GIRG Ride

Gravel Iowa River Greenbelt

Sept. 15, 2019

For GIRG Ride 2020 info, go here

GIRG Ride 2019; Twister House Edition

*Update: "Entry fee" this year is a donation of items for the House of Compassion. See HERE for details.

Gravel Iowa River Greenbelt Ride. Sunday, September 15. 9:00 A.M. 64 Miles (also 100 mile and 25 mile options). Steamboat Rock, Iowa - starts & ends at the corner of Market & 5th St. (across the street from Happenings).

Come enjoy a scenic ride through the rolling hills and river valley in Hardin County along the Iowa River Greenbelt. This multi-surface ride is mostly on gravel roads, but it also includes paved county roads and a few miles of paved trail (and there’s also this one mile of grassy Level C road).

Also new this year- GIRG Ride Guide. I'll have paper copies of this available for any interested.

THE DETAILS:

Find the 2019 route HERE and cue sheet here

Similar route as last year with a couple tweaks; I think the last few miles of GIRG gravel (east of County Road S56) weren’t quite as interesting as the scenery along the rest of the route, so we’re going to swap out those later miles with a few earlier ones that add some Iowa “Hollywood History”. A couple miles after the Level C road, we’ll head a bit eastward out of the river valley, and then shortly after turning right/south onto Y Ave. (about mile 11), the Twister House will be on your left. This old Victorian home- and some of the former structures there that were demolished during production- was used for filming portions of the movie Twister, including the final scenes (although don’t expect any sign pointing it out, or accommodations. While there have been some renovations over the past couple years, it’s NOT open as any kind of official tourist attraction or much else to see or do there.....just a neat big, old house that’s a part of Iowa film history). In fact...about the only “sign” that you’re at the right place is if you see someone a bit upside down near the driveway entrance.

From there, we’ll work our way back into the Iowa River valley, and keep GIRGing along pretty similar to last year’s route.

While riders are welcome to go as fast or slow as they’d like (and spend as much time in towns as you want), it’s nice to try and regroup periodically along the way, and would like to use these for most riders as optional-but-recommended regroup spots:

- Casey’s in Eldora; mile 19

- River Tap - on Railroad Street in Iowa Falls; mile 42 (lunch stop)

- Post-ride celebration / relaxation in Steamboat Rock at Happenings

*However, if you want to ride it like you're racing it, and skip the stops, that's fine too...

New Distance Options

*and be sure to pick up and attach your one-of-a-kind custom GIRG name plate

Other options besides the 64 mile route:

Mega-GIRG, 100 Miles New this year is a Century route for those wanting to do more than 64 miles of GIRGing. At least a few riders last year were also training for the Spotted Horse or other big rides coming up later in the fall, so if wanting more for any reason...route is HERE (*and yes...I know the prefix “Mega” doesn’t mean 100, but I thought it had a nice ring to it). You’ll go further south (through Liscomb and Union), and also a bit further to the west into Alden after the potential lunch stop in Iowa Falls (for this ride, the River Tap for lunch is at mile 65). 100 mile cue sheet

Mini-GIRG, 25 miles. Newer to gravel riding and want to give it a try? Time limited, or just want a shorter distance for any reason? The GIRG ride loops back to the west edge of Steamboat Rock during mile 24, before heading on left/west towards Iowa Falls, so at that point (on D35 / Main St.), you could end your ride by heading right/east across the river. There are other ways you could ride between 25-64 miles by "cutting the course" before Iowa Falls, but you'll need to view a map & choose your own adventure.

START TIMES/INFO

GIRG (and Mini-GIRG)

8:40-8:55 Across the street from Happenings- pick up a GIRG Ride name plate for your bike. The Ride Guide and Cue sheets will also be available for any that want paper copies, and I'll try to answer any questions.

9:00 - Announcements / updates

9:03 - Wheels rolling from Market & 5th St.

Mega-GIRG Century riders depart at 7:30 A.M. from the corner of Market & 5th. I’ll be there to try and answer any questions, provide a free high-five and see you off, then I’m heading to breakfast at the Boat Club. This timing should get- at least many riders from both groups- to Iowa Falls for lunch in roughly (probably... maybe...) the same time frame (Iowa Falls is at mile 65 for the Century riders).

