2014 Sub-9 Gravel Grovel - NEW MTB CATEGORIES!

[tjuillerat]

Registration is now open for the 2014 Sub-9 Gravel Grovel!


Join us at the Midwest Trail Ride Horseman's Camp (Norman, IN) on Saturday, Novebmer 29th (yes, the Saturday after Thanksgiving) for the 6th annual event.  This year our 62 mile race is once again the finale for the American UltraCross Championship Race Series.  We will also host our popular 20 mile Fun Ride as part of this year's event.


Gravel Grovel Race - 62 Miles
~ Men's Open
~ Men's Open Masters (40+)
~ Women's Open
~ Women's Open Masters (40+)
~ Singlespeed/Fixed
~ Tandem
~ Men's Open MTB
~ Women's Open MTB


Gravel Grovel Fun Ride - 20 Miles


Online registration will close at NOON on Wednesday, November 26.  YOU MUST REGISTER NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 TO GUARANTEE RECEIVING YOUR FREE EVENT TSHIRT.


Early Bird Registration now through the end of September.  Price increases beginning October 1.  Hoosier National Forest passes ARE INCLUDED in this year's registration.


Go to http://www.gravelgrovel.com for all event info or http://www.bikereg.com/gravelgrovel2014 to register.

[Fett]

Tania,
What are the guidelines for mountain bike division? Is it a flat bar and a certain tire size?  I know many racers run cross tires on their mountian bike for this race.  It may be good to sepcify a 1.8 or 1.9" minimum tire size.  You know how some guys always push the rules

[tjuillerat]

Here is my one and only answer regarding mountain vs cross bikes...

Your bike must definitively fit into one of the listed categories (cross, mtb, ss, tandem). Franken-bikes run the risk of being ridiculed by others and subsequently disqualified from the category entered. Any questionable bike will automatically be entered into the cross bike category.

In other words.. I don't care about tire size - be that on a mountain or cross bike, but if there is any question about the bike itself it will automatically go into the cross bike category.  I'm not looking to spend my time defining the difference between a mountain bike and a cross bike. I realize I may have opened a can of worms with this one.. but if it becomes a pain in my ass I will just pull the plug on the mountain bike categories.  :-D


This year will be a test.  Pass - and I will continue splitting out mountain bikes... fail and next year everyone will be grouped together again. 

[Fett]

Good Answer!

[Dave G.]

I agree-if it looks and walks like a duck...

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[tomc]

I don't know that I can even compete in the MTB category but I know for sure I can't compete in the Cross category with my bike. Thankful you have chosen to try and separate the bike types as there is a major difference in Cross bikes and my old school 26er. BTW if I'm over 40 (which I am) and riding a mountain bike, will I be put in the Masters category or the MTB category??

[tjuillerat]

I don't know that I can even compete in the MTB category but I know for sure I can't compete in the Cross category with my bike. Thankful you have chosen to try and separate the bike types as there is a major difference in Cross bikes and my old school 26er. BTW if I'm over 40 (which I am) and riding a mountain bike, will I be put in the Masters category or the MTB category??

Anyone on a mountain bike will be grouped in the mountain bike category regardless of age. 

[Fett]

There is just enough single track in the race that a mountain is not at a disadvantage in the race. In the lead group of 5 last year, there were 3 cross bikes and 2 mountain bikes

[Fett]

One other question.  Will the route remain the same as last year?  I thought you guys did a great job of tying together all of the brutality that the area had to offer in one route in last years course.

[chuckdlou]

yes, there will be changes...yes, it will be more brutal...(insert big evil grin here)

[tjuillerat]

One other question.  Will the route remain the same as last year?  I thought you guys did a great job of tying together all of the brutality that the area had to offer in one route in last years course.

you know I can't leave well enough alone... of course the route will have some changes this year.  ;-)

[Fett]

Add in the trails to Callahan and I will be happy

[tjuillerat]

Add in the trails to Callahan and I will be happy

But then you give away the location of Callahan!

[MikeHufhand]

MORE SINGLETRACK!!!!!! MORE SINGLETRACK!!!!!!

[bboehman]

Absolutely Mike!!  How about all 45 miles of Hickory Trails and "sprinkle" in some gravel.