GLGA Gravel World

Around lincoln ne

by: rafal doloto

Before I write about my adventures on bike this Saturday..I would like to thank Corey, Troy, Smidthy, JB and rest of the PCL guys. You guys are awesome bunch and you always have great positive attitude about cycling, in many ways your positive vibe inspire to be better cyclist. All those guys put a lot of hard work into making this event happen, and the hard work paid off with a great event. Congrats on a great event, .

Now to the proper event ride up. James and I left Omaha for Lincoln filled weekend right after work. After check-in and some yia-yia’s pizza we were off to bed with Mr.Miles. The room kind of sucked, it smelled like smoke and the air conditioner sounded like model-t, but it is what it is. We got to start line and listen to Corey doing his thing.  And we were off geared guys and Chris Hansen took off. Jeff and I just sat back 22 mph on single speed is sufficient speed for start. The first leg of the journey was pretty fast. We averaged 17.5 mph, it was still relatively cool and spirits were high.  Cruising was the word.

Picture cvo

Valpo was quick refuel and it was off to Malcom.   This stretch had some sweet MMR roads nice break from gravel that’s for sure.  Now I’m not going to claim that Mike Tyson is a genius but one of his saying does come to mind. “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in face”, I would like to say until you crash on downhill.  What happened was just bad luck, Bruce from Cycleworks hit a rut on down hill i was pretty close behind him, there were two choices, run over Bruce or go around and end up in the ditch.  Well I wasn’t a dick and didn’t ride over him, i didn’t steer quite fast enough and clipped him with my left foot pretty hard. and I went down somewhat hard on side of the road.  Bruce got worst of it. He was very apolagetic and it’s all good after all it’s all part of racing.

I ended up with bum knee that was kind of hard to bend.  The worst part of the crash was the fact I lost my car key somewhere in dirt, now that part totally sucked. After 2-3 minutes of freaking out and having this mental picture of Megan looking for spare key and driving to Lincoln I have found the key. Cleaned myself fixed my mess up bar tape, brake lever and proceeded to chase the guys down.  The damage was done though I couldn’t generate any power on the climbs I would limp up hill on each climb.  I decided to ride to Malcom and see what is what. 4-5 advils later and couple of stretches I decided to proceed on too next leg. It was getting somewhat hot we stopped by oasis number one for refill.  Elizabeth’s parents were awesome cucomber water and conversation about pickles was awesome. Bruce was showing off his battle wounds… I was… observing… it yeah… that… is it.

Picture by cornbread

Route to hickman was though I rode for longest time with Mike Johnson and we had good time. The gas station at hickman was full of sweaty dude looking confused I always wander what people at the stores think of us.  Interesting indeed… Mike and I sat there for good 20-30 minutes, cooled off and proceeded to to towards the finish.  That lasted for me about 15 miles on some MMR i just couldn’t pedal anymore I let mike go and contemplated what to do. I sat for while and gave it another shot. Proceed all the way to end of rode 190 and that was it I knew I was done.  next 40 minutes I spend taking to farmer and playing with his dog named Rommel. Then some dudes picked me off and dropped me off at the oasis.  I had couple of beers and talked to some Lincoln peps.  My mustache looked good…. so I was told…

Picture Anne Savery

After proceeding to finish I thank corey for his hard work and went home.  On way home I had megan order some zio’s pizza.  I came and shower ate 3 slices of pizza and crashed on floor around 8:30 pm. So that was it for gravel world and mental what if questions. The course was pretty tough only 4 single speed people completed the whole thing. (Maybe it’s time to get geared bike?) I love this events and the people who attend them.   The way a look at it you can pay crap load of money to go and do elite national event or you can go and support local people who are you friends, give it your all and have a blast. I know where I"m going to be…

Yesterday my leg was still a bit swollen and today it looks like Megan gave me a big charlie horse when I was sleeping but the range of motion is a bit better.  I’m still on fence about this weekend.