Death Ride '09
Published by Guitar Ted on Saturday at 10:15 AM.
Well, it is almost here! The 2009 version of the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational is Saturday, July 18th. I will be camping out, hopefully, Friday night at Echo Valley Park just east of West Union, weather permitting. Here's the fine details on the camping situation:Directions: To get to the park from West Union, take Highway 18 east into town. When you get to Pine Street, which is a stop light, hang a right/south and follow Pine Street all the way to the southern outskirts of town where it will flow to the left. just keep following this East/Southeasterly blacktop out of town. When you go about a mike and a half, it turns suddenly to gravel. Don't go into the gravel!! At this point there will be a sign that says Echo Valley on your left. turn left here. It looks like you could go left or right on this gravel road, but stay right. You will be going steeply down to a low water crossing. Go across, the road goes left and up. Then you will see a right hander. I will be at the top of this, if the weather is good.More Info: Now, here's the deal with this place. It is totally primitive. No water, pit toilets, and no bathroom/showers. So be prepared if you come to camp. There is a fire ring, so if you want a fire, bring some wood. We'll be just hanging out, maybe having a drink, and then sleeping until the next morning.Figure on being set to go around 6:30 at the latest. We will set off from the point where the Echo Valley Road turned to gravel at the entrance to the campground. We will be taking Echo Valley Road eastwards from there. Cue sheets will be available either printable on-line or at the start, but once we leave, we're not coming back until we finish the loop. Distance should be about 110 miles.Hit me with an e-mail if you want to let me know you'll be there or if you have any questions. I'll post up any last minute changes later if there are any. Stay tuned!
Labels: GTDRI 2009
Event Details
Published by Guitar Ted on Friday at 6:00 AM.
Note: 2009 Will Happen 7/17-7/18
Start/Finish: Echo Valley State Park, near West Union, IA
Event Time: Sun rise to sun set
Distance:Approx 110 miles
Cost: FREE
Course: Gravel Roads
Pass Through Towns: Elgin, Elkader, Garber, Strawberry Point, Volga, Wadena
Why: Because I like to go on long gravel rides. Maybe you do too? If so, consider yourself invited.
Where: County gravel roads and maybe a "B" level maintenance road or two. A specific route will be posted after I verify the existence of the roads. Some pavement will be experienced through pass through towns.
How: Self navigated by a provided route map. The map details will be posted later. NO COURSE MARKINGS of any kind will be put up by me. That's waaay too much work, and besides, all the roads are marked at intersections with "street signs", so your ride can find you if you bail out, get injured, are attacked by pigs, etc...... You will be self supporting. There are no aid stations....well, not in the traditional"race" sort of way. Convenience stores will have to do! No one will pick you up if you are in trouble that is related to this event since, well....I'll be riding it! There is nobody else! Fend for yourself or........... (It is called "Death Ride" after all!) Get the picture? That said, I'd recommend bringing your cell phone. (Maybe lights too, see the "Latest News" for more)
When and for How Long?: July 17-18th: Sun up to sun down. If ya wanna ride longer, that's entirely up to you. The event's "time stamp" will be at the afore mentioned times.
It's not a race?: Nope! But that doesn't mean you can't "race it". Ride whatcha brung, go as fast as you want to. The point for me is to experience the terrain, the suffering, and the camaraderie of riding with any like-minded folk that show up. If no one does, well that's okay. I'll still be out there! I won't be keeping any results, so don't expect any! I'll keep a roster of who started and who finished. That's it. I'm going rain or shine. Be prepared to do the same if you come.
Thank You's: I want to thank all of you that have expressed interest in this little ride. Also to Jeff Kerkove, of Kerkove Media for all of his expertise on this site.
Keep checking back.