8th Annual Gravel Rouser Classic is March 17th-March 20th

Time	Thursday, March 17 at 4:30pm - March 20 at 5:00pm
Location	Athens, Ohio
Created By	Athens Bicycle
More Info	What's that at the end of the rainbow? Is it a pot o' gold? Nope! It's the 8th Annual Gravel Rouser Classic, a four-day buffet of recreational bike riding and low-key racing in Athens, Ohio. Attend all four events or pick and choose as you like. To see recaps and results from last years Gravel Rouser, visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/athensbicycle) and scroll through the "Notes" tab. 2011 GRAVEL ROUSER CLASSIC SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Event #1: The Shamrock Showdown Date: Thursday, March 17 (aka St. Patrick's Day) Start Time: 5 p.m. Meeting Place: Strouds Run State Park Group Camp Area (accessible via the campground road) > Put on your green because it's time to party downhill style. Enjoy a group pre-ride of the Scatter Ridge Connector Trail, then get yourself back up to the top and line up for an individual time trial down this lovely new trail. We'll have a leprechaun timing this event so don't try anything funny. Event #2: Grab & Git City Scramble Date: Friday, March 18 Start Time: 5 p.m. sharp Meeting Place: Athens Bicycle, 4 W. Stimson Ave., Athens. Registration begins at 4:30. > Ride around town (about 10-12 miles total) to find five checkpoints, then head to the finish for a party and podium awards ceremony! This event has almost as much to do with luck as it has to do with fitness. Basically, it’s a crapshoot, so forget the performance anxiety and come join the fun! Food, beverages and podium awards sponsored by Trek and Athens Bicycle at the finish line. New finish line for 2011! It's a little farther from the start than in past years, so be prepared to ride about 4 miles back to Athens when the festivities wind down. It's a good idea to bring your bike commuting lights or plan a carpool home from the finish. Also, if you'd like to have a backpack with a change of clothes, lights, etc., brought to the finish, we'll have a vehicle at the start that can shuttle your stuff. Event #3: Gravel Rouser Date: Saturday, March 19 Start Time: 10 a.m. sharp (Registration begins at 9 a.m.) Meeting Place: The Oak Room, 14 Station Street (This restaurant is located a couple of buildings behind the old train depot on West Union Street -- this is one building behind where we have met for the past two years.) Parking Information: There is parking available in the lot in front of the Oak Room. Gravel Rouser Survivors Barbecue: 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Oak Room. > Hilly ride to Lake Hope State Park and back. 40-mile (round trip) ride plus optional 10-mile singletrack mountain bike race at the mid-point. Course will be marked and maps provided; ride at your own pace. Either race or spectate before heading home. Snacks will be provided at Lake Hope State Park. > After the day's ride, enjoy the Gravel Rouser Survivors Barbecue at the Oak Room restaurant. Pork BBQ sandwiches, cole slaw, potato salad and beverages await riders, and is included with your registration donation. You are welcome to change out of your riding clothes in the bathrooms at the Oak Room. Individuals who are not participating in the Gravel Rouser can pay $10 and enjoy the BBQ buffet. Event #4: Strouds Run Death Loop Date: Sunday, March 21 Start Time: 10 a.m. Meeting Place: Athens City Pool parking lot (next to the pavilion at the entrance to the Athens Community Center) > Okay so three days wasn't enough? You want some more? For day number four we will take our finest singletrack and drizzle it with some mud or maybe even snow. We’ll serve that over a bed of tired legs and garnish with saddle sores. Bon appetit! This ride will be about 20 miles long, including some parading and some racing if you desire. GENERAL INFORMATION > Enjoy all four days of racing or pick and choose as you wish > The Gravel Rouser Committee will accept donations to offset costs for organizing the event and feeding participants. Suggested donation: $30 for the entire four days of racing or $10 per event. Contribute as you see fit. Please give your donation to any of the Gravel Rouser Committee members: Joey Boyle, Peter Kotses or Meredith Erlewine. [Facebook event]