might get, but the thought of a titanium post is there. Same thing with the saddle. It is an unknown entity for me, as this is the first Velo Orange saddle I will have tried.

The skin wall tire look isn't everyone's cup of tea, but with the black anodized components, I think it looks great. The crank set may get replaced by a black White Industries unit so I can get back to my preferred for gravel 38T ring. I'll try this for a while then play around with some ideas for alternatives.

This will be the bike I plan to ride for this years Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational, since this year will be a recap of the first GTDRI and this bike is the one I used back then. So, there will probably be a lot of tweaking and test riding going on with this bike soon. It's good to finally have it back up and running once again!

The Monkey Decade: Plus Three- It Is Finished!

It has been a long, long time coming. The Karate Monkey is finally rideable again. This has almost been a rebuild of epic proportions, and I apologize for how this has dragged on and on, but I am pleased with the result. It's better than I could have hoped for, actually.

So, today I'm going to just detail the build here and there are some interesting pieces on this bike. Some old and some new. So, let's go here.....

• Frame & Fork: 2003 Karate Monkey in Campstove Green
• Wheels: Early 00's non-disc XTR hubs laced to Salsa Delgado cross rims. 
• Tires: Bruce Gordon Rock & Road w/tubes. 
• Crankset: TruVativ Stylo SS & bottom bracket w/ 32T ring
• Rear Cog: Boone Titanium 18T with a Boone Ti spacer mixed in with some other random spacers. 
• Chain: Some random 8 speed SRAM thing. 
• Seat Post: FSA SLK 27.2mm
• Saddle: Velo Orange leather
• Seat Post Clamp: Random black ano deal.
• Head Set: 1996 Race Face in turquoise ano
• Stem: Dimension 30° rise with Cane Creek plastic spacers.
• Handlebar: Soma Fab Gator Bar
• Levers & Brakes: Tektro
• Misc: Surly Tugnut, Salsa Cycles bar tape, Shimano clipless pedals, Velocity Bottle Trap, no-name front skewer, Salsa Cycles rear skewer, Niner Bikes YAWYD with a Coca-Cola cap.

These were often used on early Karate Monkeys for rims since "real" 29"er rims did not exist in '03!

Non-disc XTR hubs, a random SS spacer or two mixed in with a Boone Ti spacer and Boone Ti cog

Soma Gator Bar: Quite possibly the weirdest off road drop bar ever. The extensions fit mtb controls!

I removed the original head badge, (which I still have), and put this sticker on which says, "All sorts of weirdos ride Surlys"

So, that's the bike and build. The frame, fork, and the head set are all that remain of my original build on this bike. Of course, I switched from disc brakes to rim brakes here, and honestly, with the way Surly did those original drop outs, I should have just gone this route from the get-go. Much, much less of a hassle to get the rear wheel out. Plus, it is lighter.

The seat post was convenient, but may get replaced. I don't know what I will/might get, but the thought of a titanium post is there. Same thing with the saddle. It is an unknown entity for me, as this is the first Velo Orange saddle I will have tried.

The skin wall tire look isn't everyone's cup of tea, but with the black anodized components, I think it looks great. The crank set may get replaced by a black White Industries unit so I can get back to my preferred for gravel 38T ring. I'll try this for a while then play around with some ideas for alternatives.

This will be the bike I plan to ride for this years Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational, since this year will be a recap of the first GTDRI and this bike is the one I used back then. So, there will probably be a lot of tweaking and test riding going on with this bike soon. It's good to finally have it back up and running once again!

Renegade Gent's Race 6.0: Hard Fun

Rest stop on the way to the event.

Renegade Gent's Race Report-

You know I like the Renegade Gent's Race a lot if you've been reading here for a while. It is by far and away one of my favorite events that I get to do. I love my teammates, the format of the event, and somehow the crew that puts this on has managed to keep the "fun factor", grassroots feel without becoming a marketing machine, despite its having 300+ people in attendance. These guys have found sponsors to cover some of their insurance costs, and even found a cool charity "entry fee" that makes the event even more special. So, first off- Thank you to the organizers of the Renegade Gent's Race. You folks are brilliant!

The other thing that was "brilliant" was that, somehow or another, we got a start time that was about an hour later than we normally get. That meant I didn't have to get up at 4:00am. Awesome! So, I was happy to get up an hour later and since I had everything prearranged to go, it was an easy departure.  I arrived in the start town of Slater, found a parking spot, and got out of the truck.

Whoa!

Folks shivering in the biting wind, getting ready for the event.

