http://dickiescramble.blogspot.com/2015/04/2015-dickie-scramble-recap-and-thank-you.html
This was a totally free, 83-mile unsupported gravel ride starting in Elgin, MN.
We started by loading whatever food we wanted at the 48-mile checkpoint into the back of a truck. Dickie the dog guarded the food for us.
The range of food that people brought reflected the riders themselves- some super serious, some not so much. We had gels, skratch cookies, feed zone cookbook items, donuts, and a case of Miller High Life. I brought Trader Joe's Plantain Chips (better than Fritos)!
http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article/1689
This was the first gravel grinder I've ever done that was big enough to necessitate a neutral roll-out. I would guess 200-300 riders. Minnesota riders are really nice and really strong! I threw in the towel trying to hang with the front pack in the first 10 miles. Oof.
Favorite part: an ATV trail that went down a ravine, across a river, then back up. Flats galore, chaos, and tons of mud. Even the mountain bikers walked parts of it. I rode almost all of it and was proud of myself for that!
I had never seen these bridge crossings before- they looked like wooden ladders. I was a little nervous riding across one until someone told me they are for snowmobiles.
I'm training pretty high mileage now and my legs felt dead for almost the whole ride. I kept thinking about how I never had so much fun on dead legs-- and then they magically appeared at Mile 70! I felt great with 10 miles to go, a tailwind, and good company. I seriously could have turned around and done the whole thing again. I would have wanted one of those High Lifes at the checkpoint the second time through though.
For a nominally self-supported event, the Dickie Scramble was amazingly well-supported. Big thanks to people who contributed to such a fun day--
Drew for the race
Todd Bauer for these awesome photos
JJ Tailgators for breakfast and lunch
Penn Cycle for race support (wha? this is a gravel grinder!). They showed up in an ambulance that had been converted into a bike shop. If you broke your bike but got it to the checkpoint, they fixed it!
Checkpoint volunteers for jokes and encouragement
Minnesotans for kicking my butt while being super nice
Dickie the dog
Whoever brought the Miller High Life
Ohyes I am going back. If you think the Dickie sounded cool, hit me up for this one:
