Trans Iowa v14 - The Last Lap

After the conclusion of Trans Iowa v.14, Race Director Mark Stevenson announced that there would not be a v.15. For Mark, the time had finally arrived and he penned a heartfelt post skidding to an abrupt stop this pioneering event. The End.

This post was to be a Trans Iowa race report from a volunteer's perspective. Mark's announcement changed all that. I didn't know where to start or where to go. I finally stopped thinking and just started writing. Here goes.

Mark Stevenson, aka Guitar Ted, setting the table at the Trans Iowa v.14 Meat-Up.

I learned of the inaugural Trans Iowa in 2005 on the mtbr.com forums, which essentially operated as a crude clearing house of oddball cycling events. Trans Iowa certainly qualified as oddball - a bicycle race across the state of Iowa, on 340-ish miles of gravel and dirt roads on an unmarked course, with no team support and no aid stations, in less than a day and a half in mid-April. There was nothing else like it.

Although I never really wanted to ride it, the race accounts were compelling. As the years passed, I relished reading Race Director Mark Stevenson's musings about all aspects of the race - home spun registration by post cards, crazy hilly courses navigated by cryptic cues, equipment fails and successes, wild weather swings, eccentric rules enforced without waver, and especially the self-supported rider mentality, with all that entailed and nurtured. Trans Iowa truly was a "Guitar Ted Production."

I eventually sampled some gravel and stumbled across Mark during some early miles at the 2013 Odin's Revenge, a legendary 180 mile gravel/dirt road race in central Nebraska crafted in the spirit of Trans Iowa. Mark warmly befriended this newcomer and patiently introduced me to the gravel culture. I was just another mid-pack guy in an obscure gravel race, yet Mark welcomed me like a long lost friend.

At the time, grass roots gravel events were popping up like May dandelions all over the country, blown by the winds of Trans Iowa. But with growth came change. The sheer number of new events and riders introduced conflicting attitudes and demands, including those from the conventional bicycle racing establishment. Some new events catered to that market, while many existing events morphed to accommodate it, increasing their numbers but losing their character. Others, led by Trans Iowa, emphatically did not.

In just a few years, Trans Iowa became not just oddball, but anachronistic. However, Mark refused to grow for the sake of growth. More to the point, Mark repeatedly, loudly and defiantly refused to allow anyone involved with Trans Iowa to "hit the Easy Button." While the cycling world around him demanded accommodation and conformity, he did it his way and kept doing it his way. In the process, he inspired countless others to do it their way, too.

This represented something I felt compelled to support. But Mark did not seek, nor seem to want, more sponsors, more schwag or more publicity. With little to offer of any real value anyhow, I quickly realized that perhaps "thank you" might be a more accurate characterization than "support."

But how do you thank someone for a warm welcome? For inspiration? For modeling character? For selfless service? For creating and nurturing an opportunity for others to stretch beyond their perceived limitations? For sparking no less than a paradigm shift in cycling?

Not knowing what else to do, I asked Mark if I could volunteer at Trans Iowa v14. I thought I could invest some energy and somehow help Mark with something over the race weekend. Maybe afterwards I could write about it from a perspective perhaps different from others. It wasn't much, but it's what I had. A Gravel Pilgrimage.

Surprisingly, he welcomed me again. He didn't need me. He had plenty of long time volunteers who had stepped up to help over the years and the logistics were well dialed in. I realized that, once again, Mark was welcoming me, including me and valuing me, as he has done for so many others for so many years. In my attempt to support and thank Mark, Mark was serving me.

I'm left with gratitude. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in Trans Iowa v.14. I am grateful for the mere existence of Trans Iowa over the past fourteen years. I am grateful for Mark's service to the cycling community. And I'm particularly grateful for Mark's friendship.

Ride on, my friend. May we share some remote roads soon.



Here are a few pictures from my view of Trans Iowa v.14, captured for a race report not written.

