This information also went out as an email on May 3.
Greetings 2019 Tour of Hermann Gravel Challenge Riders!
A Major Change is the Race HQ/EVERYTHING has been moved to the south side of Hermann Elementary School at their baseball field on 8th Street. This street will be blocked off to traffic Saturday and Sunday (We will not be inside the school nor have any access to Hermann Elementary.) We will have porta-potties at the East side of the little ball park.
- Mandatory Race meeting at 7:30am at Race HQ (South side of Hermann Elementary School) We will go over any route changes.
- Everything will be held at Race HQ – Hermann Elementary School. (Herman City Park is closed)
- People who were camping can camp at the ball field at the Hermann Elementary School. While there are no RVs allowed at the school, if you are bringing an RV or camper, please contact Tim at Village Market 573-486-2916. (See shower information below)
- When taking pictures please #TOHGRAVEL and #getOUTSIDEyourself . We would love to see all your pictures! We have two professional photographers out on the course.
Information Pages:
Off-Road Racing League Tour of Hermann Page
Tour of Hermann Facebook Page
Alpine Shop Website
ITEM #1: PACKET PICK-UP
Includes your race bib, Nite Ize Gear/Bib Ties, shirt, etc… Maps will also be available:
· Friday Night, May 3rd – 7pm – 9pm at the Hermann Elementary School on the south side (Not inside the school), 328 W. 7 St., Hermann, MO 65401 – Hermann MO
· Race-Day, Saturday and Sunday, May 4th & 5th, from 6:30am to 7:30am on the south side of The Hermann Elementary School (Not inside the school).
Item #2: Bathroom & Showers – They are opening up St George Gym/Locker room. 113 W 4th St Hermann MO
It will be open Saturday from 11am- 8pm . Sunday from 12pm – 6pm
ITEM #3: RACE DAY PARKING –
Streets around Hermann Elementary School – 328 W 7th St, Hermann, MO 65041
Parking will be on the side of the wide streets around the school area. Please be patient and kind when parking.
ITEM #4: RACE COURSE & AID STATION
Please remember this is a “Self Supported” endurance challenge. There are NO water/aid stations out on the course. Make sure you have your helmet, extra pair of socks, tire changing items, tubes, air, lights, PLENTY OF WATER, FOOD, and a working cell phone for each lap. Cell Phone service can be sketchy in the hills of Hermann. Always follow the rules of the road for your safety and others. After each loop you can go to your cars and refuel.
Each loop will come through Race HQ. We will have snacks, water, and a mechanic available ONLY at Race HQ, Hermann Elementary School, there will be NO “aid stations” out on the course. We will have a van/truck sweeping the loops to pick up the course markings.
Each day you must ride the loops in the order they are posted if you want accurate results. If you don’t follow the loops in order please do not expect us to adjust your time. This is for your safety and timing accuracy.
The course will be well marked with a combination of paint on the roadways, colored marking flags, and colored stakes. They will be located at the turns and intersections. We haven’t had any problems in the past, and we hope that no one alters our signs, but some people can be jerks. I would highly recommend that you download each loop to your Garmin now, or at least print and keep the maps and “turn by turn” notes on you at all times. We are keeping the loops the same as last year.
Any Detours will be well marked.
We will update any changes to the routes at The Mandatory Race meeting on Saturday at 7:30am.
CLICK HERE to download the LOOPS and/or print maps and turn-by-turn directions. We are using the same loops as last year. This is through “Map My Ride” We are working on getting different files for other programs. Stay up to date by following the Tour of Hermann FaceBook page.
1.) In Case of an EMERGENCY: CALL 911 *
2.) Non – Emergency: Call your own support Team/people
3.) Non – Emergency: call the Race Director – Lisa Quisenberry: (314) 706-7034 or Mike Morin: (915)-861-0273
ITEM #5: 7:30 AM Mandatory Meeting | Then START 8 AM– Saturday & Sunday
Meet at the Starting Line (Road area by the Alpine Shop arch) at 7:30AM for Mandatory Meeting & announcements. This will be an 8 AM mass start event. Clock starts at 8am for everyone. No exceptions.
