Gravel News Network (GNN)

MINNEAPOLIS, United States (GNN, the Gravel News Network) -- Gerasimos G. The DAMN Is Back I don't remember the day, or the time, or where I was, but I remember the feeling.  Sometime late in 2023, I learned that the DAMn was once again alive. And, yeah, something touched me deep inside.  The DAMN is the Day Across Minnesota, a 240-mile (or 243-mile) gravel bike race across the state of Minnesota. It starts at the strike of midnight in the small town of Gary, SD, which is just an arm's length over the western border of Minnesota and traverses the state west-to-east to the finish line on a small island in the Mississippi River in Hager City just over the eastern border from Red Wing, MN. Riders have 24 hours to finish the route. The fastest riders clock in around 12 hours (yes, 20mph average!), and the last rider usually arrives just a few clicks before midnight earning the honor of the "Lantern Rouge" -- the red lantern award. After a few years off, and the release of