Today's lesson is that gravel grinding takes more water, food and time than you think it does! My usual metric centuries on the northern route have taken from 4 - 5 hours. Here, I'm mixing things up by doing gravel on the back half, staying on Walnut Creek road where I'd usually turn off on to the pavement towards Riley. Then I stay on the gravel cross-country to come home on Marlatt. That shortens the ride, but it also precludes stops in Riley and Keats. II took two bottles and topped up in Olsburg, but that wasn't enough. I got to the Sedalia church just in time and topped up from a tap in the churchyard. Disaster averted. I took a pack of Clif chews, a Honey Stinger gel and Gatorade in one bottle. That's good for 430 Calories; Garmin says I burned 1700 Calories. Sauce says that's 10 glasses of wine! Maybe pack some stroopwafels next time. The elapsed time was a bit over 6 hours, which got me home after sunset. Even with good lights I don't advocate riding gravel at night! This was a test of me and the Seigla before Bike the Coast. It is 50 miles / 80 km with 1700 ft / 520 m of climbing - pretty flat. Today I did 91 km / 57 mi with 866 m / 2840 ft of climbing, unsupported, with gravel. I think we're ready. Wouldn't be gravel without farmers and wildlife! Encountered two tractors, one combine and many varied trucks; was chased by 4 dogs and spooked 2 coyotes and found one loose cow. Thankfully for all, neither coyote was armed with Acme-brand products!