Mark Stevenson holds court before the nervous, excited riders and supporters at the Trans Iowa v.14 Meat-Up.
In an evening full of happenings, the best moment came when Mark called each rider up by name to present their race bib, personalized by hand by Mark himself.
So much emotion. So many emotions. The group hollered and clamored for all.

Waiting at the start, I meet Craig Cooper, owner of Bikes To You, opening his store at 03:00 am.
No, that's not normal. He's there to provide restrooms, free hot coffee and any last minute supplies before the 04:00 am start, which is right at his front door.
Mostly, it seems he's there to help make it all happen, just a little bit better.

Checking in riders and handing out the first set of cue sheets at 03:30 am at the Trans Iowa v.14 start.
Craig Cooper of Bikes To You designed and fashioned the "GRINNELL, IOWA" sign out of glitter tiles.
(photo by George Keslin, for Wally Kilburg Photography)

With the racers deep into the hinterlands, a group of supporters and volunteers rode their own ride during some mid-day down time.
A gorgeous, casual 24-ish mile loop around Grinnell for a taste of Iowa gravel, with some infamous Iowa B-roads thrown in. 
Thanks, Katherine Roccasecca and Jess Rundlett for organizing this little beaut. 

At Check Point 2, Mark Stevenson sketching out a map of the now famous cues
"BR on Keokuck/Washington Rd." and "Left on 120th".

The popular Check Point 2 fire at sunset, awaiting riders aching to beat the 11:00 pm cut-off for the next set of cue sheets.

Trans Iowa v.14 finish line gathering. The End was in sight. 

Back to a Single Speed Gold Rush

By June, spring may swing by for a few days. Maybe just long enough for the Gold Rush.

Right here in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the Gold Rush Gravel Grinder draws cycling enthusiasts from all over for a spring gravel festival featuring the 70 mile Gold Dust, the 110 mile Gold Rush and the 210 mile Mother Lode, along with a host of attendant activities. Over the years, I've ridden each distance and enjoyed each one. Choose one based on your condition and ambition, and you're bound to have a good time. Gold Rush Gravel Grinder.


Powering up an early hill at the inaugural 2013 Gold Rush Gravel Grinder, John Sundberg leaves me in his dust.
John crushed it on his geared Salsa Fargo with mountain bike tires, while I cruised on my cyclocross single speed.
We both had a great time. (photo by Gold Rush Gravel Grinder)

If you love the vibe of the Dakota Five-O mountain bike race, you'll love the vibe of the Gold Rush Gravel Grinder. Kristi and Perry Jewett know how to put together their events.

It starts with a Friday evening packet pickup at a city park, followed by a social gathering at a local microbrewery. Motels are convenient and a camp ground rests next to the start/finish area. In the morning, the high energy start launches riders into the forested Black Hills, where energetic volunteers amp up the wattage at the aid stations. Eventually, it's party central at the finish line, with live music, food, vendors, awards and door prizes. You're certain to leave with a smile.



There's your 3rd Place Single Speed (out of three) at the 2013 Gold Rush Gravel Grinder.
I'm exhausted and happy just to finish. (photo by Gold Rush Gravel Grinder)

Back in 2013, I entered the inaugural Gold Rush as an alternative event after my grandiose scheme for a reunion 24 hour mountain bike team relay fell apart. Knowing virtually nothing about racing 100+ miles on gravel, I chose from my stable a cyclocross single speed shod with 32 mm knobbies. It worked out just fine, as it did for many others on many different types of bikes and tires.

Since then, I've learned a little from riding a few more gravel miles. I've sorted out some equipment issues, including finding a bike just right for where and how I ride. I've shared some memorable experiences with old and new friends. I've looked up and down for gravel and dirt road adventures.

 But now it's back to my gravel race beginning. It's back to the Gold Rush on a single speed.

A Mountain Bike by Jones Bikes

One mountain bike. A Jones 29 Plus LWB. Dressed in black. Ready to rumble.

When unpacking the Jones a few days ago, I exhaled, "Wow. That's a Big Bike." Capital "B" Big. Tall. Long. Wide. Wow. It looks like a whole lot to handle. Wow. I may need a bigger engine.

