2016 Almanzo Stories

The 2016 Almanzo Gravel Races took place May 13-14 in the small town of Spring Valley, Minnesota.  What was started by Chris Skogen with a small group of friends back in 2007 has grown over the years into something truly special.  The gravel community has embraced the Almanzo 100 as the "Granddaddy" of gravel races.  Spring Valley Tourism with the assistance of Penn Cycle & Fitness made sure that one of the largest free gravel races in the country continued with the traditions that founder Chris Skogen set forth for this yearly event.

Once again, the 2016 Almanzo 100, Royal 162 and Alexander 380 did not fail to challenge racers.  Those racing the Alexander 380 faced strong winds, rain, sleet, muddy conditions and very cold temperatures while Royal 162 and Almanzo 100 racers experienced wind gusts up to 35 mph and a 34 degree temperature at race start.  I have compiled a list of racer accounts from blogs as well as links to photo galleries, some videos and local press.

Almanzo 100

Race Report: 2016 Almanzo 100 by 5th Place Finisher, Eric Thompson
Gravel Cyclist

This was my 4th year racing the Almanzo 100 and its become a yearly tradition for myself, my family and a few friends. It all started with my dad seeking out the newly created gravel scene in Minnesota, and with his excitement, momentum started between myself and several friends, also drawn to the event.  Read the full story

Race Report: 2016 Almanzo 100 – by Top 10 Finisher – Charlie Schad
Gravel Cyclist

The 2016 edition was my fourth year of participating in the Almanzo 100 event and I was pretty excited about going. Unfortunately I had to miss last year’s race, but was hoping to make amends with a good result; a decent block of training was bound to help. I examined the rider list and a few doubts began to creep in, namely due to the strong list of folks scheduled to take the line.  Read the full story

Almanzo 100: Wind and Gravel and Wind
pottermusings

Standing in line for a porta-potty, I was shivering uncontrollably. It was 37°F and extremely windy. The weather forecast for Spring Valley, MN slowly changed over the preceding days – wind increased up to 30mph gusts and temperature slowly dropped. Ted and I didn’t pack well for a cold, windy day. He forgot his knee warmers and ended up cutting arm warmers to fit over his legs. I just had thin knee warmers.  Read the full story

Hoven returns to biking during recovery
Rubicon Online

Widely known for his passion for biking, Upper School English teacher Matthew Hoven has picked himself up and dusted himself off after a fall in September and a severe concussion earlier this year. He recently participated in the 100-mile Almanzo 100 Gravel Bicycle race in Spring Valley, Minnesota, for the third time.   Read the full story

A Tough 2016 Almanzo 100
MN Bike Trail Navigator

2016 was my third year doing the Almanzo 100, on my third bike. I had finished it on my 29'er in 2014 and my cross bike in 2015, this year I would do it on my carbon Farley 9.6 with a 27.5+ wheelset. While I struggled last year on some of the big hills with my bike's gearing, this year I thought shouldn't be a problem with my Farley's 1x11 drivetrain. I was feeling good about the race even though I hadn't trained as much as I would've liked to. It would be a fun, but challenging day of riding with a lot of old friends and some new ones.   Read the full story

Almanzo 100
Mary Grove and John Ingham

Image Credit: Mary Grove and John Ingham

I had the pleasure of riding with Suzanne for much of the ride to Forestville. Suzanne called it quits at Forestville. The click in her bottom bracket was getting loud, and anyway she had been up at the crack of dawn to toss in an extra 40 miles BEFORE the start of the race in Spring Valley! That's grit for you, and you should have seen her bombing the downhills. Would that I had her skill and courage. But then again, maybe not. When you get to be an old codger you should probably be careful what you wish for. Suzanne's husband Jeff was serving up hot dogs at Forestville for any and all, on such a cold, windy day a nice precursor to the hot bacon at Cherry Grove.

Almanzo 100 Race Results

Royal 162

Royal 162 2016 - A Woolly "Race" Report
Woolly Bike Club

My attempt at the Royal started last year when Herr Woolly Starr rode Almanzo for the first time. She rode it on her mountain bike as her first century of any kind, let alone on gravel. At the end of it she said she was coming back next year, but if she was going to be on her bike for 11 hours, I had to be as well and I therefore had to do the Royal.  Read the full story

The Royal 162
Cup O' Dirt Challenge

After completing the Burleigh County Cup with no knee or bike issues, I was ready for the Royal 162. I headed down that Friday, took care of registration and found the city campground two miles out of town. I set up my tent and ate at the Dairy Queen in town. Two days prior, out of nowhere my knee was a bit sore. It was enough to make me cautious, because I knew the hills and distance would be a workout for it. I thought “I’ll just see what happens”. Hope for the best!!  Read the full story

Royal 162 Race Results

Alexander 380

380 miles of gravel mixed with rain, wind and cold-Survival, not speed, key in 2016 Alexander 380 bike race
Bluff Country Newspaper Group

The Alexander 380 held the weekend of May 14 is one of the most challenging gravel road races in the country under normal circumstances, but Friday’s driving rain, which included snow and hail for some riders, Saturday’s brutal 20- to 30-mile-per-hour headwinds and Saturday night’s sub-freezing temperatures made the 380-mile race even more daunting in 2016.  Read the full story

