The Dirty Reiver 200km with 3500m of climbing.
The UK doesn’t really have extensive gravel roads in the same way as the US or Italy, so a lot of it is really just dirt roads, ruts and mud.
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I’m in for The Dirty Reiver 200 again. Hoping for a Goldilocks year - last year too cold, the year before too hot, but this year … torrential prob’ly! For years - before trail parks - we would ride as little gravel as possible to link up as much singletrack as we could. Now we’re trying to use as little singletrack as possible to link up as much gravel as we can!
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First year for me. Bit worried as I’ve done virtually no outdoor riding all winter, just SSBLV1, SSBLV2, and now on to SPBLV. Good FTP jumps each time (up 17% so far) but that’s not enough for a ride like this. Hoping to have a bit more time to get out after half term, but we are down 2 coaches at our cycling club so I’m basically doing ALL the youth coaching at the moment which leaves no time for riding myself!
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It’s a long day, but the riding, weather permitting, it isn’t really technical. Unless you’re competitive pace on the conservative side - it can be 8-10 hours moving time, so settle in early. I was much fitter last year and the cold [-3C to +3C max] suited me better, so I ended up 2 hours faster, even with the horrendous headwinds on the second half. That said I think having the previous year’s experience made a massive difference. Plan Builder has me on a much spikier set of workouts this time, I mostly concentrated on endurance work for the previous, I’m going to trust Chad and ignore the fact that I like those efforts 'cos the only thing that comes naturally to me is leg speed. At least I won’t be going straight into the Fred Whitton this year, I got round that the last two years after DR, but it ruined me for the summer - poor old man that I am. Any road up, good luck.
Late to this thread! It’d be great to meet up at MidSouth for those going.
I currently live in Maryland but grew up in Missouri (LMK if anyone wants beta on Epic 150) and am moving to Houston in June.
Here’s my gravel schedule
2/16 Monster Cross
3/14 MidSouth
4/11 Appalachian Journey (can’t wait for this one as it is a team duo format)
5/3 BWR
Otherwise, a bunch of endurance mountain biking.
I’m considering signing up for Tushar or Tahoe 100k MTB race.
Anyone in the west have recommendations for July - August events that don’t break the bank and could be fun for kids/spouse?
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The Downieville Classic is an excellent family event and amazing MTB event. Must experience. Great camping and lodging options and lots of recreation to be had. Highly recommend 
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I’d really suggest you do a few more gravel races.
One before barry and a few before C2C.
Barry isn’t too hard, but there are so many people you might want to do a race before it to make sure you’ve got your gear straight.
C2C is a pretty tough race if you are a new gravel racer due to the distance and everything.
For C2C you really want to be confident enough to ride in the group from the start line to the first check point. The big guns up front keep the pace high, but it’s so easy to ride in the group that you really want to be in there.
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A ride like what? Specifically what race are you discussing?
You can get pretty good gravel race fitness from these plans.
Of course you should go out and ride some gravel before a race.
That’s a great idea! I’ve known about it for years but have never been.
It is either going to be that or Tahoe 100k.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I agree with you that it would be smart to get a few more races in. Thanks for the link!
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Holy Crap. Rock Cobbler is the hardest race that I’ve ever done . . . E V E R.
That’s all I have to say.
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-Crusher In the Tushar as A race. It beat me last year so it’s redemption year for me
-Either Stupid Pony or the new Belgian Waffle Ride in southern Utah. Both races are within 2 weeks of each other so have to pick only one. Leaning towards the Belgian Waffle though it’s closer to home and first year of it which would make it fun
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I’ve debated this one in the past. Great area to ride but I can’t get over how steep the prices were compared to some of the bigger rides in the area (Barry, Hellkaat).
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But… donuts…
Just signed up for the Bootlegger 100 in Lenoir, NC (April 18, 2020). Looks like a pretty sweet day, lots of elevation and the food is supposed to be on point
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I think you’re missing the mark on some of this.
The vast majority of gravel events have a grassroots base, and are sustained by the mid-packers. The majority don’t have payouts at all, and they don’t show signs of increasing it because more “gravel pros” or world tour riders are showing up. Those rides didn’t grow because famous names showed up; they’ve grown because they’re providing a good experience and challenge to a broad range of people with low barriers to entry. Entry fees are rising because of simple supply and demand, not because of a need to pay pros to attend. It’s also worth noting that with the events where I’ve heard this discussed indicate pros aren’t comped by the event… they go mostly get their slots because their sponsors have a designated number for being sponsors.
My $.02…
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Hmm. This actually seems like a lot when you put it all in a list. It’s going to be a hell of a year.
- Mid-South (Land Run 100). Stillwater, OK - 3/14/20
- Lephtout of Land Run. Crawford, TX - 3/15/20
- Gorge Gravel Grinder. The Dalles, OR - 4/5/20
- Oregon Coast Gravel Epic. Waldport, OR - 5/2/20
- Dirty Kanza. Emporia, KS - 5/30/20
- Swift Summit 200. Lebanon, OR - 8/15/20
- Mammoth Tuff. Mammoth Lakes, CA. 9/14/20
- Rebecca’s Private Idaho. Ketchum, ID. 9/30/20
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Just signed up for Belgian Waffle in Utah.
So I suppose I’d better buy a gravel bike!
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I wouldn’t worry too much. I felt the same way last year before I did Barry Roubaix (62 mile course) as my first ever gravel race (and the second time ever riding on gravel). Here’s what I wrote about it at the time: Gap Training Advice for Barry Roubaix - #25 by Scorpion756
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I started gravel riding maybe 3+ years ago. I’ve done somewhere in the range if 12-15 events. Anything from 24-100 mile events. Not one have pros. Doing DK and Big Sugar this year so that will change but there are so many gravel events that, like you said, are driven by mid packers.
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