Great Cycle GRAVEL Challenge (09/04/2021)

[Mario Minelli]

This is a 62+ mile gravel event for the Great Cycle Challenge. You don't have to sign up for the GCC, but you can if you want to follow the link at the end of this post.  This event is FREE.  Come ride a fun course.  Good training if you are gearing up for the Filthy 50 or other fall gravel events.  

What: 62-ish mile pure gravel ride.  Its about 0.2 miles from starting line to where the gravel begins then its just about all gravel from there on out.

Where: Commuter lot in Kasson, MN, grinding down near Dexter, over and up near Brownsdale, then back to Kasson.

When:  8am, Saturday, Sept 4, 2021

Starting line is near the west end of the commuter lot in Kasson (south side of Hwy 14, off of Mantorville Ave).  This is not a 'race', but for those who start at 8am or after, there will be a finish line on a slight uphill just short of where you started.  You'll know if you win.  I mean you'll know when you finish. The route is lollipop style--it goes south for about 22 miles, then does loop and rejoins the route where you came out on with about 19 miles to go.  Route is subject to change depending on road work/conditions.  I'll post any changes.  I am working on providing a water/refueling stop along the route, but for the most part, plan to self-support.

For another link to the route if you missed it above, click THIS  

For more information about the GCC, go to The Great Cycle Challenge site.  If you sign up for the GCC and you want to join a team, I invite you to join Team Monkey Bars. You do not have to sign up for the GCC to pound out this gravel ride. You'll get a 62.6 sticker for finishing. 

[Mario Minelli]

UPDATE:

* Coffee/water provided from 7-8am (8am ride starts)

* Water/bananas/bars at the 18.5 mile point and at mile 43.

* Course markers/arrows will be posted at all turns (well, most of them)

* "Refreshments" at the finish

* You're free to ride as much of the course as you want, but you'll get a "62.6" sticker for riding the full course.

What's nice is that most of it is out-n-back so it's easy to ride the distance you want without having to figure out how to shorten your ride.