3GR Report

Ali digging for a bottle

Hey, guess what? I actually thought to bring a camera on the ride this past Friday! I know....amazing!

Well, the 3GR is having a slow start with folks. This time I played host to my co-worker, Ali, who was on her first gravel grinder. She brought along her recently purchased 70's era Kabuki.

(See- you don't need to worry about which bike you "need", you just "need" to ride your bicycle!)

I used a slightly modified loop to what the first two had been, since there was a wicked South-Southeasterly wind afoot. So we went only a few miles North, and then mostly East, a bit back South, then back Westwards to finish up.

It was good to pass on a bit of knowledge to a new rider, and I think Ali got a good time out of it all. We did arrive at the conclusion that she is likely a natural born single speeder. I look for the Kabuki to shed some shifty bits soon!

Okay, I am still planning on continuing this series of rides every Friday at 5:30pm out of Gateway Park. Hope to see ya all there!

3GR Report

I didn't get a pic on the ride, but I rode this bike!

I forgot my camera for the first 3GR on Friday, May 4th. We had five riders and did about a 20 mile loop north out of Cedar Falls at a very casual pace.

We're teeing up to do it all again this coming Friday at 5:30pm at Gateway Park to go north out of town again.

Maybe this time we'll get the whole loop in! We cut the ride a little short due to weather concerns last Friday. Come join us in the fun!

Update On The 3GR For This Friday

Hey all! 3GR is happening this Friday at 5:30pm. I have a route picked out that should be fairly easy for most gravel aficionados and will make a great beginners  route. Here are the details:

• Ride start at 5:30pm Friday, May 4th
• Meet at Gateway Park at the shelter.
• Route will be 20-25 miles north and east of Cedar Falls
• Must wear an ANSI approved helmet to ride.

Riders of all abilities are encouraged to check out the gravel with me. If this takes root there will be a varied route selection in the future with longer Saturday options which will be in different, scenic locations in Iowa.

Stay tuned for more announcements, and come join me for some gravel good times.

Update On 3GR

Okay folks, the first "3GR" ride is going to happen on Friday May 4th at 5:30pm starting from Europa Cycle And Ski's back door.

The route should be a fairly easy paced, 25-30mile maximum ride north out of Cedar Falls and back to Europa. An exact route detail will be posted next week.

Hope to see you then!

"3GR": A New Group Ride Idea

There are a few of us at Europa Cycle and Ski that are into riding on gravel roads. It is a lot of fun. I know......I know! You may be thinking that riding on gravel roads is nuts. We're crazy about it, that's for sure, but it may not be as nuts of an idea as you are thinking.

On gravel road rides you....

• Have the road to yourself
• It's peaceful, quiet, and beautiful
• Any traffic that does come along is seen long before it gets to you.
• Folks seem friendlier.

I could go on and on, but really, you have to try it out for yourself. So, to get that chance and do it with some experienced riders, Europa Cycle and Ski is going to start doing gravel road rides on a regular basis. The exact nature and timing of this has yet to be figured out, but I do have a name already. I'm calling it the "3GR". It stands for "Gravel Grinder Group Rides".

Stay tuned for details as I get them. The Gravel Grinder Group Rides are going to start out as easier routes to start with to get those that are curious out and not have them be overwhelmed. The routes will likely be 30 miles or less. I'm thinking once a week, and maybe once every two weeks to start out.

Then there will be bigger rides off and on throughout the summer. Also- there will be a fun demo of gravel friendly bikes in late June to go along with this. Stay tuned for more as it gets figured out.