Jones 29 Plus LWB = Jones (designed by Jeff Jones), 29 (29er mountain bike), Plus (3"+ tires), LWB (long wheelbase)
(photo by Chani Groseth)

Abruptly, I flash back to building up my Black Mountain monster cross bike a few years ago. Compared to conventional road racing bikes, the Black Mountain was mammoth. It stood tall and upright. It stretched down the road with slack frame angles, long chain stays and a sloping fork. The 40 mm tires triggered thoughts of mountain bike tires. However, although it looked like a sluggish beast compared to conventional road racing bikes, it was not. The Black Mountain proved to be a great road bike for me. I hope this Jones mountain bike is the same for me on the trails.

Smooth and comfortable, although the upright position and short reach is a radical change.
(photo by Chani Groseth)

Although I am confident in my research, analysis and conclusions in committing to the Jones 29 Plus LWB, my final answer will emerge only after many miles in the saddle. I'll be out there to find out. I'll take pictures and write about it. Can't wait.

The large main triangle, truss fork and handle bar support voluminous bags, tailor made for Jones by Revelate Designs.
(photo by Chani Groseth)

Of course, I got the Revelate Design bags designed for the main triangle, fork and handle bar, to go along with my existing assortment for the rest of the bike. Lack of capacity won't be an issue, although excess capacity may be. No limits from this bike, but only from my ability, ambition and time.

Although it looks like catalogue copy to me, Jones emailed me three pictures of my bike after they built it up.
(photo by Jones Bikes)

Tire clearance looks good, even with 3.25" Vee BullDozers.
(photo by Jones Bikes)

The more I look at it, the more I see and the more I wonder how it all works together.
(photo by Jones Bikes)

Jeff Jones regularly posts on his website, with text, pictures and videos, showcasing his design philosophy and build execution, as well as the resulting bikes in action. I found it fascinating, if you're open to some unconventional thinking and a little wild-eyed passion. Here's links to some samples. Jeff Jones Talks Bikes. Jones Plus Video. Jones Plus Design Process. Jones Plus Build & Talk. A Ride on the Jones Plus.

A Mountain Bike Companion?

My Black Mountain Cycles monster cross bike now is my only road bike. It rendered obsolete all the others and I turned them all loose. One bike for all kinds of rides on all kinds of roads. It's that good. At least it's that good for me. A Road Bike by Black Mountain.

Overnight trip to Robert Cota's 2016 Bikepack Extravaganza.

The capability and versatility of the Black Mountain eventually led me to question my fleet of mountain bikes.  Each one had a purpose and a history, but so did those old road bikes. Could one mountain bike - the right mountain bike -  be the single track companion to the Black Mountain?

One mountain bike? Hmmn. One bike to confidently and comfortably ride single track of all kinds. Short local jaunts. Afternoon excursions. Day long explorations. Overnight adventures. Multi-day expeditions. One mountain bike? Casual cruises. Group rides. Events. Races. One mountain bike?

Why not? That's how I started out, more than a few years ago. That's how most everyone started out.

My Black Mountain wearing the effects of the 2017 Robideaux Quick and Dirty gravel road race.

What would that one mountain bike look like? Back in late 2015, I started to wonder. Then I started to research. Over the course of more than a year and a half, I studied reviews, reports, blogs, forums, press releases, web sites and anything else I could find. I asked loads of questions to lots of different cyclists. I rode as many different bikes as I could. I pushed the fun limits of the Black Mountain, unloaded and loaded, on rough roads and trails. The options expanded quickly, narrowed gradually, and expanded again as more bikes appeared on the market. Mountain bikes, fat bikes, plus bikes. 26 inch, 27.5 inch and 29 inch. Drop bar, flat bar, not-sure-what-it-is-bar. One or two derailleurs, internal gears, single speed. Chain drive, belt drive. Even generator hubs. Every combination imaginable. This was going to take some time.

Meanwhile, I adored the Black Mountain monster cross, prompting me to further thin my herd of bikes from 11 to 3, leaving just the Black Mountain, a rigid single speed and a fixie. I also shed some other weighty possessions, including a room sized home gym and a 40 year old four wheeler. I downsized quantity to upgrade quality.

