Gravel Grind bike event to benefit veterans Saturday

Fat tires or skinny tires. All are welcome to participate in this weekends Veteran's Gravel Grind to benefit veterans. The event is set to take place Saturday, Nov. 12, in Coahoma, and is presented by VIM Racing. Proceeds go to help fund the Trail Warrior Project a non-profit that helps get veterans out bike-packing.

The race/ride is for the cycling community and encourages racers, riders, bike-packers and adventure riders out for some fun on gravel and support our veterans. It is open to everyone, but veterans are encouraged participate and attend with their families. Full Grind, Half Grind, and Quarter Grind mountain bike categories will be chip timed and competitive. Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category, male and female, with a podium and

award ceremony. An after party will be held at Cactus Jax.

Quarter Grind – Fat Tire category will be chip timed and competitive. Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers, gender neutral.

Quarter Grind – Fun Ride will be untimed and a great ride for any single riders, or families who just want to get out there and have fun.

All categories will begin en masse at 8 a.m. at the Coahoma High School stadium.

Rules for riders are as follows: Must be

older than 13 years old to ride/race. Anyone 13-16 years-old must be accompanied by a guardian. Fat Bikes are bikes with tires greater than 3.8 inches wide. The tires will not be inspected unless it becomes necessary at the end of the race.

Important to note – the roads on the route are open public roads and traffic signs must be obeyed. Watch out for traffic, both on the blacktop and on gravel. There are busy intersections on the 100k route as well as some light traffic on the 25k route. Please be cautious and stop for vehicles.

Water and Aid Stations: Full Grind (100K/63 miles) will have three stations. The first water stop will be at mile 19.5.

The second water/nutrition stop will be at mile 42. The third water stop will be at mile 56.

For the Half Grind (62K/39 miles) there will be two stations. The firstt water/nutrition station will be at mile 17.5. The second water stop will be at mile 32.

The Quarter Grind (25k/16.5 miles) will have one station at mile 9.6.

Best efforts to keep the stations stocked will be attempted, but all riders are asked to self sustain. Registration ends Nov. 12, the day of the event. The race begins at 500 E. High School Dr., Coahoma. More information can be found on their website runsignup.com or on Facebook.