- Loop 1, we will have a Police car escort the riders through the beautiful town of Hermann, across the river to the left turn onto the Katy Trail. We will be blocking oncoming traffic at this turn onto the Katy Trail. After this turn you will be on your own. (Police escort as long as they are not called out for an emergency)
ITEM #6: WEATHER
Positive Thoughts! It is going to be a beautiful weekend to ride gravel! Make sure you have plenty of water and food. Be ready for anything. This race will run rain or shine! Expect the best and plan for the worse! 🙂 This is an endurance gravel race. Expect to get wet and dirty, and make sure you enjoy the beautiful scenery!
ITEM #7: COURSE CONDITIONS
Watch the forecast so you can be prepared for any type of weather and course conditions. If rain is in the forecast…Please make sure you are prepared! Make sure your bike is in great working condition. Down hills and turns can be tricky when wet! Don’t ride down hill beyond your skill level. Be careful and smart.
ITEM #8: SATURDAY – POST RACE DINNER – Don’t miss the dinner and the many prize drawings! Everyone has a chance to win!
DINNER WILL BE SERVED FROM 5:00pm – 7:30pm at Race HQ. We will have a dinner list with your names at the front of the dinner line. We are NOT handing out dinner tickets, so you have one less thing to carry around and worry about. Everyone can have seconds, if they want. 🙂
Bring a chair to sit in! Due to the change in Race HQ, we do not have picnic tables or chairs.
ITEM #9: Saturday Night – Casual Panel Discussion (1hr) 6 – 7pm
In front of Race HQ: We will have experienced gravel riders from the LR100, DK200, and the TOHGC to field questions. Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and learn from some of the best!
ITEM #10: Snacks – Saturday & Sunday
SNACKS: We will have snacks from Great Harvest Bread Company for riders ONLY, volunteers, and staff. We will be providing their famous home made Power Bars, and Harvest Bars. Make sure you try one! We will also have PB & Jelly, Whole Wheat bread, Bananas, chips, pop and water.
ITEM #11: Race HQ – LAP CHECK POINT, “CRUSHED IT” STICKERS & BAG DROP AREA
LAP CHECK POINT (“CRUSHED IT” Sticker TENT#2) READ THIS! * YOU MUST TELL US IF YOU ARE STOPPING AND NOT GOING BACK OUT TO DO ANOTHER LOOP. PLEASE DO NOT STOP RIDING WITHOUT TELLING US, OR WE ARE GOING TO BE FRANTICALLY LOOKING FOR YOU AT THE END OF THE NIGHT. BE A PEACH AND TELL US WHEN YOU ARE STOPPING.
Thank you in advance!
BAG DROP AREA: Most people go to their cars between each loop. MOST of your cars will be at the Start/Finish line. Remember, we do have a lot more riders this year. If you need to drop a bag, we will have a designated area at the BAG DROP AREA for you to put your bags. This year we will have a designated person watching this area constantly, and the refreshment tents set up next to the “bag drop” area. There will be NO designated bag drop areas out on the course.
“CRUSHED IT” Stickers – After EACH LAP you need to stop at the tent to get your “Crushed It” sticker for your race bib. We will be giving out the Traditional “Crushed It” stickers each lap. This will show how many laps you have accomplished. It is a great souvenir! Make sure you get your sticker after each lap!
Remember: If you are NOT going back out on the course and you are stopping for the day make sure you tell us at the #2 tent (Sticker tent).
ITEM #12: AWARDS
EVERY RIDER will get the traditional finisher TOHGC “Mason Jar” at the end of “YOUR” race/ride, YOU will put one scoop of gravel per the number of “Loops” you accomplish into your mason jar. This needs to be done immediately after “YOU” are 100% finished. The gravel will be located at Tent #2.
NOTE: If you forget to get your mason jar we will NOT mail it to you.
DOOR PRIZES: Every rider will be put into the prize drawings and have the opportunity to WIN door prizes from our sponsors. We will be pulling all the winners at the dinner Saturday night. There will not be a prize table at the end of the first lap this year. You must be present at dinner to win, or have someone there to take your prize to you!
We will have two photographers this year, Dan Singer and Jacob Trost. Make sure you SMILE, say HI, and thank them!
OK, I think that’s it! Please let us know if you have any other questions by emailing: lquisenberry@alpineshop.com.