Sunday April 24th, 2022 “The Stay Fired Up Gravel Grinder” will roll out from downtown Leavenworth. Kansas is a true heartland of gravel cycling and this event is a classic. We asked organizer Brendan Sheehan of Sante Fe Trails Bicycle and Coffee Shop to give us some of the background:
“About 8 years ago we met with promoters of gravel races to discuss a future gravel event in Leavenworth, Kansas. Directors and Gravel Racers, including Curt Shelman and Roger Williams, discussed what would be involved. At the time, one of our most prolific gravel riders was Mark Ramsden. When Mark wasn’t riding gravel, he was researching gravel routes on maps and by motor vehicle. Mark devised the first Cool Hand Luke Gravel Grinder Route. I distinctly remember the preride of that route. Mark was a phenomenal rider and he was famous for his “shortcuts”. These shortcuts usually involved a considerable amount of climbing and minimum maintenance roads. The preride was scheduled for a Sunday, two weeks before the actual event. It was rainy and very cold. Mark and I were the only ones to show up. I agreed to do the ride with Mark. It was approximately 110 miles of gravel. About 2/3rds of the way through that ride, Mark looked at me and said “you going to make it?”. I said I would and I did, but not without considerable suffering.
The Cool Hand Luke Gravel Grinder began as a very tough, hilly race. Our reputation grew as an unofficial qualifier for the UNBOUND Gravel. We have started the event in three different locations in Leavenworth. Our first Gravel Race started at the Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center. We moved to a barn on Dakota Street just outside of Leavenworth. That location was super popular as the barn had a bar and a twelve-foot firepit. But a lack of parking and food vendors made us look for a new venue.
Three years ago, we moved to Downtown Leavenworth. The Gravel Grinder now starts right outside Santa Fe Trails Bicycle Shop on the 400 Block of Delaware street. We have received incredible support from the City of Leavenworth. Merchants donate cowbells which are handed out to spectators to cheer the riders as they finish. Local Boy and Girl Scouts cheer the finishers. Restaurants like Club 424 now stay open on Sunday just for the event. Ten Penney Restaurant hosts our packet pickup and provides discounts on drinks and food for the participants.
Riders in the Stay Fired Up Gravel Grinder receive a t-shirt, chip timing, and SAG support. All finishers receive a pint glass and a free beer (for those of age). Winners in each category receive a medal. Registration is available on BIKEREG.COM. The routes offered now are 25 miles and 62 miles. “