About the Race

The Solstice Gravel Grinder is in its third year as a premier, grassroots, Nebraska gravel grinder that starts and ends in Malcolm, Nebraska, on June 22, 2019. This ride will journey through the communities of Valparaiso, Loma, Brainard, Dwight, Bee, Garland, and Malcolm. The riders will experience all kinds of gravel roads from flat to hilly to super hilly. And just because we know you want adventure, we will even throw in a few MMRs.

The Solstice 100 field will be limited to 100 riders and will start at 7am. We will also feature a shorter option, a 50+ mile gravel grinder, called the Solar Fiddy. The fiddy will be limited to 50 riders and will start at 7:15am. It will follow many of the same roads as the southern half of the Solstice 100 route. There will be one checkpoint at the halfway point, with limited SAG support. 

The Solstice is a self-supportive ride, so plan to bring enough water and supplies to get you in between checkpoints, which are roughly 30-40 miles apart. We will have water, minimal SAG support, and a tire pump at the checkpoints. If you want, you can stop in the local convenience stores or bars and do your own thing. 
This is your ride, so you do what you have to do to make it to the end. You can’t cheat though. There will be checkpoints you must go through to be a Solstice 100 finisher and earn your finishers' patch! If you decide that you cannot continue? Well, this is your ride, so you will need to find a ride home.
We called this event the Solstice for a reason; it’s a day after the longest day of the year, so it’s gonna be HOT! Hot and you will be pedaling 50-100 miles on your own, so prepare yourself. We will release the routes the week before the event and will have an all-gravel backup route planned in case of muddy roads. Both routes will be available to down in both cue card and GPS file formats. It is your responsibility to print the routes as we will not be supplying them the day of the race.

You are responsible for your safety and well-being. We cannot stress this strongly enough--YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU! No one who has anything to do with this race, including EVENT SPONSORS, ORGANIZERS, PROMOTERS, or STAFF, bears any responsibility for your safety or well-being at any time before, during, or after the race. 
Each participant is considered to be on a private excursion and remains solely responsible for any accidents in which he or she may be involved. No responsibility can be accepted for participants who get lost, stranded, injured, or worse.

Be courteous and respectful at all times. Participants must obey all city, county, and state laws, and the Nebraska Rules of the Road. Each participant is required to have a clear front headlamp and a red tail light for the duration of the event. At the start of the race, and when riding after dark, participants are required to have a clear front headlamp capable of in the dark (minimum 500 lumen) and a red tail light. Be careful and take care of yourself! Your safety is up to you. Bring plenty of food and hydration. Cellular service may not always be available, but we highly recommend carrying a cell phone to contact someone in case of an emergency. Carry spare inner tubes and an inflation system. 

Pick up your packets at our sponsor Cycle Works, 720 N 27th St, Lincoln, Nebraska, on Friday June 21st from noon until 7 pm. There will be a limited supply of refreshments. 
$45 registration fee for the Hundy and $40 for the Fiddy includes:

  • Entry into the event
  • Limited supply of adult beverages and treats at packet pickup
  • Custom awards to the 1st Place finishers in each category
  • Prizes for the Second and Third Place finishers in each category
  • Embroidered Solstice 100 event patch for all 100-mile finishers
  • Embroidered Solar Fiddy event patch for all 50+ mile finishers
  • Limited SAG stops along the routes
  • Custom Solstice Gravel Grinder T-Shirt (if registered by June 11)
  • Free food and drink at Lippy's BBQ after finish
  • Super cool prizes for finishers from all of our sponsors! 
  • Overall winner of Solstice 100 wins free entry into next year's event!
  • And DFL trophies for the Last Place finishers!


1 comment:

  1. I'm entered in the Solar Fiddy. Are we required to checkin on Friday, June 21, or can we arrive early and checkin the morning of the race?
    Thank you and I look forward to participating in your fine event!

    ReplyDelete