Gravel Freedom

Riding a bicycle on remote gravel roads is freedom. Freedom from fast, heavy, annoyed traffic. Freedom from distracted drivers. Freedom from convention. Freedom from "The Rules." Freedom to challenge, not merely compete. Freedom to just ride. Just Enjoy the Show.

Riding a bicycle in a gravel race also is freedom. Foremost for me is the freedom to choose amongst a veritable smorgasbord of experiences. That also means freedom to choose not to support events, as well.

Freedom to just ride.

The wonderful variety of gravel events results from race directors themselves having freedom to put together races their way, with relatively few barriers to entry and without a template mandated by others. More specifically, gravel race directors have not been confined by the dictates of a centralized governing body or by the "Shalt Haves" and "Shalt Nots" of elitists posing as self-annointed arbiters of all things gravel. Even with today's groupthink push to conform and accommodate, race directors still can create an event of their own design, implement and adapt their own rules to guide the event toward that vision, and live with the consequences of their decisions. Riders then choose to ride, or not. That's freedom.

Having options between many, very different types of experiences is a great thing. Out here in the Black Hills of South Dakota, a local rider named Lucas Haan dreamt up a crazy cool series of gravel races, each with a unique course and an unexpected twist. How about a rock infested, quad busting mile and a half spur up to an abandoned look out tower near the end of a fifty mile, 5,000 foot elevation gain gravel/dirt road race? Who does that? A Six Course Feast. Such gems are possible when race directors are free to create their own events.

With so many choices, preferences develop. Like everyone else, I certainly have my preferences and naturally are drawn to them. Almost three years ago, I even described aspects of gravel events that I liked best. Components of a Special Gravel Race. Whatever your preferences, however, it's one thing to turn toward your "likes" and away from your "dislikes." It's quite another thing to work to impose your preferences on another, or worse, on everyone. That's the essence of elitism. Try this instead. If an event doesn't suit you, leave that event to those who enjoy it and move to something else.

Here's a confession I'm reluctant to express as it may be misconstrued. Dirty Kanza is not for me, even though it's a highly publicized, influential and popular part of the gravel scene. Stay with me, here. Dirty Kanza is great for gravel cycling. I love that Dirty Kanza exists, that many swarm to it and that I rode it once. My experience was memorable, but overall the event is just not for me. That's OK. I don't knock Dirty Kanza or try to change it. They run their event as they see fit. They've earned that right and respect. I applaud those who work to make the experience available, cheer on those who ride it and simply commit my time and energy elsewhere.

In the words of William Wallace, " F R E E D O M ! ! "

The road beckons. Ride.

Addendum. To some readers, this post may sound familiar. Well, I first posted it in July 2018. Now 2020, with all the hoopla surrounding the explosive growth of gravel cycling, I decided to highlight the freedom that cyclists have to experience a tremendous variety of gravel rides, events and races. That is, gravel now offers big production events, but is much bigger than that. It's always been much bigger than that. As I started to write, I remembered this post, which I think remains relevant today. It says what was on my mind. So, I re-posted it.

"That's how we're going to win. Not fighting what we hate. Saving what we love."
Rose Tio, Star Wars - The Last Jedi (2017).

Bigger Than Big Events

In 2014, I attended the ChristianCycling.com National Camp, where I was astonished to learn that almost none of the long time, dedicated cyclists had heard of gravel grinders. So, I wrote "Gravel 101," an introduction to gravel grinders that was published by ChristianCycling.com and later posted on the Black Hills BackBone blog. Gravel Grinder 101.

Gravel roads beckon from Wind Cave National Park.

Now in 2020, gravel riding, training, and racing is front and center on the American cycling scene. The big bike corporations market "gravel" bikes, tires, components, equipment, gear, clothing, and even shoes. The big cycling media publicize favored events, professional and celebrity cyclists, coaching programs and training camps, and, of course, all those products to be purchased. The big governing bodies desperately maneuver to grab control over, and money from, this scene.

As a result, many more cyclists are now learning about gravel grinding. And all that corporate hype could easily lead one to conclude that gravel is all about the fastest racers, the lightest race bike and the most prestigious races. That is, gravel grinding could appear to the newcomer as yesterday's road racing scene simply transplanted to gravel roads.

