Gran Fondo 2 Gravel Grinder

[dgaddis1]

If you're a Strava user you've probably noticed their new monthly Gran Fondo challenge series. Last month a group of us did GF01 and had a great time, but it was all on pavement.

The challenge is the same distance again this month, 130km (81miles), but we're going to mix it up and stay off the pavement as much as possible, sticking to gravel and dirt roads.

The route I have mapped out (which may get a few tweaks) is a figure 8, we'll go by the cars about halfway through the route so you can refill bottles. Or, if you're not up for the full 80+ miles you can just do half and call it a day.

The route will be somewhere between 81-85 miles, will include about a mile of singletrack, some pavement, lots of dirt/gravel, a little bushwhacking, some interesting scenery, and a few places you'll get wet. It will be an adventure. Some of the non-paved roads are clay, some are dirt, some may have some chunky gravel. You don't want to bring a road bike, but a CX bike would probably be perfect. I don't have a CX bike, so I'll be on a MTB.

I'll post the date and the map/cue sheet later. Probably either the 8th or 15th. Just wanted to get word out there so folks can start planning if they want to join in.

Everyone is welcome to join in, but it's probably not going to be a no-drop group ride. It will be a ride at your own pace sort of ride. So you'll need a map and cue sheet. I'll post turn-by turn directions, but I can't guarantee they'll be 100% accurate, sometimes the road signs don't match up with the labels on maps.

It's gonna be fun. Anyone interested?

[kconner]

I'm a definite maybe, most likely for a short route. It'll depend on work schedules, but I'm definitely interested!

[Catalyst]

I'll do a shorter route with you. Was just emailing dgaddis about riding half of the figure 8 (40 miles) the opposite direction of the main group. It'd be fun to pass everyone somewhere along the way.

[nitro]

Jan 31, 2014 13:16:28 GMT -5 Catalyst said:

I'll do a shorter route with you. Was just emailing dgaddis about riding half of the figure 8 (40 miles) the opposite direction of the main group. It'd be fun to pass everyone somewhere along the way.

I might be up for half also -- keep me updated!

[dgaddis1]

I'd like to do it this weekend...preferably on Saturday. But the weather forecast doesn't look good right now, so....we'll wait till later in the week to make the call.

Is Saturday or Sunday better for most people?

[beckyl]

Feb 3, 2014 10:21:57 GMT -5 dgaddis1 said:

I'd like to do it this weekend...preferably on Saturday. But the weather forecast doesn't look good right now, so....we'll wait till later in the week to make the call.

Is Saturday or Sunday better for most people?

Either day is fine with us. After giving it some thought, I wouldn't mind doing the half with Catalyst et al. but I know Nevin will want to do the long ride.

[kconner]

I'm working this Saturday, but I'm off on Sunday. I'm off Saturday and Sunday of the following weekend as well.

[dgaddis1]

Alright - it's on for Sunday, Feb 9th. Park in the Turkey Creek parking lot down by the pedestrian bridge, on the little gravel road off Key Rd. right next to the bridge (what road is that again??) We'll roll at 9am.

It's supposed to rain pretty much all day Saturday, so we're going to just do half the figure 8 I originally had laid out. The other half uses some clay roads that wont be any fun at all this weekend. We'll get them on another ride someday. I'm up for two laps if anyone else is. It's a little over 41 miles.

CLICK HERE FOR A MAP

Please print off your own cue sheet/map to bring along for the ride. Put them in ziplock bags to keep them dry and readable.

Cue Sheet:
Ride approx. 1 mile of the Turkey Creek trail to FS-618.
Take FS-618 to Key Rd.
LEFT onto Key Rd.
1st LEFT onto Prices Mill Rd
RIGHT onto FS-615/Price Rd
RIGHT at end of FS-615/Price Rd
Immediate LEFT onto FS-613B. Ride to end.
Bushwack through woods and across creek to road on other side of creek.
Ride road to end.
LEFT onto Plumb Branch Rd
1st RIGHT onto Upper Mill Rd
RIGHT onto Harmony Rd
1st LEFT onto State Rd S-33-602
1st LEFT onto State Rd S-33-602A
Straight across paved road onto Hunters Crossing Rd
Ride road to end.
LEFT onto State Rd S-33-42
1st LEFT onto Iron Bridge Rd
RIGHT at tee onto Christian Rd
RIGHT at tee onto E Gold Street
LEFT onto Upper Mill/Scott's Ferry
Straight onto Windmill Rd
RIGHT onto Lewis Lane
Stay right at fork on Lewis Lane
Straight onto Moton Moore Rd
RIGHT onto Sandrock Rd
LEFT onto Walker Rd
RIGHT onto Wade Morgan Rd
LEFT onto Plum Branch Rd
RIGHT onto Turkey Rd
RIGHT onto Key Rd
Return to vehicles.

Again, no promise the cue-sheet is 100% accurate.

[eivey]

I'm planning to be there as well. 2 loops depending on weather.

[Ross D]

I'll sum up my response like this: Kids... UGH.. Basketball, Scouts. Life: Funeral, Heart Ball.. Maybe next time..

[dsquaredmsquared]

Feb 5, 2014 14:51:16 GMT -5 dgaddis1 said:

Park in the Turkey Creek parking lot down by the pedestrian bridge, on the little gravel road off Key Rd. right next to the bridge (what road is that again??)

Price's Bottom?  FS 614 (goo.gl/maps/DWZMK)

[dtstfunk]

I'm considering it but have finals for a college class this weekend. I'll have to see how far I get on saturday before I can commit.

[tzeaser]

I don't know how much it's supposed to rain Saturday, but the creek on 613B was not safe to cross a day after heavy rain a few weeks ago. There is a large Beech tree laid across the creek about 100' upstream for the adventurous. WCS - backtrack to the paved road, turn right to Upper Mill, turn right to 283 and pick up your route again.

[dgaddis1]

Feb 7, 2014 11:54:26 GMT -5 tzeaser said:

I don't know how much it's supposed to rain Saturday, but the creek on 613B was not safe to cross a day after heavy rain a few weeks ago. There is a large Beech tree laid across the creek about 100' upstream for the adventurous. WCS - backtrack to the paved road, turn right to Upper Mill, turn right to 283 and pick up your route again.

Everyone bring an extra pair of socks Supposedly there's some rocks you can hop across very close by as well.

There's another spot on the route where the road itself sometimes floods apparently, but you can walk up on the bank around it.

[Ross D]

I'm gonna do route backwards and meet you guys as I'll go to church, and leave my car riding route backwards hopefully by 11:00..

[dgaddis1]

That was a grand time! About 13 people came out and rode. Turns out part of my route was on private property, so some of the group turned around and backtracked back to the beginning, and some of us did a detour to go around the private property. No one did two laps, one was enough. Little of everything, pavement, singletrack, dirt, gravel, mud, and a creek crossing. Here's the loop, with the detour: www.strava.com/activities/112241041

And here's some pics.

[dtstfunk]

Looks like I missed February. Hoping March is a better month.