I do the Barry Roubaix every year – I think it would definitely give these guys a taste of a different type of gravel race than the ones they describe.
I race Midwest gravel - and it is WAY more like a road race than the gravel races they describe. It’s fast, surge-y, and at the pointy end of things there are constant attacks.
Also @Jonathan, @chad - The Iceman race is only 30 miles point-to-point. Nowhere near a hundred miles. Kabush won it in 1:30 this year. In second place was Alexey Vermullen (former Lotto NL Jumbo world tour rider).
Totally a manageable effort. Most folks ride hard tails - not very technical.
The Michigan gravel/dirt/overall biking scene is one of the best kept secrets in the country. My favorite place to ride. Think Flanders vs. the Alps – so you gotta like that type of riding.