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Showing posts with label roads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label roads. Show all posts

Under a week - Some safety reminders


- Please obey all road signs. If the sign says stop. Please do so.
- It's a long race so be smart about bombing down hills and whatnot.... it's a gas, but always ride within yourself.
- When cresting a hill, or going around a blind corner always ride to the right side of the road.
- Gravel is a very inconsistent surface to ride on. For the most part the roads of Goodhue and Wabasha counties are premium surfaces to ride on. Patches of frost heaves, loose gravel, mud will still pop up though, so be prepared! Right now ice is even a possibility, though the temps this week should help in that respect.
- Dogs. In general the dogs we've ran across while riding this spring have been well behaved. Watch out though. Even when they are just trying to be friendly they can cause a crash.
- Be respectful of others. We're using the roads, but they are not closed and they are not solely ours. Don't litter. Smile at folks. Wave. Goodhue and Wabasha counties have been happy to give us permission to run the race so far. Let's not give them reason to change their minds.
- Be prepared. There is roughly 40-45 miles between civilization and in some of the valleys you probably will not get good cell reception/coverage. The organizers of the race also are not responsible for providing you with a way out if you get in trouble.
- You are responsible for you. We won't have piles of tubes, water, gel packs etc. We will not drive all over picking people up who have to drop out for whatever reason.
- Please have a working blinky red rear light and some sort of blinky white front light.

The main gravel roads are all shaping up VERY nicely. Awesome to just cruise on. The minimum maintenance roads on the other hand could be in... ummm.... interesting shape. We'll try and give an update later in the week as to the current shape of the roads, but as of now I would recommend bringing at least one or two spare pairs of socks (or some way to keep your tootsies dry).


Taken from http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com/
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Some Gravel Road Riding Tips


1. Pay attention! Most of the roads are lightly traveled by automobiles but they can sneak up on you.

2. When going up hills or around blind corners make sure to inch over to the right if possible. Cars will not expect to encounter cyclists, so being to the right is the safest place to be.

3. Dogs are out and about! We aren't on many different roads than the past couple of years so expect the same canine (and chicken) involvement as in years past. Be ready if a snarling dog runs out at you. On the course we haven't ran into any violent dogs, but dogs can have bad days too. So just have a plan if one starts to chase.

4. Be ready to fend for yourself. We'll give you accurate directions, but you must follow them or prepare to be lost. Also, if you have to drop out you must have your own strategy for getting back to civilization. You are responsible for you!

5. Water! Dust and wind and the sun can dehydrate. You must bring enough water to get you at least 60 or so miles. There is one town that we go directly through. Goodhue and Lake City will be passed relatively closely but are not on the route.

I'm sure there are a ton of other things I could talk about but it's time now to get out and ride!


Taken from http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com/
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Some Recon


1) I'm out of shape.
2) If there is an early Spring the odds are good that the roads will be in pristine riding condition. Most of the roads were pretty firm today so for the most part a cross tire would have been enough.
3) This race will be a challenge. Doable, but don't expect that it will be like a road century.
4) 90% of the dogs on the route are either nice and friendly or so old that they can't begin to chase you.

Some info that might actually be useful to some of you: The race notes will be roughly 4.25" wide x 5.5" tall.

Here is a picture of Jake dominating the crap out of a car. That happened to have been in the ditch for a long time.



Taken from http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com/
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Recap of a few things


Today's note:

This year we will only be having one official checkpoint. That's right, the Lake City checkpoint is being taken out of the race. The one and only time that the race will go by a convenience store will be at the checkpoint town in Zumbro Falls. The race will go within a few miles of Goodhue and Lake City but will not pass directly through/by them. If you've come to know and love the Kwik Trip in Lake City, we're sorry, but we wanted to include a few different roads in the race and this was the best way to do it. We think that the additional roads will more than offset the lost chance at another roller-dog.

So... summary... Race starts in Red Wing... at approximately mile 55 there will be a checkpoint (with a time cutoff) in Zumbro Falls... then another 50 mile shot to Red Wing. No other gas stations will be passed.


Taken from http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com/
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YIKES!!! 12 spots


Some notes to those who may not be familiar with gravel roads and some rules re-iterated:

1) You are responsible for yourself!

2) You have to have a blinky red light for the rear and some sort of front light. There aren't a ton of people that bike on these roads so being seen is good! You are responsible for yourself.

3) For much of the race you'll be "in the middle of nowhere". We will provide accurate race tulips, but you're responsible for following them. No shortcuts. If you go off the course for some reason, you'll have to re-enter at the place you left. If something happens, please have someone you can call to come and get you. We don't want anyone stranded, but see #1.

