BILL BONE

Florida State Gravel Championship & Gravel Grinder

Presented by City Bikes

 Sunday, December 10, 2023 

 

FLORIDA STATE GRAVEL CHAMPIONSHIP

EVENT START TIMES   (CLICK HERE FOR WAVE START TIMES)

Florida State Gravel Championship Female Categories (Start Times will be in 1-minute intervals and each age category will start together – Start Times are posted next to your name – Please always double check start times before the event)

Female 18-39 (60 Miles)
Female 40-49 (60 Miles)
Female 50-59  (60 Miles)
Female 60+  (30 Miles)

 

Florida State Gravel Championship Male Categories (Start Times will be in 1-minute intervals and each age category will start together – Start Times are posted next to your name – Please always double check start times before the event)
Male 18-29  (60 Miles)
Male 30-34  (60 Miles)
Male 35-39  (60 Miles)
Male 40-44  (60 Miles)
Male 45-49  (60 Miles)
Male 50-54  (60 Miles)
Male 55-59  (60 Miles)
Male 60-64  (30 Miles)
Male 65-69  (30 Miles)
Male 70 + (30 Miles)

 

Florida State Gravel Championship Categories – Category Winners will receive the Florida State Gravel Champion Jersey (must be a Florida Resident).  *Your racing age is your age as of December 31, 2023.

 

30 MILE GRAVEL GRINDER

Men/Women – Fat Tire (No Gravel Bike with Fat Tires – This is a Mountain Bike)

Men/Women – Intermediate

Men/Women – Beginner (First Timers/No Sandbaggers)

 

20 MILE GRAVEL ADVENTURE

20 Mile Gravel Adventure – Start Time is 8:30am (Medals Top 3) (Mass Start)

Men/Women – You may use any bike for the Gravel Adventure.  The course is challenging and very fun.  The group is not for the riders who want to complete for an award but are focused on the personal accomplishment and post event activities.

 

Awards Ceremony (All Events) – Estimated at 12pm.

 

Event Time Cut Off is 2:00pm (timing line will be removed)

 

COST OF EVENT – Early fee by December 1, 2023:  $54 (20-mile Gravel Adventure), $64 (Gravel Grinder) and $74 (Florida State Gravel Championship).  Add $10 after that. – Entry fee includes post event food, drinks, custom gravel hats, insurance fee, custom award medals, professional chip timing and neutral support.  Online registration closes at 6am on December 10, 2023.  Event Day registration: add $10.  You must be at least 18 years of age or older to participate in this event. REFUND POLICY: There are significant costs that occur in advance of the event related to the cost of t-shirt, hats, food, staffing, permitting, insurance, EMS services, police services, pavilion rentals and park rentals. There are absolutely NO REFUNDS for this event.

 

EVENT NUMBER PICKUP LOCATION AND DATES

City Bikes Pembroke Pines (located in the Palm Johnson Plaza Shopping Center): 701 NW 99th Ave, Hollywood, Fl 33024 (Google Maps Directions to City Bikes)

 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2023 – 1pm to 5pm at City Bikes Pembroke Pines (RECOMMENDED)

 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023 – BEGINNING AT 6:15AM (Everglades Holiday Park – Pavilion on North Side of the building (REGISTRATION ON EVENT DAY IS ALSO AVAILABLE)

 

LOCATION START/FINISH:  Everglades Holiday Park – 21940 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33332 – Google Map Directions to Everglades Holiday Park

 

 

EVENT COURSE AND DISTANCES

All participants are required to download the course to your bike computer.  There will be limited signage on the routes.  You can view your course and download your file type (GPX, TCX, etc.) from Strava.com

• 60-mile Strava Link – State Championship
• 30-mile Strava link  – Gravel Grinder / 60+ Men/Women
• 20-Mile Strava Link –  Gravel Adventure

 

READ READ READ READ READ – KNOWING THE COURSE IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

60 MILE COURSE  

Please be advised that 60-mile group will complete two full (2) laps which include the 10-mile interior loop.  (A Big Loop with a 10-mile interior loop). On Lap 1 at approximately Mile-20, you will see a large A-frame sign that reads 30/60 Mile (arrow right plus arrows on the ground) which starts the 10 Mile Interior Loop.  NOTE: You will also pass the neutral support tent again at Mile 25.

You will see the same sign large A-Frame signs (30/60 Mile – arrow right) 10 miles later (DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT-HAND TURN AGAIN).  Continue East/Straight for 1 mile to complete lap (1) one (which is also the Finish Line).  You will proceed thru the parking lot and begin Lap 1 (repeat the same lap which includes the interior loop)

 

20- & 30-MILE COURSE – The 30-mile group (Read the narrative above) will complete one full lap, plus the interior loop.  The 20-mile Gravel Adventure group will ‘skip’ the interior loop and head back to Everglades Holiday Park.   There is Neutral Support at Mile 15 for all groups.  The 30- & 60-mile groups will also pass the same support tent at Mile 25.

