This last weekend I rode in the Almanzo 100. The Almanzo is a 100 mile gravel race in southern MN. Usually it starts in Rochester, but due to some difficulties this year it started in Spring Valley. While unfortunate for the race organizer (sounds like he had quite a few problems with the Rochester powers that be before he moved the race) I was stoked because I got to see a new town, and a new state park, new roads etc.
I headed down to the area on the Friday before the race to camp out and check out the roads. I spent a few hours riding around the state park (and as it turns out on the race course). I had a great time tooling around and checking stuff out. I also ran into some friends at the campground who had figured out the lay of the land and how to get to the start line in the morning. They offered a ride and I took it. This was much appreciated as I’d not picked up my race packet and didn’t have much in the way of a plan to get to the race on Saturday morning.
The course was absolutely fantastic. 100 miles of gravel, through some of the most beautiful parts of MN I’ve seen. Perhaps most surprising to me were the hills. In the cities we have hills, usually climbing in and out of the river valley, but for the most part they are all paved and relatively tame. Almanzo was a slightly different story. The hills were somewhat longer than my usual jaunt in the city, the gravel made things a bit more interesting, the number of them and the fact that I’d not been on a bike for three weeks (was out of town with my dad in the hospital) made for a challenging day. The downhills were more fun than I thought possible to have on a bike, and that totally made up for the uphill. The course in general was fast, and at one point in the downhill I hat 42 mph according to my computer. No major crashes for me or my friends, but there was at least one pile up pretty near the beginning of the race in the morning due to a sharp right turn at the bottom of a hill. Unfortunately this ended in a hospital trip for at least one person.
Early in the day I abandoned any hope of finishing quickly (early, as in the start line). My original goal had been to finish in the top 100. I started most of the way back and was not feeling the need to ride as fast as possible. I ended up riding with friends, and enjoyed myself all day long. The weather was perfect. Mid 70′s, no wind and sun in the morning. The afternoon brought some clouds, but nothing major and perhaps a slight breeze to keep us cool.
Almanzo is a support yourself race. I’d packed enough stuff into the saddle sack in my Rivendell to get through the day. On the advise of my friend Shaun (the very same who carried my bike and I to the start line from the camp ground) I stuck a few bottles of water and poweraid into his truck. This lightened my load by five or six pounds and was much appreciated. The race allowed for outside help at Preston MN. Shaun’s wife Julie met us and a few others there with not only my supplies but enough sandwiches to feed quite a few people. I’m thankful for their generosity and support.
The first 60 miles of the race were no problem. We took it easy, enjoyed the views, dealt with some mechanical issues in our group and had a great time. For me miles 60 – 63 were not a ton of fun. I dropped behind the group for awhile and they made it to the check point about 5 min ahead of me. Perhaps the most demoralizing part of the day came in this stretch when the group of pugsly riders I’d been leap frogging with dropped me for good. It’s a sad thing to get dropped by two guys with 4 inch tires, while they offer you food on the way by.
We spent quite awhile at the checkpoint eating, chatting and in general messing around. I welcomed the rest and the company, as well as the food (eating enough is the key to a good mood for me…). We tackled the remanning 37 miles or whatever it was with less gusto than the first 63, but our spirits were up and we were on our way to being done. We slowed down considerably for this last stretch, averaging maybe 12 miles an hour (possibly less). We’d given up pedaling on down hills, chit chat revolved around the food we would eat when we crossed the finish line, the things we would drink and the ibuprofen we would consume.
Shaun, Mark and I crossed the line at around 7:00PM, just over ten hours from the start of the race. According to my bike computer we had about 7:15 actual ride time. This put me in 238th place, and I’m more than happy with that considering the lead up to the race didn’t involved more time in a hospital than on a bike. After the race we regrouped first at the truck for beers, then at the local pizza place in spring valley for dinner and lively conversation.
As far as the bike, I rode my Rivendell Sam Hillborne with the large Saddlesack. The bike was comfortable and stable. I had one mechanical issue that was due to a rock being stuck in my front derailure, who knew that could even happen. Aside from that things were great, I was comfortable the whole day. I road Jack Brown Blue’s at 70 PSI. The pressure was probably a little high, when I was tired / low on energy the bike was harder to control than I’d like it to be. There was only one time I ended up in the weeds,so all and all it was a good day for bike crontrol. I did find myself wishing on some of the down hills that the bike steered just a bit quicker, but overall it performed admirably and I continue to be happy with my machine.
I’ve got at least one more gravel race on my calendar this year, and many more that are just for fun. For the next race (West Side Dirty Benjamin) I’ll try to get it in gear and soot for the top third.
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