Gravelling in the States

Iam writing this from an Airbnb in the small town of Cedar City, Utah. Out of my window, I can see the mountains of the Zion National Park as the sun sets behind them. It’s a beautiful summer’s evening, but a snow storm blows in tonight.

I’m in the States for what I’ve dubbed my “Great American Race Trip”. Across seven weeks, I’m visiting six different states and racing six different events. From the Sea Otter Gravel Race of California, to the Speed Week crit series in Atlanta – it’s one hell of an adventure.

My trip over here has been eyeopening. The Americans really know how to put bike events on. They may not have the Classics or mountain passes of the Tour de France, but they certainly know how to make a bike race fun.

I’m mostly talking about gravel: the darling of new-wave American cycling. A couple of weeks ago I raced Mid South, the traditional opening weekend of US gravel. Over 3,000 people race the Mid South, from pros racing for the win, to those doing their first event. It effectively combines what we’d consider a pro race with a sportive. Everyone starts at the same time.

The whole weekend is a festival, so much so that I suggested that my parents, who care little for cycling, come along next year. It’s a music festival, bike race, trade-show and sportive all-in-one. The beauty of the Mid South is the DFL (Dead F**cking Last) party. The rider that finishes last, gets the biggest party of the day – the top 10 pros stand at the side of the road sharing beers and exchanging war stories as the DFL comes in. It’s inclusion at the highest level. It’s how cycling should be: pros racing their guts out, but then taking the time to enjoy the event and mix with the amateurs. Leaving the road scene looks like the best decision I ever made. Joe Laverick rides for Ribble Collective