CIRREM

2012-01-04T13:37:00.002-06:00

Yo! Here's a little bit about the race, based on first hand experience, exaggerated stories, and outright fabricated accounts by past riders...

First, the Weather: Year one brought (literally) rain, sleet and snow. Temps started in the mid 30's & dropped steadily throughout the day, until the freezing rain turned to snow (thank God). I remember stopping several times to wring the water out of my mittens, and I vividly remember Matt Maxwell's bright-red gloveless hands. It was cold & wet, the gravel was squishy, the pork sandwiches were greasy and the beer was good.

Year two saw colder temps at the start, but as the temps rose from the teens into the upper 30's, the frozen snow on the roads melted and turned smooshy & muddy. Several riders pulled their fenders off mid-ride because of the peanut-buttery build up causing tire-rub. The relatively warm, sunny day led to concrete-white covered bikes, drivetrains & racers. Singlespeed anyone? The pork sandwiches were greasy and the beer was good.

Year three started with temps in teens, and the overcast conditions kept temps in the 20's for the day. Two inches of snow the night before didn't seem to bother anyone, nor did the sleet early on in the race, with attendance above 100 for the first time. The roads were sometimes unpredictable in spots, and caused a small pile up in the first half of the race among the leaders. Mountain bike anyone? Once the green flag was waved, no more mishaps were reported (must have been a first timer). I remember my toes on my left foot were cold. Booties anyone? The pork sandwiches were greasy and beer was good. Shocker.

Bikes: Your guess is as good as mine on this one. The winners have ridden singlespeed mountain bikes, fender'ed cross bikes, and the normal 'cross fare. You'll see mountain bikes, cross bikes, ss's, fenders, fixies, fat bikes and even road bikes. No recumbents or unicycles yet, though I expect that might change this year. Point is, ride what you feel comfy on, because chances are you're faster that way. Put Kent Carlson on gears and he'll look at you funny and waste 19 of them. Put Pete Basso on a singlespeed and watch the bike beg for mercy before buckling under the torque. Run what ya brung, sister.

The Time: As always, the race starts at 10AM. Breakfast & registration start at 8. The winners generally finish around 4 hours, with others on the course for more than 6 hours. Checkpoint is roughly in the middle. Plan accordingly. Ride with a buddy if you think you'll be out there a while. If you aren't going to finish, you need to figure out how to get home. Awards are generally done a few hours after the winners come in, but still before everyone is off the course. Please stay around afterwards and have a good time at the Tap as long as you like. The Tap is pretty awesome, and it's in Cumming, for crying out loud. What else do you need to know?

The Course: A 100km race is 62 miles. The course will be hilly, and very similar to past CIRREM courses. In fact, it may be very similar to past CIRREM courses. In fact, it might actually be the same as past CIRREM courses. Maybe. And maybe we'll pull a bait & switch on you. We're all about keeping you on your toes here at CIRREM HQ.

The Risk: It's all fun and games until someone separates a shoulder. ...All kidding aside, please take care to be safe, for the benefit of yourself and the riders around you. It can be slippery, the gravel can be loose, you'll hit high speeds, and the roads are open to cars. It is rural Iowa, and sometimes rural folk don't take kindly to us uppity, in-shape, shiny non-motorized bike ridin' city folk. There is also a bridge (or bridges) with spaces between the boards that eat wheels for lunch. Seriously, a friend separated his shoulder last weekend on it. No kidding. Please take care out there. Also, there will be a number that you must text if you drop from the race. I spent my Saturday evening driving around Madison County last year looking for 2 riders-who-shall-remain-nameless. I like Madison County, but I saw that lame Clint Eastwood/Meryl Streep movie about it and don't care to see it again, thanks. So if you drop out & don't text there will be consequences. I have no idea what, but we'll think of something. Maybe you'll have to leg wrestle Jerome Rewerts or watch Pete Basso talk politics with Steve Robinson for an hour. We'll think of something horrible.

