FeC-Kar Update #1

To ensure that Missouri's throngs of gravel grinderers don't disappear into the rugged Ozark wilderness, here is the first of a couple of updates.

There will be two separate routes for the FeC-Kar. The main event at 110 miles and the Lil FeC-Kar at 70 miles. Both will have their share of climbing. Both will share a lot of the same route, albeit sometimes in different directions.

FeC-Kar 110 and Lil FeC-Kar 70
Iron County-Karkaghne Gravel Ride

Date: Sunday 3/10/13
Start time: 8:00am
Start Location : Boatlaunch Parking Lot, Council Bluff Lake
Fee: FREE

Finishing Time Cut-Off: 7:00pm

Important Details:

Non-Race: Only the 110 mile route will be run as a non-race with the top 10 or so finishers scored. Those planning on non-racing need to make sure they will have some sort of way to take digital photos. A cell phone is fine. I will explain this further in another post.

Caution: Choose the distance that you feel is appropriate. There will be no volunteers on course, and no one to help you if you are having trouble finishing. You must be entirely self-sufficient. The courses are in mostly forest service land. There are no gas stations or similar businesses. I will have a couple of spots on course with a water cooler or two. If you're that type, there are also a few treatable streams/springs. I will also be driving parts of the course throughout the day but you can't count on seeing me. I plan to pack up and be out of there by a little after 7 Sunday. Cell-phone service is spotty down there, generally only working on certain ridgetops.

Bike Recommendations: Ride whatever you like to ride on gravel roads. I recommend a cross bike with decent size tires. These are ozark rural gravel roads. They can be a little rough/course, and are never what I would call smooth.  A mountain bike would be fine (and comfy) but would be overkill in weight and such. The 110 mile route is 80%+ gravel. Nearly all of the pavement comes at the beginning/finish. It's a necessarily evil for having an easily found parking lot of good size. The 70 mile route will have a little over 1 mile of singletrack, but it is not technical or rough.

Course: The Thursday or Friday before the date I will post maps of the routes. You are required to print out your own copies. I will have arrow markings on the road, but they will be as minimal as possible. Also the maps will help you with any bailout options, and will be key for those non-racing.


Now, enough official sounding BS. If you're taints and legs need a good warm-up be at Lone Wolf Sunday morning for Death by Hills.

Also, if you want a professional-like, top-notch gravel race go do the Cedar Cross outside Jeff City. That Bob Jenkins knows how to throw a party gravel race. He has things like volunteers, prize monies, swaggage, and a crazy low entry fee. There won't be any of that shit at the FeC-Kar, except the low entry fee.

-Gino "Ginorm/Digiorno/It's Not Delivery/Pizza Time" Felino