The Aftermath

Sorry this took so long. You would think that with one of us being unemployed the updating and follow-up would be quick.  You'd be wrong.

So, the 4th of October was a gorgeous dirty day.  13 of us rode 33.4 miles, climbing about 331 feet. And we raised money for the Wounded Warrior Project. And we had fun.

Sunny, blue skies, not much of a breeze, perfect. See below for selected photos. Sorry there are no road photos.....we forgot cameras, or at least cameras that actually worked. But thanks to Cara Pavek and Jessica Thiesen for their photo contributions.

Highlights

• Among the riders, we had Rick from Roseville (I think his drive down took longer that the ride itself) and Laura from Germany. Yes, Germany. 
• No one was hurt
  
• Everyone finished
  
• No skunk encounters
  
• Nobody flatted or got lost
  
• A few DCF farm dogs attacked. They were unresponsive to f- bombs, but were responsive to squirts in the face from water bottles
  
• In Vermillion, a few folks enjoyed having a beer or Bloody Mary in the Steinhaus.
  
• Road kill:  Jeff Sokolik frickin' jumped over a big dead white-tail buck with his mountain bike.
• The beer was cold & the pizza was hot during the post-ride recovery phase at Rudy's Red Eye Grill.
• The merchandise profits of $2.40 (10% royalty on the t-shirts & coffee mugs) will be carried over to next year. 
• If you weren't there, you should have been.

Watch for info on next year's ride! October 3rd 2009!!!

Selected Photos

I need some ointment.

John (in yellow): This would be better if I was drunk. 

Jeff (inburgundy): This would be better if I weren't next to John.

Someone told me this would be fun. 

Ja! I came all zee vay from Germany for zis caca.

Nice day.

Lookie look! I have a white helmet because my mom says I'm special.

All of us, ready to go. 

All About The Ride

What: 

• A bike ride (ride-at-your-own-risk and unsupported)
•  free (as in no money)
  
• fun (challenging) 
  
• 3o some mile (well, a little over 34 miles) 
• on gravel roads (actually, a fair amount of paved roads too)  
  
• through rural Dakota County (& through downtown Rosemount and the town of Vermillion).
• Free grilled pizza bar (as in no money) generously provided by Rudy's Red Eye Grill.

Huh? Yeah, no cost, no registration. Just show up and ride. Think of this as going for a ride w/a group of friends. That's it. And free pizza at Rudy's afterwards.

 

Why:  To raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project. Click the link to the right to see what they do. You don't have to donate to go on the ride. But, really, find your wallet Rockefeller and donate.  

When:  Saturday, October 4th. 

Where:  Start & Finish are in the parking lot in front of Rudy's Red Eye Grill in Rosemount, get a location map under "Links." 

**Be advised, the map is slightly inaccurate-Rudy's is further south on Highway 3, than indicated by the star on the map. It is on the West side of 3, in a small strip mall.

Address is on the Rudy's website

Schedule:

9AM-start riding.

12N ish-arrive back at Rudy's, all dirty and ready for cleansing beer(s) & free grilled pizzas.  And maybe some more beer(s)

How: First, it's not a race. Secondly, for the most part we'll all ride together, though it is assumed there will be a "fast" group (some people just have to be speedy bastards) and a "not-as-fast group." You can look at the course map by (under "Links") & there may be maps available the day of the ride, as well as some type of signs on the course. No matter what, you won't get lost.

Who Should Do This?

If you meet the following criteria, you should do this:

1. Enjoy a bit of a challenge. 

2. Interested in helping those in need (i.e. wounded vets)

3. Can ride your bike for 34 miles w/out collapsing ('member this is unsupported & ride-at- your-own-risk dealio).

4. Don't mind getting a little dirty on a beautiful fall day in the country.

5. You like free grilled Pizza at Rudy's.

Do I Get A T-Shirt? No. But, if you click on the link for RD30 Merch you can find T-shirts. And other stuff. The profits goes to the WWP.

Special Thanks To Rudy's Red Eye Grill in Rosemount for providing free grilled pizzas post-ride. 