The Alexander: Part 1
melissa bikes

The Alexander. The little known big brother of its famous baby sibling Almanzo and the middle child, the still popular but slightly less known Royal. These three races make up a trio of notorious gravel rides in southeastern Minnesota. The Almanzo is 100 miles, the Royal is 162 miles, and the Alexander is 380 miles. Three. Hundred. And. Eighty. Miles. On gravel, unpaved roads, and with a few minimum maintenance roads thrown in just for kicks. The route travels through the driftless area of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, back to Iowa, and finally back north to Minnesota.  Read the full story

The Alexander: Part 2
melissa bikes

As we left the first gas station stop at mile 70-something, we soon crossed over highway 52. It was so tempting to cruise down the big hill to Decorah, to a hot shower, a warm bed, and excellent ice cream. Ugh. We pedaled on, and not long after leaving Kwik Trip the rain started to fall. First it was a few drops, and then the sky opened up with a vigorous rain. We were out in the middle of nowhere, and had no choice but to keep pedaling. I enviously eyed bars and outbuildings on the side of the road, pondering if we could seek shelter in there until the rain passed.  Read the full story

 Alexader 380 Race Results

Press

Partnership keeps spirit of Almanzo 100 alive-Local gravel bicycle races still a draw due to efforts of partners
Spring Valley Tribune

Although founder Chris Skogen stepped away from the Almanzo 100 and related races two years ago, they continue to draw a dedicated group of gravel bicycle enthusiasts thanks to the efforts of the Spring Valley Tourism Committee and Penn Cycle & Fitness of Minneapolis.  Read the full story

Riding Gravel Supports The Almanzo 100
Riding Gravel

The Almanzo 100 is, quite likely, the most popular grassroots gravel grinder event in the nation. Started by Chris Skogen in 2007, the free event has grown to have over 1000 riders yearly and encompasses three events ranging in distance from the original 100 miler to the crushing Alexander 380 which takes participants through three states and takes well over 40 hours to complete.  Read the full story

Almanzo 100 Report: Ringing the Bell
Guitar Ted Productions

Things changed when on Thursday I found out that my partner in RidingGravel.com was going to be stepping in for a company that had pulled out of supporting the third checkpoint on the Almanzo 100 course. Originally, Ben had thought he'd hang out, take a few images, and do a bit of a photo gallery, maybe, for the site. Well, when the opportunity came up to be the checkpoint support, he jumped in and well.......I couldn't just let him do it alone! I got with Mrs. Guitar Ted, did a bit of reconnoitering, found a willing partner in "New York Roll", and on Friday evening we were piling 20 gallons of water on a shopping cart along with some other supplies to take up to the Almanzo 100.  Read the full story

Photos

Almanzo 100 2016
The Morgan's Creations

Almanzo 100 & Royal 162
TMB Images

2016-05-14 Almanzo100 Royal 162
TMB Images on Facebook

Almanzo 100 Spring Valley Gravel Road Race
Post-Bulletin

Video

Almanzo 100 Roll-out

ALMANZO 100 - 2016 

jamesdefilippi

Penn Cycle & Fitness

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2016 Minnesota Gravel Events

Rural Minnesota is home to quite a few long standing gravel road races and with the growing popularity of the sport, rides to introduce those new to gravel are beginning to pop up, too.  With varying terrain, minimum maintenance roads, elevation changes, great rural scenery and unpredictable weather in the Spring and Fall, these events are sure to be fun and challenging.  Almost all of them are free, but unsupported requiring the participants to be their own repair and support crew.

This season's calendar will include all types of  gravel races and rides from around the state.  Some of these have registration cutoff dates, have a rider cap, or more information and registration details that are yet to be announced.  Below is a list of all of the gravel events in Minnesota that I'm aware of in chronological order.  I will continue to update and add events to this post as they become available.  If you are a race or event organizer and would like your event listed here and on my 2016 Minnesota Bike Tours, Rides, Races & Events Schedule, please send me an e-mail. 

The Fort 50 Ride-April 3, 2016
The Fort Steakhouse
Fort Ripley, MN 

Ragnarök 105-April 9, 2016

Red Wing, MN
105 miles
105 rider cap
Postcard registration November 27-December 31, 2015
Facebook Page   

Lakeville-Milltown-Lakeville-April 16, 2016
Harry's Cafe
Lakeville, MN
Approx. 80 miles 
100 rider cap 

Lupine Spring Classic-April 16-17, 2016
Two Harbors, MN
Approximately 120 miles
Online Registration
Facebook Event Page 

Mammoth Gravel Classic-April 16, 2016

Cyclova CX
St. Croix Falls, MN
Facebook Event Page  

Dirty Girl Skittles and M&M's Gravel Ride-April 17, 2016
House of Coates
Coates, MN 

Dickie Scramble-April 23, 2016
JJ Tailgaiters
Elgin, MN
Approximately 75 miles 
Facebook Event Page 

Riotgrrravel Women's gravel gravel riding clinic-April 24, 2016
Angry Catfish Bicycle and Coffee Bar
Minneapolis, MN 

