The Holey Roller

The Holey Roller page, provides you with the official registration information, ride distances etc. and if you scroll down a bit, videos, interviews and ride reports for this event. If you don’t see a ride report and you participated in the event in the past, feel free to type something up and we’ll add it here!

Date: March 7, 2020

Event: The Holey Roller

Route Distances: 30 and 50 miles

About the Ride:

Holey Roller is a self-supported ride along mixed terrain roads with 50- and (new to this year!) 30-mile route options. The ride starts and finishes at Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, TX. The route takes you on gravel, dirt, and paved roads through the piney woods of Central Texas. There will be food and Real Ale beer waiting for you and your friends at the end of the ride.

We are limiting this ride to the first 200 registrants.

COST

$40. Price includes a spot on the ride, lunch, and 2 beers. If you register by Sunday, February 16, you also get a free long-sleeve Holey Roller t-shirt! Riders are responsible for the Ranch’s $10 parking fee. Please bring cash for parking. The event is rain or shine and there are no refunds.

PACKET PICKUP

Ride packets can be picked up Thursday, March 5, at Bicycle Sport Shop, Lamar from 5-7 PM or Saturday, March 7, at Rocky Hill Ranch from 7:45-8:20 AM.

RIDE DAY

Rocky Hill Ranch, Smithville TX
Saturday, March 7, 2020

Ranch opens at 7:30 AM
Packet pick up opens at 7:45 AM and ends at 8:20 AM
Wheels down at 8:30 AM
Foodservice starts at 11:30 AM (subject to change)
Foodservice ends at 2:30 PM (subject to change)

MANDATORY GEAR

Bike helmet
Sufficient food and drink for the ride. There are no rest stops!
Spare tubes, patch kit, and tire boots
Co2 cartridges or pump
Weather appropriate clothing including possible shifts in temperatures and precipitation
Multitool
Cell phone
GPS unit or bicycle computer (Very important. Many of the roads do not have visible signage or signs are turned around. You will need to know mileage to anticipate turns.)

The ideal bicycle for conquering these gravel roads is one that can traverse them swiftly, perhaps one with drop bars to allow the rider to switch hand positions and to hunker down when facing a stiff headwind. But, it should also have enough seat and chainstay clearance to run tires with sufficient volume to take the edge of the rough and rutted roads. The ideal bike should provide more stability than a road bike, but be nimble enough to make quick course corrections to avoid other riders, ruts, cowpies, and rattlesnakes masquerading as sticks. Cyclocross and mountain bikes are great options.