I did my first gravel event of the year over the weekend - 41 miles, 3500’ elevation. There were 2 major climbs in the last third, with sections over 10-12% that I had to walk (maybe 1 or 2 miles total of the whole route). I was pretty smashed at the end, but an hour later I wanted to go ride it again I think a big component of this was underfueling, but I’m a big guy with a lowish w/kg so huge climbs are always a struggle. I’m also not as confident yet on really rough gravel/jeep trails as on the road.
My training hasn’t been consistent recently but I’m restarting SSB LV1 with increasingly long rides planned for the weekend. I hope to commute into the office at least 2 times per week (27 miles each way) this spring/summer. I’m cleaning up my diet to drop some weight. I don’t want to bite off more than I can chew, but if I can stick to this do you think the progression of events looks reasonable? I’m in the lottery for unPAved in October and if I get in I want to do at least the 90 mile route. Any advice is appreciated!!
4/24: Gravel even finished, 41 files 3500 ft climbing
5/15: Gravel event planned 50 miles, 4500 ft climbing
6/19: VT Monster gravel either 50 miles/5000 (?) ft or 77 miles/8330 ft (probably WAY too hard!)
8/21: D2R2 100k - roughly 68 mi/7000 ft
Welcome to the wonderful world of gravel! Those events sound fun. Here’s a few things that have helped me over the past few years: get good at seated climbing (most of the gravel I ride is loose, rocky so standing isn’t an option for longer climbs), fueling (get used to eating and drinking enough, even if you have to pull over for a couple minutes to safely do so), tire selection (ask advice of the race director) and gearing (I went from a 50/34 to a 46/30 set up and climbing is so much easier). The first season, I used all “races” as practice. I worked on bike handling, watched what the other riders were doing and just focused on enjoying it. You can always go back and try to do it faster next time. The best thing about gravel is the vibe: the races I’ve done have been fun, I’ve met really cool people and there’s more of a “we’re in this together” feeling. As long as you can make the time cuts, just get out there and enjoy the process
If you are just wanting to participate and have some fun, go for it. Just make sure you set realistic expectations heading into each event based on the training you have actually done heading into it, not on the training you intended to do. I’ve seen folks well north of 100lbs overweight wearing flip flops and riding department store mountain bikes hit out on the Gravel Worlds 150 (10-12k feet of climbing) with a smile on their face enjoying a very, very long day out there. On the other hand, I’ve seen super elite level cyclists hating their lives for 8 hours straight on the same course and walking (barely) away miserable in large part due to unrealistic expectations on the start line.
Get your mind right and get out there remembering you wanted to do this and are grateful for the opportunity to push your limits a bit. Worst case scenario, hitch (or Uber) a ride home with a story to tell!
I don’t know if you mountain bike at all, but since I’ve started I’ve learned so much about bike handling and weight distribution on steep technical climbs. It was a vastly different experience to climbing on tarmac. I’m still a newbie off-road but can see myself doing a few gravel events with a little more confidence when I’m more comfortable (Covid-wise) doing mass start rides.
I’ve only done one of the events you listed -as you know, I’m more of an mtb guy. No matter what condition you’re in, do not pass up D2R2. I did 180k in 2014 a week after the now defunct Hampshire 100 mtb race. I was smashed going in & didn’t ride for a couple of weeks after but it was so worth it. The roads & scenery are amazing not to mention the incredible volunteers along the way. It’s such a great event! Fair warning though, there seemed to be very little flat, all I remember was climbing & descending all day, that’s about it -well, except for 2 bee stings on my head but that was just bad luck.
I think a big component of this was underfueling, but I’m a big guy with a lowish w/kg so huge climbs are always a struggle. I’m also not as confident yet on really rough gravel/jeep trails as on the road.
