2011 Update

Just wanted to let you know to mark your calendars for the 4th annual Chucky's Challenge on Saturday Feb 5th. Doug is already working on the route and I promise this will be a ride that you will want ot be a part of.

Stay tuned for more updates as they come in.

All Time Chucks

Tim Riekena 2008, 2009, 2010
Raymond Mulnix 2008, 2009, 2010
Doug Long 2008, 2009, 2010
Damon Hennen 2008, 2009, 2010
Mitch Bernskoetter 2008, 2009, 2010

Stoney Cranmer 2009, 2010
Cale Gondringer 2009, 2010
Mark Jenkins 2008, 2009
Rolfe McCoy 2009, 2010
James Shiflett 2008, 2010

Michael Born 2009
Richard Bowman 2009
Dave Crook 2010
Jim Cummins 2009
Mark Fiorino 2009
Addison Fuller 2010
Tim Greene 2010
David Hoel 2009
Brent Kline 2009
Mark Krause 2010
Mike Langwell 2010
Brian Lasswell 2010
Michael Leamer 2010
Chris Locke 2010
Andy Lucas 2009
Austin Norris 2010
Doug Obershaw 2009
Lyle Riedy 2010
Brad Schrock 2008
Andy Schuete 2009
Steve Songer 2009
Randy Tracy 2010
Dan Venner 2008
Clay Wells 2010
Rich Willett 2009
John Williams 2010

2008 Route: 40 miles (2 loops). Cloudy, temps 30-40's. Mostly dry.
2009 Route: 62 miles. Sunny, mild temps. Very hilly with some flats.
2010 Route: 54 miles. Epic snow ride. Fairly flat route. Cloudy, temps in the 30's.

2010 Chuck Of The Year

It has been decided to have a Chuck of the Year award and after a meeting with the Council of Chucks it has been decided that the winner is Mike Langwell. Mike is a second year rider with the Green Hills gang and this was his first epic ride, he might tell you every Monday night is an epic ride but don't let him fool you.

Mike was the only rider to ride in Jeans on Saturday, he also wore his bike shoes without any covers and I'm sure that he was cold. He toughed it out and completed his first Chucky's Challenge, I believe that was Mike's longest ride and to do so under those course conditions is no small task.

Congratulations Mike!!!

Chucky III Recap

For those of you the joined us for Chucky's Challenge last year we were definitely spoiled with warm weather and fast course conditions. This year was more of a mix of snow and slowwwwwwer conditions but that didn't stop over 20 riders from coming out to brave the weather. Doug opted to shorten the route and take the big climbs out and I think everyone was glad that he did, the course still demanded concentration and good bike handling skills.

There are only 2 Grand Chucks remaining after the 3 year span, Doug "Pappy" Long, and Tim "29er" Riekena. These two have participated and finished in all 3 Chucky's Challenges, neither of these two guys are a stranger to riding gravel. I think everyone in the lower 48 know Doug but if you don't know Tim, he is an avid cyclist who has competed in the Cup O Dirt Challenge as well as many other events and is one of the Green Hills Trails stewards. Way to go guys!!

A big thank you to all that came out to play in the snow, I know Doug is very appreciative of all of you. Thank you to Chris Locke for taking pictures during the event, I borrowed some from his blog to post on here (I hope he doesn't mind!!). Just remember that we will be doing it again next year, maybe it will be more epic than this year.

Course Is Ready To Roll

Snow? What snow? We don't care about the snow, we are hardcore!!! The course is flagged and ready to rock and roll, even with a little precip the course should still be fast. Doug will have maps for everyone before the start and he has flagged the course with lime colored flags for left hand turns, red colored tags for right hand turns, and pink flags to continue straight ahead (in any possibly confusing areas).

See you there!!!

2010 Chucky's Challenge Route

Short Night Recon Ride

Well Timmy 29er and I headed out last night to do some after hours gravel grinding, we headed out to North Poosey for a climbing workout but the road that leads into the parking lot was still covered with snow and had not been plowed. I only have a 2 wheel drive pickup so I didn't want to chance getting stuck so we opted to head over to the campground near the boat launch at Indian Creek lake.

We dropped in on some singletrack and rode the campground loop, the newest edition to the trails at Indian Creek, it was good to get back on the dirt. Cold temps had the ground firmed up so we were able to ride and not leave tracks, some of the switchbacks were a little tough with some snow and ice build up.

After the short loop we headed out to ride some of the gravel roads, the roads had very little to no gravel on them and were super fast. There were patches of snow and ice with frozen ruts that made things interesting at times. We were able to find some good hills to climb before we turned around to head back, it was a short ride but still a good time.

2009 Chucks

2009 included higher rider numbers and higher temperatures than the previous year, with gravel grinders becoming more popular and the Green Hills members spreading the dirt we were able to more than double the rider list from the prior year. Riders included: Rich Willett, Steve Songer, Andy Schuette, Tim Riekena, Doug Obershaw, Raymond Mulnix, Rolfe McCoy, Andy Lucas, Doug Long, Brent Kline, Mark Jenkins, David Hoel, Damon Hennen, Cale Gondringer, Mark Fiorino, Jim Cummins, Stoney Cranmer, Richard Bowman, Michael Born, and Mitch Bernskoetter.

The warmer temps were a welcomed addition to the ride, especially with a route deserving the name "Beast, Beauty, Beast". The ride started out with a good warm up and then headed right into the climbing that North Central Missouri is known for. After miles and miles of rollers we worked our way to the "aggie flats" for some much needed recovery. This section proved to be less than simple with some new gravel that was put down after the last recon ride. Then it was back into the hills to finish the route back in downtown Jamesport.

2008 Riders

In our first year we had 9 riders: Dan Venner, James Shiflett, Brad Schrock, Tim Riekena, Raymond Mulnix, Doug Long, Mark Jenkins, Damon Hennen, Mitch Bernskoetter.

This ride was some typical February weather, we had some light snow cover and cold temperatures. The route was shorter but still a challenge, especially with a "very short" section of mud road. The course was well marked but you still didn't want to be the one that was "left behind"!!!

Climb Out Of That Burrow

Join the Green Hills Trails Association for our 3rd annual "Gravel Grinder" from historic Jamesport, Mo.

Why this ride? Chucky says "Lighten up dude, I wanna see my shadow! After being in a hole for 4 months I'm ready to break some ice, hang out with my friends, and get the riding season started. The ride drew 20 riders in 2009.

Starting time is 10:00 a.m. and we will be departing from the 4 way stop downtown next to Gingerich’s Dutch Pantry . It’s “show-n-go” so there is no participation fee. Just show up and we will provide route maps and all the gravel riding you can handle. This will not be a race but don’t let that frighten you back into your den.

The 2010 route will traverse the hills and hollers of the Green Hills region with some “aggie flats” thrown in for recovery. Riders can choose either the “Full Chucky”-60 mi. or the shorter “Lil Chuck”. Most of the route will be on smooth crushed limestone suitable for cross or mountain bikes. The route will be posted and blazed the week of the ride so we can hopefully stay away from any fresh gravel maintenance “large gravel” and pick the best route.

Jamesport is an Amish community, so expect to see horse and buggies and prepare to take a little step back in time. There is a small grocery, some restaurants, and a “watering hole’ for post ride libations.

Please contact me at: dlong@windjammercable.net if you are coming so we’ll have plenty of maps and so I can forward the route to you via email.

Anyone can ride a trainer on a cold February day, but it takes some courage to brave the weather. Will you come join the fun? Or are YOU Afraid of your shadow?????