 The wind and temperature was combining to make this feel a lot more like Winter than Spring. I saw a report which claimed the temperatures were to be going as high as 50°F by afternoon, but it was in the low 30's at the time when I arrived, and with the 25-30mph winds, the wind chill was definitely into Winter-like territory.

I got my gear on and threw my two bags of cat food into a messenger bag. Yes.......cat food. The event was benefiting Animal Rescue League in honor of Des Moines area cyclist, Julie Hugo, who died recently and was a big proponent of animal rescue. So, I bought the suggested $15.00 worth of supplies, in my case, cat food, and brought it to the Nite Hawk Bar where the event was to start to drop it off. On the way over I saw several others getting ready to go and people were already being sent out on course at this time as well.

I felt the bite of the wind on my hands, despite having my wool liners on. For some unknown reason, I brought my second pair of wool liners when I packed, and it was then that I discovered the reason why. I needed them to ward off that wind!! I went back to my truck to drop off my messenger bag and I slipped on the second pair of gloves, which felt adequate. Barely so, but I figured I would warm up as I got into the event. Besides, I recalled some previous Gent's races where I overdressed for what became a warmish day, and roasted. I kept things minimal this time. No insulated boots, no tights this year. I wore a base layer, jersey, and arm warmers with a windbreaker. It was a bit iffy at the start, but again, if it was going to get to 50......

Our team captain, Steve, signing the waiver

I was ready to roll, and so was Sam, who I found when I was going back to my truck. We chatted a bit and then I reconnected with him at the bar. Steve was the next to show up. We had about a half an hour to go when someone asked when we thought D-Corn would show up, and we figured he would be a last minute show. Usually is anyway.....

Bob messaged the Facebook group and said that he was in a car with One-Eyed Zeke, who missed the exit and was driving a bit crazy. He said he thought they would be there soon. I turned to see D-Corn there already, and so it would be Bob that would be running last minute. We waited......waited...... Then decided we'd better line up. Our start time went by, then about two minutes later, Bob rolled up. Whew! For the sixth time, Team Careless Whispers would roll off the start line! Our streak was intact!

Waiting on the rest of the team after a headwind section, playing with a bocce ball I found on the roadside. Those are seagulls in the distance!

 The event's course stuck us into a headwind immediately. There were many expletives sounded as we came out from behind the last building in town that sheltered us from the full onslaught. It was every bit of 30mph with higher gusts. The only way this was going to work was for us to organize a five man draft. So, we were trying to get that going, but a couple of the team guys were a bit skittish about being so close to other riders. The first section into the wind was, thankfully, only about four miles or so. Then we got to turn South for a bit. At the corner, we held up to collect the team. I was up front, and as I pulled off, I saw a blue ball on the edge of the road. I picked it up, and it was curiously heavy. A bocce ball! In the middle of nowhere? Oh well......

After we gathered everyone back up, we enjoyed 20+ mph cruising with the wind for a short bit. I knew after this we had several miles to go West, then a ten plus mile slog straight north. This was going to be really, really tough. 

Teams reorganizing at the point where the course first turned South. The wind was separating teams like confetti.

 

Casual conversation at 25mph. It wouldn't last long!

The Westward turn wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. Steve pulled us in echelon for quite a while, then I took over the point, but at that moment we hit some rollers, some of the only ones on course, actually, the wind was lessened for whatever reason. Maybe the lay of the land was shielding us for a bit? Not sure, but the effort needed wasn't as bad as I feared it would be.

However; there was that long stretch Northward we needed to turn into, and when we did, it was nothing short of breathtakingly hard. We managed a tight echelon, and we were working really well together, actually. Faster teams were blowing by us by this time and we were not at all concerned. We were crawling, but it was a manageable pace for everyone on the team, and despite our very sub-ten mile an hour pace, we were doing quite well. The other guys kept remarking on how well things were going, and in general, we were surprisingly upbeat.

We had to stop at one point to get the team back together after a couple of the guys fell off, and it was only our second full stop of the day. Whiskey was passed around, and then we headed out again. Surprisingly we continued until the end of the head wind stretch without another stop. Sam, at one point, stated, "So, we do eventually turn at some point. Right?". The seemingly unending hell of head wind and echelon riding was going to come to an end at some point, but it was very taxing, on me at least. Eleven miles is what the stretch was, to be exact, and I've never worked so hard to do eleven miles of gravel road riding in my life.

Following Captain Steve into the checkpoint on up ahead. The tailwind was intoxicating.

