Sunday, July 21, 2013

Thanks and Results

Thanks to everyone that came out to ride with us.

Special thanks to the volunteers:   Mark, Marita, Barb, Jen, and Kristina!

We would not be able to pull an event like this off without the help and support of our wives, Suzanne and Becky, who not only tolerate us participating in gravel rides, they allowed us to bring one into our homes.

Hopefully you will come and ride with us again next year.    We will plan to make the weather warmer, the gravel deeper, the beer stronger, and of course, the cookies bigger.

If you notice a big discrepancy in your time, let us know, they are based on the time you hit my driveway at the finish.    

We'll post pictures as they become available.

Jim and Ed.
jim@dirtylemming.com
ed@dirtylemming.com


105 Miles
Rider Name Time
Pork Chop         6:10  - 1st Male
Daven Kokkila (SS) 6:24  - 1st Single Speed
Ken Earley 6:25
Scott Klein         6:25
Stephen Wilson 6:25
Galen Murray 6:28
John Barten 6:46
Dave Bucholz         6:51
Mark Nestande 7:02
Joe Pahr 7:07
Bryce Rasmussen 7:17
Pete Thurmes (SS) 7:26
Greg Fields 7:26
Joe Bischoff 7:26
John Will 7:26
Steve Schoo 7:26
Wayne Bishop 7:26
Craig Gustafson 7:31
Brent Vacinek 7:43
Deb Lind 7:43  - 1st Female
John Ostmoe 7:43
John Young 7:43
Garry Glubka 7:43
Rebekah Gordon 7:48
Paul Wyatt 7:56
Jeff Mandel 7:59
Mark Seaburg 7:59
John Carline 8:11
Jack Zambrowski 8:12
Larry Kirch 8:12
Max Haight 8:13
Ed Matthiesen 8:21
James Foley 8:43
Tiffany Foley 8:43
Brent Lien         8:45
David Peterson 8:45

65 Miles
Rider Name Time
Jason Lajon 3:58  - 1st Male
Bobby Vigil 3:59
Brooks Grossinger 3:59
Tim Kinney 3:59
Steve Wachholtz(SS) 4:10  - 1st Single Speed
Chuck Barden 4:51
Karen Christy 5:08  - 1st Female
Brian Groh         5:09
Peter Pascale 5:11
Brett Sweeney 5:17
Smokanson 5:17
Tim Bauer         5:23
Tom Goblish 6:00
Luke Sicora 6:24
Wayne Sicora 6:24

Alex Katkov DNF - Crashed, but OK

Shirley Johnson DNS
Bob Mueller DNS
Cole Rogers DNS
Dirk Val Matre DNS
Doug Krone DNS
Geoff Jara-Almonte DNS
Michael McElhinney DNS
Patrick Kinney DNS
The Mayor of Gravel DNS

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Ride details - check back for updates

7/19/2013 Update:

We will have a neutral roll out from my house to the Luce Line with a designated leader.   

While the race finishes at my house, for safety, the sprinting should finish when you leave the limestone of the Luce Line before you cross the bridge.    So if you are involved in a mass sprint, remember your finish order if that is important to you.

Did I mention that my neighbor, Brett, who is also riding is offering use of his pool after the ride?    

If you want to bring a small bag with a change of clothes or a swimsuit for afterwards to the start, you can keep it in the house.

Jim
jim@dirtylemming.com

7/18/2013 Update:

Ed (thinking like a civil engineer) made this very nice highlighted map.   For you youngsters who are unfamiliar with maps Ed will be giving a short demo on how it works.  ;-)
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzIVucTGqQpWVjRFamRzbTVvb2c/edit

History of the Smith Lake Memorial that you will pass by.
http://www.herald-journal.com/archives/2010/stories/smith-lake-ed.html

Cue sheets and numbers are stuffed....   



T-Shirts rock!  




7/16/2013 Update:

See some of our favorite post cards in the tab on the right.


Don't forget sun screen!


A small container of bug spray will be helpful if you have a mechanical issue in a wooded area.


7/15/2013 Update:

Info/Questions:   Jim@dirtylemming.com

Email Distribution:
Race numbers have been assigned and are shown on the rider list, you will need to put your race number on your waiver.