HillBilly Gravel Grinder 2016-April 30, 2016

Houston, MN
100 miles 

Miesville FiftySix-May 1, 2016
Jack Ruhr Stadium
Miesville, MN
56 miles
Registration opens January 1, 2016
Facebook Page  

Alexander 380-May 13, 2016
Spring Valley, MN
380 miles
Postcard registration opens January 1, 2016

Almanzo 100/Royal 162-May 14, 2016
Spring Valley, MN
162, 100 miles
Postcard registration opens January 1, 2016

RiotGRRRavel-May 21, 2016
Hastings, MN
33, 20, 10 miles
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration

Le Grand Du Nord-May 28, 2016
Grand Marais, MN
100, 50 miles
Online Registration
Facebook Page 

Westside Dirty Benjamin-June 11, 2016
Michael's Cycles
Chaska, MN
101 miles
Facebook Page
Registration opens February 1, 2016

SKŌGS-June 16, 2016
Granger, MN

Granger to International Falls-mileage varies 

Freedhem 76 Gravel Grinder-July 2, 2016
Freedham Store
Little Falls, MN
76 miles 

Dirty Lemming-July 30, 2016

Watertown, MN
100 miles, 100 km 

Tour De Save-July 30, 2016

Riverside Park
Northfield, MN
62, 25, 10 miles, 46 mile gravel
Online Registration 

Gritty Goose-August 20, 2016

Monticello, MN
70, 50 miles
Online Registration 

 

The Heck Epic-August 20-21, 2016Two Harbors, MN
Approx. 110 miles
Gravel Cyclist Link 
Registration (Opens March 15, 2016)

Fiddlin' Fifty Gravel Grinder-August 27, 2016
Balkan Township, MN
Approx. 50 miles
Gravel Cyclist Link  

River Valley 100-August 28, 2016
Mankato Brewery
Mankato, MN
100 mile, 100k Paved ride
100k Gravel ride
Facebook Page
Registration
200 rider cap  

Gravel Conspiracy-September 9-11, 2016
Silver Bay, MN
Registration  

Back Forty-September 10, 2016
Denmark TWP, MN
Approx. 80 miles
Facebook Page 

Inspiration 100-September 10, 2016
Garfield Elementary School
Garfield, MN
Facebook Page 

Tour of Fillmore-September 18, 2016

Lanesboro, MN
77 miles 

3rd Annual Autumn Gravel Grovel-September 25, 2016
Miesville, MN
Postcard registration opens January 1, 2016
100 rider cap 
Facebook Event Page

Heck of the North-October 1, 2016
Two Harbors, MN
105, 51 miles
Gravel Cyclist Link  
Registration (Opens April 15, 2016)

The Filthy 50-October 9, 2016
Stewartville, MN
52 miles
Online Registration opens March 20, 2016
Facebook Page  

Dirt Bag-October 16, 2016
Clearwater, MN
Mileage TBD
Facebook Page

2015 Almanzo Stories

Image Credit: Gal Alon

The 2015 Almanzo Gravel Races took place May 15-16 in the small town of Spring Valley, Mn.  What was started by Chris Skogen with a small group of friends back in 2007 has grown over the years into something truly special.  The gravel community has embraced the Almanzo 100 as the "Granddaddy" of gravel races.  This year was the first without Chris Skogen at the helm as he handed over the reigns for Almanzo to Spring Valley Tourism.  With the assistance of Penn Cycle & Fitness, one of the largest free gravel races in the country continued with the traditions that founder Chris Skogen set forth for this yearly event.

I have compiled a list of racer accounts from blogs as well as links to photo galleries, a couple of videos, some audio and local press.  If I have missed some content, please bring it to my attention by sending me an email and I will add it to this post.

Almanzo 100

I won the 2015 Almanzo 100
Drew Wilson - "Ride on Purpose"

This has been a blog post that has kept me from writing blog posts for a while.  The title says it all, but it wasn't easy to say or accept. Those who follow my blog know what that means to me.  It's hard to say it because of the luck I needed luck to make it happen.  I've come to terms with it now.  Perhaps two years in a row of inopportune flats in the same race meant I was "owed".  Maybe it's more likely that if you just keep trying long enough eventually something works out.  Maybe it makes no difference whatsoever.  At this point it's simpler than that stuff.  I simply rode my best race and the results were the results.  The luck aspect of it is nothing to me anymore but that doesn't mean I don't desperately want to back it up next spring.  Read the full story

Fulton, Almanzo, Many Thanks! and Thank God it's taper time!
April Morgan

This past Saturday was my first Almanzo 100 experience and it was just about as awesome as predicted with over 1000 racers!! I'm pretty sure when Chris designed this course way back when, it was with a big shit grin on his face, as I'm certain he found just about every single hill in southeast Minnesota. Nearly 8,000 feet of gravel torture...I swear I can still taste the suffering.  Read the full story

Take Two
Beast-Biker-Beauty

The race started shortly after 9 and we hit the pavement for a brief distance before making the turn for gravel. The rain had settled the dust on the course, but also created mud on the top layer, which resulted in plenty of muddy faces and butts for everyone that day. After hanging with a large pack for a few miles, Loretta and I made a move to start to get ahead of people. It was a little risky at times, due to the loose gravel we were plowing through, but we did finally get ahead and settled in to a quick pace.  Read the full story