Some races are. In fact, many of the new, sanctioned events, and even some of the older, well-known gravel events, are merely conventional road races that happen to travel some gravel, with professional racers, team tactics, expanding levels of support, little to no self-navigation, substantial entry fees, national media coverage, limited and selected entries, points-based categories to segregate cyclists, and more enforcement of more rules due to racers cheating. If you enjoy the experience of a USCA sanctioned bicycle race, you certainly can find that on gravel today.

Lucas Haan offers encouragement to riders at the 2018 Black Hills Gravel Series - Hill City.
This is grass roots gravel, with short, medium and long routes that are unmarked and unsupported.
Something for everyone. Oh, and a post-race gathering spot for everyone.

But big corporate events are just the loudest development on the gravel scene. There is much more. There has always been much more. The energy creating and driving the gravel scene emanates from throngs of regular folks gathering to ride together at local, grass roots rides. Such rides create and nurture an inclusive, social atmosphere that attracts folks from so many different levels of experience, ability and ambition. That will be difficult for sanctioned corporate racing to emulate.

For information on local events and informal rides in your area, look on social media or ask at your local bike shop. There's almost certainly something happening in your neighborhood. If not, it's very easy to start something. For regional, national and international gravel events of all kinds, take a look at the events page at RidingGravel.com.

Here in the Black Hills of South Dakota, individuals and bike shops post on a FaceBook group called "Black Hills Drop Bar Dirt, Gravel and Cyclocross Riders" and another called "Black Hills Bike Events." There's even a FaceBook group "Black Hills Gravel" with a summer-long series of free group rides each offering 10, 25 and 50 mile routes. Black Hills Gravel.

Venturing into the gravel event community added an unexpected bonus. I discovered that I could ride an almost unlimited number and variety of lightly traveled, remote, rough roads year around, even out here in the wilds of western South Dakota. From then on, everything about my riding changed. A Journey To Gravel Races - A Revelation.

I'll be out there somewhere. Hope to see you out there, too.

"Maverick, you'll get your RIO when you get to the ship. If you don't, give me a call. I'll fly with you."  Viper, Top Gun (1986).

Let's go!

For my take of the gravel scene in 2014, go to Gravel Grinder 101.

Black Hills Gravel Series - Season 4!

The Black Hills Gravel Series returns for Season 4, with a full slate of free rides. Mark your calendars. This is grass roots gravel at its finest. And now it's going to last all summer!

Information on FaceBook group:  Black Hills Gravel. Sign up here:  BHGravel Signup.

Peerless Leader Lucas Haan directs the troops at the start of the Sturgis ride of the 2019 Black Hills Gravel Series.

Lucas Haan, the Grand Poo-Bah of the Black Hills Gravel Series, hand crafts each of the unique, creative routes through postcard-perfect back country, provides cue sheets and gpx files for self-navigating the unmarked roads, and offers the enriching experience of riding self-supported. All of this free of entry fees, elitism, and pomposity. Just show up with most any bike, wearing most anything weather appropriate, and ride. Everyone is welcome.

At each event, three courses will be available, increasing in length and difficulty. They're named by color:  Green (10-15 miles, some elevation gain), Blue (20-30 miles, more elevation gain), and Black (50+ miles, significantly more elevation gain + an added challenge is likely). There truly is a course for every level of ability, experience, and ambition. Better yet, you will find cyclists of all kinds gathering to enjoy these rides.

Riders stream toward the sloppy muck at the Sugar Shack ride of the 2019 Black Hills Gravel Series.

To join the fun, go to the start/finish, sign a waiver, receive the route information, and ride a remote, rough road ride in the amazing Black Hills of South Dakota. If you choose, hang out afterward for lunch with old and new friends. Lucas generally posts updated information on the FaceBook group Black Hills Gravel, as well as the group Black Hills Drop Bar, Dirt & CycloCross Riders. If you sign up in advance, he will also send you timely e-mails. Lucas does all the ground work. You just ride.

Make the Black Hills Gravel Series a priority. Bring your family. Invite your friends. Do not take this for granted.

Grandfather and Grandson enjoying a day of sunny gravel together at the 2019 Black Hills Gravel Series.

The Black Hills Gravel Series is a remarkable happening, but it's not going to go on like this forever. The amount of time and life energy put into this by Lucas is staggering. And it's on top of all the other things Lucas does for the local cycling community, while managing a burgeoning engineering career and nurturing a growing, active family.

Enjoy these gatherings of our cycling community. And thank Lucas for his tireless work to make it happen.

Fun for all at the Black Hills Gravel Series.

