New, Local Gravel Grinder!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:27PM 
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Introducing the AntiEpic Gravel Grinder! That's right, kids: free, gravel-grinding bike race action is coming right to our back door! So start getting those training miles in, if you aren't already, as April is coming up quick, and 150 miles on gravel roads is a long haul – especially if we get some of our classic Spring snows (though any snow right would be most welcome)!
This new event is being included as part of the Colorado Endurance Series, so if you're one that already tries to complete that entire series, you've now got one more race on your calendar this year (actually, more than that, as there are a couple other new ones, too). It's being held on April 7th at 6:30am, though they state the time and date are subject to change, so keep your eye on the site. It's already moved up a week since becoming a part of the Endurance Series (originally scheduled for 14th, but that conflicts with the Durango Gravel Grinder, also a part of the series).
I've decided I'm going to participate in this inaugural event. It's a little early in the season for such distance for me, but I've been waiting for an event like this to pop up around here, so really want to support it. It'll be nice not having to travel over a hundred miles to do an endurance race, and also not having to pay for it! It's also nice to have something besides the usual road or mountain bike race around here. Plus, I figure it'll be good training for the Almanzo in May. If I can do 150 in April, I can do 100 in May…
This actually works out nice as a substitute on my race calendar, as I'm no longer doing the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde as hoped/planned. The registration on that race filled up QUICK, and we missed the boat; couldn't get in. I'm debating on also doing the Durango Gravel Grinder, but I'm not committing to that one yet; have to see what my schedule, budget, and motivation look like as I get closer to it. I signed up early last year, but then had to back out because I ended up not being able to fit it in, so don't want to sign up again this year unless I know I can commit. Also have to see how wrecked I might feel after the AntiEpic, as it's only a week out from that one. For now my schedule remains more or less the same, with the exception that the AntiEpic replaces Mesa Verde.
Anyway, I hope to see you out there on April 7th. Start training!
Cycling, Gravel Grinders, Races
Reader Comments (4)
I've thrown my name in the hat for this one as well. I wish it was a month later but it'll give me motivation over the next few months to get some miles in. The good news with it being early, is there isn't much climbing.
Cool! I hear ya about the timing - a month or two later would definitely be much nicer, allow more time for training. A big variable on this one, too, could be the weather. With it being in early April, it could either be 65 & sunny or snowing like crazy.
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Awesome! You rock dude!
Thanks for sharing the info! Hopefully it's not snowing!