RD30 FAQs

1. How Much Does This Cost, Again? Nothing. It is free. It's unsupported and ride-at-your-own-risk.  It would be great if you donated $$ to the Wounded Warriors Project. Use the donation link under "Links."

2. Is There Really Free Grilled Pizza? Yes. The good folks at Rudy's have offered to provide as much free grilled pizza as we can eat. We're on our own for beverages though.

3. What Do You Mean By "Unsupported?" This of this as a ride w/your kids, or friends. There is no "event" or "registration" when you go on a ride like that. Same with this. So this means there will be no event sponsored food stops, no event sponsored trucks to pick you up if you bail, no event sponsored First Aid or emergency services if you hurt yourself, no event sponsored bike fixer guys to fix your busted bike. It means we are on our own. Except for free grilled pizza at the end of the ride.

4. What Do You Mean By "Ride-At-Your-Own-Risk?" Exactly that. It means there is no one to sue regardless of your level of stupidity. This is a group of people simply going for a bike ride together. If you get hurt, it's your own damn fault. Examples:

a) Get drunk while riding and get gored by a bull? Your fault.

b) Get sprayed by a skunk while taking a whizz in the weeds? Your fault.

c) A farm dog bites you while riding? Your fault.

5. Are There Refreshments? Only what you bring or buy. Again, since this is an unsupported ride, you need to bring your own stuff, water, energy drink, food or whatever you think you'll need for the ride. There is a "pump & munch" type store in Vermilion, the "VPM" as noted on the map. We'll stop there to score more grub, water & give our asses a break.

6. Should I Have A Plan B? You're darn right.  While we will all ride together, more or less, you would be wise to have someone on standby in case you need to bail from the ride. That way you can get a ride should you bust your bike, or get tired of riding. Having a cell phone would be great for this.

7. What If It's Raining? Hey, it's your call  (see questions 2 & 3). If you want to ride in the rain, then ride. If not, then don't. If the weather is damp, yet tolerable, some will probably ride. If it's miserable, some will go back to bed, some will go eat a huge breakfast & some will go the bar(s).  

8. What If I Have To Go #1? You are in luck. Literally thousands of options for hanging your hog or copping a squat; bean or corn fields, woods, ditches, fence rows, road shoulders, pastures, even 2 or 3 port-a-potties. Though the port-a-potties are few and far between, & they were set up for farm workers, so, yeah, might not be welcome there.

9. What About Going #2? Wow, well, get your paperwork done before the ride, that's your best bet. Not much in the way of facilities for #2 on this course. And bring your own asswipe if you think this might be an issue. There is a single toilet bathroom at the VPM in Vermilion, but you may wish to avoid using it. It'll either be stinky from some person who digs on Country/Western music, or you'll stink it up causing resentment among your fellow riders. Your call though.

10. What Should I Bring?

• A bike in good condition, that you can ride for +30 miles
• A positive attitude. No f-g whining or bellyaching!
• Water, energy drink & food for you to eat during the ride
• Money
• Asswipe if you think you'll need it.
• Identification
• A cellphone
• Clothing-the right clothes for the conditions
• A Plan B
• A backpack to haul stuff in
• A helmet-this is ride at your own risk, so if you want to bust your melon, it's your call, dopey.

11. What Should I Avoid Bringing?

• A whining or belly aching attitude.
• Little kids, kids
• A bike trailer to haul little kids.
• Dogs, ferrets, stupid cats or any animal for that matter
• Bikes in poor condition

12. Ride Etiquette? 

• Try not to crash into each other. 
• Don't follow too close. 
• Be careful on the gravel, it is sorta tricky. 
• If there's a vehicle coming towards the group say "car up." If a vehicle is coming from behind say "car back." 
• Try to stay on the right side of the road. 
• Obey traffic laws. 
• Watch the wind if you have to spit-no one wants a shower. 
• And for Christ's sake don't panic if a damn farm dog comes up barking-don't swerve and crash into someone else and cause a chain reaction. Just scream at the dog and keep going.  If need be someone will run the damn thing over.
  

13.  What Do We Do When The Ride Is Done?  Hang out at Rudy's, eat free grilled pizza, have a beer or two, some water. Give each other grief. Laugh at those of us who injured ourselves.