DRR Glacial Grind

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE INSTRUCTIONS, ESPECIALLY THE K/QOM INSTRUCTION IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE.

Date: 08/19/2023

Start times: 10 AM

Costs: $30 advance registration. Must have a MCA membership or purchase a $20 day permit. 

Location: The event will start and finish at Birch Ski Area on Rd 32N.

Directions - drive approximately 27km west of Carman, MB. From the corner of PR240 & PR245
continue 1 mile west along PR245 and turn left (southbound) onto Road 40W. Then continue straight for
another 2 miles until you come to an intersection that has a white shed and turn right (westbound) onto
Road 32N. Continue straight up the two hills, and after curving to the left, you’ll arrive at Birch Ski Area.

Registration: http://www.bikereg.com/DRR-Glacial-Grind-2023

If you are registering with an MCA day permit, add four ones (1111) before your seven digit MCA number to give you the required 11 digit license #. 

Ages: Solo:18+

Long Grind:16+ only, please consider middle or shortest distance if you do not have previous experience in riding over 100km hilly gravel rides 

Ages 10-18 must have a guardian, parent, or coach riding, as well.

Distances: Long 100km, Middle 60km
 
Course Information:
- The course follows gravel roads, quad track, old rail beds, the Great Trail, and some dirt roads. The
course will be marked with arrows, and a .GPX file will be available on the Dark Red Racing Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/DarkRedRacing?mibextid=LQQJ4d A Map and Cue
Sheet are also included on the Facebook Page. There are eight K/Qom Segments. Approximate start and
finish points will be marked for these as well. Each rider will be responsible for their navigation.
There will be no Course Marshals.
 

- There will be an alternate route prepped, in case of heavy rain. Check the Facebook Page for details
and updates.
This is not a race. The overall elapsed time is not recorded or used to produce results. The main goal is
to explore the wonderful roads and paths that run up and down what used to be the western shore of
Glacial Lake Agassiz in an active way that we all enjoy. All riders must follow the rules of the road as
described in the Highway Traffic Act.
VERY IMPORTANT! Every participant must sign in and sign out of the ride at the start/finish area.
This is to make sure all riders have returned from the ride.
Equipment: All styles of bikes are welcome to take part. Most of the course is gravel roads, so tires at
least 28mm wide are recommended (gravel, cyclocross, or mountain bike tires are ideal).

How to Ride the Glacial Grind

1) Go Hard From the Gun - not your best option - you’re going to be tired for the climbs, which are really the only parts that count (Think of it as a stage ride, with really short stages, and long transitions in-between)

2) Ride with your team or your friends - probably your best bet - (Be Social - Hammer - Regroup) x 8

3) If you’ve come on your own - latch on to the group that looks most appealing to you, or ask us to attach you to a group.

4) IMPORTANT 2023. There will be a cut off time at about 60km mark. Every rider wishing to proceed on longer distances needs to pass this point before 1:15PM. Anybody passing this point later will need to opt for the 60km distance. 

5) Post Ride:  Food will be available post ride (once Long Grind riders start arriving). Burgers (Meat or Veg), Coleslaw, Watermelon, and Rollkuchen

Support:
There will be TWO opportunities to refill water bottles. 
In the gravel grinder spirit, you are responsible for you. With the exception of the two aid stations
mentioned above, you are expected to have what you need to deal with any issues (mechanical, mental,
physical, other) that may arise on the road. There will be a sweep vehicle that will follow the riders all of
the way to the finish (minus a few portions that aren’t motor-vehicle drivable. Carrying extra water, tubes,
chain tool, cell phone, etc. is recommended, as is riding with a friend(s) that won’t leave you in a bind.
In case of emergency, call 911. Depending on where you are on the course, the nearest hospital is
either Carman or Boundary Trails (between Morden & Winkler).

Other information:
- A bathroom is available at the start/finish - in the Ski Birch Chalet.
- All riders must wear certified helmets at all times during the event - including warm up and cool down.

Prizing: There will be two prizes: custom jerseys for the Queen of the Mountain and the
King of the Mountain. These will be determined by cumulative time for the eight K/Qom
segments (so it will only be chosen from participants completing the full 100km). Strava
will be used to calculate these results, so if this competitive challenge appeals to you,
you will need to sign up for The Glacial Grind Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/glacialgrind2023. A Premium Strava Membership is now required for segment tracking.