Less Than A Week

Well we are drawing closer to our annual gravel grinder, Chucky's Challenge, as we are less than a week away.  Things are really coming together on our end, the route is prepped and maps are getting finished up, and the route will be flagged later this week.  We all hope that you can make the trip to Jamesport, MO on Saturday Feb 2, 2013 for our 10:00 a.m. start and our epic adventure on bikes through some amazing Amish country.  Don't feel like you have 63 miles in your legs?  Don't let that stop you, go as far as you want and either just turn around and head back or navigate your own adventure back with the map.  There are some very good post ride food options in Jamesport, the Country Cupboard (located at 1011 Old Hwy 6) or Gingerich Dutch Pantry 120 W Broadway (NW corner of the 4 way stop in downtown Jamesport).

Doug has always been the leader of this ride but as many of you know Doug will be in Louisville for the Cyclocross World Championships so I have been heading up this ride this year.  Doug has always took the lead group out at faster speeds and others have ridden their own pace.  I won't be riding "Dougs" pace as I am working on building my base now but whoever wants to take out at higher speeds is more than welcome.  You will be supplied maps and the course will be marked so go out and enjoy your ride.  We do recommend that you have someone of equal riding fitness/ability to ride with in case you have an issue.  If any of the GHTA faithful come up on a rider in need of help we will do what we can to assist that rider to get them back underway.

We hope to see you all this Saturday Feb 2, 2013.  Ride starts at 10:00 a.m. at the 4 way stop in downtown Jamesport, MO.

Grand Chucks, They Earned Their Title!

Be Prepared

I just wanted to post a quick note to remind everyone that all riders will be self sufficient on this ride, a few of the years we have had a SAG vehicle but I am not planning on that this year and all riders need to be prepared to make the entire ride on their own.  If you don't feel you can do the entire route don't let that stop you from coming out and riding your bike, you can always ride for as far as you want and then turn around and head back.  As always weather conditions will determine the speed that most riders can maintain and February can be quite chilly so dress accordingly and carry enough supplies.  With freezing temps I recommend carrying your water bottles in your jersey under a jacket to help keep them from freezing, a camelbak can be worn under a jacket if need be.  It's usually not the bladder that freezes up but the hose.  The route will leave from Jamesport and there is a small grocery store across from where we will be meeting up, we will travel through 4 small towns along the route and the first town has a small gas station that we will roll by.  The second and third towns do not have a station but there is at least civilization if you are in need, the last town has a Casey's General  Store and we will be rolling right past it and then on toward Jamesport for the finish.  There is some pretty amazing food in Jamesport for your post ride needs.

Woodchuck Curency

First let me start by saying that the picture at the top of the post has always embraced an Amish scene and deservedly so since this ride is taken through some amazing Amish country.  However this year the picture is more what you might imagine from a Southern take on things, let me assure you that this is not a jab at the Amish way of life as I have a lot of respect for that culture and their work ethic.  Some have even said that I grew up Amish...well only one person did that and his name is Jan Prytle (Hi Jan, I hear it's your Birthday on Tuesday...Happy Birthday a bit early!!!).  The picture is of a sign that is actually on the course this year.  Find the sign and tell me the location and you will receive 10 Woodchuck bucks that are redeemable towards next years entry!  What is the value of a Woodchuck buck?  The same as a Schrute Buck, 1/100 of a cent (any office fans out there?).

63.13 Mile Route

Here is the route for the 2013 edition of Chucky's Challenge, the route is just over 63 miles in length. My original map is in miles but this map is showing Kilometers and I'm not sure why. Anyway I hope that everyone can make it for our annual ride!

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRide

 

       

Chucky Is Drawing Near

Well our annual gravel grinder is getting closer, we will have the final route dialed in shortly and I will post that to the blog in the next few weeks.  Mark your calendar for Saturday Feb 2, 2013 and get ready for some gravel goodness on your bike of choice.

I was really curious about the origin of a groundhog, the dictionary gave a standard description of the animal that we are all familiar with and was pretty basic.  I however found out that the word originated in its basic form from the Greek language and oddly enough was in reference to one or two wheel transport.  WOW, and in that time period all travel was conducted on rocky and dirt trails and or roads.  I was absolutely amazed by this...well I would have been if were true but I just made that up.  I might have been lying about that but I'm not lying when I say that you should come join the GHTA faithful on Saturday Feb 2, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in historic downtown Jamesport, MO for our annual Chucky's Challenge.  Good thing this ride isn't on April 1st, we would be fools to have it then!

February 2nd, 2013...Chucks Will Be Rollin'

Well it's time again to be getting ready for our annual Chucky's Challenge, 2013 will mark the 6th edition of our gravel grinder starting in historic Jamesport, MO.  Doug Long started this ride in 2008 and that was after a couple years or so of thinking about it and wanting to make sure it was done right.  If you know Doug, and if you ride bikes in the midwest then I'm sure you do, then you know he doesn't do anything without properly planning it (probably 3 or 4 times).  Doug is a valued asset to the cycling community and does more things to help with cycling and or health related efforts in a single year than most of us do in our entire lives.  If any of you have ever attended a race that Doug has promoted or been lucky enough to ride some single track that he has crafted then you know all about his passion, for many of us like Doug the world doesn't revolve on it's axis it revolves on two wheels.  This year Chucky's is taking a little change but still has the same structure and basis that Doug created, our annual ride is Saturday February 2nd which is the same weekend as the Cyclocross World Championships being held in Louisville, KY.  Doug will be competing at Worlds in his class and then spectating the Elite Championships, WOW what a race to be able to watch right here in the U.S.A.  I suspect some of you will also be making the trip to Kentucky because lets face it, when if ever will this race be back in the United States?  I can't say that I blame you if you are going however if you are not then I am inviting you to attend our annual gravel grinder, the 6th annual Chucky's Challenge.

I will be taking over the ride this year and I am currently looking at route options and will update that as it becomes available.  Now I'm no Doug Long, I can't ride as fast as those 60 year old guys, but don't let that stop you from coming out and enjoying our scenic country roads.  I do however enjoy riding my bike as much as Doug and would love to have the company on this ride.  Traditionally we try to have our ride around 60-65 miles in length and that is the plan this year as well.  This ride isn't just for the seasoned racer or long distance rider, if the thought of 60 miles overwhelms you then still come out and ride for awhile and then turn back (may be a shorter loop option as well).  This ride is all about us doing what we love to do and not about finish times and podium spots although Lyle Riedy is right when he says that if you have two people on bikes then there is always going to be a race!  But that is the great thing about a diverse crowd, if people want to push each other and set a pace that is great and if some want to just enjoy the view then that is awesome too.  Whichever group you fit into I hope you will be a part of our ride, don't forget Saturday Feb 2nd 2013.

Pie...fresh warm homemade pie made in an Amish bakery???  If you have ever been on one of our pie rides then I lost you at the start of this paragraph because your eyes glazed over thinking about some of the best tasting ddelicacies you can imagine.  What better way to finish your ride then with some post ride grub which you can find at more than one location in Jamesport, MO.  Remember to mark you calendars for Saturday Feb 2nd 2013 and join us for Chucky's Challenge.  Did I mention Saturday Feb 2nd 2013?

Stay tuned, more to come.  Need more info?  Contact me at bernzie508@ymail.com