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It's going to be another beautiful sunny September Sunday (but if not...rain date will be the following Sunday (Sept. 22).

Breakfast, Lunch, Camping...

BREAKFAST

The Iowa River Conservation and Improvement Club hosts a breakfast on Sundays at the Boat Club in Steamboat Rock from 7:00 - 9:00. Might be a good way to start the day- you’ll find the Boat Club by taking Main St. (D-35) to the west side of the river, then go north on N. 10th St. (the road right alongside the river / dam). It’s staffed by volunteers, and for $6, you check off whatever you want (pancakes, french toast, biscuits & gravy, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast…) on a sheet and get a number, then hand your sheet to the folks in the kitchen. It can get busy, so for GIRG riders planning to eat there, try to be to the Boat Club by around 8:00 or before to make sure you’re done in time to head over to Market St. for the start of the ride.

LUNCH / TAKE A BREAK (if you wish - if you'd rather keep rolling.....keep rolling)

Iowa Falls (mile 42 - River Tap). This year, I’d like to simplify things a bit (and try not to overwhelm the wait staff); recommending a group pizza option: (menu HERE)

At regroup spot in Eldora, get a count of how many want pizza & suggestions on type.
I’ll call in the order well before “most of the group” will be rolling into Iowa Falls.
Pizza eaters throw $5 in the hat at the River Tap, and I’ll pick up the rest & tip.
On your own for drinks (and non-pizza eaters’ food).

There is also a convenience store along the route on Rocksylvania Ave. (my favorite street name) in case you want to pick up any other food/drinks for the remaining 22 miles back to Steamboat Rock)

CAMPING

For those that may want to stay before and/or after the ride, there is camping just north of the Boat Club (Pine Ridge Park) or nearby at Pine Lake State Park. Hardin County also recently built a couple cabins near Steamboat Rock along the Iowa River (there are some nice float trip options on the river).

Updates / discussion at the GIRG Facebook event page

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU

The organizer of the GIRG Ride is compensated through good vibes and the enjoyment that comes from hanging out with gravel-people on a long, dirty, fun ride. The ride is free, and therefore totally self-supported / no SAG services.

Each rider is considered to be on a private excursion and remains solely responsible for him/herself and any accidents in which he or she may be involved. No responsibility can be accepted for riders becoming lost, stranded, injured, crashing into a donkey on a Level C road, falling into the river, or otherwise inconvenienced or upset about anything. You are responsible for you (although from my experiences, I’d imagine folks will at least try to help out with issues that could arise along the way).

The route is un-marked and roads are (obviously) open to vehicle traffic. While gravel is generally low traffic, we’ll also be on some paved county roads, and I’d recommend using a blinking red rear light. You should also pull off to the right and stop if any large agricultural vehicles / equipment are passing by in either direction.

Hope to see you all there!

Ben

FOR THE HISTORY BUFFS...

Some history of the Twister House - from oldhouses.com

The "Twister House", as it is now known, was built in 1886 by Luther M. Follett, a prominent Wisconsin businessman. When it was completed, it was widely heralded as the grandest home in Hardin County, Iowa. It featured many amenities that were considered very modern at the time including indoor plumbing and duct work to all the rooms for heating. Luther Follett lived in the house and farmed the land for many years, and upon his death, the house passed through the hands of several family members.

In the 1960's the current owners, Raymond and Floris Follett, retired to Arizona and left the house as rental property. After a few years, with the house needing repair and updating, the decision was made to close it down. The house was emptied and boarded up and remained that way for the next 30 years.

Upon the death of Raymond Follett in 1994, the house was put up for sale outside of the family. It was purchased by a local man who was later put in touch with the production crew from Warner Bros. who were in the area scouting sites for the "Twister" film. They were looking for a farm site with an old house that they could tear down during filming, and this boarded up abandoned home fit the bill perfectly. A deal was struck between the parties and filming was set to begin.

Hearing the news that this historic old home was set to be demolished, people of the area became upset and began fighting to save the house. After a bit of a battle, they were successful in their efforts and the plans were changed to only demolish the barns and outbuildings. This actually worked out positively for the crew as well, leading to one of the key lines in the movie..."Look, it didn't take the house."

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