Site M: Redacted

Site M: Redacted is the Springfield area's first foray into a proper gravel race. Hosted at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek state conservation area, we have a beautiful route for you spanning rolling meadows, farmland, and forest preserves. The route is still being finalized, but expect approximately 55 miles of something near a 50/50 pavement/gravel mix and around 2500 feet of elevation. The longest climbs will be on pavement, with 1/2-3/4 mile stretches of 4-6% average gradient. On the gravel side, there are a number of short, steep, punchy climbs. Most of these are under 1/4 mile, but many hit double digit grades and some even approach 20%. We will be providing SAG support, refreshments at the staging area, an aid station at mile 30 with the option for drop-bags, and a post-ride meal to participants who register by September 30. Route marking is TBD, depending on regulations within the conservation area. We will have podium and a purse for men's and women's winners.  This is a rain or shine event, and will only be cancelled in event of extreme weather (e.g., tornadoes, flash floods).

We will be turning in head counts for meals to our chef first thing on October 1.  Registration cost after that point will be reduced slightly, but you will not receive a post-ride meal.  You will still have access to snacks and drinks.  Surplus portions may be available for $10 cash, but are not guaranteed.

This event is sharing a date and venue with the Illinois Senior Games, allowing us to make the most of our logistics for both events.  Not wanting to poach riders from that event during a qualifying year, we will not have a separate prize category for age 50+ registrants.  50+ riders will have a discounted entry fee and a separate podium.  All participants (open or 50+) will be competing for overall top 3 men's/women's places for the prize purse.  Additionally, we will offer a 25-30 mile non-race route for anyone who wishes to ride some gravel as a warmup for the ISG, or enjoy the event without doing the full race course.

Acquired by the state of Illinois in 1993, Site M is a 16,550 acre state fish and wildlife area.  Renamed to Jim Edgar Panther Creek in 2003, the area is a premier landscape for a bicycle race with beautiful vistas, valleys, hills, well-maintained pavement, and pristine ribbons of gravel.

Routes are final as of September 25.  If you've pinned or downloaded them before that point, re-download to ensure you have the final routes and full markup.

https://ridewithgps.com/collections/2962554 

Here's a summary of what we're looking at on the dry route:

• 2 miles of pavement for a neutral roll-out, then you'll be set free at the first 3/4 mile gravel segment. 
• After some more road, you'll hit the breakup point--a short but steep climb followed by 1.5 miles of grass and dirt.  If you don't make the front group after the climb, catching up here will be difficult.
• Up next is a long stretch of pavement descending into Chandlerville and then climbing back out.  You'll be going through just a couple of city blocks, but please be mindful!
• The first big feature of the race comes at mile 14--The Olive Branch/Palmerton loop. The first leg is 4.5 miles of uninterrupted gravel winding up and down creek valleys. You're looking at three serious descents and climbs, with double-digit grade and very loose and thick gravel. Be wary of corners at the bottoms of descents.  Once you get out of that suffer-fest, you're treated to a couple of miles of pavement, with a ripping descent followed by another half-mile slog of a paved climb. The moment you get out of that climb, pressure stays on with three more miles of gravel starting immediately with a pucker-inducing descent into a blind, steep, loose climb. Once you get past that wall, it's gravel rollers the whole way out.
• You'll get another long pavement stretch interrupted by some gravel, before reaching the aid station at mile 30. 
• Up next is the second main feature of the route, the County Line Odyssey--nearly 12 miles of totally uninterrupted non-paved roads.  There's some fast stuff, some loose stuff, and some climbing, but this is where you can really extend a gap or try to claw back a breakaway.
• The end of the race will alternate pavement and gravel, with a technical test on Tomkens road--a rutty descent followed by an 18% loose climb carved right through the hillside.  A couple more stretches of gravel and one last steep gravel climb will get you back to the main entrance of JEPC.
• You'll end on pavement, with a mean little climb right before the finish.  Save your legs, because you're going to be sprinting uphill to the finish!

The wet route is overall very similar to the dry route, but routes around the two dirt/field/access road sections. In trade, you'll have the privilege of climbing the Herman Hernia at mile 7. And if anything's going to break up a race, it's this. It's only a half-mile or so long, but a nice double-digit grade stretch in the middle really makes it a perfect break-up-the-group segment.

With a route that's close to 50/50 pavement/gravel, tire choice is always tricky. Do you go on the narrower side at 28-42mm to try to leverage an advantage on the pavement and save some weight on climbs? Or do you go as wide as you can to make sure you're not underbiking the field roads, steep loose climbs, and deep gravel sections? I think anything under 42mm is a mistake, and say go as wide as you are comfortable with. With gravel this chunky, it doesn't matter what marginal gains you have on pavement.

Location:

There's no street address for our start point, but there's a Google Maps pin below.  Follow signage for the MTB trailhead/boat ramp and you'll find our pavilion.  Pit toilets and water spigot are available here, with fully plumbed facilities just down the road at the campground.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/W5pa7ogPRYeQCAoV9

Parking:

There is parking for ~50 cars at the pavilion and around the cul-de sac.  Should we need it, there is ample overflow parking in the boat ramp area.  Please consider parking further away from the pavilion to allow our Illinois Senior Games participants more convenient spots.