Hey There,
I’m looking to do some of these Gravel Cup races this year too.
Anyways, as for your question- I would say it depends on your goals and experience. Are you looking to be mixing it up at the front of the group or are you simply just racing against yourself?
If this is more of a personal challenge then I would suggest Sustained Build and either century or Climbing RR plans. If you are looking to “race” these events- by responding to attacks and animating the race- then I would go with the Rolling RR plan.
Thanks! This might be the only 1 of the 4 I could make it to, but it was an awesome race. VERY well done. I felt really good until about mile 40. And the last hill in the video was at mile 48.5 (of 48.8 total), and was up to 21%. This was my first gravel event, so I lined up mid-pack at the start and by the end of the neutral rollout, the front group was long gone and I spent the day passing people with a small group around me.
Oh no doubt. But, for someone who is also doing Mid South, Tulsa Tough, Gateway Cup, and probably another travel race, it adds up. Damn all these awesome events!
Is anyone doing the Lowgap Grasshopper in Norcal this Saturday?
It looks to be pretty nasty in some sections. Wondering if anyone is going with a different tire than originally planned? I’m just gonna stick with my 40c Maxxis Ramblers.
Low Gap will be tough, but fun or sure. I can’t make it this year due to some road racing, otherwise I’d be there.
The Rambler in a 40c will be perfect, IMO. This is the first Hopper of the year, and it is fairly short compared to most Hoppers. You should be good to go
That’s what I was thinking but Miguel is making a big deal about some of the big muddy sections and running 36c or smaller. I’m gonna stick with the 40s there is still a lot of good dirt and pavement. Plus I’m not buying new tires for 1 ride.
If I heard the velonews podcast right, 700 options on the calendar in the US!?!
Here in Ireland, we’ve 2 on the calendar so far, September (Galway Gravel Grinder) and October (Lakelander (Fermanagh)). I did the Lakelander last year, looking forward to going back with a better bike, better legs, and a better time! This is my second “A” event of the year, with a trip to Britain for the Dirty Reiver 200km in April the first
There’s a couple of boreen (country lanes/ farm tracks/ “just because it has grass up the middle doesn’t make it a dual carriageway”) events too, which I’ll try to make. The Grass Routes one in Tipperary inparticular.
Here are some numbers:
The average gravel event according to BikeReg numbers increased 20.7% entries in 2018 over 2017.
The average gravel event in 2019 increased 22.3% entries wise from 2018.
Gravel promotors can charge whatever fee they want. Everyone is going to pay it. The only ones not paying it are the gravel pros. Those entries are being comped and have been comped for a while. It may end due to not needing gravel pros to help promote based on the numbers.
But entry fees will continue to increase to offset the number of pros racing so promoters can pay deeper than five or so. Or race pros won’t show up.
The bubble is fast approaching.
Is anyone here doing Grinduro Switzerland at Lenzerheide? I just signed up (adding it to my list of races above.) It’s a 90min drive from home, so why not?
I’d guess a vast majority of gravel races have no pro presence. I’ve got a couple of the big gravel races on my calendar this year (Big Sugar, DK) but the rest are small or small/medium size of no larger than maybe a couple hundred participants and all pretty inexpensive. I don’t doubt the bubble will burst at some point.
I’ve previously done one gravel ride, the JingleCross 2019 Gravel Grinder p/b Shimano. I really enjoyed it, and also discovered a love of CX (I actually came for the gravel grinder, then decided to race CX as well…). And, that love of CX is what got me eventually into indoor training and TR. So, it’s all connected.
I live in Zurich and did the race last year. That early in the morning there’s no traffic and you can get there in 90 minutes, so no need to stay overnight for me
Thinking about Lenzerheide as well, but I haven’t made up my mind yet. It’s a short drive from Zurich so I’m definitely thinking about it.
I live just outside, still in the canton on the “silver coast” but opted to go the night before to be lazy (and to get out of the house). Same for Lenzerheide, I got a room for the night before and will drive back. Let me know if you want a ride, or to ride (I’ll bring the tow rope so you can pull me).