We took a brief breather at the turning point as we were going East and South for a while before we reached the checkpoint at 31 miles into the event. Ten miles of tail wind now with a brief, slap in the face half mile of headwind near the end of that. It was a good thing we got that reminder too, because the tail wind section made you feel like a hero. The second half of the course was to feature another long slog into a headwind, so this short reminder coming into the checkpoint was making a few of the team members rethink their strategy. I was game to continue, as I was feeling good coming to the checkpoint. I was hungry, but that could be taken care of soon. I was a bit concerned about the time, since we were well over three hours to do 31 miles, and the timing cutoff for the event was at 3:00pm, less than three hours after we were to arrive at the checkpoint.

I cruised up into the Snus Hill Winery lot, where the checkpoint was located, and dropped my left foot onto the ground, as I usually do when I clip out. This time I was alarmed. My foot was numb! Not just from being cold either, but the sort of numbness that is nerve related. It was amazing I didn't fall over, actually. My muscles were functioning, but I couldn't feel a thing, like my foot was asleep. I soon discovered this extended to just below my knee. I was deeply concerned, and figured that if it did not clear up quickly, that I was done. I didn't say anything right away, hoping against hope that I would recover.

Renegade Gents 6.0: (L-R) Sam, Bob, G-Ted, D-Corn, and Steve.

Well, it wasn't getting any better after a half an hour, so I said I was done. Then, three other team mates jumped in on the mutiny. Seems as though they had previously decided upon not continuing but were waiting on the conversation to turn to leaving the checkpoint. Steve decided that since he was going to be riding in the upcoming OGRE event, he would ride the rest of the route. So, we bade him farewell, but not before snapping some team images off.

Then Sam and I retreated to the Snus Hill Winery's interior for a couple of Dale's Pale Ales. D-Corn ended up joining us. Then we rode back to the Nite Hawk.

Yeah.....Pretty much the last ones to leave. Again!

Caught these wheel suckers on camera coming into Slater.

Well, that was basically it. Sam, Bob, and I had a shot to celebrate the ride, and a few Bud's. It was a strangely successful ride, by all accounts, but there was the bittersweet taste of not finishing the entire route. But really...... who were we kidding?!! The wind was crazy, and anyone that rode the Gent's Race was a hero. That was a crazy, crazy wind to be out on a bike in, and gravel roads just made things that much harder.

My foot and leg? Well, feeling was returning after about an hour, and now it just feels sort of odd. But everything is functional. I spoke with Mrs. Guitar Ted after I arrived at home about it, and we felt that maybe it had something to do with pushing so hard for so long on a saddle that maybe isn't quite right for me. I think a Brooks Cambium saddle is going to be put on order soon.

So, with the sixth appearance of Team Careless Whispers, we were not successful in the results category as far as the event is concerned, but I do believe that we were successful in other ways. We gelled as a team seamlessly. We worked through adversity, again, as we have always done. We grew, and became closer friends again. We got to socialize after the fact, and that has not always happened.

Oh yeah, Captain Steve actually did do the entire route and got done within the prescribed time limit, so we have always had at least one of us complete every route. I would have liked to have continued, but I think prudence was the better form of valor, in my case. So, I am at peace with my decision.

Well, that's the story of the sixth Renegade Gent's race for me. I had fun, enjoyed my team mates immensely, and I am eternally grateful for Steve Fuller's asking me to be a part of this deal. I have cherished every single moment.

Until next year then.......

Renegade Gent's Race 6.0: Hard Fun

Rest stop on the way to the event.

Renegade Gent's Race Report-

You know I like the Renegade Gent's Race a lot if you've been reading here for a while. It is by far and away one of my favorite events that I get to do. I love my teammates, the format of the event, and somehow the crew that puts this on has managed to keep the "fun factor", grassroots feel without becoming a marketing machine, despite its having 300+ people in attendance. These guys have found sponsors to cover some of their insurance costs, and even found a cool charity "entry fee" that makes the event even more special. So, first off- Thank you to the organizers of the Renegade Gent's Race. You folks are brilliant!

The other thing that was "brilliant" was that, somehow or another, we got a start time that was about an hour later than we normally get. That meant I didn't have to get up at 4:00am. Awesome! So, I was happy to get up an hour later and since I had everything prearranged to go, it was an easy departure.  I arrived in the start town of Slater, found a parking spot, and got out of the truck.

Whoa!

Folks shivering in the biting wind, getting ready for the event.

 The wind and temperature was combining to make this feel a lot more like Winter than Spring. I saw a report which claimed the temperatures were to be going as high as 50°F by afternoon, but it was in the low 30's at the time when I arrived, and with the 25-30mph winds, the wind chill was definitely into Winter-like territory.

