For Fastskiguy and anyone else lurking here.............
The course is aproximately 337 miles long. I say "aproximately" because I was chased off the course by the strong thunderstorms that spawned the twisters that affected Iowa Saturday afternoon. There still is a few bits of "verification" that need to take place.
The length is going to require that we start the race earlier than last year, to allow everyone to finish it within the time limits. The start is tentavily set for 4am. on Saturday morning. The exact date has yet to be confirmed, but that should happen sometime soon, maybe by the end of this week(?).
The parking lot in Algona, which last year was gravel, has been paved and lit beautifully. The cut off to reach Algona will be six pm., as it was last year. There will be more pass through towns, which should aid in re-fueling, but will by necessity cause more navigational challenges. A complete list of pass through towns will be listed on your cue sheets. So, don't ask me now!
I will close by saying that this course will not only be more challenging distance-wise, but will be tougher overall than last years course, even if it was the same distance as last year. The folks looking at this and thinking, "this might be fun to try", or "I am not sure I can do this.." should reconsider entering Trans Iowa V2 and give something else a try. In fact, I'll just come right out and say it. Don't enter! Don't do this event unless you have a record of long distance achievements. That includes brevets, 24hr events, or other "ultra-endurance" type events. Last year, one third of the entrants didn't even make the first check point. Of those that did, less than 20 started out from Algona, and only nine finished out of 51 starters. This year is HARDER! I can't stress that enough! Are you up to the challenge?
And to think that some people consider Iowa "flat and boring"!
Why Iowa? No, I'm not being sarcastic... as some may question. Is there someone of some importance to mountain biking from the area? Do Pros enter this race or is this a locally organized event? Just curious about the event. Thanks.
Why Iowa? No, I'm not being sarcastic... as some may question. Is there someone of some importance to mountain biking from the area? Do Pros enter this race or is this a locally organized event? Just curious about the event. Thanks.
Why Iowa? Cause Guitar Ted and myself are from Iowa. Plus racing across Iowa on gravel IS hard!
Is mountain biking huge in Iowa? Not in that Colorado sense. But we can mnt bike
Do Pro's enter? Sure. Some big names are expressing interest for 2006. You don't need to be "pro" to do well. Just a bit of luck, strong legs, strong head, and an good saddle
It's an odd-ball event, that gains a lot of attention to the "crazy" factor. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed...that is unless you attacked by some crazed farmer
Why don't you and some of your buddies put on a "Trans Kentucky" event? That'd rock!
I've actually thought of a Trans-Florida. The panhandle is a long way across, but that's where most of the dirt roads and trails. The other problem is that there are lots of rivers with limited crossings. There frequently aren't many dirt roads close to those bridge crossings. It might be possible to come up with something interesting, like a river to river ride from the Appalachicola to the Suwannee.
I've actually thought of a Trans-Florida. The panhandle is a long way across, but that's where most of the dirt roads and trails. The other problem is that there are lots of rivers with limited crossings. There frequently aren't many dirt roads close to those bridge crossings. It might be possible to come up with something interesting, like a river to river ride from the Appalachicola to the Suwannee.
I guess the "trans" thing might be a bit discouraging! On rivers: I hear ya! That's one of the reasons we run our race in the northern tiers of counties in Iowa. The rivers either have their headwaters here or are merely creeks, for the most part.
A river to river ride would be excellent! Just make sure it's long enough, and has to be done in a limited amount of time. I'd think that if you could come up with a very large circuit or point to point event of 200-350 miles, you'd have a winner. Maybe something during the early part of the year, to work into others schedules. Say like in March, or even February, to kick off the year right.
Anyway, keep it really simple, low key, and very tough! If you do, it'll be good!
Trans Iowa V.2 Recon Photos
You don't need to be "pro" to do well. Just a bit of luck, strong legs, strong head, and an good saddle 
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