2011 Sub-9 Gravel Grovel Event Recap

On Saturday, November 26, riders gathered at the Maumee Boy Scout Reservation in Norman, Indiana for the much-anticipated SRAM Gravel Grovel.  Folks arrived to a beautiful, crisp morning hinting at near perfect conditions for the 3rd annual event.  More than 200 participants registered, and it didn't take long for the parking lot to be filled with mountain bikes, cyclocross bikes, singlespeeds and even a tandem!  After a quick morning check-in and brief rider meeting it was time for riders to line up.   At 10:10 a.m., 62-mile racers were on their way following the SRAM lead car and by 10:30 a.m the 30-mile fun ride participants were heading out and a glorious day of riding had begun.

A short time later the lead out car returned followed by four words an event director never wants to hear from a volunteer, "I f@*$'d that up".  Apparently the first turn had been missed and the entire group followed the car for an extra six miles before turning around to get back on course.  At least the unplanned "pre-ride, ride" took everyone on a warmup through some of Indiana's most beautiful countryside!  Once the group was turned around and back on track, the real racing began, and riders gave it their all on the grueling 62-mile course. 

The route consisted mostly of gravel forest roads interspersed with a few paved sections and a few old, unmaintained county roads.  The first turn around check point at the end of Tower Ridge Rd was busy as volunteers checked off racers.  Riders were able to see the leaders who had already gone through the check-point and were making their way to the first pit stop at the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower where the SRAM car and Sub-9 van were well stocked with chips, pretzels, apples and even Modelo beer!  After leaving the fire tower SAG it was back to the Maumee Camp for the 30-mile riders while the rest of the group headed north to Story.

The Combs Rd out and back is what gives the SRAM Gravel Grovel the name of "mother nature's cyclocross race" as riders navigate creek crossings, downed trees, mud pits and more.  The two mile stretch included sections of single track and double track that can hardly be called a "road" as riders followed it to Elkinsville.  From there 62-mile racers continued for another four miles until they reached the historic town of Story and the second turn around check-point of the day.

Riders returning from Story had the right of way on Combs Rd and thoroughly enjoyed the descent as they left the town of Elkinsville and headed back to the gravel roads of the Hoosier National Forest.  Ryan Knapp of Columbus, IN was the first to return and took home the overall win as well as first in the Open Men category.  Ryan was quickly followed by Ryan Shanahan from Bloominton, IN and Lee Hauber of Clarksville, IN.  Garth Prosser of Dublin, OH was first to return in the Open Men Masters (40+) category and was followed by Brian Gavette (Zionsville, IN) and Dan Lach (Cincinnati, OH).  Nicole Borem (Warsaw, IN) was the first to return in the Open Women category followed by Angi Sexton (West Chester, OH) and Claudia Fritzinger (Georgetown, IN).  The Singlespeed/Fixed category saw a huge effort by Jason Pruitt (Lafayette, IN) who took home the coveted Brown County rock award, followed closely by Jeff Bushong of Crawfordsville, IN and Gravel Grovel founder, Mike Sharp of Columbus, IN!  Congratulations to all our category winners and event participants!

The afternoon ended with a warm, catered meal from the popular Indy-based Cajun Creole restaurant, Yats.  Along with their choice of Chili Cheese Etoufee w/ Crawfish, White Chili w/ Chicken, Vegan Succotash or Chicken Creole, riders also feasted on white rice, garlic buttered bread and plenty of apple, pumpkin and pecan pie!  Winners were announced and many folks walked away with goodies from event Title Sponsor, SRAM.  Justin Gray of Indianapolis won the Zipp 303 Firecrest Carbon Clincher wheel set valued at $2700!

A huge thank you goes out to all our volunteers (even the one in the lead out car) for generously giving their time on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to help with the 3rd Annual SRAM Gravel Grovel.  We also greatly appreciate the support of SRAM, Yats and the Story Inn.  We look forward to seeing you all again in 2012!

Cheers,
Tania and Jonathan Juillerat
Event Directors
Sub-9 Productions