I got my gear on and threw my two bags of cat food into a messenger bag. Yes.......cat food. The event was benefiting Animal Rescue League in honor of Des Moines area cyclist, Julie Hugo, who died recently and was a big proponent of animal rescue. So, I bought the suggested $15.00 worth of supplies, in my case, cat food, and brought it to the Nite Hawk Bar where the event was to start to drop it off. On the way over I saw several others getting ready to go and people were already being sent out on course at this time as well.

I felt the bite of the wind on my hands, despite having my wool liners on. For some unknown reason, I brought my second pair of wool liners when I packed, and it was then that I discovered the reason why. I needed them to ward off that wind!! I went back to my truck to drop off my messenger bag and I slipped on the second pair of gloves, which felt adequate. Barely so, but I figured I would warm up as I got into the event. Besides, I recalled some previous Gent's races where I overdressed for what became a warmish day, and roasted. I kept things minimal this time. No insulated boots, no tights this year. I wore a base layer, jersey, and arm warmers with a windbreaker. It was a bit iffy at the start, but again, if it was going to get to 50......

Our team captain, Steve, signing the waiver

I was ready to roll, and so was Sam, who I found when I was going back to my truck. We chatted a bit and then I reconnected with him at the bar. Steve was the next to show up. We had about a half an hour to go when someone asked when we thought D-Corn would show up, and we figured he would be a last minute show. Usually is anyway.....

Bob messaged the Facebook group and said that he was in a car with One-Eyed Zeke, who missed the exit and was driving a bit crazy. He said he thought they would be there soon. I turned to see D-Corn there already, and so it would be Bob that would be running last minute. We waited......waited...... Then decided we'd better line up. Our start time went by, then about two minutes later, Bob rolled up. Whew! For the sixth time, Team Careless Whispers would roll off the start line! Our streak was intact!

Waiting on the rest of the team after a headwind section, playing with a bocce ball I found on the roadside. Those are seagulls in the distance!

 The event's course stuck us into a headwind immediately. There were many expletives sounded as we came out from behind the last building in town that sheltered us from the full onslaught. It was every bit of 30mph with higher gusts. The only way this was going to work was for us to organize a five man draft. So, we were trying to get that going, but a couple of the team guys were a bit skittish about being so close to other riders. The first section into the wind was, thankfully, only about four miles or so. Then we got to turn South for a bit. At the corner, we held up to collect the team. I was up front, and as I pulled off, I saw a blue ball on the edge of the road. I picked it up, and it was curiously heavy. A bocce ball! In the middle of nowhere? Oh well......

After we gathered everyone back up, we enjoyed 20+ mph cruising with the wind for a short bit. I knew after this we had several miles to go West, then a ten plus mile slog straight north. This was going to be really, really tough. 

Teams reorganizing at the point where the course first turned South. The wind was separating teams like confetti.

 

Casual conversation at 25mph. It wouldn't last long!

The Westward turn wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. Steve pulled us in echelon for quite a while, then I took over the point, but at that moment we hit some rollers, some of the only ones on course, actually, the wind was lessened for whatever reason. Maybe the lay of the land was shielding us for a bit? Not sure, but the effort needed wasn't as bad as I feared it would be.

However; there was that long stretch Northward we needed to turn into, and when we did, it was nothing short of breathtakingly hard. We managed a tight echelon, and we were working really well together, actually. Faster teams were blowing by us by this time and we were not at all concerned. We were crawling, but it was a manageable pace for everyone on the team, and despite our very sub-ten mile an hour pace, we were doing quite well. The other guys kept remarking on how well things were going, and in general, we were surprisingly upbeat.

We had to stop at one point to get the team back together after a couple of the guys fell off, and it was only our second full stop of the day. Whiskey was passed around, and then we headed out again. Surprisingly we continued until the end of the head wind stretch without another stop. Sam, at one point, stated, "So, we do eventually turn at some point. Right?". The seemingly unending hell of head wind and echelon riding was going to come to an end at some point, but it was very taxing, on me at least. Eleven miles is what the stretch was, to be exact, and I've never worked so hard to do eleven miles of gravel road riding in my life.

Following Captain Steve into the checkpoint on up ahead. The tailwind was intoxicating.

We took a brief breather at the turning point as we were going East and South for a while before we reached the checkpoint at 31 miles into the event. Ten miles of tail wind now with a brief, slap in the face half mile of headwind near the end of that. It was a good thing we got that reminder too, because the tail wind section made you feel like a hero. The second half of the course was to feature another long slog into a headwind, so this short reminder coming into the checkpoint was making a few of the team members rethink their strategy. I was game to continue, as I was feeling good coming to the checkpoint. I was hungry, but that could be taken care of soon. I was a bit concerned about the time, since we were well over three hours to do 31 miles, and the timing cutoff for the event was at 3:00pm, less than three hours after we were to arrive at the checkpoint.