Knock, Knock, Knockin' on Odin's Door

Here's a new event with a classic gravel vibe. The Buffalo Bill Rough Rider Gravel Grinder. Saturday June 6. North Platte, Nebraska. Registration at Bikereg.com.

Everyone from dusty old timers to the gravel curious will enjoy this event, with routes of 25 miles, 75 miles and 150 miles. Shae and Jeff Caldwell, hometown owners of Whitetail Cycle Sport, are the driving force behind the festivities, with additional help from local cyclists Lane Bergen, Paul Brasby, Ben Cooper, Luke Meduna and Randall Smith. Without knowing anything more, I know that these fine folks will put together a great event, with something for everyone, on and off the bike.

Climbing on some powdered roads somewhere along the Buffalo Bill Rough Rider Gravel Grinder.

Starting from the railroad town of North Platte, Nebraska, the Buffalo Bill Rough Rider Gravel Grinder plunges into the remote valleys and deep draws of barely-populated south-central Nebraska. One can ride for hours on these winding, rough, remote roads without seeing an occupied building, let alone a convenience store or a town. I can't wait to see where these routes go.

Although the 150 mile route remains secret, a few leaked photographs reveal that it enters the legendary realm of Odin's Revenge. Think long, hot, steep climbs up rutted roads, panoramic ridge line cowpaths pocketed with hoof prints, and jarring, bumpy descents bottoming out on pooled powdered dirt. I suspect there will be long stretches of hero gravel, but there's also a hint of swinging through a section of single track in the renowned Potter's Pasture. Something for everyone.



A peak at the Buffalo Bill Rough Rider course, deep into the legendary realm of Odin's Revenge.

As a four time finisher of the legendary Odin's Revenge, I recognize these roads. Of course, the Buffalo Bill Rough Rider starts in North Platte, not Gothenburg, and will offer a unique experience. Nonetheless, race reports and photographs from Odin's Revenge offer some insight into the country and roads this new event will enter. To see some of what's out there, here are links to posts with reports, photos, links and results from each of the five years of Odin's Revenge. The End Of Odin's Revenge; 2012 Odin's Revenge - Seeking; 2013 Odin's Revenge - Eureka; 2014 Odin's Revenge - Mud Year; 2015 Odin's Revenge - Gettin' After It; 2016 Odin's Revenge - Back In The Saddle.

So, there you go. Unknown course. Unknown elevation gain. Unknown road surfaces. Unknown resupply. Unknown human presence. Unknown unknowns.

Here's one known. A ride through this country, on a route created by these folks, will be memorable.



YEE-HAW! Topping another hill on the Buffalo Bill Rough Rider Gravel Grinder route.

As far as the folks behind this new event, they are active in all sorts of community happenings and events. This is a local bike shop, with local riders, putting together a community event. This is grass roots gravel. This is where gravel lives.

I'll be out there. Hope to see you out there, too.

Even the Start/Finish is unique at the Buffalo Bill Rough Rider Gravel Grinder.

Now, for you folks still singing Bob Dylan's "Knocking' On Heaven's Door," here's a link to the original. Knockin' On Heaven's Door.

Real. American. Gravel.

The First Order wins by making us think we're alone. We're not.
Poe Dameron, Star Wars - The Rise Of Skywalker (2019).

Muscling into the gravel scene, corporate opportunists incessantly hype "premier" gravel races promising a "world class" experience, at least for those anointed as special enough to be allowed to start or those willing to pay dearly for the privilege. If you're not a chosen one, hey, maybe you will be fortunate enough to "win" entry through a contrived lottery. If you don't get in this year, well, here's a lesser status, satellite event for you to work your way up to the real one. Of course, we'll let a limited number of you pay for our special training camp for preferred status for entry next year. Pony up, peasants, maybe we'll let you in. Meanwhile, submit to your Supreme Leader.

Like the First Order Fleet pillaging the desert planet Jakku for the map to Luke Skywalker, the elitism that strangles sanctioned bicycle racing stalks the gravel galaxy for your fealty.

Fear not. Corporate behemoths will not subjugate the gravel community. When all the big hype boondoggles dissipate, folks will still gather for fun, challenge and competition at local rides and grass root races. Just look around. You're not alone.

Recon from the 2020 C.O.G. 100 course. (photo by Guitar Ted Productions)

Here's a great start, straight from the birthplace of the grass roots gravel scene. It's the second running of the C.O.G. 100 Iowa Gravel Single Speed Championship, hosted by none other than Guitar Ted and N.Y. Roll. 2020 C.O.G. 100. This is where it's at.

