New Cup Chaser - Nick Larson

We have another chaser in the Cup O' Dirt challenge - Nick Larson. Here's what the newbie has to say:

I would like to throw my name in to the hat for the 2011 cup o dirt.

I currently have 3 dirty metrics completed.  On 2/5 I rode the GRR2BRR from Steve Fullers house to BRR and back.  On 2/12 Courtney Hilton, Squirrel and I rode to Earlham and back.  And then there was CIRREM. My goal is to complete 12 metrics.  Only 9 more to go!

Click on the links above for a number of great photos of Nick's various rides. He's well on his way to a metric cup. From one Nick to another - keep 'em coming!

Craig Irving Update

Well, here are a few updates from before Trans-Iowa. I was busy with work and preparations, so didn't get the chance to put everything up here. First, we have Craig Irving's first full century. He writes:

Well, after a handful of rides that either fell just short of a metric or didn't quite meet the 80% rule I finally have another one to report.  I'm happy to say I was able to complete the Ragnarok 105 (111?) last weekend.  I have to admit, I had some unexpected inspiration late in the game as you can see in the picture.

I'll give extra credit to anyone who I see riding around with this image on their shirt, hat, or taped to their handlebars. I hope we get more artwork like this in the future! Check out Craig's blog at http://ocolonomle.blogspot.com/ or by clicking on his name on the left sidebar.

I ran into Craig at the end of our Trans-Iowa experience at the first checkpoint. A huge section of the field missed the first cutoff due to navigational errors, wind, and the other factors that make Trans-Iowa a difficult and wonderful race. It was my first time attempting it, and I'm already excited to try again next year - obviously, I didn't suffer enough.

A bunch of people did ride back to Grinnell (the start) for a metric century. I clocked close to 90 miles, about 30 or so on pavement, so at least I got something out of my DNF. Craig did the same, so he gets another metric next to his name, for 1 full and 3 metric reported so far this year.

Dave Giegerich's 1st Metric

You may be aware of the legend that is Dave Giegerich. If not, look into the archives of this blog or check out his very own entertaining web presence. Mister Giegerich did 100 metric centuries last year, setting a record for the Cup O' Dirt as well as inspiring all of us to get off of our butts and pedal more. He's got one down this year:

I have a confession to make. One Metric completed 4/3/11 on my 58th birthday. Distance is a a bit down this year working out a rotator cuff problems. (Too many ice crashes) Improving. Thanks for the chase.

Methinks the man has been distracted by road riding, as evidenced by the following photo. Hopefully some good drugs from the doc and an orchestrated "disappearance" of his road bike might give the legend another 100-century year. It's for your own good, Dave!

Courtney Hilton Will Crush Us All

Courtney Hilton has another two metric centuries to report. If'n you want to even try to catch up to him, you had better invent a time machine and start last month. Here's what he has to say, along with his photos:

Metric 6 -3/27 - Wasn't even going for a gravel ride,  I really was going to ride the High trestle trail but after the 32 mile gravel ride to the trail I rode "The Bridge" and decided to go rock road back home.
Metric 7 - 4/1 - Holy Wind!  Got back to were I bailed on Cirrem didn't ride the whole course but stopped for a photo op.

April Update Showers

We're finally seeing some decent weather around the state! Next thing you know, it'll be 90 degrees and 90% humidity. Gotta love Iowa for that.

Dave Mable did the Gents Race for 65 miles, putting him at two metric centuries. And we have another chaser - Dave Tyler. He writes:

In the bag: CIRREM and Ragnorok 111. I have 4 more 100 milers on the calendar and one more 100K...the 100k is a Pbville qualifier. If I do well I could have a 6th 100 miler on tap. I'll keep you posted. Don't forget this year's Jackrabbit 100 on Oct. 15.

Welcome to the chase, Mr. Tyler.

I have another full century of my own to report. A windy ride to Jefferson and back yesterday. I felt every bit of the 25 mph gusts outta the northwest, both coming and going. The temperature was around 60 degrees, which made for a really nice day out on the gravel. This puts me at 3 full centuries and 2 metrics. I must be slowing down in my old age...

Trans-Iowa is coming up in less than two weeks, so we should have a decent amount of updates after everyone recovers from that. Enjoy your April showers!

An Update from Dave Mable

Dave Mable, founder of the Cup o' Dirt, just sent me this last week.

Chalk me up for one metric! With Leadville on the horizon - i might just earn one of these little puppies.

And this rather enticing photo, below. The cups for 2009 and 2010 should be on their way shortly!

This is some nice cup architecture.