I'll be mailing out the waiver, a copy of the cue sheets and gpx files late Monday night.   If you don't get the email, send me an email and I'll try again from another account.   Some of you didn't put an email on your post card so that really makes it difficult.

And to top it off, Comcast seems to think this is some kind of rodent porn site....  ;-)

Disclaimer:
This is a Jim and Ed funded and organized ride and we're getting better at this every year, but there will be snafus as we've more than doubled our number of riders.  All the volunteers are family and friends so give them a big thank you when you see them.  

Your patience will be appreciated and we hope you enjoy the ride.

Caution: 
Be careful, the trophies are not real gold!

A lot of the roads you will be riding on will be rutted with loose gravel. Riding on gravel roads requires that you pay attention at all times to the changing conditions of the road. You may not encounter much traffic, but the traffic you do encounter will be surprised to see a herd of bikers on some of these remote sections.


Hydration / Nutrition: 
Be prepared to carry plenty of water and something to eat. You will need to have enough to get you 50 miles to be safe. The Church in Stockholm has told us they will leave their spigot on for us, but there are no guarantees.    There are two options for water in Biscay at 70 miles so no worries there.

This is a long ride. There are a couple places to stock up such as Molly's cafe in Silver Lake and the grocery store in Winsted.

We'll likely have some treats at the checkpoints, but don't count on it being enough to get you to the finish.


Rules, we have a few:
  1. Waiver, helmet, and good attitude required.  Bicycle recommended.
  2. With the exception of your fellow grinders (or a friendly local), you are on your own. This is a self supported event.    We'll do our best to help you out in a pinch, but come prepared with tools, tires, and such.
  3. If you see someone in trouble, offer aid.
  4. No public urination allowed. Please find a remote woods or ditch in an uninhabited area. 
  5. Obey all traffic laws. This is an open course so show respect. 
  6. No littering! Pack out what you bring. 
  7. If you leave the course, you must re-enter at the same spot.
  8. Be nice or leave (as Dr. Bob would say)
Schedule:
6:15 - Registration opens in my driveway.
6:55 - Riders line up for announcements.
6:57 - National Anthem - Apollo Male Chorus
7:00 - Start

8:30 - expect fast riders to go through checkpoint #1 (Mile 37)
10:30 - expect fast riders to go through checkpoint #2 (Mile 70)

We'll be trying the check people off as they go through the check points.   

11:00 - first 100K finishers
12:00 - first 100 mile finishers

4PM or so, - Awards and accolades - we'll go with the flow on this.  Some trophies are automatic.  So for instance if you are the 100K race male winner, you can pick up your trophy without waiting for the ceremony since it's likely you will be finishing well before the bolus that we expect around 3-4PM.  Some trophies are subjective (best tattoo, douglas award, most improved,...).   Those will be awarded later.

Finish Times: At the finish there may be someone to collect your time or not, head around to the back of the house where the brats, beer, and party is and find the clipboard to record your time.

Directions to Watertown, Parking, and start:
Follow this link which also shows the parking and start / finish.   
http://goo.gl/maps/dtC2C

Parking for the start is at:
Christ Community Lutheran Church
512 County Road 10
Watertown, MN 55388.

Once you get to the parking lot, the start is just down the road and across a field as shown on this map following the dotted line.  We'll try to get a volunteer over to the parking area to direct you, but it's pretty simple.  If you get lost here it's going to be a long day.....
 

We're going to have the start and finish in front of my house.   We will have 60+ riders coming in over a 5-6 hour period and that's where the grill and libations will be.   This makes the best use of our limited volunteer staff.    The start may be a bit hectic, but with the two distances and riding speeds the finish should be pretty laid back.

My neighbor who is also riding has offered his pool for anyone so inclined. 

Bathroom facilities: A bathroom will be available in the house, but if you can make arrangements to take care of that kind of business before you get to the start that will make things easier.   

Waiver:
You will be expected to sign a waiver before you ride.

Race Numbers / Cue Sheets:
Race numbers will be provided to put on your helmet or handlebar or?? We'll also have a cue sheets available for everyone. You will want to at minimum have an odometer as the mileage is posted for each turn on the cue sheets. The course is not marked so you will have to pay attention!!