I cruised up into the Snus Hill Winery lot, where the checkpoint was located, and dropped my left foot onto the ground, as I usually do when I clip out. This time I was alarmed. My foot was numb! Not just from being cold either, but the sort of numbness that is nerve related. It was amazing I didn't fall over, actually. My muscles were functioning, but I couldn't feel a thing, like my foot was asleep. I soon discovered this extended to just below my knee. I was deeply concerned, and figured that if it did not clear up quickly, that I was done. I didn't say anything right away, hoping against hope that I would recover.

Renegade Gents 6.0: (L-R) Sam, Bob, G-Ted, D-Corn, and Steve.

Well, it wasn't getting any better after a half an hour, so I said I was done. Then, three other team mates jumped in on the mutiny. Seems as though they had previously decided upon not continuing but were waiting on the conversation to turn to leaving the checkpoint. Steve decided that since he was going to be riding in the upcoming OGRE event, he would ride the rest of the route. So, we bade him farewell, but not before snapping some team images off.

Then Sam and I retreated to the Snus Hill Winery's interior for a couple of Dale's Pale Ales. D-Corn ended up joining us. Then we rode back to the Nite Hawk.

Yeah.....Pretty much the last ones to leave. Again!

Caught these wheel suckers on camera coming into Slater.

Well, that was basically it. Sam, Bob, and I had a shot to celebrate the ride, and a few Bud's. It was a strangely successful ride, by all accounts, but there was the bittersweet taste of not finishing the entire route. But really...... who were we kidding?!! The wind was crazy, and anyone that rode the Gent's Race was a hero. That was a crazy, crazy wind to be out on a bike in, and gravel roads just made things that much harder.

My foot and leg? Well, feeling was returning after about an hour, and now it just feels sort of odd. But everything is functional. I spoke with Mrs. Guitar Ted after I arrived at home about it, and we felt that maybe it had something to do with pushing so hard for so long on a saddle that maybe isn't quite right for me. I think a Brooks Cambium saddle is going to be put on order soon.

So, with the sixth appearance of Team Careless Whispers, we were not successful in the results category as far as the event is concerned, but I do believe that we were successful in other ways. We gelled as a team seamlessly. We worked through adversity, again, as we have always done. We grew, and became closer friends again. We got to socialize after the fact, and that has not always happened.

Oh yeah, Captain Steve actually did do the entire route and got done within the prescribed time limit, so we have always had at least one of us complete every route. I would have liked to have continued, but I think prudence was the better form of valor, in my case. So, I am at peace with my decision.

Well, that's the story of the sixth Renegade Gent's race for me. I had fun, enjoyed my team mates immensely, and I am eternally grateful for Steve Fuller's asking me to be a part of this deal. I have cherished every single moment.

Until next year then.......

Switcheroo: Update

Glad to have these on the Tamland yesterday.

The new wheels with the huge Panaracer SK 40mm tires went to the Renegade Gents Race yesterday, (full recap tomorrow), but I wanted to get out an impression of the set up while I had time here.

The Gent's Race has it's courses change up from time to time, but there is one consistent thing about all of them- The gravel in that area has a higher sand content than many places in Iowa. It is very similar to Nebraska, "Gravel World's" type stuff. Loose, shifty, and deep at times. While there had been a lot of rain down that way recently, and some of the roads were pretty firm, there was still a fair amount of that sandy, loose stuff.

The other factor was the high winds. We were obligated to head straight into the teeth of a 25-30mph wind with higher gusts for a stretch over 10 miles in one crack. In order to keep our team of five together we had to ride in echelon, which required us to be in pretty close and tight to one another to make it effective. That meant that you had to run over whatever was coming your way. No picking your line or looking for the smoothest parts of the road to ride on.

So, having to run over all the deeper, loose stuff on the edges of the road, since I was helping to pull, meant that if I had a tire/rim combo that knifed in, I was going to have a really hard time staying up there and keeping my line. I'm glad to say that this wheel and tire combo passed muster in this scenario. I couldn't have been happier.

More soon......

Switcheroo: Update

Glad to have these on the Tamland yesterday.

The new wheels with the huge Panaracer SK 40mm tires went to the Renegade Gents Race yesterday, (full recap tomorrow), but I wanted to get out an impression of the set up while I had time here.