 

GOOD ADVICE: Do not over inflate your tires as many areas of the levee system are rocky.  You are subject to flats if you have too much tire pressure.  Keep pressure low and you ride will be smoother, fasters and more enjoyable.

 

DIRECTIONS TO THE EVERGLADES HOLIDAY PARK –  Google Map Directions

 

PAVILLION, STAGING FOOD, VENDOR AREA – As you enter the park you will see the large building for the airboat tour operations.  The event has rented the large pavilion with restroom on the water.  We will have post event goodies by PDQ of Pembroke Pines and lots of refreshments.  We will also have Dunkin Doughnuts and coffee to give you your needed sugar high.

 

RESTROOMS – Restrooms are located near the parking lot and at the staging area.

 

START/FINISH  – This event will start and end at the Everglades Holiday Park.  The start line will be at the West gate just East of the staging area.     

 

COURSE MAPS – The course will be well marked with yellow ground arrows and yellow signs/arrows.  Maps for Strava Ride with GPS are available by clicking HERE.

 

GATES, GATES, GATES – The good news is that the Florida State land manager has allowed the event to open select gates.  The start and finish gates will be open for the event.  The 2 gates located just after mile 8 will be closed which will require you to carry your bike over or through the gates.

 

ENTRANCE TO MACK’S FISH CAMP (Mile 8) – After you pass the 1^st closed gate you will make your first right turn that leads to Macks Fish Camp. There will be a large A-frame and gate that warns you of this road crossing.

 

COURSE MARKINGS – The route will be marked with paint on the gravel roads ONLY at turns.  Please download the GPS to your computer so you have a great experience.

 

EVENT NUMBER/CHIP POSITION – Warning – There is a timing chip on the back of your event number – Please do not tie wrap the number to your seat post or any other tube.  You must place it on the front of your bike (yes, we know it causes wind drag) so we can see your number and more importantly the chip reads correctly.  And remember, if you wrap it, and it does not get a chip read, it’s your fault and you may not get a result.

 

CITY BIKES SUPPORT TENTS – There is one neutral support tent located on the course.  Lap 1 (Mile 15 and 25) Lap 2 (Mile 45 and 55).  We will also have first aid at the tent.  We will supply plenty of water in orange containers (no bottles) and snacks.  Use your bottle to refill.

 

BOTTLE SWAP TABLE – 60 MILE GROUP – You can leave a personal at the ESPtiming tent located just after your first lap on the levee.

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC COURSE – Please be reminder that the levee trail system is open to recreational riders.  Please keep to the right and pass on the left.

 

SMILE – VeloPista Photo will be out on course taking your pics.  These photos are normally available the next day the link provided.

 

PLEASE DON’T OVER INFLATE YOUR TIRES.  The #1 reason riders do not complete gravel events are due to flat tires.  We want you to have a great gravel experience, which is why we list this as the #1 thing to focus on.  Please take a look at the provided tire pressure chart to assist you in the event. TIRE PRESSURE CHART

 

AWARDS – The top 3 in each category will get custom medals and the 60-mile winners will receive the Gravel Jersey.

 

LITTERING – Please do not litter our precious Everglades.  What you carry in with you, you should also carry out.

 

EVENT PREPAREDNESS – It is your responsibility to be prepared for your gravel adventure. Although we will have neutral support on the course you should be 100% self-supported. Please prepare for flat tires, hot weather, etc.  See things to remember below.

 

• You are responsible to know the routes posted.  Please download and review the provided maps to your bike computer via Strava.
• The use of headphones during the event is not recommended.
• As a reminder, aerobars are not permitted during the event.
• Make sure you bike is in good working order and get it checked over by a bike mechanic.
• Always keep your eyes on the gravel roads as the terrain is different throughout the course.
• Choose a distance based on your abilities.
• Wear sunscreen
• Pick the right bike for the ride. (Gravel/Dirt specifics, mountain bike or fat tire bicycle).
• Purchase Road ID
• Bring your cell phone (there is coverage on the course)
• Always wear your helmet.
• Bring cycling gloves.
• Extra tubes, air, sealant
• Prepare a small tool kit for mechanical issues.
• Nutrition (gels, bars, snacks, etc.)
• Hydration (at least one 22oz bottle per hour) or (hydration backpack). NOTE: Any small backpack can help you carry extra hydration and basic tools/safety items.
• Small/Basic First-Aid Pack
• In case of an emergency call 9-1-1

 

The South Florida Water Management District does not charge a fee to enter or use any lands provided by the district to the public for outdoor recreational purposes. Any applicable fee, registration fee, ticket price or any other fee charged, or donation accepted by the organization hosting an event on any lands provided by the district to the public for outdoor recreation purposes is not and shall not be considered a fee to enter or use the property.