T-Shirt:
If you indicated that you wanted a t-shirt for $20 you can pay for and pick that up at the start. T-Shirts came in at around $16 in the quantities that we ordered and your $20 will help clothe a volunteer.

Course details:
There are two checkpoints at 37 (Stockholm Lutheran Church) and 70 miles (Biscay) where we have arranged to have water available.   
In addition, the 105 mile ride passes by a convenience store at ~47 miles, and a small grocery store at ~94 miles.  The 65 mile ride passes by a small grocery store at ~53 miles.  

The courses run together for the first 47 miles.   At mile 47 you will need to make a decision for 105 miles or 65 miles.

Maps / GPS files: We encourage riders to use a gps device or smart phone.   Everytrail has a nice app for iPhone and Android and you can get both 100 mile and 100 k routes here:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2217131
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2217134

Map with points of interest below:


View Dirty Lemming 100 Mile Course in a larger map


----------------------------------------------------
Course Recon from Sunday below
----------------------------------------------------
I rode the entire 100 mile course today and it is in great condition. I followed my gps track and the cue sheets and they were spot on.

The course is flat (compared to Ragnorok/Almanzo).   I rode single speed with a 42X17 gearing and it was nearly perfect...   If you were ever thinking single speed this is the ride to do it on.

100 mile course below.   Yes it's 105 miles, but only 101 are on gravel so the other 4 don't count.   Likewise the 100K is 65 miles.  Your registration fee covers 100 miles of gravel and we don't want to deal with refunds.


View Dirty Lemming 100 Mile Course in a larger map

Pictures from the recon ride...

 Spectators are already lining up
Check point #1 Stockholm Church and a rare sighting of a cowapotumus
 Roads are in fantastic shape, right the Luce Line is a bit rougher out this way than what you might see in Plymouth.
Molly is hotter than her picture and she makes a mean strawberry milkshake using real strawberries.  Find someone to share one with.

An acre of brown eyed Susans.   Water at 2nd Checkpoint

 Pickle Bike takes a rest.
Don't see these anymore, original telegraph pole with wooden insulator.  Beer is plentiful though at the Corner Bar in Winsted overlooking the lake.


Tuesday, July 9, 2013


Gotta keep an eye on the trophies, "The Douglas" trophy keeps leading them over cliffs.

With two weeks to go things are shaping up nicely.


Just updated the rider list.   T-Shirts are due in next Monday.

Ed is working on the parking situation, he's got a plan.    Remember, if you let me know that you are car pooling you will get valet parking at the start/finish.   We're creeping up to close to 60 Lemmings.   Yes, I have a hard time saying no....

Look for an update on the blog early next week with the final details which will include schedule, waiver, maps, cue sheets, gpx files, parking details, .....

Check out the blog for a picture of the hardware.

Jimbo

jim@dirtylemming.com
www.dirtylemming.com

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Email Info

I sent out the following email today, if you are signed up and didn't get it send me an email as I may have your email wrong or not at all.  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

Greetings, thought I'd drop everyone a line with a little over 4 weeks until the Dirty Lemming Ride.   

This year we've got a few changes in mind, specifically with the Start/Finish.    Details to follow in the next couple weeks.

With the new start/finish we will have limited parking right at the start, but we've located some additional parking a few blocks away.    So we'll give the premium spots to anyone that carpools.   The more riders in your vehicle, the better your parking spot.    

So let me know if you are planning on carpooling (and who with) and we'll figure out how to make that work.   We'll send out parking info about a week before the ride.

Again, we'll post a waiver and cue cards for you to print on the blog.  Also we'll post a gpx file for your fancy pants GPS or smart phone in case you get lost.

If for some reason you can't make it, no worries, but please let me know ASAP.  We've had a few drops and we're hovering around 53 right now.  I've been able to keep the wait list at zero.  

I'll be sending out t-shirt info shortly for those of you that indicated an interest.

Same drill as last year after the ride with beer, brats, and trophies.

Two new trophies this year:
Best Tattoo - self explanatory
The Douglas Award - for the rider that gets lost and rides the most miles.   

Let me know if you have any questions, check the blog for info.

Looking forward to seeing all of you,

Jim

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Rider list updated

I just updated the rider list.