The Gent's Race has it's courses change up from time to time, but there is one consistent thing about all of them- The gravel in that area has a higher sand content than many places in Iowa. It is very similar to Nebraska, "Gravel World's" type stuff. Loose, shifty, and deep at times. While there had been a lot of rain down that way recently, and some of the roads were pretty firm, there was still a fair amount of that sandy, loose stuff.

The other factor was the high winds. We were obligated to head straight into the teeth of a 25-30mph wind with higher gusts for a stretch over 10 miles in one crack. In order to keep our team of five together we had to ride in echelon, which required us to be in pretty close and tight to one another to make it effective. That meant that you had to run over whatever was coming your way. No picking your line or looking for the smoothest parts of the road to ride on.

So, having to run over all the deeper, loose stuff on the edges of the road, since I was helping to pull, meant that if I had a tire/rim combo that knifed in, I was going to have a really hard time staying up there and keeping my line. I'm glad to say that this wheel and tire combo passed muster in this scenario. I couldn't have been happier.

More soon......

Minus Ten Review- 13

From Trans Iowa v2 recon ten years ago.

Ten years ago on the blog here I was mentioning that Daylight Savings Time was set to kick in on the first weekend in April. Remember that? We used to have to wait until April before the time "sprang forward" and we got a dramatic shift in the day.

I still think the concept is goofy.

Anyway, another big deal on the blog on this week ten years ago was my third "Ted-terview" of an endurance athlete. This time it was Paddy Humenny of Canada who got the focus. I met Paddy through Trans Iowa, (amongst many others since then), and he also was a finisher of the first Dirty Kanza which was set to happen later after our interview.

Finally, I was out and about toward the first part of April doing some checking on the Trans Iowa v2 course. Some things don't change in a decade! However; that year was a first for me, and I was doing much of the course work on my own at that time. I do remember that Jeff and I drove out there once and looked at things, then I am pretty sure I did that once on my own, (which may have been this trip in April '06), and I know I was out one other time alone. Keeping in mind that it was a four to five hour drive just to get to the beginning of the route, and you can maybe see why when we found out about the DK200's loop format, we were immediate fans! Oh! And all of those hours of windshield time and work went for naught in '06 as the route was never traveled due to weather. Only about 50-75 miles were traversed by most and a 110 by a couple of guys. That was unprecedented until the '10 event which was similarly wet, and the shortest was last years' event. Only Greg Gleason made it 128 miles, everyone else was out by Mile 53. Compare what Gleason did last year to T.I.v2, and he would not have gotten to Algona, which was the only checkpoint that year, with that amount of mileage with the rest of the state left to cross. In other words, that Level B in the image above? He wouldn't have seen that either!

This road, by the way, was eventually seen by Greg Gleason! Yes, because he rode it, along with a few others, on the Trans Iowa Master's Course route in 2014.

Minus Ten Review- 13

From Trans Iowa v2 recon ten years ago.

Ten years ago on the blog here I was mentioning that Daylight Savings Time was set to kick in on the first weekend in April. Remember that? We used to have to wait until April before the time "sprang forward" and we got a dramatic shift in the day.

I still think the concept is goofy.

Anyway, another big deal on the blog on this week ten years ago was my third "Ted-terview" of an endurance athlete. This time it was Paddy Humenny of Canada who got the focus. I met Paddy through Trans Iowa, (amongst many others since then), and he also was a finisher of the first Dirty Kanza which was set to happen later after our interview.

Finally, I was out and about toward the first part of April doing some checking on the Trans Iowa v2 course. Some things don't change in a decade! However; that year was a first for me, and I was doing much of the course work on my own at that time. I do remember that Jeff and I drove out there once and looked at things, then I am pretty sure I did that once on my own, (which may have been this trip in April '06), and I know I was out one other time alone. Keeping in mind that it was a four to five hour drive just to get to the beginning of the route, and you can maybe see why when we found out about the DK200's loop format, we were immediate fans! Oh! And all of those hours of windshield time and work went for naught in '06 as the route was never traveled due to weather. Only about 50-75 miles were traversed by most and a 110 by a couple of guys. That was unprecedented until the '10 event which was similarly wet, and the shortest was last years' event. Only Greg Gleason made it 128 miles, everyone else was out by Mile 53. Compare what Gleason did last year to T.I.v2, and he would not have gotten to Algona, which was the only checkpoint that year, with that amount of mileage with the rest of the state left to cross. In other words, that Level B in the image above? He wouldn't have seen that either!

This road, by the way, was eventually seen by Greg Gleason! Yes, because he rode it, along with a few others, on the Trans Iowa Master's Course route in 2014.

