April 29, 2023
Elkader, Iowa
Ride the Driftless
Welcome to the Driftless 100, formerly the Volga City Gravel Race. Our event is designed as a fundraiser for the local EMS crews in Clayton County, Iowa. All proceeds go towards the improvement of equipment and supplies of local Emergency crews.
The Race itself comes in 3 distances, 100, 60 and 30 miles. 90-95% of each course is gravel with a few miles of level B, blacktop and bike trail included. There are hills in this area of the state, some rollers but a lot of steep semi-short climbs that will get the legs going no matter what level of rider you are. The estimated average for climbing is 100 feet per mile. If you are looking for an additional incentive for your spring training we are doing a custom prize for any rider who breaks the 8 hour mark on the 100 mile course, thats only 12.5 MPH average.
Start Times
100 mile racers will start at 8:00 AM
60 mile race rolls out at 10:00AM
30 mile racers will begin at 11:00 AM
Packet Pick-up will be at 4-7PM Friday at Gear in Elkader, Iowa. You can also pick up front 6:30AM to race start on Saturday morning at the Elkader City Park.
Signage will be on the course for the 30 mile only. Navigation is required for the 60 and 100. Rear blinker lights are required for the 100 mile racers.
Award ceremony will be held at Deb's Brewtopia in Elkader at 5:00PM.
Support and Cut-offs
We will have aid stations at mile 26 and 45 of the 60 mile course and mile 18 of the 30 mile course.
The 100 mile course will have 3 stations at approximately 26, 46 and 69 miles. These stations are run by our local EMS crews and they will have water and food. There will not be drop bags.
Cut-Off times for the 100 (after these times you will be redirected to the 60 mile route)
Mile 25: 11:30AM
Mile 46: 2:00PM
Race Prizes
All podium winners (Top 3) male and female in each race will receive a jar of local honey and a Nalgene custom water bottle.
100 Mile Race Prize
If a rider breaks the 8 hour mark for the 100 mile race they will receive the "Driftless Branding Iron" as well as mark the wall at the end of the awards ceremony. These riders have to complete the course in 8 hours and follow the official route without outside assistance.
2023 will be the first year of our participation in the Pactimo Midwest Gravel Series. Pactimo will be providing prizes for the podium winners.
Swag for Sale
Lodging
Click on the image to see purchase options
If you are coming into town the day before the race there are a variety of options available. There are no established Hotels in Elkader but these other options are available. Click the "More Options" and scroll to page 65 on the document to see all the different lodging options in the Clayton County area.
https://elkader-iowa.com/attractions/elkader-city-park/
Parking
The Keystone bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic until December 2023. We will be working around this for the race but please keep that in mind as you plan your travel around town. Parking will be marked on race day and a map will be posted before race week. For the 2023 race we will be using the Elkader City Park as our starting and finishing location.
Acceptable parking includes:
Elkader Pool
Central Football/Baseball Field parking
When you arrive for race day look for parking assistants to show you where to park.
Maps
Below are the GPX files and RideWithGps links to each of the 3 2022 races. Know that the courses are subject to change if there are issues with road access or weather changes.
As of 3/24 we are having to overhaul all our routes with developing construction issues on course. Final course maps will be emailed out at the conclusion of registration on April 15th and as we confirm the courses we will post them on the site below.
Results
2021 Results
VC 50 2020
VC 105 2020
Sponsors
