Come Race the Grand

​This weekend is the second edition of BIKEIOWA's two-day race at Des Moine's Sands Volleyball Club. Last year's premiere of The Grand drew over 170 racers, at least that many spectators, and some truly world class hecklers. For year two BIKEIOWA warns us to expect the unexpected.

photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)

​Race Director James Armstead tells us "the course will be similar to last year, with a good set of flowing corners inside and outside of the trees. We plan to have a few more  technical areas and a few less longer straightaways."

​Our first thought hearing "volleyball club" was sand, but last year's edition had only one good section. However, that may change this year. "With the floods this summer, a good portion of the sand got picked up and moved out by the trail. We expect to integrate that into the course this year and use the sand near the volleyball course a little different. All in all, expect a fast and fun course similar to last year."

In 2017 mother nature dumped an inch of rain on the course just after the races Saturday. The first races Sunday started out a little sloppy, but the sandy ground tacked up nicely for the rest of the day. This year Sands has seen it's share of flooding -- it was completely under water in July -- but with a dry week in the forecast  the course is good to go.

photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)

photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)

​Amenities include indoor restrooms, outdoor showers, bike wash, parking, seating, and heated tents/overhangs. Sands is right on the bike trail and close to a bike shop, but it's NOT dog friendly, so leave Doggo at home this weekend.

Food trucks this year will include:
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• Big Acai Bowls
  A delicious treat by combining Acai sorbet with other organic ingredients of your choice into one amazing bowls
  Saturday & Sunday
  
  
• Mullet's Wood Fired Pizza
  Hand tossed, Neopolitan style, local ingredients
  Sunday only
  

photo by Scott Wall (douglasaveimages.smugmug.com/Sports/Bike-Racing)

​Last year the course was about 1.7 miles long and included some long power sections and a mix of tight and twisty turns in the woods. Des Moines' central location and BIKEIOWA's reputation for throwing a good party helped draw racers from Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, of course, but also from Utah, Connecticut, Washington, Texas, and Mississippi. The level of competition did not disappoint.

photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)

photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)

​The forecast for this weekend is cooler and sunny, windy on Saturday -- perfect for cyclocross. The Grand at Sands Volleyball Club is two hours from Cedar Rapids, a bit less from Iowa City. Don't miss it.

The lastest on The Grand.
Last year's blog on the inaugural The Grand.
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