Preliminary Recap

The dust is still settling on the Inaugural 2012 Odin’s Revenge gravel race.  The terrain and weather in Western Nebraska proved treacherous for those who took the challenge this year.  Of the 28 riders who were brave enough to take the starting line, only six were still on their bikes by the end of the day.

The morning began with a cool fog and the distant rumble of thunderstorms to the South.  Within a few hours, the morning gave way to high humidity and triple-digit temperatures.  The stifling heat began to take its toll as rider after rider dropped from the roster.  Although, only six individuals finished the race, many individual tests of strength showed that this field had strength of character in spades.  It’s the shared suffering and respect for each other’s efforts that take a group of cyclists and makes them a community.  Gravel Racers; Thanks for allowing Odin’s Revenge to become a part of that community.   

A full account of the events is in the works, but for now this will have to suffice.  More pictures and commentary can be found at the Odin’s Revenge Facebook Page.

A selection of pics from the day:

Of course, bike ogling is expected.

The Team DSG brewmaster, Nate Bell at work.

"Sprite" ran a great support crew.

More stories and chatter.

CQ and MG

The Weatherman (Dennis Phillips), back in Nebraska.

Mike Johnson, pre-race.

Berly Brown, pre-race. 

Lane Bergen and others assemble for the start. 

Some of the field awaiting the start.

Early leaders setting the pace.

The field . . . between fields.

Into the abyss.

MG, Cornbread, and Mike 

Matt Wills on his SS on Deer Creek Road.

Noah from NY 

MG in the powder of Government Pocket

Mike Johnson was on a steady pace all day.

DSG member Lane Bergen settling in.

Dennis Phillips working the single speed.

Noah Schabacker 

The North Platte crew on Cottonwood Creek late in the day.

Odin’s Revenge 2012 Results
Mike Marchand - 1^st  Men’s Open- 12 hrs 48min - Kearney, NE
Matt Gersib - 2^nd  Men’s Open – 13 hrs 20min - Lincoln, NE
Mike Johnson - 3^rd Men’s Open – 16 hrs 13 min - Cedar Falls, IA
Ben Cooper - 4^th Men’s Open – 16 hrs 37 min - North Platte, NE
Jeff Caldwell - 4^th Men’s Open – 16 hrs 37 min - North Platte, NE
Randall Smith - 4th Men’s Open – 16 hrs 37 min -  North Platte, NE
Craig Schmidt  - 1^st Team Relay – 14 hrs 40 min - Lincoln, NE
Andrew Keffer - 1^st Team Relay – 14 hrs 40 min - Lincoln, NE
Shane Bappe - DNF - Cozad, NE
David Beattie - DNF - Wildwood, MO
Delley Bergen - DNF - Paxton, NE
Lane Bergen - DNF - Paxton, NE
Paul Bradsby - DNF - North Platte, NE
Berly Brown - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Ashley Frear Cooper - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Robert Dyer - DNF - Cozad, NE
Mark Falloon - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Corey Godfrey - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Emily Grace - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Dennis Phillips - DNF - Fruita, CO
Elisabeth Reinkordt - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Michael Rhodes - DNF - Boulder, CO
Robert Sack - DNF - Grand Island, NE
Noah Schabacker - DNF - Brooklyn, NY
Aaron Schnee - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Martin Stoddard - DNF - Cozad NE
Matt Wills - DNF - Lincoln, NE

Dust Clearing

With the dust clearing on an incredible inaugural running of Odin's Revenge, we are preparing to give a full report.  What a tremendous day . . .

Final Notes

Just a couple of additional notes;  Everything is pretty much ready to go.  Note that during check-in, we will have live music brought to you by Paul Siebert from 4-7 with the riders meeting to follow.  Look for the awnings on the North side of the KOA office.

We have some great items from out sponsors to give away in addition to prizes for the top finishers and the cool awards below.

The Paxton Coyote has the awards almost complete . . .

Event Particulars

6/29

Rider check in 4-7 pm at the Gothenburg KOA Campground
Rider Meeting at 7 pm

6/30

6 am start time
Half-way cutoff 4 pm (10 hours after start)

Requirements:

- Headlight and Rear Blinky
- Computer or GPS on Bike
- Cell Phone (note that it should remain off unless you are calling to end your participation)
- Enough Food and Water for 60 Miles
- Compass is Highly Recommended

3 Drop Bags Allowed
- one the first checkpoint, one at the halfway mark, and one at first checkpoint on the second leg

South Leg Teaser

The first leg of Odin's Revenge will take place in the hills to the South of Gothenburg.  I'll let the pictures do most of the talking, but this part of the course is constantly changing elevation.  Very little of this area is flat.

