2018 Gravel West - This Wind is Just Fucking with Me!!

October 21, 2018 

Great day for riding a causal gravel race/ride - no timing, no ranking, just a course and 101 riders. This was the second Gravel West, and my second Gravel West. There were two courses: 71-mile and 25-mile.

I started the day by riding out of the house, nice 10-mile warm-up on the way to Long Lake. Including a stop in Wayzata for an Egg McMuffin (traditions must be honored). 

The orange Breezer is a nice compliment to the Autumn leaves. 

The winds were strong at the start of the race (blue on map & blue in the weather chart). We had one or two section headed North with this wind at our backs and we were moving at 25 mph on flat roads! But turned back in to that wind for an hour or two and paid the price, plus all the taxes & fees! I got to the second half of the course (red) and expected some help from that wind ... the wind was gone. 

 
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I rode out with a strong group, held with them until we found the most minimal maintenance road in the metro area (pot holes that could consume a Buick without flinching!). We regrouped in the Lake Rebecca Park when following the route became challenging for everybody. As we left the park, back on the roads, I wasn't able to hold the wheel, but stayed in sight for a few miles (hope springs eternal). I had one rider with me, but he didn't have the power to pull. I recall looking back to check on him and there was nobody behind me on that long straight stretch of gravel.

At about mile 20, I lost contact with a chase group. I was fighting into that headwind and I didn't stand a chance of getting back in the group. So I ended up riding mostly solo for the next 50 miles. I liked that, I do a lot of solo riding, but some friends to draft off of would have been nice! 

I finished the 70 mile course in roughly 4:25:00. Slower than I'd like, but not bad considering the winds. I expect there were roughly 10 riders that finished before me, this is a low-key event without timing or ranking.

I really enjoyed the varied terrain, including a section of very minimally maintenance road, grass CX loop, some single-track trails. 

This event is not timed or ranked, so no results to post. I know Ian destroyed it, like always. Based on Strava and the riders I saw on the road, I expect I was plus-or-minus 10th on the long course.

Missed turns and mechanicals slowed many riders that were faster than me, I was having issues with my Garmin 1030 too and it slowed me to a stop a couple times. I ended up exiting the route and reloading it to get the route to work properly.

I'll be back next year, if they plan to host it again. And next year, I'll pack a six-pack in my bag - 'cause there wan't any beer at the after party :(