The Categories: Same as in the past. Fastest man. Fastest woman. Fastest singlespeeder. Who can eat the most cookies at the checkpoint.

More details to follow as I remember what I forgot...

2012-01-03T16:24:00.000-06:00

take note my friends; SURLY is now among us for 2012

2011-12-28T17:34:00.001-06:00

2012 is sold out...many thanks and good luck with your training!
see you all in a couple months

2011-12-28T11:09:00.002-06:00

updated registered riders page. if you're not on the list, you're not in yet.

2011-12-27T17:26:00.003-06:00

registration is live

capped at 125 riders this year

no onsite registration

choose your wool sock size when paying

best CIRREM yet

2011-11-02T19:41:00.000-05:00

CIRREM 2012 begins february 25th

2011-02-27T13:56:00.004-06:00

CIRREM III Results

checkpoint photo dump

2011-02-09T10:18:00.001-06:00

........................tick tock

2010-12-15T11:56:00.000-06:00

registration is open....get it while it's hot

2010-11-02T10:17:00.000-05:00

February 26th is CIRREM 2011....registration info coming soon.

2010-03-01T22:27:00.013-06:00

pictures are better than words. all photos taken from folks on facebook...thank you!

2010-02-28T12:59:00.006-06:00

2010 results...i will have another write up, but i wanted to get these posted asap. thanks to all for making this a great event and i hope we see you all again next year!
overall division name checkpoint finish cat city state
T-1 T-1 Benjamin Doom 2:00 3:54 M St. Cloud MN
T-1 T-1 Jerome Rewerts 2:00 3:54 M Nevada IA
T-1 T-1 Michael Woell 2:00 3:54 M Minneapolis MN
4 4 Nathan Hicks 2:08 4:02 M Des Moines IA
T-5 1 Kent Carlson 2:09 4:05 S Des Moines IA
T-5 5 Steve Robinson 2:08 4:05 M Des Moines IA
7 6 Bill Fanter 2:08 4:06 M West Des Moines IA
8 7 Brandt Elson 2:08 4:10 M Breezy Point MN
9 8 Chris Locke 2:08 4:20 M Kansas City MO
10 9 Drew Wilson 2:09 4:21 M Rochester MN
T-11 2 Jed Gammell 2:16 4:30 S Waukee IA
T-11 10 Chad Vandelune 2:08 4:30 M Des Moines IA
T-13 11 Patrick Tsai 2:08 4:31 M Minneapolis MN
T-13 3 Adam Blake 2:17 4:31 S Iowa City IA
T-13 12 Doug Long 2:12 4:31 M Chillicothe MO
T-16 1 Ben Shockey 2:17 4:32 F Decorah IA
T-16 T-13 Andy Bach 2:17 4:32 M Ankeny IA
T-16 T-13 Nathan Cline 2:08 4:32 M Des Moines IA
19 4 Jerod Osterloh 2:08 4:33 S Des Moines IA