4) Please obey the rules of the road. Stop signs technically mean stop. Yield - yield.

5) When going around blind corners it's usually a good idea to keep to the right a bit. Cars are not used to meeting anyone on the roads that we'll be going on.

6) You are responsible for yourself!

7) The weather in mid April can be anywhere from snow to 80 degrees. Please be prepared for whatever happens. The race will be held rain or shine.

8) I'll try and keep the gravel conditions up-to-date as the race approaches. There will be nice hard sections, and some super loose sections almost guaranteed. Tire choice is up to the individual.

Oh... and I hope this posts... the profile:



Taken from http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com/
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Official '09 Rules Post


1. Sponsors, organizers and any hangers on are not responsible for your safety. Each rider is considered to be on their own little private excursion. If you wipe out on loose gravel it is not our fault. You are responsible for you.

2. Outside support is only allowed at our Zumbro Falls checkpoint. There will be convenience stores available in Zumbro Falls and also at roughly mile 80.

3. You will receive the first 1/2 of the tulip notes upon registering the morning of the event. The second 1/2 of the tulip notes will be given to you upon reaching the checkpoint. There will be a time cut-off for the checkpoint, and believe me, it will be very attainable by all who can keep moving forward. The time will be determined at a later date.

4. You must attempt to follow the course at all times. If you need to go off course for help or food or something you must re-enter the course where you left it. I doubt anyone will be super familiar with the roads that we're going over, but please... no shortcuts.

5. Use your head. Yield to traffic. Pay attention to the road surface (which will possibly vary from concrete like hard gravel roads to snow covered sloppy muddy mess) and ride accordingly.

6. At all times you are making progress on the course you must wear an approved helmet.

7. Obey all state, county, city, village, township, borough, etc. laws, along with the Rules of the Road.

8. We are not responsible if you get lost or stranded. Have a way of contacting the outside world should something go not to plan.

9. Must have a blinking red rear light and a front headlight (can be one tiny white LED... it's amazing how much that helps you be seen even in the daylight).

I think that's it. Next post may be accompanied by pictures from a recon ride....


Taken from http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com/
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T-minus 10 hours?


Should be an epic day... maybe not as epic weatherwise, but that'll just mean the speeds will be a little faster (but no less exhausting).

Reminders...

6:30 - 7:15 is the check in time. Please don't wait until the last minute to show up.

Start is at 7:30. 

Must finish by 7:30 pm.

Remember to be ready to fend for yourself, but if possible buddy up. The buddy system makes a race like tomorrow's doable.

Remember to be safe. The race is held on open roads and people won't really be expecting to see you. Downhills will be fast. Ride safe and ride smart.

Remember to have fun. It's hard. But it is also fun. The roads are pretty scenic and rustic for the most part and are some of the best Goodhue and Wabasha counties have to offer. 

See ya'll tomorrow bright and early!


Taken from http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com/
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Refresher on some rules


0) You are responsible for yourself!

1) Follow the rules and laws of the road. You will be traveling on public roads that will not be closed in any way. If you see a stop sign, please stop, etc. etc. etc.

2) Wear a helmet while on course.

3) There will be one official checkpoint in the race this year. At approximately mile 55 we will have a checkpoint. At this point, and at only this point you can get outside assistance/help. There also are a couple of convenience stores to pick up water/chips/etc. Unfortunately the roller dogs are in short supply, so if you want a crappy hot dog you might just want to throw one in your jersey pocket. The course will pass within a couple of miles of two other towns, but will not pass anything really useful. So, have enough water and food!

4) Carry enough water and food!

5) You are responsible for yourself!

6) Ride within yourself. Watch your speed if you need to on the downhills. There are some long and very very fast descents. It's fun to bomb them, but be prepared to deal with loose gravel, washboard, oncoming tractors etc. Also, when you are climbing up a hill, it's probably smart to not be on the left side of the road. There isn't much traffic on these roads, but be smart.

7) You must have a computer or some means of tracking your progress (in miles).

8) Have some sort of small (or large) front and rear (red) lights. It doesn't have to be so you can see, but you want to be seen.

9) You are responsible for yourself!

10) Don't litter. Respect that we're riding on public roads.

11) Watch out for dogs, chickens, and livestock!

12) Have fun!!!

We will be starting at 7:30 am in Colvill Park in Red Wing, MN. You will get the cue sheets for the first half of the race at registration. We will publish the cut-off times to get to the checkpoint in Zumbro Falls and to finish.

I think I got most of the big ones. Please feel free to ask any questions as we get closer to the race... only a little over a month away!




Taken from http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com/
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