Thursday, October 5, 2017

Seasons are shifting...September Gravel Grinders


After an awesome summer of traveling and biking, we finally got to September. With September came the time for me to return to work, as a teacher, and summer's end. We finished off our summer with Rebecca's Private Idaho Small Fry and began our fall with JayP's 60 mile Gravel Pursuit. 



Rebecca's Private Idaho was a huge event in comparison to the Dead Swede 40, that we completed back in June. The race took place in Sun Valley and had just over 800 participants between the Big Potato and Small Fry. 


Bryon pulled April in the Burley behind his Salsa Mukluk and I rode my Salsa Fargo. The first 12 or so miles of the route climbed. We found that even though we had started at the very back of the pack we were able to pass people during the long climb. 


The aid stations were well stocked with Red Bull and GU products and the overall event was fantastic. We finished in just under 5 hours with a time of 4:55:29. April did well in the burley as always and was all smiles when we stopped at aid stations and at the finish. 



JayP's Gravel Pursuit


To wrap up September we completed JayP's 60 mile Gravel Pursuit. Last year when this event took place I was 8 1/2 months pregnant and drove up the day of the event to see Bryon finish. This year I was participating! The Gravel Pursuit is based in Island Park, ID at the Pond's Lodge. We camped at the Buffalo Campground in the Alaskan the night before the event. 

We chose to ride our Salsa Mukluks for the Gravel Pursuit. We had gone up to Island Park a few times before the actual event to ride segments of the course and found that fat tires were necessary, for towing the burley on the course. Bryon towed April the first 42 miles and I towed her the last 21 miles. The weather turned about 6 hours into our almost 8 hour ride. We were prepared for the rain and cold though. I had put a fleece bunting bag in April's Burley, so she stayed plenty warm. We had brought rain gear to ride in for Bryon and myself. 


The route was challenging, but we completed the course. Our summer riding and training had paid off. I was thrilled to cross the finish and head into the nearby Pond's Lodge, for salads and pizza.
I am sure we will return to the Gravel Pursuit next year. It really is a wonderful local event, that Jay and Tracy put on.


We are thankful for all the support we have received from Derrick & Liz Nobman and the entire staff at Fitzgerald's Bicycles in Victor, ID, to help us with all of our bicycle needs. We are proud to be shop ambassadors. Our September was pretty spectacular and I can't wait for our upcoming fall and winter adventures!

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