5th Annual Gravel Rouser Classic

March 20-23, 2008
Athens, Ohio

It's no fun when some other event promoter poaches your race date. Except for when it's the Easter Bunny! That's right, folks, instead of the Gravel Rouser overlapping with St. Patty's Day this year, we're butting heads with Easter. So prepare yourselves for candy, decorated eggs, bunnies and all the other Easter trimmings. Come on out for some early spring riding and racing. To check out a recap of the 2007 Gravel Rouser, click here.

Cannondale has signed on as our title sponsor for this year's race, providing some excellent prizes. Let's just say you never know what you might find in an Easter egg. Perennial Gravel Rouser sponsor Trek also will be providing some excellent swag for Gravel Rouser champions.

As always, you can choose to participate in all four Gravel Rouser events or pick and choose as you please. There is, however, a points race that runs across all four days: the Roadkill Points Challenge. Basically, whenever you see some roadkill on the road (or off) you sprint to tag the carcass with at least one of your tires. It takes practice to train your sprint at the site of a dead groundhog in the ditch or a leathery 'coon on the white line. So get ready, the Gravel Rouser will be here before you know it. The weasel will be waiting, he is the prize!!!

Road kill points breakdown:

• Skunk = 5 points
• Deer = 5 points
• All others = 1 point
• Live animals = double points

2008 Gravel Rouser Classic Calendar of Events

Thursday, March 20: Thunderbunny Time Trial
Start Time: 5 p.m.
Meet at the Strouds Run Campground turnaround

• 2.5-mile MTB time trial.

Friday, March 21: Grab & Git City Scramble
Start Time: 5 p.m. sharp
Meet at the mothership -- Athens Bicycle. Registration begins at 4:30.

• Ride aound town (about 10-12 miles total) to find five checkpoints, then head to the finish cuz it’s a party! 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 and beverages at the finish line.

Saturday: Gravel Rouser
Start Time: 10 a.m.
Meet at the West State Street Ball Fields in Athens.
Food and beverages afterward at 226 W. State.

• Gravel rouser your bunny behind to Lake Hope State Park and back. 40-mile (round trip) gravel road ride plus optional 8-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, and food and beverages will be available at the ride finish.

Sunday: Easter Eggstravaganza
Start Time: 10 a.m.
Meet at the Strouds Run State Park beach parking lot.

• Do you want to find Easter eggs with surprises inside or do you want to win a race? You'll have to make that tough decision at this one-of-a-kind event. Enjoy 3 miles of egg-infested singletrack -- either race for time or take a more leisurely approach and hunt for eggs. You can stop there and enjoy your Easter egg booty or continue on for about 12 more miles and race to glory. This is one Easter egg hunt that cycling nuts won't want to miss. Steep gravel roads and singletrack await on your way back to the beach to finish this Easter event.
  

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.

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