Jasper County—Gravel Grinding Paradise
If you’re looking for great cycling, Jasper County is hard to beat. We have plenty of low-traffic paved roads to appeal to roadies (i.e., dedicated road cyclists). Perhaps an even bigger asset is our network of dirt and gravel roads, which make us a prime location for a type of cycling called gravel grinding, or ultra cross.
Gravel grinding is a hybrid between mountain biking and road riding. It offers the off-pavement challenges of mountain biking mixed with the long-distance endurance, higher speed, and group tactics of road riding. Additionally, traffic is even less of a concern on dirt roads than on rural paved roads.
Gravel grinding enthusiasts typically ride bicycles designed specifically for this type of riding, usually called cyclocross bikes. They have the sleeker frame of a road bike, but certain features, like wider, knobby tires and disc brakes, make them suitable for off-road.
I do a good bit of dirt road riding in the colder months. With front and rear lights mounted on my cyclocross bike, I can ride safely after work during the fall and winter when the sun sets early. Dirt road riding presents its own set of challenges, like peanut buttery mud after heavy rainfall or freshly laid gravel (ugh!). Even so, it’s one of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful scenery of our region, get a great workout, and simply have fun!
As in other types of cycling, gravel grinding enthusiasts like to race. For several years a gravel grinder race called the Red Clay Ramble has been taking place in our backyard. It begins at the checking station in the Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area, just off Highway 212 a few miles into Putnam County. More than 70 percent of the 56-mile racecourse is comprised of dirt and gravel roads. It winds through Putnam County, Jones County, and the southeast corner of Jasper County (Turner Road and Dumas Road).
Four of my Georgia Neurosurgical Institute cycling teammates and I raced in this year’s Red Clay Ramble on August 19. Over 200 people registered for the race or the concurrent recreational ride. It was quite heartening to see so many people out to enjoy a day of cycling in my own neighborhood.
The racers began at 9:00 AM. We lined up at the starting line together: men and women in various categories. Both men and women have an open class, in which any age can race. Men also have masters (40-49 years old), grand masters (50-59), and ultra masters (60+) as well as Clydesdale (200 lb. or heavier). Women have one masters category (40+). The Red Clay Ramble also has categories for juniors (less than 18 years old) and single-speed racers. Three of my teammates raced in masters men, and one raced Clydesdale. I raced with the masters women.
Having raced the Red Clay Ramble twice before, I knew what to expect. Sure enough, the fastest men took off like rockets. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up with them, even if I drafted. Therefore, I settled into the fastest pace I thought I could maintain for the approximately three hours it would take me to complete the race.
During the first half of the race, I got to ride with several other people. One couple in matching kits (cycling uniforms) would catch up to me and then drop back. The third time they caught me, I said to them, “You’re back! You’re like McRib.” You’ve probably seen those McDonald’s ads that have been popping up for years: McRib – it’s back! Ironically, the couple’s kits even kind of looked like McRibs.
I managed to hydrate adequately on the very hot day. I drank a good bit before the race and carried two large bottles on my bike, dosing them to myself throughout the race. Several rest stops were set up along the course. However, primarily the recreational riders used the rest stops; we racers didn’t want any delays. I did grab a cup of water as I rode by the final rest stop of the day. About half went flying out, but the remaining half really helped in the final six miles.
The Red Clay Ramble is billed as 56 miles of hot and dirty fun. That is an accurate description. I’m happy that Jasper County had a role in the festivities.
