Sunday, August 10, 2008

Colesburg 40 2008 (Race Info)


17th Annual Colesburg 40 Gravel Road Race

Alright, if the Andre tandem team can come up from Florida to put on this little gravel race, the least some of you locals can do is show up! Ya, you heard me right, Mr. Freeze himself is living in sweltering Florida! So, here are the details on the race that no one wants to talk about (do to repressed memories of pain and suffering)…

When: September 1st 2008 (Labor Day Monday), Registration until 9:30, Racingstarts at 10AM.

Where: Colesburg, Iowa (NW Corner of Town at the City park)

How Much:
Preregistered Solo Racer $20 / Tandem Team $30 (by Aug 25 [yes poster says 15th]),
Prior Year Solo Racer $20 (Prereg not required)
Prior Year Tandem Team $30 Total (Prereg not required)
Day of event, $30 Single or $45 Tandem Team.

Awards: Cash (real $$$ bills)- lots of it, lottery style payout, the better you place themore tickets you get. Everyone gets at least one ticket for starting this wrenched event.

Race Director Contact: Lance André at (563) 543-2784 or Lance.Andre@Hotmail.com

General Details:


  • Sag supported with water
  • Well marked course (racer maps at sign-in)
  • Large Tandem Field
  • It's typically hot (bring two water bottles & a camel back)
  • Fat-tire mountain bikes and cycle-cross bikes recommended
  • Controlled 1 mile paced start
Long Course: 40.9 miles of Gravel (some pavement) - Sport/Expert/Prolevel riders - expect long gravel hills & a finishing time typically within5 min. of your Chequamegon 40 finish.
Direct Cash Payout for Record Time.
Large pream on the first main climb*

Short Course: 24 miles of Gravel - Beginner/Sport level riders (finishing times range from 1:20 to 2:15+)

*Prem was first won in 2007 by Team Ergon pro rider Jeff Kerkove, who’s teammate beat Lance at Leadville this year and he finished 27th overall, unfortunately the locals made Jeff pay for that $ as he finished 4th behind the Eppens, Andre’s and Todd Gillihan.

This race has a long history in Iowa bike racing…
4th annual: “I’ve had enough, I’m stopping for a beer, me too… ditto”
8th annual: “no race director” (he was thrown in jail, he’s now married to the gal that caused the whole thing)…
10th annual “Broken collarbone, and a stolen car (the racers stole it)”…
12th annual “Dog to Vet with broken ribs, bike to the repair shop”…
13th annual “9 racers lost (to the sound of deliverance)” we have since improved the course markings…
15th annual – “is it possible to endo a tandem?” Ask the Hirsch brothers…
16th annual (last year)– “bloodiest year yet, multiple emergency room visits” Slow down on those D&# downhill corners!

Click on the flyer to view a larger version... email me Lance.Andre@Hotmail.com for a PDF. You can also visit http://www.chainreactioncycling.org/ in a day or two for all the other information like a release form (to fill out ahead of time), detailed driving directions, a course map, etc.