More tidbits

Water crossing mile 75ish. I know, cold water, but it is rideable and easily walkable. It isn't any worse than if it rained...which it might. Actually a little pre-race race would be perfect to settle down all the dust.

There are more pavement sections than I wanted. Mainly because I have to get around a bunch of small towns. The pavement will be a good chance to recover and relax your brains in between some nice hills, gnarly gravel, and overall really cool scenery.

Slight Changes and more info

First off: THE START WILL BE AT 552 FOSTER RD, MY HOUSE, AS WELL AS THE FINISH. We will do a neutral roll on some bike path to a road and then there is about five miles of pavement and then lovely gravel. I drove the course on Saturday and then again today. The course should be a lot of fun, but very challenging as well. There are a few long grueling climbs, and the latter portion that was posted earlier is one of the roughest sections and doesn't come until the end.

Second, registration will be from 5:32-7:19 at 552 Foster Rd, Iowa City, Iowa 52245...nonsense...but seriously no earlier, no later... maybe a bit later, but not much.

The cue sheets will have mileage and turns, and I am also going to try to have the course almost entirely marked. The markers are going to be fluorescent posts placed on on the side of the road where you are about to turn and then one about 10 feet down the road to verify. This is how it was done at Dirty Kanza and it worked amazingly. If you don't see a marker you don't turn. That being said, I can't stop some rascal in a pick up from stealing pretty posts, and that's when the cue sheet becomes super important. If you don't have a way to carry a cue sheet this is a great post by Joe Meiser. Another alternative is to take a zip-loc quart sized bag and cutting a piece of duct tape the length of the short side of the bag. Place the bag on 1/4 of the tape and the fold the tape in half. Cut two holes in the tape only section a few inches apart and secure it to the handlebars with zip ties. This way you can flip the cue sheets over the bars when you don't need to pay as much attention to the sheets.

Obviously I don't think I have to mention that everyone MUST HAVE A HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT, AND HELMET OR THEY CANNOT PARTICIPATE... but you always have to mention things. Be very aware of what this event is, and your ability level. I want to encourage everyone interested to participate in the ever growing Midwest gravel scene. I also want to make sure that everyone can participate as safely as possible to ensure that they can have a great time. I don't necessarily have the ability to send out a rescue vehicle at all times, I just don't have the man power. I just ask that if people are confident they will be able to cover 50, but doubtful about 100, that they have a way to be retrieved. Friends and family will be able to hang out at the Start/Finish, or enjoy one of MANY of Iowa City's attractions which will for sure be alive after the football game.

Some details

Ok so I am going to try and cover basically all aspects of Night Nonsense, besides the riding, in the next few days. This will keep everyone informed and serve as a great way for me to keep track of everything.

Where are people going to stay?

Be aware that if you wanted to try and get a hotel, but haven't yet, you aren't going to get one. It is the Iowa v. Wisconsin game on Saturday so hotels are pretty much full. The game won't affect the race at all, just more traffic during the day. That being said, there is some space on the floor in my house, and lots of room to camp in my yard. The finish line will be at my house, therefore, the food and drinks will be at my house. I may even just eat, drink, and pass out on the lawn. If you have a tent out there it will be perfect. I have one shower as well that can be used as needed. I am hoping to have access to another one.

There is a lot of parking right at my house. Probably enough for 15-20 cars, and other parking very close. The race will start across town so people can drive straight there, or I will be riding across town from my house to the start, leaving at 6:30pm. So if you want to come early, set up, relax, and then ride to the start; that can happen. I'll post up the address for the start in the next couple days.

I just got a package from QBP filled with all types of Salsa, Surly, and other goodies. I am really excited about this package. QBP somewhat tailors the package to the type of event you are having. Connecticut Yankee Pedaller in Chariton, my hometown, got me the package from Quality. Big thanks to Dave and Connie for far more than just this.

Thank you

I just wanted to thank some people who are helping make my life easier when planning this. So far I think this is my list of volunteers: Steve, Julie, Z, Deb, Ronnie, and hopefully a couple more and I really appreciate their willingness to give up time and sleep to help. A great person named Corey, Cornbread to most, helped me out by paying it forward on some logistical stuff. Cornbread organized Gravel World Championships and won Dirty Kanza by almost an hour. He is a bad mother on a bike and a good dude. Also this is a great example of the community of Midwestern gravel riders and organizers; I believe Cornbread got this from someone else if it looks familiar. Steve and Cody from Thirtieth Century Bicycles just got done hosting their Gritty Brevet 100 miler, and have been really nice about answering questions and giving me advice.

I have got to thank Scheels All Sports for giving us $100 in gift cards. Some of the money will cover a few basic needs, but as much as possible will get distributed to riders. Scheels is making a big push to be involved with the cycling community. They even sponsor a cyclocross series in Des Moines.

Some of the route

Amana ride/ NN100 recon by amblake50 at Garmin Connect - Details

As of now the last 35 miles of this ride will be the last 35 miles of NN100. It's got a couple level b roads in it. There will probably be a water crossing that is totally rideable...usually. Should be fun.

Pizza at 65

That's where its at. Airliner...DELICIOUS Airliner pizza at mile 65 (probably actually 60-70 depending on what makes sense.) This may also serve as a bail-out point if someone has some light issues or something. That will depend if we have enough volunteers. A first, in a long line of public thank you's to all the volunteers that are already on board, and don't worry; no matter where you are stationed as a volunteer...even a driver, you'll have pizza if you want it.

Delicious news

So I know if I am out on a long ride and I want a little energy, gas station pizza is definite winner. Well one of the things in planning Night Nonsense is addressing the fact that towards the end of the race/ride gas stations won't be open. So lucky for me and all the riders the Airliner Bar is hooking us up. A definite upgrade from gas station pizza, Airliner's pie is among my favorites in Iowa City. The question here is would it be better to have one station with pizza at mile 50 or a station at 30 and maybe 65 or 70 and just drinks at mile 50? Leave comments as feedback: one pizza station or two? Also I'll make sure that a couple of the pizza's are cheese for nonmeat eaters.


This is really good news too if you are considering volunteering or know someone who may be interested. Maybe some delicious free pizza is enough to sway them to work an aid station. If you know anybody who may be interested have them e-mail me, amblake50@hotmail.com. They will at the least get some free food and beer out of the deal.