Informational Post

 This email went out to all riders but want to make sure information is spread to all. Please read all of the information as it is all important. 

If you need to learn to know how tulip notes (your directions for finishing the course) please read this old post.  

http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com/2011/03/cue-sheets-101.html

Details:

1) We start and end in the parking lot of Mississippi National Golf Links on the east side of Red Wing. If you travel through town on 61 heading South you can’t miss it. Please fill the lot farthest from the clubhouse first. Ride start will be 7:30 “sharp”. 

2) We’ll be starting as one group. 

3) We will be setting up around 6 am Saturday morning. It would be great if we didn’t have to check everyone in between 7:00 and 7:20 but we’ll deal accordingly. THIS IS WHEN YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR CUE/TULIP NOTES.  If you don’t know how a tulip note works there is a description somewhere on the web page.  www.ragnarok105.blogspot.com  NO THERE ISN'T A GPS FILE TO GIVE YOU. If you ask for one there is a penalty(tbd). It will probably be in the form of a blank stare and judgment.

There will be a check in Friday night from 5:30-8 at the Red Wing Bicycle Co if you want your tulips early and help us out so Saturday is less chaotic. If you're in town Friday night, please support the local businesses.

4) We should have 3 nice and clean biffies for your use. The clubhouse won’t be open in the morning, and unless you buy something, it shouldn’t be counted on for post ride relief either. We’re trying to be good neighbors.

5) You are responsible for yourself.

6) If you need to drop out…. See note 5. No one associated with Ragnarök 105 will be providing rides or pick ups or any support whatsoever outside of checking you in at a checkpoint, handing you the next cues, and saying “great job”. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELF!

7) Due to people being lame. Do not expect to be able to use past course files for route finding, it will be incorrect.

8) If you finish, heck... if you don't finish and want a medal, you can pick a rock off of the course and I will sharpie your name and finish time or drop out milage on the rock. I'm not kidding. If you win the race and want 1st place on your rock I can do that too. If you want all of your friends to think you got 1st or 31st I'll write what you need. 

Feel free to ask any questions you may have. 

Many of you have ridden in gravel centuries/events before, and those that haven't have probably put on at least a few miles on the dusty/muddy/icy dirt roads this winter/spring... but some things to have in the back of your head while riding this weekend:

- Please obey all road signs. If the sign says stop. Please do so.
- It's a long race so be smart about bombing down hills and whatnot.... it's a gas, but always ride within yourself.
- When cresting a hill, or going around a blind corner always ride to the right side of the road.
- Gravel is a very inconsistent surface to ride on. For the most part the roads of Goodhue and Wabasha counties are premium surfaces to ride on. Patches of frost heaves, loose gravel, mud will still pop up though, so be prepared! Right now ice is even a possibility, though the temps this week should help in that respect.
- Dogs. In general the dogs we've ran across while riding this spring have been well behaved. Watch out though. Even when they are just trying to be friendly they can cause a crash.
- Be respectful of others. We're using the roads, but they are not closed and they are not solely ours. Don't litter. Smile at folks. Wave. Goodhue and Wabasha counties have been happy to give us permission to run the race so far. Let's not give them reason to change their minds.
- Be prepared. There is roughly 40-45 miles between civilization and in some of the valleys you probably will not get good cell reception/coverage. The organizers of the race also are not responsible for providing you with a way out if you get in trouble.
- You are responsible for you. We won't have piles of tubes, water, gel packs etc. We will not drive all over picking people up who have to drop out for whatever reason.
- Please have a working blinky red rear light and some sort of blinky white front light.