20 5 Brian Fuhrmann 2:24 4:47 S Waukon IA
21 15 Mike Johnson 2:18 4:49 M Cedar Falls IA
22 16 Jeff Mertz 2:13 4:51 M Waukee IA
23 17 Stephen Carney 2:20 4:53 M Greene IA
24 18 Rick Blackford 2:14 4:57 M Des Moines IA
25 6 Rich Hendricks 2:22 4:59 S Duluth MN
T-26 7 Steve McGuire 2:25 5:00 S Iowa City IA
T-26 1 Maria Ruhtenberg 2:29 5:00 W Des Moines IA
T-28 19 Chris Skogen 2:21 5:03 M Rochester MN
T-28 2 Brian Pottorff 2:24 5:03 F West Des Moines IA
T-30 T-20 Jeremy Williams 2:27 5:07 M Rochester MN
T-30 T-20 Steve Wiseman 2:28 5:07 M West Des Moines IA
32 22 John Williams 2:24 5:09 M Kansas City MO
33 23 Kurt Benson 2:30 5:12 M Des Moines IA
34 24 Steve Fuller 2:25 5:15 M Johnston IA
T-35 T-25 Benjamin Fistler 2:29 5:21 M Mason City IA
T-35 T-25 Dennis Grelk 2:34 5:21 M Donnellson IA
37 27 Jeff Burnett 2:39 5:22 M Newton IA
38 28 Jackson Philby 2:24 5:23 M Ames IA
39 29 Nicholos Wethington 2:48 5:24 M Ames IA
40 30 Courtney Hilton 2:41 5:25 M West Des Moines IA
41 31 Tod Stuber 2:41 5:33 M Gilbert IA
42 2 Katie Fistler 2:41 5:35 W Mason City IA
43 32 Dave Tyler 2:48 5:41 M Des Moines IA
44 33 Matt Maxwell 2:48 5:53 M Ames IA
45 34 Kale Halder 2:27 5:56 M West Des Moines IA
46 35 Jon Meyer 2:48 5:57 M Des Moines IA
T-47 T-8 David Pals 2:47 6:03 S Marengo IA
T-47 T-8 Matt Gersib 2:34 6:03 S Lincoln NE
49 36 David Olsen 2:37 6:15 M West Des Moines IA
50 37 Matt Gumm 2:48 6:17 M Ankeny IA
T-51 T-38 Ted Bolles 3:02 6:25 M Waukee IA
T-51 T-38 Mark Wiltse 3:02 6:25 M Waukee IA
53 10 Billy Van Horn 3:13 6:31 S West Des Moines IA
T-54 40 Scott Sumpter 2:41 6:41 M Ankeny IA
T-54 41 Andy Zeiner 2:41 6:41 M Des Moines IA
56 42 Steve Shird 3:13 6:50 M Ankeny IA
57 43 Brad Kramer 3:41 7:49 M Des Moines IA
Ryan Clutter DNF M Des Moines IA
TJ Davis 2:48 DNF S Norwalk IA
Eric Larson 2:42 DNF M Des Moines IA
Chuck Fritz DNF M Clive IA
Lisa Vetterlein DNF W Des Moines IA
Kyle Sedore 2:42 DNF M Des Moines IA
Jeff Bratz DNF M Des Moines IA
James Grooms DNS M Shawnee KS
Chris Huff DNS M Minneapolis MN
Rob Versteegh DNS M Ankeny IA
Craig Severson DNS M Waterloo IA
James Cummins DNS M Lenexa KS
Kathy Fanter DNS W West Des Moines IA
Ryan Elsbend DNS M Des Moines IA
John Nickell DNS M Parkville MO
Scott Harrington DNS M Des Moines IA

