The 2024 running of the Granddaddy of all gravel race routes is in the books and the events’ self-reliance and ultimate physical challenges were put to the test this past Saturday. This was the 15th consecutive year grassroots gravel racing has rolled out from the small SE Minnesota town of Spring Valley; where the “Prairies” meet the “Bluffs”, and both were extremely challenging on this day. To sum up the conditions into one word: “Whirlwind!” While we all enjoyed the 61 degree and scattered cloud start, it was readily apparent what we were up against as soon as Greg and Suzie Brooks and Spring Valley Fire and Ambulance safely guided us out of town to the gravel raceway.
We made the right turn onto the gravel and the wind that was at our backs was now pushing us towards the ditches on the left. The relentless wind would be playing a significant factor and would be testing our minds, bodies and souls throughout the day, forces us to seek much needed shade and hydration. The 20-25 mph winds with gusts in the 30s stayed with us throughout the race and 61 degrees quickly turned to mid 80s with direct sun, the combination of both generated dreaded dust tornadoes on the prairies. It’s probably one of the things that draws riders back each year, the route remains the same, but the ever-changing road and weather conditions make it a whole new race from year-to-year.
While we added a 60-mile offering this year, the 100-mile historic Almanzo route was the most popular choice of registrants as it remains a must-ride gravel century race throughout the gravel racing community. This was my 10th consecutive year of putting my tires on the Starting Line from historic downtown Spring Valley. Whether it’s named Almanzo, Keep Gravel Weird, The Quarantini 100(COVID year) or the Spring Valley Gravel Races, the questions at the start remain the same: have I trained well enough to overcome anything Mother Nature will throw my way?, will my trusty bike remain trusty?, have I carried enough fluid and nutrition to carry me the distance? The last question was answered around mile 40 when I realized I had almost completely drained my Camelbak, two 20 oz bottles of secret potion and 20 ozs of pickle juice. Just when I began questioning my poor rationing of fluids a curious directional sign appeared in the distance just on the edge of scenic Forestville State Park…and under it a silver pickup…with its tailgate down; could it be a mirage or had Race Angels appeared to save the day?…Saved!!
While I was racing the new 60-mile route this year, the conditions certainly made it feel like I had ridden the 100-mile route when I crossed the finish line and ditched my body and bike in the cool grass next to the shaded finishing chute…at last, the wind became a welcomed element. Back to the race, with all our reservoirs refilled we finally made our turn to the North. With 20-25mph winds at our backs and on flat to long rollers on hero gravel we were finally able to post sustained speeds of 25-30mph, 42 mph on the big downhill, before facing “The Wall” and the mightiest of challenges, Oriole Hill. My gps topped out at a 19 percent grade on the first incline and like the Little Engine that Could, I chugged up the beast without touching toe to gravel to the top with our race group waiting in the shade of a dense canopy of oak and maple trees knowing we were about to turn back into the wind for our final 10 miles to the finish.
Our group all made it to the Finish Line together…in a time that any 100-mile racer would be proud of (remember, we raced the 60 miler this year), about an hour and ten minutes more than our fantasized goal, but still ahead of the first 100-mile finisher; sure glad we didn’t have to go a year with that hanging over our heads. No matter the distance covered or whether or not one makes it to the Finish Line, you can always be proud of the miles you put behind you on these most challenging of gravel race courses. Mission accomplished!
A special thanks to our small but mighty group of perpetual volunteers, Mayor Archer for seeing us off, the City of Spring Valley, Chamber of Commerce, Greg and Suzie Brooks (Cherry Grove Race Angels), Root River Auto Bus and Diesel, Sunshine Foods, TJs, SV Fire and Ambulance crews, Fillmore County Sheriffs Dept, the Cherry Grove Community Center, the cowbell ringers who cheered us on from their front porches on our way out of town, and all who make these free, grassroots gravel-racing events a success, especially the racers..
Congratulations to all who took on the biggest gravel races on the prairie. Here are our top finishers: 100-mile male, 100-mile female, 60-mile female, 60-mile male
P.S. Based on the percentage of starters to finishers on both routes, there may be a little unfinished business for next year. We’ll see you at the start line in 2025 the first Saturday after Mothers Day.
Cheers!
Paul, Mike and Alan
