Purple

Slowing getting back to riding.  Left knee was injured prior to Trans Iowa digging up a bush in my front yard.  What a way to get hurt.  It's not been easy to take it easy.  I'm a terribly impatient patient.  Took almost two full weeks off the bike after Trans Iowa.  Was able to commute a couple of times, but knew I wasn't ready shortly after taking off for work.

The knee is still "not normal", but the pain is getting better.  Hoping to be good to go for DK next weekend.  If not, oh well.  Just gonna hafta grit it out.

Trans Iowa V9 - It's always a fun adventure!

 Rollin' to the start from the hotel

 Trippy

 Rasta Homies

Ready to roll

 And we're off!

 Dry roads!

 Vehicle approaching in the darkness

 Moon in the western sky

 Humid air leads to dusty coating

 Here comes the sun...

 Beautiful morning!

 Rolling into Checkpoint #1 with Paul LaCava

 Dry B roads!  Wow.

Gravel Brethren

Stoked to have ridden in my seventh Trans Iowa.  We had beautiful weather and near perfect road conditions.  Lots of gutsy performances this year.  And that's what makes this event great...raising above and overcoming the seemingly insurmountable obstacles.  And the smiles at the finish are priceless. 

I didn't finish this year, but really enjoyed the time I spent out there on the gravel.  Met some great folks and really enjoyed the early morning beauty.  Already looking forward to next year.  

Thanks to Mark and all the volunteers.  You folks are the best.  Also thanks to the Cycle Works crew and our support team of Lis and Bruce.  May the Gravel Gods smile upon you!

Border!

Rollin'!

Overcast!

Regroup!

Dirt!

Fluffy!

Loose!

Stop!

Hound!

Border!

Kansas!

Eat!

Maintainer!

Curvy!

MMP!

Saturday!

 

 Phallic!

 

 Wills!

 Kiddoo!

 Prague!

 Accordion!

 Cyndy!

 Barbed!

 Tailwind!

 Smiles!

Rollin'!

Sunday Hunday!

 Meadowlark!

 Regroup!

 Twins!

 Rollin'!

 

 Vintage!

 Poetic!

 Refuel!

MMR!

Beauty!

Gravel Worlds is coming together

Odin's Revenge

Big thanks to Chad, Matt, Bob and the rest of the Odin's Revenge promoters.  The first half of the course was beautiful.  Next year I plan on seeing the whole thing.  Congrats to Mike Marchand for taking the win and MG for his second place finish.  Congrats to all the Sheclismo riders for their gutsy performances.  Big high five to Mike Johnson for finishing!  Stoked to hear you made it all the way!

Definitely be back again next year for this event.  Put it on your calendar folks.  There's nothing else like this around.  You will not be disappointed. 

6 AM start with 25 riders ready to roll out

 And we're off!

 Hey, Aaron!

 It was humid

 Lots of "Wow" moments during the ride

 Bridge

 MG likes the bridge

 Cattle

 Sweet, sweet sandy MMR

 Really fast gravel

 Foggy

 Big ups and big downs

 Yep, bango at checkpoint one! Thanks, Paul!

 Big climb!

 Travel companions - thanks Mike and Matt!

 Beautiful scenery everywhere

 Hilltop MMR

 Scattering

I need a lasso