GIRG III: Southern Discomfort

*SEPT 16 UPDATE* Also posted to Facebook event page, but if you don't do the facebooks....see very bottom of this column.

=======================

Sunday, September 20. 9:00 A.M. 100km / 63 miles (other distance options available). Starts / ends in Eldora, Iowa at the Firehouse Saloon and Grill.

Come enjoy a scenic ride through the rolling hills and river valley along the Iowa River Greenbelt in Hardin and Marshall Counties. This multi-surface ride is mostly on gravel roads, but it also includes some paved county roads near the towns, a couple miles of paved trail through Pine Lake State Park, and there’s a mile of grassy Level C road.

We're mixing things up a bit for GIRG III by starting / ending a little further south (in Eldora), and taking the ride further south than versions 1 or 2. We'll more or less hug the Iowa River bluffs and valley down through Union, onto scenic Mormon Ridge Road, cross the river near Albion, then back up along the east side of the river through Liscomb, Steamboat Rock, then back down to Eldora.

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 there!

Ben

*updates / discussion at the GIRG Facebook event page

*SEPT 16 UPDATE*

Some updates/reminders:

1. Ride is this Sunday; 100 milers start at 7:30 AM, and all others at 9:00 AM. However, since there is no official registration, and especially in these times….you can really take off whenever / wherever on route you’d want if you are running early/late or want to avoid being around others….

2. Official start is shared parking lot area of Firehouse Saloon / Dentist’s building (on 19th street across from the Caseys). Normally the Firehouse in open Sundays during NFL season (for post-ride), but I was told they are NOT this year on Sundays…my apologies...so best option if you’re wanting a drink “near” the end is Steamboat Rock at Happenings (it’s just 5 miles from there to the ride’s start/end in Eldora…they also serve pizzas). Other food options along the way in towns at convenience stores (or Eldora also has a Subway & Pizza Ranch). https://www.happeningsbar.com/

3. A reminder for those that may not know.... when you get to the grassy level C road, it will say no trespassing. We have permission to go through. If the gate is closed, you’ll see an easy way around it on the right side.

4. GIRG Ride Guide - if interested…sort of like last year, but new route so mostly new things. Some notes on natural resources/cultural/historical stuff….I guess it’s the former science teacher in me combined with the history nerd still residing within. Things like this old log cabin along Mormon Ridge Road... If interested, you could print it off and bring, but I’ll have some copies as well. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C3ZmIrwY3ypezpWEwEYDNNXQFDZzKzicvvCSAw0tQKk/edit?usp=sharing

5. Reminder that we’ll have some name plates available, first come first served….pipe cleaners….sharpies…and some hand sanitizer!

6. The officially unofficial registration fee is a donation to the House of Compassion. I’ll have a tub there for any items you wish to donate. See GIRG main website for that list of things. While they were quite confused as to why people would spend the day riding their bikes on gravel roads, I think I eventually convinced them that it is a fun thing to do and they were very grateful for all the donations. There is always need in the Marshalltown area, and with the derecho windstorm damage, that has been an additional impact to many families in the area.

7. I believe I have again bribed last year’s GIRGtographer back this year with promises of coffee and a Snickers bar, so we’ll try to get some photos of riders on route and share to the site later that day or early next week.

Sounds like a lovely #SundayMorningSunshine kinda day on tap and a nice south breeze to push you back north once you hit Albion.