The 101 Gravel Ride

October 01 2016

Perry, Iowa, USA

Date Confirmed

Distances: 63, 100 miles

Difficulty: Extreme terrain with frequent steep hills and long sustained climb

Riders should expect a scenic 101-mile or 101-kilometer gravel tour of west-central Iowa, as they follow their cue card on this self-supported ride. Though the race will be timed and scored, most riders will be there for the challenge of riding either 101 miles or kilometers of Iowa gravel - a day spent with friends on two wheels.

The routes will be friendly and pass through some towns, as well as the beautiful Whiterock Conservancy, a private land trust interlaced with gravel roads and mountain bike trails.

Our friends at Spokiz and Clif will be helping us get home with a Clif-stocked aid station at Whiterock Conservancy and again with about 20 miles to go.

In 2016, we're looking at 10 -1 as our date, but of course! That should be finalized before the end of 2015.

Ride start: 8:30 am. Raccoon River Valley Bicycles will be open and available for last-minute fixes and supplies.

Route: A 101-miles ok kilometers of gravely goodness. You can choose between the mile or K route at the intersection where they split after about 20 miles. If you feel good - go for the long. If you need to get'r done, hit the K. The 101-mile route will be the same as in 2014, including a short section on a B-level road, and yes, there are a few hills around Whiterock! (but it's scenic!)

Cue cards with directions will be provided to each participant. GPX files for each route are available by clicking the links below and downloading the file.

101 Mile Route

101 Kilometer Route

Start: The start will be just south of Highway 141 on 16th Street, in front of the Forest Park Arboretum and Museum (limited parking is available as are restrooms and water). Riders can take the Raccoon River Valley Trail from downtown Perry to the start. Please arrive at the start line by 8:15 a.m.

Finish line: Riders will enter Perry from the North and East and finish on McKinley St. just east of 31st street (where the gravel ends). The finish line will be open until 7:30 p.m. Riders who finish after that are asked to record the time they hit the pavement and report it to race management to be included in the results.

Roads are open to traffic. Obey traffic laws and ride responsibly and wear a helmet.

Family or support is welcome to cheer you on along the route, and maybe have a water bottle, energy bar or a Coke to make you happy - but, please, we ask that you finish on the bike you started on and do your best to handle mechanical issues on your own (or with the assistance of other riders - not a support crew). Again, the Spokiz/Clif Aid stop will refuel the final leg of your ride.

That being said - if your frame breaks in half (or tear the derailleur off, Kevin...) and you can scrounge up another bike from the ditch or back of a barn (with permission, of course), we'd rather have you be able to complete the 101. If you're jumping from a TT bike to cross bike to mountain bike to win the dang thing -then A) you're putting too much thought into this and B) that just ain't the spirit of this ride. Go ride. Be safe. Be fair. Be smart and most of all - have fun.