Knock, Knock, Knockin' On Odin's Door (2021 edition)

The Buffalo Bill Rough Rider Gravel Grinder is back on the calendar for Saturday, June 5, 2021 after the planned inaugural race in 2020 was cancelled due to governmental permit issues related to virus concerns. Last year, I wrote a post titled "Knock, Knock, Knockin' On Odin's Door" about this new event. With the inaugural race re-set for 2021, I am reproducing that post.

Shae and Jeff Caldwell, owners of local bike shop White Tail Cycle Sport, spearhead this community event, which is just one of many ways they are involved with their community. This is grass roots gravel. This is where the gravel family lives and thrives.

I'll be there and I hope to see some of you there, too.

2021 Buffalo Bill Rough Rider Gravel Grinder
(photo by course designer Paul Brasby)

Knock, Knock, Knockin' On Odin's Door (first published 2/5/20)

Here's a new event with a classic grass roots gravel vibe. The Buffalo Bill Rough Rider Gravel Grinder. North Platte, Nebraska. June 5, 2021. Registration at BikeReg.com.

Everyone from dusty old timers to the gravel curious will enjoy this event, with routes of 25 miles, 60 miles, and 120 miles. Shae and Jeff Caldwell, hometown owners of WhiteTail Cycle Sport, are the driving forces 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 on the Buffalo Bill Rough Rider Gravel Grinder course.

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 120 mile route remains a 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 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 my posts with reports, photographs, 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; Odin's Revenge - Team DSG.

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.

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

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