Then, about a year ago, I found it. Maybe it found me. It wasn't love at first sight. It took time. But I just kept going back to it. All the others lost their luster. Eventually, I committed.

The one mountain bike for me. And now it's on its way here.

A Road Bike by Black Mountain Cycles

Mike Varley of Black Mountain Cycles designed a steel bicycle frame and fork that works wonders for long rides over rough roads. But that's not news. Not around here.

In early 2014, after a year of riding gravel on a zippy cyclocross bike, and more than a little research, I built up a Black Mountain Cycles "monster cross" frame and fork as a durable, dependable bike for long rides on remote gravel and dirt roads. It's the most comfortable road bike I've ever ridden.

My Black Mountain has faithfully carried me through memorable all-day-and-into-the-night races, such as Odin's Revenge, Almanzo Royal, Dirty Kanza and Gold Rush Mother Lode, as well as many shorter races, weekend explorations, Black Hills BackBone and DoubleBackBone reconnaissance rides and attempts, sub-24 hour and multi-day bike packing trips and daily commutes. I love it.

My Black Mountain after its 30 month/12,000 mile frame-off overhaul in late 2016.

I'm not alone. From his one-man shop, Mike Varley sends his bikes all over, even to the remote back roads of central Iowa. Mark Stevenson, aka Guitar Ted of Trans Iowa fame, has ridden an orange Black Mountain monster cross bike on Iowa gravel for years and regularly writes about it. As a result of Mark's reviews, many others apparently found their way to Black Mountain. To show his appreciation, Mike Varley is sponsoring Trans Iowa this year with a Black Mountain frame and fork to be awarded to the "grittiest rider." Black Mountain Blog - Trans Iowa. How sweet is that.

Now, it's all coming together for me. In April, I plan to journey to Trans Iowa as a volunteer. A Gravel Pilgrimage. Sometime after the event, I'll ride at least a few of those storied gravel and dirt miles around Grinnell on my Black Mountain. Something close to zero percent chance of not doing so.

So, it seems timely to post another unabashed endorsement of the Black Mountain Cycles "monster cross" bike as a rough road slayer. The steel frame with its relaxed geometry and clearance for up to 45 mm tires, paired with a compliant, sloping steel fork designed for rim brakes, create a comfortable, stable ride at speed for long rides on rough roads. Old school semi-horizontal drop outs allow a simple field conversion to single speed for those gravelly mud misadventures. Many other thoughtful features adorn this frame and fork. It's a well-conceived and well-executed bike suitable for all kinds of cycling. It's now the only road bike I own and it's just the right bike for how and where I ride.

For more detailed information about this bike, go directly to Mike Varley's words and pictures on his Black Mountain Cycles website. Black Mountain Cycles.


Addendum. For more details, here's a 2015 post on my rationale of choosing this frame and fork, as well as each component. An All Road Bike. Later I highlighted a nifty frame feature that allows an easy field conversion to single speed, a rarity these days. Make it Single Speed. Then after 30 months and about 12,000 miles of mostly rough roads, I overhauled everything and wrote a seven part series about it. It's Time, Frame and Fork, Wheels and Tires, Drivetrain, Brakes and Shifters, Controls, On the Road Again. I love my Black Mountain so much that I relinquished my beloved Torelli lugged steel cyclocross bike. Letting Go. Love this bike. I rode it on every ride that made it to this blog, so you'll find pictures all over.

2018 Black Hills Gravel Series - a Lucas Haan production

Gravel maestro Lucas Haan announces a return engagement for the Black Hills Gravel Series.

Hip! Hip! Hooray!

Over the shoulder, I hear Race Director Lucas Haan, out on the course at Week 6 of the 2017 Black Hills Gravel Series,
welcoming newcomer Dave Litzen, with veterans Jessica Linquist and Eric Linquist pulling up to join.
It's a party of five, rolling toward Spearfish on primo South Dakota gravel.

