GRAVEL RACING
Build confidence and endurance and learn new skills, plus pick up nutrition and tech advice, race tactics and more
“ENDURO-STYLE RACES SUCH AS GRITFEST AND GRINDURO STRIKE THE BALANCE OF COMPETITIVE AND SOCIAL RIDING”
Gravel riding and racing has surged in popularity over the last few years, seeing a coming together of cyclists from different disciplines to push their limits and have a good time. With more events and races than ever, could 2023 be the year you take your gravel riding to the next level?
“Gravel racing was a natural transition for me. It perfectly aligns with everything I enjoy about cycling: adventure, freedom and community,” says Sam Andrews, an elite gravel rider and the overall winner of Grinduro Wales 2022. “There are club riders and WorldTour riders on the start line, which makes it super accessible for everyone. The rules are few, the system is uncategorised and the fun is endless.”
Home or abroad there are a variety of races to test your offroad skills, speed and endurance. Enduro-style gravel races such as Gritfest and Grinduro strike the balance of competitive and social riding with timed segments, agecategory prizes and after-party fun. Ultra races like Badlands are completely self-supported. In these races, riders manage their own safety and logistics to cross remote landscapes against the clock with satellite tracking.
“Badlands goes through the only desert in Europe and because it wasn’t a point to point, it made it easier,” says 2021’s third female finisher Liz Hughes. “Flying to Granada and leaving my bike box at the hotel reduced the stress of travel and equipment fears,” adds Hughes who chose Badlands as her first gravel race outside of the UK.
In this Masterclass, our team of experts will share their knowledge to help you go faster on gravel, whether you’re rolling up to the start line for the first time or have your sights set on a podium spot.
“GRAVEL RACING IS SUPER ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. THE RULES ARE FEW, THE SYSTEM IS UNCATEGORISED AND THE FUN IS ENDLESS”