North Leg Teaser

I had a chance to drive the North Section of the course last night with the family and have a few observations to share;

The course is in awesome shape.  With the exception of two corners (which will be flagged) is fairly straightforward to navigate.

Here are a few pictures that show the variety of the terrain.  I think riders will love how the course tosses in the unexpected.  CQ really did a bang up job on the course layout.  I have to say it elicited a menacing laugh or two as I drove it in the family truckster.

Around the Corner

Thus begins the general ramble on all things Odin's as we get close to the event; If you have burning questions, post them in the comments and we will address them.

Pre-Ride

The pre-race meeting will be at 8:00 P.M. at the KOA Campground on Friday, June 29th.  This is a mandatory meeting.  There will be live music and general shenanigans as well.

The Ride Itself

There are two legs to the course, one to the South of the start/finish point and one to the North.  There are multiple checkpoints on both legs of the course.  You must pass through every checkpoint along the way.  Directions for two checkpoints will be given to support crews to help you resupply.  You may forego this option and have a drop bag at these checkpoints.  The first resupply checkpoint will occur around the 70 mile mark.  This means that you must have enough water and provisions to make it 70 miles self supported, you will pass through the start/finish point halfway through the event (97 miles) and may resupply there as well.  During the second leg, one support/resupply point will occur at 42 miles.  The second leg will conclude back at the start/finish point at almost 82 miles.  Support personnel are ONLY allowed at the two "support" checkpoints and the start/finish line.  If  riders are being assisted on the course at any other time, we will assume it is for a bail out and the rider will be disqualified.  Be advised that you must finish the ride on the same bike that you started.  Although we are allowing limited support, you are asked to keep the grass-roots, self supported nature of the event in mind.


Remember that the event will start in the dark and many folks will come across the finish line in the dark as well.  We require, in order to be visible, that you have a rear blinky and some sort of front illumination as well.

We have some great items to share with riders from our generous sponsors.  We'll toss out a lot of swag at the pre-race meeting.  Thanks to Revelate Designs, the overall winner will get a really nice set of frame bags.  

We have plenty more to cover in the upcoming days and weeks, so stay tuned.

Registration is Underway.

A number of postcards have arrived already and the field is filling quickly. If you haven't registered yet, what's stopping you?

Your registration needs to be on a postcard sent to;

Odin’s Revenge

c/o Chad Quigley

713 12th Street

Gothenburg NE 69138

The following information must be included on the card;

Name

Address

Category of Entry

Email address

Entries without a valid email address will not be accepted. Entries received before the 14th will not be allowed.

Three Classes of Competitors:

Open Men

Open Women

Open Singlespeed / Fixed Gear

Relay - two riders will each ride one leg of the course.

If you LOVE gravel, send us a Valentine's card!

. . . post card, that is.

Registration for Odin's Revenge will begin on February 14th.

Details and Registration

Event Dates: June 29th-30th

Entry Fee: No Charge

Field Limit: 75

Start/Finish Town: Gothenburg, Nebraska

Registration: Registrations will be accepted starting February 14th and will continue until the field is full. 75 entries will be accepted with a limited number being placed on the alternate list.

Your registration needs to be on a postcard sent to;

Odin’s Revenge

c/o Chad Quigley

713 12th Street

Gothenburg NE 69138

The following information must be included on the card;

Name

Address

Category of Entry

Email address

Entries without a valid email address will not be accepted. Entries received before the 14th will not be allowed.

Three Classes of Competitors:

Open Men

Open Women

Open Singlespeed / Fixed Gear

Relay - two riders will each ride one leg of the course.

Guitar Ted Productions: New Western Nebraska Gravel Adventure Coming Soon!

Guitar Ted Productions: New Western Nebraska Gravel Adventure Coming Soon!

Thanks to G-Ted for giving us a great plug to begin the public unveiling of Odin's Revenge!

Odin's Revenge is on!

June 30th, 2012, Gothenburg, Nebraska. 180-ish miles of Vitamin-G. Plenty of details yet to come.