Miesville Grinder Update #5

Morning Y'all.

I did a brief course recon on the trouble spots this morning, and it's good news.  It looks like the south metro got significantly less snow (or it all blew sideways) than we did in the north.  So unless something changes, we should be full course - with one possible exception - the B road.

Turn on Lewiston from 205th - sign missing

Lewiston 

Watch out for the locals!

Lewiston -> 220th - if you get to the big flag, you went too far!

Deja Vu corner - you'll hit this from both directions

It's melted here!

The B road

Looking back - Will it melt?

There is a road, no simple highway

We walked the B road section this morning, and it's got one spot that is - and I kid you not - a 6' deep snowdrift.  There's a gully forming, and if temps hold this week, it will be big enough to ride down, but - be prepared to climb off and run/walk for a few yards in sloppy conditions!

I've had several queries about tire advice.  My advice - wider gravel tires. I think cyclocross riders would be fine on 28-30mm nail treads, but if you have the option of a slightly wider tire (like a Challenge Chicane, Gravel Grinder or similar), you might opt for that.  This morning the course was firm but not rock hard. Be kind to your fellow riders and clip on a fender if you have one.

On my soap box for a moment.  This ride is through 'rural' Dakota County farmland, but there is a bit of residential traffic (and residences) along some of these roads.  Also there are two golf courses adjacent to the course, so PLEASE RIDE friendly and cautiously, even if the locals and golfers don't!  This means:

• If you are riding in a group and someone yells car up/back, skinny up to single or double lines, not road packs.  The law is no more than 2 abreast and as far to the right as practicable. Please do that. 
• Centerline rule is IN EFFECT! (ok, the old cycling commissaire is sneaking its head out here, but there are a lot of narrow roads, blind corners and hilltops that you can't see through, and neither can the cars.  Becoming a hood ornament is a lousy way to start the season.
• Wave (with more than one finger) and/or say hi to the locals - they live here, we just ride through.  All it takes to ruin a course is one negative  encounter, and the event won't grow - it won't even be allowed back!
• Stay out of the farm fields.  Those are private property, and tromping around this time of year is really bad. You don't have any idea what's in them, on them, or soon will be - stay out!  Oh yeah, and that 2 lane wide gang plow that's moving toward you? Get out of his way - he's working, we're playing.
• It looks like we may have restroom access at the ball field and/or at Kings.  Please treat it like it's your own - I have to clean them up!

Otherwise, please just ride with your wits about you and have a good ride!  This stuff is fun.