Last spring, Lucas created something special with the Black Hills Gravel Series. For six consecutive Saturdays, area cyclists awoke to the opportunity to embark on a remote rough road adventure into the unmatched scenery and tucked away history of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Each week Lucas actually offered two routes:  a loop of about 50 miles/5,000 feet of elevation gain and a shorter, less difficult loop of about 25 miles nestled therein. Great spring rides.

As cool as the courses were, the best part of this labor of love was the creation of a low key, regular gathering for area cyclists of all kinds to connect and re-connect. Each week drew a patchwork assortment of cyclists, from speedsters to tourists, seasoned to beginners, young to old. Half hailed from Spearfish. A quarter were women. All were welcomed to share the experience. What a fabulous contribution to the Black Hills cycling community. Here's a link to my post of last year's festivities. A Six Course Feast.

This is grass roots cycling. No fees. No licenses. No aid stations. No course markings. No course marshals. No on course support of any kind. No t-shirt. No schwag bag. No specialized bike, gear or clothing. Routes that are rideable on most any bike, although a road racing bike with tires skinnier than an inch would be a challenge. Bring friends and family. All are welcome and will be welcomed.

Deep into the Black Hills, the Black Hills Gravel Series throws in some dirt roads, too.

This year looks to be even better, with more folks learning about it and with a true "Starter"10 mile route added to the "Social" 25 mile and the "Scenic" 50 mile. For updated information, go to the FaceBook page for Black Hills Drop Bar Dirt, Gravel and Cyclocross Riders. Black Hills Drop Bar Group. Also, here's a link to a post about registration, which is free. 2018 Black Hills Gravel Series - Registration. Finally, the schedule, straight from Lucas.

See you out there.

*******Black Hill Gravel Series Post*******
Schedule:
#1 - Sunday April 8th @ Crow Peak
#2 - Saturday April 14th @ Moonshine Gulch ...
#3 - Sunday April 22nd @ Mt. Rushmore Brewing
#4 - Saturday April 28th @ Silver Dollar Saloon

DoubleBackBone Daydreams

Daydreaming over a fresh cup of coffee and the cue sheets for the Black Hills DoubleBackBone, I sketch out a rough map. So many possibilities.

One continuous ride, a series of days, or sections over time.

Self supported, shuttled or fully supported.

Solo, buddy or group.

Maybe some combination, or even all of the above.

Rough map hand drawn from the DoubleBackBone cue sheets.
Sweet dreams are made of this.

Here's a few thoughts to kick start your own daydream.

1. Dakota Marker Start:  After a night at the Picnic Spring Campground, start at the North Dakota border, ride the original BackBone route to Nebraska and return on the DoubleBackBone route. That's a border-to-border-to-border ride, through a big chunk of the Black Hills, sandwiched by some surprisingly sweet prairie to the North and South. This was my initial concept of the Black Hills DoubleBackBone.

2. Spearfish Start:  Ride south on the original BackBone route, dip your wheel into Nebraska, return to Spearfish on the DoubleBackBone route, restock and reassess if necessary, ride north on the DoubleBackBone through Camp Crook to North Dakota and return to Spearfish on the BackBone. By eliminating the three hour drive to North Dakota and by knocking off that Tinton Road climb right off the bat, this is my current preference.

3. Anywhere Start:  The beauty of a looped course is the ability to start wherever you choose and finish at the same spot. It may be convenient for you to start from Custer.  If you're driving in from Colorado, maybe from Edgemont. If from Nebraska, perhaps Oelrichs.

4. Something Completely Different:  It's not all or nothing. For example, take a look at just the Southern Loop, which takes one through about 200 miles of Black Hills and 100 miles of prairie, with about 15,000 feet of elevation gain. Talk about a DoubleBackBone sampler.

I'd start a Southern Loop in Buffalo Gap, ride North to overnight atop Flag Mountain for the sunrise view, ride the second day to Edgemont for steak dinner and spin home to Buffalo Gap on day three.

That actually sounds pretty good. Now, to find a three day weekend.