The Osage Passage - on our gravel bikes in the wide open spaces

Several riders in the Team Suicide Prevention family ventured out to ride in the Osage Passage Gravel Bike Event this past weekend. We are strong believers in leveraging challenging events/races in an effort to continually improve our bike riding skills and endurance. Osage County is the largest county in Oklahoma and was created in 1907 when Oklahoma was admitted as a state. It is characterized by wide open and rolling prairie interlaced with gravel roads. Eastern Osage County has the Osage Hills, an extension of the Flint Hills of Kansas, and is where the race started on the grounds of the Zink Ranch.

The race included 44 mile, 65 mile, and 103 mile routes. The first five miles of the course was a challenge in itself as it turned and twisted its way through rocky pasture land with climbs and descents that included rocks up to the size of cantaloupes that wrecked havoc on many of the riders and their bikes. It was a relief to get on the gravel roads that appeared to disappear over the horizon. No matter which distance you rode, the most important objective was focusing on maintaining your line as riding gravel can be a very unforgiving activity should you loose control of your front wheel. It was also imperative to be vigilant regarding hydration and nutrition particularly on the longer routes. The climbing during the ride at times felt it was almost nonstop. So whether our ride lasted four hours or nine hours, we all were able to benefit from our time on our bikes pushing our limits in the wide open spaces of the Osage Hills.

Until next time, ride safely and stay safe.

CraigJ