Friday News And Views

Renegade Gent's Race 6.0- It's gonna "blow us away".

NOTE: None of what you are about to read is a prank, false, or pretending to be anything other than the scribing I usually do. 
 
Renegade Gent's Race 6.0:

Okay, it is time for me to head South and participate once again in the Renegade Gent's Race. This race should be characterized by one thing- WIND! The forecast says 25mph with gusts to 55mph!!!

Hmm......this could hurt. 

I've done this event when it was really windy before. It was doable, since the terrain is pretty flat. It really sucks when it is windy because the terrain is flat. May as well put down a bunch of fresh gravel while they are at it. Why not? Better stories and memories will result, right?

Now.......which bike gets the call? Since I haven't had time to swap out the tires on the BMC, I believe I am going with the Raleigh, or maybe even the Standard Rando. The Raleigh has deeper gearing though, and despite the course being very flat, that may help with the heavy winds when we ride straight into them. Plus, the gravel tends to be sandy there and the wider Gravel Kings would be of benefit on this course.

The shop where I work recently sold this high-zoot Warbird.

It Is Starting To Happen:

One of the facets of gravel biking I said was going to become appealing to folks was that the traffic counts on gravel roads are typically very low. It is rare that we see more than one car on a 3GR ride, which is 40 miles of gravel, as an example. Coupled with the fact that rural unpaved roads are far more scenic and interesting, I have always thought it was a much more appealing option than running on a blacktop wondering if that speeding car coming behind you at 70mph was going to give you any space, or wondering if the driver was going to throw some pithy epithets your way, or throw something worse.

Ironically, drivers met on gravel roads, when that happens, are typically friendly, waving at you, or at worst, just drive on by. Oh......and they usually are not going over 40mph. Many times even slower. It is a much less stressful, more fun way to enjoy cycling across country.

So, I always figured that once the right marketing, bicycles, and tires were available. it would really start to pique the interests of locals here. You know what? I think it is finally happening. We have been gaining more interest in gravel bikes, people are actually asking about riding gravel, and the cycling media is keeping the concept in front of avid cyclists across the nation. It is all showing up as an interest, and a few sales now. However; if folks start talking that are buying into it now, it has the potential to become the way folks recreate in this state, and beyond. I really think that it does.

We will see..........

Crazy- As in expensive, in design, and in lightweight crazy.

Italian Exotica:

Every once in a while you read about a component or bicycle that is crazy expensive and lust-worthy in terms of weight and design. You never figure that you'll ever see it, and you might wonder if it is for real, because you just never see or read about anyone buying the thing and riding it. I think I see several products a week that fall in to this sort of category. Stuff so amazing, and amazingly expensive, that you cannot quite fathom that it actually exists.

Well, one of those cycling component "unicorns" became reality Thursday when a representative for a company I'd never heard of popped into the shop unexpectedly and had some work done. When he came back to pick up his bike, he came loaded with some of the stuff he carries for several Italian based companies. One of these was a wheel from Alchemist. It was a "X7.44" X-Sense Series front wheel. 15mm through axle, carbon shelled hub, bladed spoke, carbon rimmed wheel that was 44mm wide. So, a massive looking wheel. While I didn't get to weigh it, I know it was well under 1000 grams, and likely 800 or less. It was road racing wheel light. Crazy!

I grabbed an image of a similar model wheel off Alchemist's site here and you can see that the spokes do not pierce the inner rim well, so this is a no tape, tubeless wheel with externally mounted spoke nipples. No need to remove a tire to fix a spoke if the need arises. The spokes on the wheel I held actually crossed from one side of the hub flange to the opposite side of the rim's side. So they "X-ed" at the hub flange in the lateral plane and just under the rim in the vertical plane. Weird. And yeas- they were extremely expensive. The wheel set cost was $2700.00USD. Crazy!

From Rick Vosper's RVMS site

And here is one with not only an Italian connection, but an Iowan one as well. Some crazy scientific experimentation went wrong and an unexpected result was a substance so hard and brittle, the scientists wondered what it could be of any use for. But you know those crazy cats figured out that it was a slippery substance, and somehow this Italian firm, who was trying to figure out how to 3D print a titanium chain got hooked up with the guys at ISU, and BAM!  Check it out HERE. They say this wonder-chain won't need lubrication. Guess I have a new winner for the Guitar Ted Lube-Off!

So, while I haven't actually seen the chain, some of this stuff really does exist! Cool!

That's it for this week! Have a safe, fun, adventurous weekend and I'll be back Monday with a Renegade Gent's Race 6.0 report!!