Mullin's 2015 Almanzo 100 Report
Cyclova XC

I wasn't positive I was going to ride Almanzo this year even after it was resurrected from the dead. But in the end Starr was able to get the day off so we made our plans and were off to the Maple Springs campground Friday afternoon.  Read the full story


Crushing Gravel part 10: What does www.weatherpessimist.com say about Almanzo conditions?
Two Wheels From Home

I swear I haven't learned my lesson. I still look at weather.com a week before events, then again 5 days, 3 days and 1 day prior. Why do I do this to myself? Who knows. Maybe somewhere deep inside, I feel the need to freak myself out a bit. Of course weather.com was calling for up to 80% chance of rain/thunderstorms and high wind. Did I believe them? You bet. Although I'd like to consider myself an eternal optimist, I'll be honest, I'm not. This is how events go down for me. I plan and check everything within my power...then check again.  Read the full story

Failmanzo : 8 Thoughts, Observations, Recollections
The Minneapolis Musette

Almanzo 100 Race Results

Royal 162

Royal Ride
Blowing & Drifting

Saturday’s Royal 162 gravel race was exactly the race I needed to have. In the weeks leading up to the event – my longest-ever, at least in terms of distance – I felt that I hadn’t done nearly enough riding to prepare but that I needed to do well to rebuild my sense of confidence in my riding.  Read the full story

Royal 162 Race Results

Alexander 380

Alexander Race Report, Part I  
Tour Divide

This race report is a hard thing to write (and not just because the Alexander chewed me up, spit me out and then somehow managed to wind itself right into my soul!) Reconstructing the race is difficult, because my affinity for endurance events stems partly from my capacity to retreat deep into my own mind. (I would have made a “good” POW – terrible but true. Sometimes I think this “special skill” ought to be used for some good – some good outside my own good, that is!) But either way, I do have some crazy stories, plus a word or two (or three!) for the beauty and sheer magnitude that is the Alexander.  Read the full story  

Alexander, part II 
Tour Divide
 
I think there are a few things I skipped over at the end of part I. Riding out of PDC was interesting, and not just because of the fireworks in my stomach. We crossed the Mississippi again (back into Iowa), and there was some sort of party going on in a restaurant suspended above the river. It was a strange clash - my ruggedness and their civility. Shrill laughs and clinking glasses echoed in the dark night - a few garish party lights lacing the dark.  Read the full story


The Alexander 380 
sixcoopers

I stood in my kitchen the morning after the Alexander with my wrist in a brace, one arm in a sling, and more sore than I have been in a long time, struggling to remember the basics of making coffee. Scrapes and bruises, swollen legs, a huge knot in my hair that stuck out from the side of my head that I couldn’t get out…I’m sure I looked as dismal as I felt. I hadn’t intended to end up in such a miserable state, but apparently it’s just not a good gravel race unless I arrive home exhausted, starving, and a little battered. Viva la gravel!  Read the full story

Alexander 380 Champion Mark Skarpohl (Audio)
Over the Top Cycling 
Over the Top Cycling

Alexander 380 Gravel Race with Balvindar Singh (Audio)
Over the Top Cycling

The Alexander 380 with Sarah Cooper (Audio)
Over the Top Cycling

Alexander 380 Race Results

Photos

Almanzo 2015
Penn Cycle/Chris Chavie

Almanzo 100 2015
Brandon Sullivan

Almanzo 100 2015
Kim Mensinger

Almanzo 100
Todd Bauer (TMB Images)

Almanzo 2015
ME Photography

Rode the Almanzo 100 this past weekend. As always, it was a fantastic event. Even with the significant changes of this year…
Fuzzy Images

2015 Almanzo 100
Spring Valley Tribune

Almanzo
Bike Jerks

2015 Alexander 380 by #chubbybike
Balvindar Singh

Fallout: Ursula post-Alexander 380 by Emir (@scrvyknvs)
Balvindar Singh

Video

When the bikers got to gravel!
Valerie Pherson 

Press

Everything comes together for successful Wilderfest weekend
Bluff Country Newspaper Group/David Phillips

Miles and miles of gravel: Riding southern Minnesota's Almanzo 100
StarTribune/Patrick Stephenson

Almanzo100.bike Website Launched

Are you looking for more information on the Almanzo gravel races in Spring Valley coming up the third weekend in May?  Now there is the Almanzo100.bike website.  The new site was launched over a week ago and is the place to go to for maps, links to rosters, cue sheets and gpx file downloads for the Almanzo 100, Royal 162 and the Alexander 380.

If you haven't sent in your postcard yet, it's not too late.  Spring Valley Tourism, who has taken over the races for founder Chris Skogen will not have a cut-off date for registration.  

Image Credit: Spring Valley Tourism

Send in your postcard  with Name, Race Declaration and Contact Information to:

Almanzo

201 S. Broadway

Spring Valley, MN 55975

Registration can also be done by visiting the Almanzo100.bike Contact Us page and submitting your information as directed in the Facebook post below.  You may also register during the Friday night check-in and on Saturday morning before the Almanzo 100 and Royal 162 race starts.

