“Come for
the gravel and stay for the party”- the GRUSK motto
Event: GRUSK
Gravel Ride Up Spruce Knob
What: Lungo 270
mile event for the Nankmans
What else: 27
to 316 miles of amazing West Virginia gravel riding
Organizer: Mountain
Rides, LLC
Where: Circleville,
West Virginia
When: July 11-13, 2024
This event has everything. Lodging directly at the race venue. Pre-ride and post ride food. Free beer and cider. A post event party complete with a band and dancing. Amazing and beautiful rural gravel and paved roads complete with a ride up to Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. Top-notch race swag and finishers awards. Comradery with friendly and supportive fellow riders. Official race photographer to catch it all on camera. Top off all that with a race director and crew who really care; they want riders to have a good time and do everything possible to make sure that happens.
Racers for the
220, 260 and 316 mile events had the choice of starting on Thursday morning or
Friday morning depending on their expected pace and finish time. Those
bikepacking were recommended to start Thursday and those planning to ride
straight through could start Friday. The
grand idea being everyone would be back and finished in time for the post event
party and band on Saturday night. Due to the need to leave the race venue by
Saturday morning Joël and opted for a Thursday start. We were planning to ride straight through, no
sleep, and we knew this way we would finish with ample time to get on the road
when needed.
Race morning Thursday started with a 5am wake up. Joël and I prepped most of our ride gear the day before thus it was just get dressed, pump tires, and head down to the start for the event supplied breakfast and coffee. Yum! As riders mingled around the start line there was friendly chit chat, comparing strategies, discussing gear, asking who is sleeping and if so where versus who is not. That’s the wonderful thing about ultra endurance events; everyone wants to challenge themselves and do the best they can, be competitive with both themselves and each other, but when it comes down to it we are all out there going through the same shit and want the best for all riders. Just after 6am it was time for wheels to roll.
The ride started on the rolling gravel roads leading out of Experience Learning. Starting together many riders were in groups socializing, talking, and enjoying company. As the miles rolled on cyclists spread out; many were slowing or stopping to take off jackets and some were breaking at picnic areas and overlooks for food and photos. Soon it was just Joël and I riding together; due to the remote setting of this event we planned to ride as a duo the entire time, keeping each other company and keeping each other safe. Riders were all equipped with GPS trackers so that they could be followed and located in an emergency but riding with each other just seemed safer and of course it is always more fun; misery loves company, right?
So many miles; with a wrong turn the 270 mile loop turned into almost 300. My original plan when starting this blog was to give a play by play of the route, the personal rides of Joël and I, the emotions, the sights and sounds of it all. I then realized I would have to write a novel to do that. Thus, I have decided upon bullet points of the key memories that come to mind. These may be good or bad. They may induce smiles or frowns; laughter or crying. They are not in chronological order or order of importance, just as things come to mind as Joël and I discuss the ride. These are the highlighted memories of the 300 miles of GRUSK. Additionally, for a condensed version of the highlights check the Nankman You Tube channel for a video coming soon or re-visit the 2022 video by clicking here.
- so many
beautiful gravel roads
- climbs that
go on forever, many were walked (especially at the end)
- gas station
food- amazing how wonderful an egg and cheese sandwich and a cheese croissant
taste at 6am. And these odd pepperoni rolls that are a regional thing in the
area.
- the dreaded
wrong turn- around 2am- it’s dark, we are tired, on autopilot for the 2022
course and we made a wrong turn; figured it out after riding well over and hour
the wrong way. Anger and tears followed.
- screaming
fast descents that were even more sketchy in the dark
- when the one
and only hotel along the route is “closed for renovations”; all we want is to
sleep for a few hours…see below where we ended up getting a quick bit of
shut-eye
- being stalked
or maybe followed by the race photographer; geeze Bruce, you were everywhere
- the creepy
narrow wooden bridge that was walked over
- Greenbriar
Observation, so cool to see all the telescopes
- the single
track after Greenbriar, the Nankmans are mountain bikers at heart; had me
smiling ear to ear
- sitting on
the sidewalk at a country store looking sad, hungry, sweaty, and tired while
shoving as many snacks into our faces as possible
- sleeping on a
pile of leaves wrapped in a “space blanket” in the woods off the side of a
rural road. Sleep was needed and it was needed right then and there. Being bitten by bugs at daybreak is what woke
us up.
- the view from
Spruce Knob is just SO amazing
- seeing the
race director Travis out there helping riders, cheering them on (including us),
and just knowing he would be there if needed in an emergency
- stopping at
the distillery Stillhouse Spirits
- meeting up
with other riders close to the end, so wonderful to see others and make new
friends when feeling exhausted, it boosts the spirits and makes the last tough
miles more bearable.
- night riding,
always so creepy and awesome; thanks to Lupine Lights for lighting the way
- factories glowing
and making weird noises off in the distance at night (well, at least that is
what we thought they were, maybe it was Mothman?)
- beautiful
weather- no rain and temperatures were pleasant, somewhere between 60 and 80
most of the ride.
- waterfalls
and picturesque streams
- stunning
views from atop mountains, forests, and fields
- all the
personal homes, businesses, farms that gave water and supplies
- lots and lots
of wildflowers
- bikes and equipment that worked well; no flats, no mechanicals, no gear issues
After 36 hours on the course, through the finish arch and done for Joël and I. Wow, what a ride. Emotions were both high and low. Riding was both strong and pathetic. But all in all it was a an amazing experience and we did it together. There were only about ten of us who did the 260 mile event; the Nankmans ended up mid-pack.
A few hours of sleep and then came the after party. So many things about this event are top notch but the after party is like none other. And in fact, there are essentially TWO after parties. On Friday night a smaller event (some of the ultra distance riders have finished but also the night before the other distance riders go off) and Saturday (after all riders are in) is a full on huge event. Friday is free beer by Mountain State Brewing and for those that purchased meal plans dinner is available. A small area with vendors is open to cruise through. Riders are milling about sharing stories of their ride or discussing prep for their events the next day. Once the venue quiets down and lights turn off star gazing is just amazing. Views of the dark sky are spectacular for atop the hill in the camping fields. Worth waking up for in the middle of the night to see.
The party on
Saturday night is where it’s really at.
Unfortunately, Joël and I did not attend this one. Due to a prior
commitment we had to leave the race venue Saturday morning. We watched the
Saturday races depart and then it was time to start the drive back to
Pennsylvania. Saturday night is a live
band called Last Year's Model, dancing, food, and beer. Old friends catch-up while new friendships are
made over discussion of the rides, the event, and the party. You bet Joël and I will be back for GRUSK in
the future and we will be certain to stay for the party.
In conclusion, GRUSK is a must-do. Top notch race organizer, amazing race venue that is perfect for staying all weekend, challenging and beautiful courses, good rider swag, and did I mention the parties? If you have not yet done this event put it on your list, and if you have done it then what is stopping you from going back?
Now for the credits.
Crazy events
would not be possible for Joël and I without behind the scenes
support from people here:
Saucon Valley
Bikes
Main Street Gym
Liv Cycling
Merlin
Metalworks
Lupine Lights
North America
Our friends, family, and places of employment for understanding out lifestyles
A hug thank you to race director Travis along with his family, friends, and volunteers for putting on this event. Much appreciation to the many businesses and private residences who were neutral aid for the ultra endurance distance riders. Thank you to Experience Learning Center for hosting.
Photo credit to
Bruce Buckley Photo and us the Nankmans. Video made by Joel can be viewed at the beginning of the blog or click here for the Nankman You Tube channel for the video (and others).
- words by Jess, input from Joël