The C.O.G. 100 is open to all willing to take ownership of the experience, rather than buy one served up on a silver platter. That is, Guitar Ted clearly and repeatedly pronounces that YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU and infuses that philosophy into the essence of the event:

• self-navigated by cue sheets provided at the start (no GPS, no course markings)
• self-supported (C-store re-supply, no crew, no aid stations, no caching)
• no outside support of any kind (no "film" crew on course, no outside "encouragement")
• no race organizer retrieval (ride in or arrange transportation if quitting)
• no sanctioning, no prizing, limited if any schwag (the experience is the reward)
• no one excluded (other than a generous field limit)
• no cycles with a motor (mind-boggling that this has to be said)
• modest entry fee to cover insurance and some expenses

It's just you, your fellow riders, and whatever you discover out there on an unknown course. All in all, it's a genuine Guitar Ted Production.

This is the heart of gravel. I'd love to return to the C.O.G. 100.

For more information, go to the C.O.G. 100 Blog. For my race report from last year's inaugural C.O.G. 100, go to A Fine Mess. For more gravel events, many of similar character, go to the Events Calendar at RidingGravel.com.


In the end, the people make the gravel community.

It's not a navy, sir. It's just . . . people."
First Order Officer, Star Wars - The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

B-Road recon for the 2020 C.O.G. 100. (photo by Guitar Ted Productions)

F.I.T. - A Mantra For 2020

Fun.

In the moment.

Tough.

That's not a resolution, but a mindset. That's not a lofty goal to hopefully attain someday in the fuzzy future, but an attitude to carry every day. 

Today. Right now. On this ride.

That's what struck me during my first gravel ride of the year. 

I can be this. Right now. 

F.I.T. 

A little windy at Wind Cave National Park.



Last weekend, I rode out of Buffalo Gap into Wind Cave National Park on a favorite remote road that actually is on the Black Hills BackBone route. It's a great winter ride because it's out-and-back starting mostly uphill and north bound into prevailing arctic winds. Regardless of the season, I ride past herds of buffalo on this gravel road every ride through Wind Cave. Every single ride.

How many roads guarantee more buffalo than cars?

On this day, the sun shines brightly at 53 degrees as I spin out of the Buffalo Gap Trading Post for my much anticipated first gravel ride of the year. Turning west out of town, however, howling winds rudely greet me, dropping my cadence and speed. Welcome back to gravel, buster.

When a gust of wind lurches my bike a couple of feet off line, the thought of turning back crosses my mind. Hey! Where did that come from? I never have thoughts like that. It's just a little wind.

I slow for a moment, but pedal on. The wind shifts, as it will. I settle into the rhythm of the ride, but that unsettling thought of turning back keeps resurfacing. Where did that come from? That question soon filters down to something different. Why am I out here?

First gravel ride of the year into Wind Cave National Park. Stout winds, hills, rough roads and insight ahead.
The road winds toward that small herd of buffalo in the background. Of course, a curmudgeon or two take the road.

Well, that's not complicated. I'm out to rejoice in the day the Lord has made. That is, to have fun.

That's when I realize that I'm having fun right now. The ambient conditions don't get to decide. My speed and distance don't get to decide. My level of conditioning doesn't even get to decide. I decide to have fun right here, right now.

The wind? I'm sure it will be faster and easier once I turn around for the tailwind cruise back to the Jeep. But more fun? It's fun right now riding directly into it, finding a way to push and pull that crank to turn that gear to move that bike through it. Now, it's uphill, too? Cool. The gravel a little soft? Well, all righty then. 

It's fun to work though something to resolution. It's fun to overcome an obstacle. It's fun to do something you're not sure you can. And as my Dad coached me from a young age, it's always fun to get better. The Best Coach I Ever Had.

As the miles roll by, it's easy to drift into anxious thoughts of future events or negative thoughts of past conditioning now lost. Another time perhaps those thoughts can be channeled to something productive. Right now, on this ride, it's time to stay in the moment. Embrace this moment for all that it is.

As time passes, it takes some work to stay in the moment, resolve challenges and be positive. I think that's where mental toughness comes into play. It's easy to get bogged down in other stuff, but, once again, it's not complicated.

Stay in the Moment. Resolve challenges. Be positive.

In the end, and even during the ride, that all adds up to fun. 

That's why I'm out there.

