This will be the 13th year of the Iowa Spring Classic!
This is a Gravel Road Gran Fondo event (gravel laps) with three race categories.
USAC Permit: 2023-7076
No USAC license needed.
Awards will be presented for top 3 in each category
~~~~~
UPDATES:
- 3/16/23
- Weather - Sat at noon is calling for 20 degrees with 20mph NW winds with a "feels like: temp of 4 degrees! Dress accordingly! Exposed skin will get frostbite easily in this weather! We'll have a vehicle at the start/finish to store jackets etc. BE PREPARED!
- Switched awards from 3:45pm to 3pm (done earlier since less laps)
- Posted Course
- Changed B race start time from 12:01pm to 12:02 pm for a 2 minute gap behind the A Race.
- Changed C race start time from 12:02pm to 12:04 pm for a 2 minute gap behind the B Race.
- Cold Weather Parking - If you don't want to ride down/back since it will be so cold, see the map if you want to drive and park closer to the start. PLEASE only park on the South (right) side of the road and watch the edges of the road as it could be really soft. Allow room for cars to get through as the road is still open. ONLY park in the highlighted area and carpool if you can! The area near the Trail and the intersection is for our volunteers and officials. THANK YOU.
- Bob at the Cumming Tap will be making Chili afterwards! - 2/14/23
- Decreased each category by 2 laps each to give a better gravel crit experience.
- 2/13/23
- Event Posted. Permit secured. Registration opened
~~~~~
A RACE - Advanced
- 6 Laps - 34.2 miles
- Recommended categories: USAC MTB cat 1-2 & USAC Road cat 1-3
- Men & Women race together and scored separately
- Awards Women - 3 places for $100, $50-$30-$20.
- Awards Men - 3 places for $100, $50-$30-$20.
- Payouts increase to $150 in the A Race if racer turn-out is over 50 riders in the A Race!
B RACE - Intermediate
- 4 Laps - 22.8 miles
- Recommended categories: USAC MTB cat 3 & USAC Road cat 3-4
- Awards Women - 3 places for BIKEIOWA Gear
- Awards Men - 3 places for BIKEIOWA Gear
C RACE - Beginner (new for 2022!)
- 2 Laps - 11.4 miles
- Recommended categories: Beginners & USAC Road cat 5
- Awards Women - 3 places for Cumming Tap Gear
- Awards Men - 3 places for Cumming Tap Gear
~~~~~
Itinerary
- 10:00 am Registration opens
- 11:30 am - Pre-race meeting outside Cumming Tap
- 11:35 am - Leisure ride to the race start - 4.2 miles ride along the Great Western Trail
- 12:00 pm - A Race start
- 12:02 pm- B Race start
- 12:04 pm- C Race start
- 3:00-ish pm - Awards presented at Cumming Tap once all races are over and everyone is back.
- Post Party - The Cumming Tap will be offering some post-race food. Stick around!
~~~~~
Pre-Race Meeting and Ride to the Start Line
We'll have a short meeting outside the Cumming Tap at 11:35am and then ride down as a group.
Take the Great Western Trail South for 4.2 miles to the start line (
VIEW ROUTE).
Leave ample time to ride down! recommended time is 20 minutes
If you need a drop bag hauled to the start, we'll have a vehicle at the Cumming Tap.
Rules
All USAC Rules apply and a helmet is required at all times. Course is open to
traffic and the center-line rule will be strictly enforced. The Promoter reserves the
right to combine fields when applicable.
NO REFUNDS, in accordance with USAC rules.
No Neutral Follow - No Neutral Support - No Neutral Wheels.
The course is all gravel. Carry a tube, pump/CO2 canister, etc. during your race.
BE SAFE
The course is NOT closed. We will have course marshals, but watch out for YOU.
YOU need to know the course.
Watch out for vehicles, dogs, ruts, fresh gravel, soft spots and holes.
Be careful riding behind someone or in a pack - this will be DANGEROUS on this course!
Be careful passing - the road conditions can change quickly
Watch the corners - they are very soft
Easy on the downhills.
Ride Right - move to the right when riding up hills
Be Nice - call out holes, ruts, etc to your fellow racers
Bike Choice
It's up to you.You know your skill-set.
35mm tires or more are recommended
Road bikes with skinny tires are not recommended
Fat-Bike friendly
Weather and gravel/course conditions are different each year
~~~~~
What is a Spring Classic?
The Spring Classics are a set of major one-day races that take place across Northern Europe. With some of the sport's oldest and most iconic events among their number, they are deeply enshrined in cycling history and heritage. They kick off in late February and each race has its own charm and characteristics with the pavé or cobbles.
Iowa has had Spring Classics for years and the Cumming Spring Classic is our tribute to the great European races.
~~~~~
That all said - Have Fun!