We've had a few drops, so I've been able to keep the waiting list at zero....

With about 8 weeks to go, working on details.

If you did the Almanzo you will have to agree that this years weather was fantastic.  We were due for something "easier" after the last two years of extreme weather.  

Got passed by a few Lemmings out there.   Caught up to them in the bar where they were easy to spot with their Lemming shirts.


Map and profile below:

2013 Almanzo Gravel Race


EveryTrail - Find the best Hiking near Rochester, Minnesota

Thursday, April 25, 2013



We are full!

If you sent in a card you should be on the rider list on the tab to the right.

I would expect there are probably a few more cards trickling in and we will take those riders.

We do expect some riders to drop as we realize a lot can happen in the next 3 months.  So if you want to get on the waiting list drop me an email.

jim@dirtylemming.com

Thanks,
Jim

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Rider List Updated 4/21

See side bar tab.

If you sent in a postcard and don't see your name, let me know.  A few did end up in the neighbor's mailbox.   We're not used to this volume of mail around here.   :-)

Jim@dirtylemming.com

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Ragnarök 105 - "Avoided getting crushed by the Rök"

Ed and I rode the Ragnarök 105 on Saturday April 14th.   After failing to win the entry lottery for 3 years I wasn't going to "DNS" and get "banned for life".  The organizers do a good job of making it clear that this is not going to be an easy ride, so enter at your own risk.  

Fortunately it really was the best weather of the week.   Light snow, some sleet, temps starting at 28, rising to 42, less than 40 at the finish.    

Most notable aspect of the rides was the three really nasty climbs on minimum maintenance roads that were drag-a-bike.   Imagine 6 inches of slushy snow clogging up your brakes making it tough to even push the bike.   On one hike that was nearly 500 feet of vertical for 1.1 miles we spent nearly 30 minutes pushing/dragging our bikes up the hill.     

Also some ice, horse trails, rocks, mud, pretty much all the nasty conditions you can think of.

Wish I had time to take some pictures.   Normally I try to snap a few pictures but we were fighting to stay ahead of the "Cutoff Reaper" all day. I really wasn't sure I was going to make the cutoff until we got to about 8 miles to go.  At that point I realized we didn't have anymore hikes so it was just a matter of riding in.  

Hopefully someone took some pictures and will post them on the Ragnarök website.  There was a baby snowman half way up one of the climbs hikes that really made my day.  Clearly someone had more energy than I did if they could stop and make a snowman.   Thanks for the inspiration!

I think this would be a really nice ride in the fall or spring (late spring, like June).

Like I said, we stayed just ahead of the cut off times all day and finished with 25 minutes to spare.   

Shout out to Larry from Eau Claire who rode almost the whole day with us and brought some much needed humor to the situation.  He also bought us a beer at the local brew pub afterwards as we celebrated "Crushing the Rök".  Hopefully he will join us on July 20th.

Profile below:   My GPS said 8800 feet of vertical on the day.  That needle peak at 87 miles was the hike I spoke of above.  



On the ride home, Ed and I decided that the Ragnarök 105 is now an the official automatic qualifier for the Dirty Lemming.


I guarantee that the Dirty Lemming ride will be warmer, and at a much more relaxed pace.  


Jim

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Filling Fast

Registration has been open a week 10 days and the post cards are piling up.   Nice to see some new riders along with some of the "old" veterans.   

Questions? jim@dirtylemming.com

Rider list (updated 4/10/13)
Lemmettes
Deb Lind
Karen Schwoerer
Rebekah Gordon
Tiffany Foley
Lemmings
Alex Katkov
Bob Mueller
Bryce Rasmussen
Chris Chavie
Chuck Barden
Cole Rogers
Craig Gustafson
Daven Kokkila
Dirk Val Matre
Doug Krone
Ed Matthiesen
Galen Murray
Garry Glubka
Greg Fields
James Foley
Jason Lajon
Jeff Mandel
Jim Smith
Joe Bischoff
Joe Pahr
John Ostmoe
Mark Seaburg
Michael McElhinney
Patrick Kinney
Pork Chop
Smokanson
Steve Wachholtz
Tim Kinney
Wayne Bishop
Wayne Carlson