Periodic updates for racers can be found on the Almanzo 100 Facebook page, @almanzoinfo on Twitter, the Spring Valley Tourism Facebook page and the Almanzo/Wilderfest 2015 Facebook event page.

Postcard Registration for Almanzo Races Still Open

Almanzo lives!  Yes, you will be able to race any of the three courses (Almanzo 100, Royal 162 and Alexander) at this year's Almanzo.  Founder and race organizer Chris Skogen has handed over the reigns to the Spring Valley Tourism Committee and he will finally get a chance to ride Almanzo for the first time.

A lot of you may think that registration is now closed because during the history of the Almanzo races Chris had postcard registration run from January 1st through the 31st.  "We are still accepting postcards and will do so through April, although the “official end of registration” is January 31st. We are looking forward to continuing Chris’s vision of free bicycle racing on gravel roads!"  Kathryn Simpson, Spring Valley Tourism Chair recently told me. 

The 2015 Almanzo 100 and Royal 162 will be held on Saturday, May 16th.  The Royal 162 will start at 7:00 am and the Almanzo 100 at 9:00 am.  For those doing the Alexander, start will be at the Spring Valley Community Center on Friday, May 15th at 5:00 am.  All three races will start and finish in downtown Spring Valley.

Send in your postcards to get on the roster and have your finish times recorded.  Mail them to:

Almanzo 

201 S. Broadway

Spring Valley, Mn 55975
Include your name, Race Declaration

and Contact Information

Image Credit: Spring Valley Tourism

For updates, visit the Spring Valley Tourism Facebook page and the Almanzo/Wilderfest Facebook Event page.  For questions about the Almanzo races, direct them to svalmanzo@gmail.com.

2015 Minnesota Gravel Grinders

Rural Minnesota is home to quite a few long standing gravel road races and with the growing popularity of the sport, rides to introduce those new to gravel are beginning to pop up, too.  With varying terrain, minimum maintenance roads, elevation changes, great rural scenery and unpredictable weather in the Spring and Fall, these events are sure to be fun and challenging.  Almost all of them are free, but unsupported requiring the participants to be their own repair and support crew.

This season's calendar will include all types of  gravel races and rides from around the state.  Some of these have registration cutoff dates, have a rider cap, or more information and registration details that are yet to be announced.  Below is a list of all of the gravel events in Minnesota that I'm aware of in chronological order.  I will continue to update and add events to this post as they become available.  If you are a race or event organizer and would like your event listed here and on my 2015 Minnesota Bike Tours, Rides, Races & Events Schedule, please send me an e-mail. 

Northern Exposure Ride V1-January 17, 2015

Solemn Lutheran Church

Hawley, MN

Approximately 30 miles 

Southern Exposure v1-February 21, 2015

Solem Lutheran Church
Hawley, MN
30-35 miles 

Lakeville-Milltown-Lakeville-March 28, 2015
Lakeville, MN
Approx. 80 miles 
100 rider cap 

Dirty Girl Women's Gravel Ride-April 11, 2015

Jack Ruhr Stadium
Miesville, MN
Approximately 50 miles 

Ragnarök 105-April 11, 2015

Red Wing, MN
105 miles
105 rider cap
Registration closed 

Mammoth Gravel Classic-April 18, 2015
Cyclova XC
St. Croix Falls, WI
100, 70, 35 miles 
Facebook Event Page 

Miesville FiftySix-April 19, 2015
Jack Ruhr Stadium
Miesville, MN
56 miles
250 rider cap
Postcard registration
Facebook Page 

Dickie Scramble-April 25, 2014
Elgin, MN
Approximately 75 miles
Registration open to day of race.
Facebook Event Page  

Penn Cycle Group Ride Tailgate Series-Gravel Ride-May 3, 2015
Caron Park
Faribault, MN
56 miles 

Alexander 380-May 15, 2015
Spring Valley, MN
380 miles
Postcard registration is now open

Almanzo 100/Royal 162-May 16, 2015
Spring Valley, MN 
162, 100 miles
Postcard registration is now open 

Driftless Dessertion 2015-June 6-7, 2015
Cyclocarbon
Rochester, MN 

Box of Frogs-June 7, 2015
Mississippi Riverfront
St. Paul, MN
60+ miles
Facebook Page 

Westside Dirty Benjamin-June 13, 2015
Chaska, MN
100 miles
Registration  

Woodticker 200-June 13, 2015
HLS Parish Center
Hawley, MN
200 miles 
Facebook Event Page  

RiotGRRRaveL-June 20, 2015
Hastings, MN
50, 30 miles 
Online Registration
200 rider cap 

Innuendo Gravel Grinder-June 21, 2015
Climax, MN
200, 100 miles 

French Lake Gravelfest-July 18, 2015
French Lake, MN
Facebook page 

Dirty Lemming-July 25, 2015
Watertown, MN
100 mile, 100 km
Postcard registration opens April 1st
100 rider cap 

Gritty Goose Gravel Grinder-August 1, 2015
Monticello, MN
65-70 miles
Online Registration   

