#crushgravel

#monfuckingtana

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#2lapsifuwant

Here's the writeup of the inaugural event in 2012.  If you're into the whole FaceSpace thing, click "like" or "going" or whatever at this link.  

The third annual Morganzo 55 is on for 2014. Meet at 9am, August 17th at the corner of Dry Creek & Theisen Roads north of Belgrade. A few "classes" of folks are expected to turnout so whether you're there to race, ride, or leisure about you're in for a treat along 55 miles of gorgeous gravel complete with heavenly views of the Bridger Mountain Range.

• No entry fee.
• No support.
• First one done gets first crack at the beer.

Bring a friend. Bring two friends. Carpool if at all possible. Park close together in the two small gravel areas located at the junction of Dry Creek and Theisen Roads. Expect a very short section of asphalt (gasp!) at the start of the Morganzo but then a solid few hours of gravel to follow.

Cue sheets will be provided at the start and there will be some veteran riders on the course should you wish to follow. Road quality in these parts varies from regularly graded gravel to rutted, impassable when wet farm roads. This year's finish line has been moved back approximately 2/10ths of a mile to avoid a small section of asphalt with high speed auto traffic but is within sight of the parking area.

Questions, comments, flames? Send an email to the address located at the bottom left of this page.

Morganzo 55 to run on Aug. 10, 2013

The date has been set for the 2013 running of the Morganzo 55: Double Nickels on the Grime. Join us August 10th at the corner of Dry Creek & Theisen Roads at 9am for 55 miles of gorgeous gravel.

• No entry fee.
• No support.
• First one done gets first crack at the beer.

Last year's inaugural was a blast so we'll spread the word more broadly this time around.

More info as the date nears.

If you feel like you need to take a break from all the Cyclocross action happening around town next weekend then head over to Bogert Park on Saturday the 27th at 2:00pm for the Renegade Offroad Race.  

This will be a "townie" bike only race through Bozeman, into the mountains, and back again.  Dirt trails, barbed wire, fences, and fast pavement!  Come prove yourself and maybe even win some stuff.  

* no carbon fibre allowed, costumes encouraged, townie bikes only

http://www.facebook.com/events/236324133162413/

Renegade Offroad Race

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Saturday, October 27 at 2:00pm

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Bogert Park

The task: ride 55 miles of unforgiving gravel in the first ever Morganzo 55: Double Nickels on the Grime.

click for full map

The players: a ragtag collection of has-beens and never wases...

 (l to r: Jon W, Amy C, Matthew T, Lincoln J, Sam H, your author)

The purpose: the endless pursuit of beauty by bicycle

The challenge: impassible roads, unquenchable thirst

 The reward...

Matthew Thomsen wins the Morganzo Trophy as first overall unsupported badass cyclist. 


Amy Chiuchiolo wins the Hardcore Trophy for killing it in the Morganzo and then riding the Bangtail Divide immediately after. Seriously.


Sam Haraldson wins the Troll Trophy for slaying the hilly Morganzo on only 8 gears. 


Lincoln Jamrog wins the International Trophy for coming all the way from Livingston and building bridges made of gravel. 


Jon Wareham wins the Spirit Award for his positive attitude during multiple mechanicals.

The Minutemen - "This Ain't No Picnic" from  Double Nickels on the Dime

The Minutemen - "Corona" from  Double Nickels on the Dime

Thanks to all the participants and we'll see ya in 2013.

The 55-mile course for Morganzo: Double Nickels on the Grime is looking great. I rode parts of it last night while trying to figure out which machine would suit me best for the actual event on July 14th.

Wanting desperately to use the fully rigid ride pictured below, I installed 42mm tires, dropped the psi, and tested it out last night. Alas, some of the rutted, dried mud sections were still a bit too rough for my comfort level. The rocky, molded sections of road even rattled my water bottle out of its cage at one point.

Fortunately, at least 45 miles are more like the lovely gravel you see above. Even so, I believe suspension (probably a hard tail) is the best choice for the terrain.

And why do they call it Morganzo? See here...

Yup. A bunch of them Morgan kids still have property up there north of town. Hopefully they won't mind us sharing this lovely land with them.

See ya out there in a couple weeks.

Join us for the inaugural riding of 

The Morganzo: Double Nickels on the Grime

Saturday, July 14 @ 9am TIME CHANGE

Meet at the corner of Dry Creek Road & Theisen Road north of Belgrade in time to get set up for a 10am start.

WHAT IS IT?
It's a 55-mile bicycle race on gravel roads in the shadow of the Bridger mountains. The course is scenic, hilly and curvy, gaining over 3000' of vertical along the way -- that's the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest from sea level more than 1/10th of the way to the top.

WHY GRAVEL?
Gravel is more fun than pavement and offers more consistent kickass views than singletrack. Plus, there's a movement afoot. Check out Almanzo or Gravel Grinder to learn more about the awesome races that have been going on in the Midwest for several years now.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
In keeping with the spirit of gravel racing, The Morganzo is an unsupported race and you are wholly responsible for your own safety and well-being. Winner gets first choice of beer from the cooler. There is neither an entry fee nor prize money.

RULES

• You are on your own. Bring everything you need to fix anything that might break or go flat.
• No littering. Let's show respect for all the beautiful private land we'll be riding through.
• Helmet required.
• Winner will be showered with praise and probably cheap beer.
• Last one home is a rotten egg.
• Here are more well-written rules to consider that they use in the Trans Iowa.

GOOD IDEAS

• Be sure to carry plenty of water. 2 bottles probably won't be enough.
• Ride what ya got, but road tires are not recommended. There is no perfect bike, only perfect doping techniques that can't be detected by the feds...yet.
• Have a way to easily view the cue sheet (which will be provided). They make fancy stuff for it if you're into gear. Or just hang near the course marshall who created the route.
• Carpool with a buddy

MORGANZO? DOUBLE NICKELS?
It's local history. It's punk rock. See here for more.


RSVP in the comments if you're in or have questions.

Printed without permission from Loto Mojo:

There's been a surge the past few years of semi-organized gravel bicycle rides, at least across the Midwest. I first heard about the Almanzo a few years ago and appreciate the independent spirit and grassroots vibe of the ride/race. The Trans Iowa is another one I'd love to ride one day.

Read more and stay tuned to Loto Mojo and here at The Fix for more on this ride / event.