2011 Gravel Worlds
Gravel Worlds 2011: Battling the Elements
The 2011 edition of Gravel Worlds marked a significant milestone in the event's history, drawing nearly 200 riders to Lincoln, Nebraska. This year was particularly memorable due to the challenging weather conditions that tested the resilience of all participants.
A Grueling Challenge
The 2011 race featured a looped course that began and ended at the Lancaster County Event Center, heading north out of Lincoln. Riders faced a grueling 150-mile route characterized by rolling gravel roads, minimal support, and unpredictable weather. The conditions were harsh, with heavy rain and strong winds making the course even more demanding. These challenging elements led to the lowest completion rate in the event's history, with fewer than 35% of participants finishing the race.
Pre-Race Preparations
The excitement leading up to the event was palpable. An optional rider check-in was held the evening before the race at Cycle Works, where participants could sign waivers, receive cue sheets, and enjoy refreshments, including craft beer and root beer provided by Modern Monks. This gathering fostered a sense of community among the riders and set the tone for the challenging day ahead.
Weather Challenges
Mother Nature presented significant challenges on race day. The Lincoln area had received substantial rainfall the night before, making some of the gravel roads and MMR (Minimum Maintenance Roads) soft and muddy. Race organizers emphasized that participants should be prepared for hike-a-bike sections and navigate with caution. Despite the adverse conditions, the race proceeded as planned, embodying the spirit of adventure that defines Gravel Worlds.
Course and Checkpoints
The 150-mile course featured a mix of gravel and MMR, with riders passing through various checkpoints. In addition to the traditional Nebraska Powerball ticket checkpoints, a secret checkpoint was introduced around mile 102, adding an element of surprise and excitement to the race. Participants were required to provide proof of reaching this checkpoint upon crossing the finish line.
Post-Race Celebrations
After completing the grueling course, riders gathered to celebrate their achievements. The event featured limited-edition PCL merchandise, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, and numbered Gravel Worlds posters. Trophies, known as "gravel reliquaries," were awarded to the winners of each category, adding a unique touch to the event's tradition.
Notable Finishers
Despite the adverse conditions, some riders persevered and completed the course. Greg Shimonek emerged as the male champion with a time of 10:38:30, while Loren Uscilowski claimed the female title in 12:21:34. Their performances stood out amidst the challenging circumstances.
The Spirit of Gravel Worlds
The 2011 edition of Gravel Worlds exemplified the event's ethos of adventure, community, and resilience. Riders faced not only physical challenges but also the unpredictable elements of nature, embodying the spirit of gravel racing. The camaraderie among participants and the shared experience of overcoming adversity contributed to the event's enduring legacy.
| Open Men | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First name | Last name | Time | Place |
| Greg | Shimonek | 10:38:30 | 1 |
| Brady | Murphy | 10:45:56 | 2 |
| Dale | Pinkelman | 11:08:30 | 3 |
| Lucas | Marshall | 11:18:00 | 4 |
| Kevin | Burke | 12:04:08 | 5 |
| Trevor | Madden | 12:18:22 | 6 |
| Rich | Wince | 12:21:34 | 7 |
| Eric | Finks | 12:25:33 | 8 |
| Paul | Chapman | 12:25:33 | 9 |
| Michael | Dixon | 12:25:33 | 9 |
| James | Blake | 12:36:17 | 11 |
| Chris | Karpowicz | 12:36:59 | 12 |
| Kevin | Collings | 12:40:38 | 13 |
| John | Williams | 12:46:28 | 14 |
| Chris | Burger | 12:48:49 | 15 |
| Ted | Lechnowsky | 12:55:25 | 16 |
| Randy | Gibson | 13:11:06 | 17 |
| Ben | Swan | 13:12:10 | 18 |
| Steve | Cannon | 13:12:36 | 19 |
| Marcus | Mancini | 13:28:08 | 20 |
| Al | Brunner | 13:39:32 | 21 |
| Jeremy | Eisenhauer | 13:40:25 | 22 |
| Jason | Bakewell | 13:42:00 | 23 |
| Carlos | Monzon | 13:42:47 | 24 |
| Andrew | Keffer | 14:01:56 | 25 |
| Scott | Kiddoo | 14:03:30 | 26 |
| Scott | Noel | 14:03:30 | 26 |
| Tim | Mohn | 14:28:50 | 28 |
| Aaron | Schnee | 14:30:00 | 29 |
| Lane | Bergen | 14:30:35 | 30 |
| Rob | Livermore | 14:48:43 | 31 |
| Wesley | Trout | 14:53:35 | 32 |
| Eric | Benjamin | 15:02:05 | 33 |
| Scott | Bridges | 15:14:50 | 34 |