Tour de Save-August 1, 2015
Riverside Park
Northfield, MN
62, 25, 10 miles & 100k gravel
Facebook page
Online Registration   

Fiddlin' Fifty-August 22, 2015
Balkan Township, MN
Approximately 50 miles
New Website
Facebook Page 
Event Flyer 
100 Rider Cap
Postcard registration closes July 1st 

The Heck Epic-August 22-23, 2015
Two Harbors/Ely, MN
220 miles 

Dirty Girl Adventure Gravel Ride-August 23, 2015
House of Coates
Coates, MN
30 miles 

River Valley 100-August 30, 2015
Mankato, MN
100 mile paved, 100 km paved,
100 km gravel ride, 100 km gravel race
Registration 

Legendary Laurentian-September 5, 2015
Giants Ridge
Biwabik, MN  

La Crosse Gravel Classic-September 6, 2015
La Crosse, WI
56 miles 
Online Registration


The Gravel Conspiracy-September 11-13, 2015
Duluth, MN
Route to be determined
Registration opening in March
75 rider cap 
Facebook Event page  

Back Forty F**k Festival-September 12, 2015
Denmark Twp, MN
80 miles
Registration 
Facebook Page   

Inspiration 100-September 12, 2015
Garfield, MN
100 miles
Postcard registration opens July 1st.
Facebook Page  

Tour of Filmore-September 27, 2015
Lanesboro, MN
75 miles 

Heck of the North Gravel Cycling Classic-October 3, 2015
Two Harbors, MN
110, 55 miles
Online Registration begins May 1st.
Facebook Page 

Woodchipper 100 v4-October 3, 2015
Viking Park
Hawley, MN
100 miles 
Facebook Event Page  

Goodhue Gravel Grinder-October 4, 2015
Dennison, MN
Approximately 50 miles  

The Filthy 50-October 11, 2015
Stewartville, MN
52 miles
Online Registration 

Dirt Bag-October 18, 2015
Clearwater, MN
Facebook page

2014 Almanzo 100/Royal 162 Stories

Once again, the 2014 Almanzo & Royal 162 did not fail to challenge racers this year and there is no shortage of accounts of these races being blogged about.  I have compiled a list of some of the best ones here for you to read as well as links to photo galleries and a few videos.  Whether you participated this year or in previous years, are thinking about doing the Almanzo 100/Royal 162 next year or you're a cyclist that would just like to read about what it's like doing the granddaddy of tough gravel grinders, you are sure to enjoy these stories.

To learn more about what is required of the rider to participate in the Almanzo 100 from race founder Chris Skogen, watch this video put together by Royal Antler.

Almanzo 100

The Almanzo 100: Howling for you.
Clodhopper Rides

I've heard the Almanzo described as "just a bike ride, with 1400 of your closest friends." While there was some quickly, perfectly formed friendships, there was also some very lonely miles. I had elation, terror, exhaustion and peace in the space of the day, and not in the order that you might expect. Before we get to details, lets lay down some basics.  Read the full story

Spring Valley, MN – Pt. 2 
Minneapolis Musette

The Almanzo 100 : 10 Thoughts, Observations, Recollections

1. There were four (4) great dogs on this year’s jaunt around Spring Vally, MN. They are as follows :

A(1) – The yellow lab named after an Alaskan peninsula. This dog enjoyed licking legs, head scratches and general crotch sniffing.

B(2) – The black mutt that accompanied the yellow lab named after an Alaskan peninsula. This dog enjoyed occasionally scolding the yellow lab named after an Alaskan peninsula for gluttonous crotch sniffing.  Read the full story

Scene Report: 2014 Almanzo 100
Hot Dog Days

Almanzo 100; Spring Valley, MN; 5/17/14
I’m only 40 years old but goddamn if my body doesn’t feel a lot older than that on most days. Yet I train (when I train, that is) like I’m still 20 despite nothing responding the way I’d like it to. So naturally,I prefer to jump in the deep end when some sort of event comes up. When someone says “Hey let’s do one of those fun mud runs”, I say “OK, how about the Tough Mudder?” Likewise when my training partner suggested I do a bike race, I opted for the Almanzo, which is 100 miles of gravel roads through the hilly farm country of Southeastern Minnesota.  Read the full Story

Holly's Almanzo 2014

Grease Rag Ride & Wrench

Almanzo 100! Where do I begin??? I really had no idea what to expect when I signed up for this race. When I mailed in my postcard in January the longest ride I had ever completed was 65 miles and that was on my road bike. How was I going to survive 100 miles on gravel?  Read the full story

Zero to Hundo: The Big Hurt, Part 1 — Stupid or Smart?
Artcrank

The Big Hurt.
The baseball fans among you may recognize this as the nickname of Hall Of Famer Frank Thomas, so christened because of his prodigious tendency to mercilessly pound baseballs. Thomas used to warm up in the on-deck circle by swinging a rusty piece of rebar salvaged from the ruins of the old Comiskey Park in Chicago.
It’s also how I’ve been referring to the Almanzo 100 since last weekend, after I finished another 100-mile ride — the Fulton Gran Fondo. As documented in my previous post, that experience totaled up to 120 miles in the saddle. And it hurt.  Read the full story

