Introducing the Zipp Recon Ride Series!
The Zipp Recon Ride Series will be a series of 3 group rides leading up to the 2024 Dust Bowl 100, with each ride covering a different portion of the DB100 race course. Each recon ride will be approximately 30 miles in distance, breaking down the entire route into more manageable chunks. Riders that participate in all 3 rides will have essentially seen every mile of the Dust Bowl 100 course before race day!
The Zipp Recon Ride Series is open to anyone and everyone (you don’t have to be registered for the Dust Bowl 100 to participate), and we’ll have various pace groups each ride, so both front end racers and party pacers are welcome! Additionally, Zipp will be providing on-site support at each ride, including offering demos of various gear from the SRAM family of brands such as Hammerhead and Time.
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Facebook events have been created for each recon ride, and we would appreciate an RSVP on those if you plan on attending (links below). Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram accounts the week of each ride as we'll post any weather related or other updates there.
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We can’t wait to share the Dust Bowl 100 roads with you and provide some locals only knowledge ahead of race day!
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Zipp Recon Ride Series calendar and specifics:
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Alpha and Omega - Sunday, April 2 - 2:00pm - Event Link
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Start Location: Eminence Community Schools, 6760 State Road 42 North Eminence, IN 46125
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Ride Details: This ride covers the first 6 and last 11 miles of the Dust Bowl routes (the Alpha and the Omega), arguably the two most important sections to scope out prior to any gravel race. 21 miles.
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Dust Bowl routes riding this section on race day: ALL
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Horizons - Tuesday, April 25 - 6:30pm - Event Link
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Start Location: Well Spring Christian Church, 3256 S County Rd 725 E, Coatesville, IN 46121
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Ride Details: This ride covers the most wide-open portions of the Dust Bowl routes where you can see to the horizon for miles on a clear day. 20 miles.
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Dust Bowl routes riding this section on race day: ALL
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Vandalia Trail and the Devil’s Backbone - Tuesday, May 9 - 6:30pm - Event Link
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Start Location: Big Walnut Sports Park, 1562 S County Rd 250 E, Greencastle, IN 46135
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Ride Details: This ride starts with a fun descent to one of the historic iron bridges on the Dust Bowl 100 route before quickly climbing the Devil’s Backbone. After a relatively flat and tame 10 miles, we’ll reach the Vandalia Trail, a crushed limestone rail-to-trail section taking us almost all the way back to the start. 23 miles.
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Dust Bowl routes riding this section on race day: 80 and 100
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Big Walnut and the Railroad - Tuesday, June 13 - 6:30pm - Event Link
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Start Location: Coatesville Vandalia Trailhead, 5000 Milton Street, Coatesville, IN
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Ride Details: This route parallels the CSX railroad for a few miles, while also previewing the track crossing on the Dust Bowl 100 route. The middle portion of the ride goes north along Big Walnut Creek before crossing the creek (via bridge) and heading back south along the creek again. Two cool historic bridges on this section as well! 24 miles.
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Dust Bowl routes riding this section on race day: 80 and 100
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Covered Bridges - Sunday, June 25 - 2:00pm - Event Link
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Start Location: North Putnam High School, 8869 250 E, Roachdale, IN 46172
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Ride Details: This ride crosses the two covered bridges on the Dust Bowl 100 route. On race day, only the 100 mile riders will cross these bridges, so this is the perfect opportunity to experience the covered bridges if you’re racing the 44 or 80 mile option. Though the shortest recon ride, it also includes arguably the two toughest climbs on the Dust Bowl route. 19 miles.
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Dust Bowl routes riding this section on race day: 100
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Burdge Forest and the Gravel Pitch - Sunday, July 9 - 2:00pm - Event Link
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Start Location: Union Valley Baptist Church, 5499 S County Rd 800 E, Coatesville, IN 46121
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Ride Details: This ride hits two of the most iconic sections of the Dust Bowl routes - the off-road Jeep trail section, known as the Burdge Forest, and the super short but super steep Gravel Pitch climb, which isn’t that intimidating but packs a huge punch toward the end of the race! 21 miles.
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Dust Bowl routes riding this section on race day: ALL
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About Zipp:
Zipp is all about “Making You Faster.” Rooted in Indianapolis’ auto-racing scene, Zipp was founded in 1988 with a carbon disc wheel as their first product. Today, Zipp is a leader in cycling innovation and produces the world’s fastest wheels, bars, stems, and seatposts. In 2021, Zipp introduced their first gravel-specific wheelset, the 101 XPLR, part of SRAM’s XPLR Collection. Learn more about Zipp’s product offerings at www.sram.com/en/zipp.