2010-02-25T11:46:00.003-06:00

A few last minute updates...

There will be a water checkpoint somewhere near mile 34.

We'll post road conditions sometime tomorrow here on the site. Weather looks to be cooperating, in the sense that you deem mild winds & 30+ degrees as good weather.

Shirts are done & it's confirmed: They are the coolest race tshirts ever. If you hesitated, you'll be devastated when you see the shirts.

See you soon...

2010-02-24T13:23:00.002-06:00

start and finish location...
cumming tap
117 north 44th street
cumming, ia 50061
map link

2010-02-24T08:28:00.002-06:00

cue cards for CIRREM will be in the shape of 5.5" x 4.25". printing will be on both sides of the card in landscape orientation, just like last year. feel free to bring a handlebar mount for the cards if you like.

2010-02-10T16:28:00.002-06:00

4 days left to register online and still receive the coolest race tshirt ever. tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbors.

hesitation is devastation...

2010-01-25T15:15:00.001-06:00

mmmm....quality race shirt...what a novel idea

2010-01-19T09:00:00.004-06:00

the lowdown...
1- CIRREM is a self-sufficient 62 mile gravel race....there will be no support, besides maybe one checkpoint/aid/water station along the route
2-there are no refunds for any reason....well unless the race is cancelled
3-since we do not yet have the power to close 62 miles of roads, obey all traffic laws, wear your helmet, and be seen with blinkies if needed
4-if you leave the race route and do not return to the point of exit, you will be DQ'd without question
5-cross bikes, mountain bikes, and even road bikes are all welcomed
6-hesitation is devastation...register before feb 14 to get your CIRREM shirt
7-proceeds will once again benefit the DSM Bike Collective

2010-01-08T09:37:00.002-06:00

2010 CIRREM registration is now open. pre-register before february 14 and get a free CIRREM shirt. we hooked up with the eight seven central crew to bring you a quality shirt you will actually wear. the shirts are slim fitting, so if you're barely sliding into a medium, get a large. make sure to include in the comments of your registration your shirt size.

CIRREM 2010

2010-01-04T15:21:00.002-06:00

CIRREM 2010...

100k. hilly. gravel. 2.27.10

details to follow...

Lots of great pics here...

2009-03-09T11:42:00.008-05:00

http://jmurph.zenfolio.com/p451491449

thanks to Joe Murphy for documenting such a deranged affair.

results

2009-03-08T21:31:00.005-05:00

Let us know if we missed anyone. Thanks to everyone for making this "epic" version of CIRREM a success. If you have pictures, we want to see them.

See you all next year...

weather

2009-03-07T22:17:00.002-06:00

it's still raining...but we're still racing.
see you all tomorrow.

100k gavel race sunday, march 8

2009-02-24T23:31:00.003-06:00

Join us, Jed Gammell and Kent Carlson, for the inaugural running of the CIRREM (Central Iowa Rock Road Enduro Metric). Looking for something to jumpstart your spring? This race will be the perfect opportunity to push yourself against some great racers all while benefiting the Des Moines Bike Collective.

100k of rolling gravel hills to the southwest of Des Moines will be the route. Cue cards will be given out at the start and at least one checkpoint (with water to refill your bottles) will be on course. It will be beneficial to have a computer on your bike to track distance (mileage noted after turns on the cue cards). You will be responsible for a ride back to the start finish if you cannot complete the race.

Free breakfast burritos provided by the Cumming Tap (117 N. 44th St, Cumming, IA), starting at 7AM
Registration at 8AM and start at 9AM. (NOTE: March 8 is also DST day, spring forward one hour.)
$2 pulled pork sandwiches & free beer afterwards...while it lasts.

Categories will be men, women, single speed and fixed. Awards will be given to top 3 men, women, single speeds, and top fixie. A schwag drawing will happen as well...check out our sponsors.

Got questions....email us CIRREM (at) gmail (dot) com.

sneak peek

2009-02-24T22:20:00.006-06:00

recon photos from the course....

showing you how it gets done.

awards

2009-02-12T21:22:00.002-06:00

top 3 men geared, top 3 women geared, top 3 single speed, and top fixie all take home cycling art awards built by the man himself, squirrel

supporting the cause

2009-01-30T21:46:00.004-06:00

We want to thank and note all the sponsors who have tossed our little event a bone. The local bike shops that get all our business whether they like it or not, Rasmussen Bike Shop, Kyle's Bikes, and Bike World. Oakley (get some) and Planet Bike (does anyone else even sell blinkies and fenders?) were two of the first to jump on the CIRREM bandwagon. Trek/Gary Fisher saw the light and couldn't resist the nations largest bicycling event* on March 8. Heck even Olde Main Brewing heard the CIRREM commotion from Ames' main street and wanted some action. Cumming Tap is hooking us up with some pre and post race eats, while Johnny's kicks us some hoppy refreshments.

You still want to help CIRREM be all it can be? email us

That's right my friends...this is a throw down you will not soon forget.

*this is probably not true, but it sounds nice

What's your 10-20?

2009-01-27T22:53:00.004-06:00

If you're looking for the registration, start, finish, awards, and after party for CIRREM head on over to the Cumming Tap. The good folks at CT have stepped up to meet our needs and then some.

Can you handle the Van Dammage?

2009-01-20T16:47:00.003-06:00

Can you dig the Van Dammage??? We'll see, won't we?!?