Zero to Hundo: The Big Hurt, Part 2 — Parting Words
Artcrank

The hills of Fillmore County left their dusty footprints all over my backside.
If I were forced to sum up my Almanzo in a single sentence, it’d probably read something like that. Thankfully, I’m not. And in spite of the fact that I’ve already spent a few hundred (or thousand) words talking about Almanzo, here are some more random access memories.  Read the full story

Patina of Gravel Dust- Almanzo 2014
Grease Rag Ride & Wrench

2013 was the first year I rode the Almanzo 100, and it was the hardest thing I had done in my life (brief recognition of this privilege of my relatively easy life). After the haze of suffering had worn off, I sent in my postcard to do it all over again in 2014.  Read the full story

We Three #GENTS
Bicycle Theory

Introducing Almanzo 
Saturday (May 17, 2014) provided another beautiful day for 6,666.6 feet of climbing (and even more descending, it turns out) across 100 miles of southeast Minnesota gravel. Granted, the headwinds (and massive dust) we encountered didn’t help, but the [A] temperature was perfect, [B] our friends at Banjo Brothers once again provided spirit-raising libations at at mile 76 (along with Elvis), and [C] a lucky few even got to ride with some excited horses that wanted to join the fun!
So how did the #GENTS fare?  Read the full story

2014 Almanzo 100 Report 
Cyclova XC

What a blast!  If you've ever ridden a bicycle and you live within a thousand miles of Spring Valley, MN, you really need to make a point of participating in the Almanzo some day!  It's called a "race" but don't let that intimidate you.  The event is super casual (although there is a solid contingent of serious guys too if that's what you're looking for), unsupported, with thousands of chill cyclists out to have a good time and willing to lend a helping hand if you get in a pinch.  I'd call it one of the biggest rolling parties you'll ever see!  Read the full story

Almanzo Wrap Up
Local Knowledge

I never got around to doing this last year so, shame on me.
I was a bit worried about my form this spring knowing what I had to expect after riding Almanzo for the first time last year. A couple of colds this spring, some physical issues that kept me off the bike for a few days, all leading to a concern that I would not go as well at Almanzo this year as compared to last.
I arrived in Spring Valley with 45 minutes to spare before the race started.  Read the full story

Low's 'manzo 2014
Grease Rag Ride & Wrench

For ME, riding 100 miles is hard. Riding almost exclusively through gravel is hard. Climbing 4,702 feet on my trusty and reliable bike is really hard. Last year's race put me through the ringer, and was one of the top five physical challenges I've done in my life so far. I started calling it the AlmanzNO, because of how difficult last year's race was, and the intense "racer" vibe. But I love challenging myself and I had such a good time riding with Kat, that when she asked me to ride with her again this year, I answered without hesitation. "Yes!"  Read the full story

Almanzo100 recap, thoughts, and lessons learned…
Spinningitall

Where do I even begin…
Sometime back in January I decided to send in my postcard to ride the Almanzo100.  (If you didn’t watch the video above, do so now.)
Why? Well, first of all, 100 miles of gravel and climbing hills in southern MN sounds great on -10F day when you haven’t seen the sun in 30 days.  Second, I thought it would give me motivation to ride the trainer a lot this winter.  Lastly, it seemed like a good early training tool for the Triple Bypass Ride I am signed up for in July.  Read the full story

Image Credit: Sveta Kovalchuk

Sveta's Almanzo
Grease Rag Ride & Wrench

Almanzo begins in January when you send your postcard in to register for the race. Then, a month before the race, the constant “Almanzo” talk begins on Facebook.
On the way to Rochester you realize that everyone is headed to Almanzo - hundreds of cars are on the road with bicycles.
2014 is my third Almanzo. In 2012 I finished on a mountain bike. In 2013, on a 29er.
In 2012, on a downhill I fell hard and crashed 30 miles after the start - so the biggest challenge for me was just to finish.
In 2013, I was not in very good physical shape.
This year, up until the last day I could not decide on what bike to ride: my Salsa Fargo or my fat bike.  Read the full story

Almanzo 2014
France Barbeau Photography

This year I decided to race in the Almanzo 100, it was my first gravel race. I spent a lot of time trying to get ready for both the camping and racing. I've come to realize that you could never feel ready, you just have to go for it!

First off, I got a lot of help through friends and the bike community, especially the seminar that Natalia Mendez, Megan Barr and Loretta Trevino hosted weeks before the race for Riotgrrravel. Of course I knew I needed food, tools, a variety of bike tools and things to carry those things in, but they got into more detail. There were a few that I had to borrow or buy and thanks to our sponsor Sunrise Cyclery, through team Koochella, I was able to purchase with a discount.  Read the full story

Crushing Gravel Part 5: Turning Gravel into Dust at Almanzo
Two Wheels from Home

Somewhere between the miles of 50-65, on this year's Almanzo 100, I gazed out into the farm fields and began to laugh.  To my knowledge, no one was around to hear me.  It began as laughing at the universe for sending me a sign, and turned into laughing at myself for how pitiful I felt for a few miles.  What started this hysterical laughter--it may or may not have been only in my head--I wouldn't know since no one was around to stare and ask if I was alright?  Read the full story

