jono_

I'm entertaining the idea of building a short road trip around a gravel ride event this coming May. I live in Winnipeg, Canada, and am considering the Badlands Gravel Battle in Medora, ND (77 mi version) and Le Grand du Nord in Grand Marais, MN (66 mi). Both events are the same weekend, both rides are about 7.5 hours of driving from where I live, and both are areas I have enjoyed visiting before, but not recently and not on a bike.

Is there anyone out there who has ridden one or both of these events, or can give another reason to recommend one over the other?

(I'm not allowed to post links but I'm sure Google can help you look these up.)

shoota 

Almanzo 100 is the one to not miss in your neck of the woods.

gomango

I'm doing most of these, plus some in Wisconsin.

MN Bike Trail Navigator: 2018 Minnesota Gravel Events

jono_

I had considered that one as well, but it's a little further away, the weekend doesn't suit quite as well, and 100 miles may be pushing it for me so early in the cycling season (outdoor riding before early-mid April is pretty questionable where I live.) On the other hand, it's free and does seem to be one of the biggest events so it is worth keeping in mind.

shoota 

I've spent some time in Winnipeg (played a season for the Goldeyes) and I don't know how you guys live there. The winter in Iowa is too much for me. Oklahoma is way better. Basically year-round riding, minus a few weeks of bad weather here and there, no biggie.

jono_

I like to tell myself and others that it's not so bad, especially if you can find things to do outdoors in winter that you enjoy (cross country skiing for me). But when we're going on weeks of days like today (-25 C, plus the wind) it's hard to stay convinced.

The advantage is that even in mid-summer it is rarely too hot to ride.

bentpushrod

Check out the Burleigh County Cup in Bismarck. Takes place in May. They have 75, and 35 mile options. Great group of people, great food, free beer. It’s a blast.

jono_

Just bumping this thread in case anyone has any further input for me (and I did actually buy a suitable bike for something like this since I made the post).