| Oak | Williams | 15:16:05 | 35 |
| Phillip | Clark | 15:27:05 | 36 |
| Tim | Kelsey | 15:27:05 | 36 |
| Devin | O'Brien | 15:27:05 | 36 |
| Chris | Goodall | 15:35:20 | 39 |
| Scott | Redd | 15:35:20 | 39 |
| Carl | Gauger | 15:51:30 | 41 |
| Scott | Ideen | 16:46:30 | 42 |
| Lucas | Orth | 16:46:30 | 42 |
| Brandon | Wachal | 16:46:30 | 42 |
| Andrew | Amen | DNF | DNF |
| Alfred | Berchtold | DNF | DNF |
| Matt | Bergen | DNF | DNF |
| Chris | Blackstock | DNF | DNF |
| Jordan | Brasch | DNF | DNF |
| Conrad | C. | DNF | DNF |
| Mark | Chapin | DNF | DNF |
| Brian | Drahota | DNF | DNF |
| Joe | Fox | DNF | DNF |
| Matt | Fuller | DNF | DNF |
| Matt | Gersib | DNF | DNF |
| Shane | Harders | DNF | DNF |
| Robert | Kay | DNF | DNF |
| Randy | Kinney | DNF | DNF |
| Corey | Knop | DNF | DNF |
| Daniel | Kroll | DNF | DNF |
| Zane | Languis | DNF | DNF |
| Delan | Lonowski | DNF | DNF |
| Brian | Luciani | DNF | DNF |
| Mike | Marsh | DNF | DNF |
| David | McLeod | DNF | DNF |
| Gus | Miller | DNF | DNF |
| Ian | Moore | DNF | DNF |
| Scott | O'Mara | DNF | DNF |
| Russell | Parde | DNF | DNF |
| Phillip | Rudebusch | DNF | DNF |
| Phil | Stake | DNF | DNF |
| Paul | White | DNF | DNF |
| Kevin | Wilkins | DNF | DNF |
| Jim | Winklepleck | DNF | DNF |
| Todd | Wixon | DNF | DNF |
| Dan | Zieg | DNF | DNF |
| Jake | Anderson | DNS | DNS |
| Bruce | Anderson | DNS | DNS |
| Ryan | Anzalone | DNS | DNS |
| Matt | Beck | DNS | DNS |
| Paul | Carroll | DNS | DNS |
| Jon | Chamberlain | DNS | DNS |
| Sean | Craig | DNS | DNS |
| Sean | Fontaine | DNS | DNS |
| Michael | Giese | DNS | DNS |
| Kevin | Gilinsky | DNS | DNS |
| Courtney | Hilton | DNS | DNS |
| David | Kosark | DNS | DNS |
| Ken | Lackey | DNS | DNS |
| Chris | Larkin | DNS | DNS |
| Scott | McDonough | DNS | DNS |
| David | Sheesley | DNS | DNS |
| Timothy | Songster | DNS | DNS |
| Matt | Vonderfecht | DNS | DNS |
| Keith | Walberg | DNS | DNS |
| Marc | Walter | DNS | DNS |
| Tim | Werts | DNS | DNS |
| Open Women | |||
| First name | Last name | Time | Place |
| Loren | Uscilowski | 12:21:34 | 1 |
| Elisabeth | Reinkordt | 16:46:30 | 2 |
| Kimberly | Brown | DNF | DNF |
| Chinda | David | DNF | DNF |
| Ashley | Frear Cooper | DNF | DNF |
| Emily | Harrenstein | DNF | DNF |
| Ryana | Swift | DNF | DNF |
| Liz | Tylander | DNF | DNF |
| Jen | Deep | DNF | DNF |
| Cindy | Arias | DNS | DNS |
| Amber | Hollmann | DNS | DNS |
| Sarah | Madsen | DNS | DNS |
| Barbie | Miller | DNS | DNS |
| Nora | Rolf | DNS | DNS |
| Master Men | |||
| First name | Last name | Time | Place |
| Mike | Shumway | 12:21:34 | 1 |
| John | Vondracek | 12:52:10 | 2 |
| Ron | Nelson | 13:42:50 | 3 |
| Bruce | Sandahl | 14:37:50 | 4 |
| Mark | Falloon | 15:32:20 | 5 |
| Patrick | Grewe | DNF | DNF |
| Steve | Hurless | DNF | DNF |
| Paul | Larsen | DNF | DNF |
| Don | Reed | DNF | DNF |
| David | Rowe | DNF | DNF |
| Brian | Todd | DNF | DNF |
| Robert | Tucker | DNF | DNF |
| Mike | Borland | DNS | DNS |
| Jim | Cummings | DNS | DNS |
| John | Mathias | DNS | DNS |
| Jim | Rank | DNS | DNS |
| Rick | Sanders | DNS | DNS |
| Lou | Waugaman | DNS | DNS |
| Master Women | |||
| First name | Last name | Time | Place |
| Kim | Carveth | 16:45:30 | 1 |
| Single Speed Men | |||
| First name | Last name | Time | Place |
| Eric | Brunt | 10:45:55 | 1 |
| Chris | Hansen | 11:51:56 | 2 |
| Rafal | Doloto | 12:25:33 | 3 |
| Cornbread | 12:35:00 | 4 | |
| Aaron | Gammel | 12:48:49 | 5 |
| Jonathan | Neve | 13:29:49 | 6 |
| David | Randleman | 14:23:05 | 7 |
| Steven | Thompson | 14:24:30 | 8 |
| John | Welsh | 14:31:05 | 9 |
| Tod | Sehnert | 15:32:20 | 10 |
| Matt | Wills | 15:51:30 | 11 |
| Rhino | Albeez | DNF | DNF |
| Scott | Kielion | DNF | DNF |
| Clint | Robinson | DNF | DNF |
| Patrick | Sands | DNF | DNF |
| Joseph | Savoie | DNF | DNF |
| Warren | Wiebe | DNF | DNF |
| Bob | Barklage | DNS | DNS |
| Michael | Beck | DNS | DNS |
| Scott | Bristol | DNS | DNS |
| Kent | Carlson | DNS | DNS |
| Don | Daly | DNS | DNS |
| Joel | Dyke | DNS | DNS |
| Wade | Frerichs | DNS | DNS |
| Zack | Lamb | DNS | DNS |
| Steve | McGuire | DNS | DNS |
| Adam | Moskowitz | DNS | DNS |
| Billy | Schaaphok | DNS | DNS |
| Single Speed Women | |||
| First name | Last name | Time | Place |
| Janna | Vavra | 12:48:28 | 1 |
| Sydney | Brown | DNS | DNS |
| Tandem | |||
| First name | Last name | Time | Place |
| Lance/Malcolm | Andre/Tassi | 14:30:00 | 1 |
| Charle & Pat | Jenkins | DNS | DNS |