The Oasis At the Almanzo 100 2014 Edition
Banjo Blog

One week ago we hosted an unoffical water stop at mile 78 in the Township of Cherry Grove, Minnesota. Almanzo weekend consists of three totally self-supported events: The Almanzo 100, The Royal 162 and the nearly 400 Mile Alexander. The Almanzo got started back in 2007 and was founded by Chris Skogen. The 100 mile route rolls though Southern Minnesota's Filmore county. The gravel course features nearly 8000 feet of vertical climbing in some of the most picturesque scenery Minnesota has to offer.  Read the full story

100 Miles of Gravel: Riding Almanzo
Patrick Stephenson-StarTribune

This past Saturday, a couple thousand cyclists from Minnesota (and around the Earth!) participated in the Almanzo 100. Named after Laura Ingalls Wilder's husband and staged in Southeastern Minnesota, the Almanzo is a 100-mile gravel race, with gnarly roads, epic hills and even river crossings. In short, it's a century that's a bit hardier than the norm. "Think of the worst piece of asphalt you've ever ridden," organizer Chris Skogen has told Men's Journal, "and it's just a little worse than that."
After not having owned a bike for 15 years, Robbinsdale resident Josh Freeman rode this year's Almanzo, on a brand-new steed. I asked him a few questions to get the lowdown: Why ride it? What makes it hard? And will he do it again?  Read the full story

Royal 162

The Royal 162
The Scales: Balancing Bikes and Everything Else

The Royal 162 is the big brother of the Almanzo 100 gravel road race created and organized by Chris Skogan. The Royal starts and ends in Spring Valley, MN. Along the mostly, and i mean nearly entirely, gravel roads, one can really take in the beauty of spring in southern Minnesota/northern Iowa. The gravel roads take you in and out of the valleys, along creeks and streams, thru Amish communities, and by many-a-barn. A great way to spend the day is about all I can say.  Read the full story

Royal Ride
Snow & Gravel

Saturday’s Royal 162 gravel race was exactly the race I needed to have. In the weeks leading up to the event – my longest-ever, at least in terms of distance – I felt that I hadn’t done nearly enough riding to prepare but that I needed to do well to rebuild my sense of confidence in my riding.

My last race, the Fat Pursuit in March, had not been a failure, but I had not, in the end, crossed the finish line, which has rankled ever since. And in the month before the Royal, two separate illnesses (birthday strep and then a nagging cough last week) ruined my plans for several big rides and several other hard workouts – efforts that would have had good physical and mental payoffs, readying the legs and the mind.  Read the full story

Loretta's Royal Almanzo 2014
Grease Rag Ride & Wrench

This past weekend was my fourth visit to Spring Valley, Minnesota. The previous visits were to ride the Gentleman's ride and race the Almanzo. These roads are where my passion for gravel racing was born. If you take a minute to look up, the south eastern country side of Minnesota is breathtaking. After completing the 100 mile Almanzo course, I wanted to see if I could push myself to do the Royal, which adds 60 more miles onto the already brutal course. In preparation, I went on several solo adventure gravel rides. I needed to prove to myself I could be on the bike alone for 12+ hours. Read the full story

Royal 162
non-coastal simulacral extravaganza

There's this thing with gravel events. You send in a postcard months in advance. It's usually deep in the winter. You're dreaming of summer. You're eager to put training plans into place to meet this year's goal. And then, life happens...as do long-winded race write-ups...

This year, rather than making a third year in a row of the very fine, wonderfully challenging Almanzo 100, I instead opted for its more ambitious companion, the Royal 162. (No, I didn't go for the 380+ mile Alexander, as much as the fellas tried to get me to change my mind the night before...) It would serve as my May Hundy-of-the-Month Club ride -- 14 months in a row -- and with a course as beautiful as the Almanzo, I was up for taking on a few more hours of scenery and a little less dust and ditch-to-ditch bike traffic at the start.  Read the full story

Royal 162
What I Do

I don't even know where to start. What a day. I guess it started back in September 2013 when Diana and I were choosing a wedding date. I told her that every weekend was open EXCEPT the weekend after Mother's Day. That weekend is never going to be open.
Then January rolled around and I got out a postcard and instead of writing Almanzo 100 as I had for the past 4 years, I slowly wrote Royal 162.  Read the full story

 

Photos

Almanzo 100 - 2014
MN Bike Trail Navigator

Almanzo 2014
Craig Linder

2014 Almanzo Royal 162
Scott Redd

The Almanzo 100
Nate Ryan Photography and Motion

Almanzo 100
Justin Lackner

The Royal 162
Jeremy Kershaw Photography

Video 

2014 Almanzo River Crossing PSA #3 
 

Almanzo 100 - May 17th 2014- Attack of the Horses

Water Crossing at the 2014 Almanzo 100 

Riding the water crossing at the 2014 Almanzo 100

Almanzo 100 start

 

Biking with horses - Almanzo 100

almanzo100 2014 

Running with Almanzo.  

Maps

Almanzo 100 Course

Royal 162 Course