Friday News And Views

Renegade Gent's Race 6.0- It's gonna "blow us away".

NOTE: None of what you are about to read is a prank, false, or pretending to be anything other than the scribing I usually do. 
 
Renegade Gent's Race 6.0:

Okay, it is time for me to head South and participate once again in the Renegade Gent's Race. This race should be characterized by one thing- WIND! The forecast says 25mph with gusts to 55mph!!!

Hmm......this could hurt. 

I've done this event when it was really windy before. It was doable, since the terrain is pretty flat. It really sucks when it is windy because the terrain is flat. May as well put down a bunch of fresh gravel while they are at it. Why not? Better stories and memories will result, right?

Now.......which bike gets the call? Since I haven't had time to swap out the tires on the BMC, I believe I am going with the Raleigh, or maybe even the Standard Rando. The Raleigh has deeper gearing though, and despite the course being very flat, that may help with the heavy winds when we ride straight into them. Plus, the gravel tends to be sandy there and the wider Gravel Kings would be of benefit on this course.

The shop where I work recently sold this high-zoot Warbird.

It Is Starting To Happen:

One of the facets of gravel biking I said was going to become appealing to folks was that the traffic counts on gravel roads are typically very low. It is rare that we see more than one car on a 3GR ride, which is 40 miles of gravel, as an example. Coupled with the fact that rural unpaved roads are far more scenic and interesting, I have always thought it was a much more appealing option than running on a blacktop wondering if that speeding car coming behind you at 70mph was going to give you any space, or wondering if the driver was going to throw some pithy epithets your way, or throw something worse.

Ironically, drivers met on gravel roads, when that happens, are typically friendly, waving at you, or at worst, just drive on by. Oh......and they usually are not going over 40mph. Many times even slower. It is a much less stressful, more fun way to enjoy cycling across country.

So, I always figured that once the right marketing, bicycles, and tires were available. it would really start to pique the interests of locals here. You know what? I think it is finally happening. We have been gaining more interest in gravel bikes, people are actually asking about riding gravel, and the cycling media is keeping the concept in front of avid cyclists across the nation. It is all showing up as an interest, and a few sales now. However; if folks start talking that are buying into it now, it has the potential to become the way folks recreate in this state, and beyond. I really think that it does.

We will see..........

Crazy- As in expensive, in design, and in lightweight crazy.

Italian Exotica:

Every once in a while you read about a component or bicycle that is crazy expensive and lust-worthy in terms of weight and design. You never figure that you'll ever see it, and you might wonder if it is for real, because you just never see or read about anyone buying the thing and riding it. I think I see several products a week that fall in to this sort of category. Stuff so amazing, and amazingly expensive, that you cannot quite fathom that it actually exists.

Well, one of those cycling component "unicorns" became reality Thursday when a representative for a company I'd never heard of popped into the shop unexpectedly and had some work done. When he came back to pick up his bike, he came loaded with some of the stuff he carries for several Italian based companies. One of these was a wheel from Alchemist. It was a "X7.44" X-Sense Series front wheel. 15mm through axle, carbon shelled hub, bladed spoke, carbon rimmed wheel that was 44mm wide. So, a massive looking wheel. While I didn't get to weigh it, I know it was well under 1000 grams, and likely 800 or less. It was road racing wheel light. Crazy!

I grabbed an image of a similar model wheel off Alchemist's site here and you can see that the spokes do not pierce the inner rim well, so this is a no tape, tubeless wheel with externally mounted spoke nipples. No need to remove a tire to fix a spoke if the need arises. The spokes on the wheel I held actually crossed from one side of the hub flange to the opposite side of the rim's side. So they "X-ed" at the hub flange in the lateral plane and just under the rim in the vertical plane. Weird. And yeas- they were extremely expensive. The wheel set cost was $2700.00USD. Crazy!

From Rick Vosper's RVMS site

And here is one with not only an Italian connection, but an Iowan one as well. Some crazy scientific experimentation went wrong and an unexpected result was a substance so hard and brittle, the scientists wondered what it could be of any use for. But you know those crazy cats figured out that it was a slippery substance, and somehow this Italian firm, who was trying to figure out how to 3D print a titanium chain got hooked up with the guys at ISU, and BAM!  Check it out HERE. They say this wonder-chain won't need lubrication. Guess I have a new winner for the Guitar Ted Lube-Off!

So, while I haven't actually seen the chain, some of this stuff really does exist! Cool!

That's it for this week! Have a safe, fun, adventurous weekend and I'll be back Monday with a Renegade Gent's Race 6.0 report!!