Welcome to the Cup O’ Dirt Challenge!
The Cup O’ Dirt is a year long challenge of completing a dozen or half a dozen dirty, snowy centuries. Complete the challenge and you’ll receive a custom hand-made stoneware mug!
Funk Bottoms Gravel Race
“Finished 100 miler #8 this past weekend. Here’s the skinny on the Funk Bottoms Gravel Race out of Big Prairie, OH. By mid-June, I had completed 7 of the 6 rides necessary to meet the Cup O’ Dirt Challenge. I was feeling fairly accomplished and also fairly tired, but there was still an event on […]
Read moreThe Hellkaat Hundie
“Back on May 6th I had the opportunity to take part in one of my favorite gravel races, the Hellkaat Hundie. More important that being a race, this is a fundraiser for JDRF. The organizers keep the entry cost low and encourage participants to make donations to JDRF. My dad, partner in long dumb races Chris, and […]
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The Barry Roubaix 100
“In typical fashion I’m writing this months after completing the Barry Roubaix 100 mile race while sipping some single origin from my 2017 cup o’dirt mug. Barry Roubaix which bills itself as being the largest gravel race in the country typically has 62, 36, and 22 mile options, but this year they added a 100miler […]
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The Sancho 200
The Sancho 200 is a small event put on by the folks at Einstein Cycles and Bearclaw Bicycles in Traverse City, MI. As usual, the course is predominately gravel and two track. This event has all the appeal of a locals ride but out-of-towners are welcome to join. Registration is capped at 50 folks so […]
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Almanzo Royal 162
“For me, endurance cycling, and endurance gravel riding especially, has always been about testing and pushing my boundaries. That includes pushing my athletic ability. But, it is also very often about testing my will. My experience at the 2018 Almanzo Royal 162 was very much about testing my will. It was also an up-close, intimate […]
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Michigan C2C Loop
“Back in December I got wind of a new ride in Michigan that some crazy cats were putting together. It sounded like just the sort of thing I dig. As some may remember, I crossed Indiana a few years ago on my bike. This was different. This was a gravel(ish) event which has been my […]
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The Des Plaines River Trail
“I have a long-standing tradition of trying to ride the Des Plaines River Trail (in North suburban Chicago) several times each season. I have always loved this place. It is a limestone trail that is never more than about 40 yards from civilization, but makes you feel like you are lost in the wilderness. The […]
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Fresh Air and Gravel
“Spring finally came. At least for a day. Wonderful chance to get out and play. My favorite gravel. The Flint Hills Trail. A good time guarantee. It never fails. Fresh air and gravel. Good for the mind. Good for the body. Time so fine.” Flint Hills Nature and Prairie Spirit Trails Osawatomie to Ottawa to […]
Read moreThe Gents Race 8.0
“A friend of mine invited me up to Iowa to ride a gravel event with him. The Gents Race 8.0. It is basically a team time trial on gravel, with a stop at a winery at the halfway point. The temperature at the start of the ride was around 18 degrees, with a 8-10 mph […]
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Mike’s Land Run 100
“This was my first year doing the Land Run 100, and it was such an incredible and rewarding experience. Packed up car and left early on Thursday morning for the 12 hour drive from suburban Chicago to Stillwater, OK. When I got to Stillwater that evening, they were unveiling this year’s Land Run beer (yes, […]
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Cup O' Dirt Challenge 