Remote road gravel in Wind Cave National Park, Black Hills of South Dakota.
One of my favorite stretches of gravel road anywhere. Yes, it's on the Black Hills BackBone route.

Fun + In the moment + Tough  =  F.I.T.

That's my mantra for 2020. See you out there.

Black Hills BackBone - What It Is + Links

The Black Hills BackBone is simply a bicycle route that I created to ride myself. 

There is no Black Hills BackBone race, or publicly organized event, or "Grand Depart," or anything like that. It's just a route I created to ride myself. Then I created this blog to document my journey, in part as a digital scrapbook and in part to share my experience with others. That's it.

The tall, broad shoulders of Flag Mountain reveal the granite peaks of Mount Rushmore and Harney Peak.

But, oh, what a route.

Inspired by the cross-country routes of the TransAmerican Trail and the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route of the Adventure Cycling Association, I wondered whether I could piece together a remote road ride on primarily gravel and dirt roads that spanned the height of the State of South Dakota along the spine of our beloved Black Hills. That whimsical daydream led to many hours of scouring maps, scouting back roads and pedaling all over Western South Dakota. There seemed to be no end of options.

I struggled with this route, primarily because the Black Hills National Forest offers a staggering number of amazing roads to ride. Scouting a promising road invariably led to more. At some point, I simply had to stop, prioritize, and choose. The Black Hills BackBone is the result. Black Hill BackBone - Cue Sheets & Other Links.

Conceived as an unsupported, solo ride, the Black Hills BackBone readily lends itself to a multi-day bikepacking ride or even a multi-day supported tour. In 2017, a small group of friends rode the entire route over three days in the heat and winds of a Fourth of July weekend. For my multi-post  report on that ride, go to these posts. An Idea Takes Shape; Gathering; Crossing The Northern Prairie; Up And Into The Black Hills; Focus On The Finish; A Weekend To Remember; Friends.

Earlier this year, over a cold, rainy Memorial Day weekend, an intrepid group of eight cycling enthusiasts from Colorado made a run at the Black Hills BackBone. On that particular weekend of difficult conditions, they rode about as much of the route as one reasonably could. They said they had a great time, particularly Day 3 from O'Neil Pass to Custer, and vowed to return to the Black Hills. New Friends On The BackBone.

To my knowledge, the entire Black Hills BackBone has not been ridden on a bicycle as a continuous, unsupported, solo ride. In my first attempt in 2015, I stumbled into ferocious prairie winds with horizontal rain that eventually spit me out in Spearfish 135 miles later, barely able to stand.  A Rancher's Kindness.  In my second attempt in 2016, I flew across the 135 miles of Northern Prairie in ideal conditions before plowing into a freak ice blizzard climbing O'Neil Pass, dropping me into a trail head outhouse shaking like a frozen leaf.  A Sudden Turn.  My third attempt remains undocumented, as I still cannot wrap my mind around that ride.

Throughout this blog you will find details and pictures of the Black Hills BackBone route. To save a trip through the archives, here are links to some posts for the route. Introduction; Overview; Final Cut; New Cue Sheets & Tweaks; BackBone Photo Essay.

But wait, there's more.

Miles and miles of remote back roads on the Black Hills DoubleBackBone. Self-sufficiency required.

Imagine riding along the Black Hills BackBone to the stop sign finish at the Nebraska border. Celebrate for a moment, but then head west onto Dakota Line Road to access the Wild, Wild Western reaches of the Black Hills. A serpentine network of barely used gravel and dirt roads wind generally north for a return trip back to the North Dakota border.

Now, that's one big, bad loop. Well over 600 miles, all told. 

It's the Black Hills DoubleBackBone. Black Hills DoubleBackBone Cue Sheets.

Sometimes, more is more. More rolling prairie patrolled by herds of cattle, buffalo, pronghorn and elk. More obscure canyons scoured by flash floods. More twisty ridge lines climbing to soaring views. More hills stuffed with pine and aspen. More dirt near-roads connecting with secondary Forest Service gravel. And even more remote than the easterly side of the loop, which is a bit hard to believe until you're out there.

The Black Hills DoubleBackBone, like the original BackBone, is just a route that I think is fun and challenging, however one chooses to experience it. Solo or group. One continuous ride, a series of days or in sections over time. Self-supported, shuttled or fully supported. Maybe some combination or even all of the above.

The Black Hills BackBone. Go big.
The Black Hills DoubleBackBone. Go bigger.
The Black Hills. Just go.