I’ve been enjoying all the chatter on the Unbound 2025 topic (I’m doing the 200 this year). However, I also just signed up for Big Sugar, so figured we could have another topic for that! Didn’t see one when I searched, but if I missed it let me know and I can archive this one.
I’m actually originally from Arkansas (high school and college), but now live out in Washington state. Taking advantage of the race this year to go visit family and friends and also do some gravel riding.
Who else is doing Big Sugar and have you done it in the past? I’m very excited to check it out. Every time I go back to visit Arkansas it seems to be getting nicer and nicer!
The 50 or 100? I will probably get an airbnb. Logistics will be weird since wife had a conference come up last minute, so I may be solo.
You renting an RV or already have one? That sounds like it could be fun!
I’m doing it again this year. Just as a fun race, I’ll be a bit out of shape that time of year. Plan to do what I did last year and come in early and just enjoy all the great riding in the week leading up to the event. For those who haven’t done it, it’s a course that favors large and sturdy tires.
@burnett2k - doing the the 100. Will be driving up from Houston and will probably make a long weekend out of it. We have a 23’ travel trailer. Works great for races to bring the wife, 2 little kids, and dog along.
@grwoolf - much different to expect in terms of tire choice than unbound? Are the rocks as notorious for flats, or just chunky? Long ways for me to think about tire choice between now & then, but will maybe prevent me from playing musical chairs with wheels/tires and ordering several tires the two weeks prior, in my indecisiveness
While the courses are very different, tire choice for me is very similar. And yes, notorious for flats and lots of chunk. And more high speed sketchy descents with big/loose/sharp gravel.
I have only done the 50mi and ran 47 pathfinders and 2.2 Race Kings. No issues. I don’t know why it has a reputation for being so chunky; I found it pretty smooth overall. Last 5 miles or so is tarmac, which I really enjoy.
Comparing to Unbound (I only did the 100 south route), I would say Unbound was worse overall. It felt like race director purposely sent you on equipment check roads for the Spirit of Gravel.
Perhaps they intentionally choose an easier course for the 50 mile? You have pretty large tires as well, so I’d imagine you wouldn’t have too many issues with those anyways!
I’m stuck on 40s right now due to indecisiveness around a new frame, but hoping to upgrade to new frameset fairly soon. About to go out to unbound and do that on 40s so we will see how it goes.
I’m in for the 100 and am in for the 100 at unbound. This is my first year doing gravel events. I was a triathlete turned XCM, who is now enjoying the gravel bike. I’m also signed up for the Coldwater race the week after big sugar to hopefully catch a Leadville coin as I have unfinished business there.
