When it comes to competing on gravel, pinning on a number doesn’t mean you need a ruthless will to win. With the spectrum of gravel events being as wild as its surfaces, we’re taking a deep dive into the fundamental differences per event.
From party pace to timed segments, classic races and multi-day tours, self-supported ultras and unconventional adventures, there are many ways to interpret gravel. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide to gravel events to get your heart racing.
The classic race-day approach
This is the most traditional concept of competition within the world of gravel. We’re talking one-day races with a mass start – think gran fondos and sportives in the world of road cycling – where a mixed start field races over a maximum distance of around 200km, with feed and tech zones almost always included.
The UCI Gravel World Series is central to this type of racing. First introduced in 2022, it now presents an extensive calendar of sanctioned one-day races worldwide that allow riders to qualify for the World Championships, held at the end of the season and divided into five-year age group categories.
If you enjoy keeping your competitions pure, speeds high, and with the chance of claiming a national jersey at any age, then these events are for you.
Not all competitive gravel events are part of the UCI Gravel World Series, and there is still a robust calendar of tough races independent from the federation—Head to America’s Midwest or Scandinavia for a complete unpaved racing experience.
Go the distance
Crossing countries and continents, ultra-distance gravel events are reserved for riders of a unique ilk. Distances range from 300km to anywhere around 3,000km to far beyond. The thrill? It’s the ultimate test. Learning how to rise above the physical show of fatigue – mind over body material.
Not everyone is designed to ride for multiple nights on minutes of sleep, But if you’re ready for the challenge, the rewards may be epic beyond belief.
While many events require you to ride entirely self-supported, some allow you to use local shops to re-supply. This means the logistics of keeping your bike and body moving all become part of the competition, too. Most of these events have integrated dotwatcher, tracking your every movement via GPS as you tackle the challenge of a lifetime.
Are you looking for a multi-day adventure with a fixed start and finish line? Whether you call it a gravel ultra or a bikepacking race, these races pit you against the clock and the rest of the field.
Where is the map?
Nothing says self-supported like navigating your route. With no designated set course, you’ll have to find your way from checkpoint to checkpoint. This requires constant focus rather than just putting down the hammer and following arrows.
If you’re looking for more freedom and adventure where you ride, these events might be for you. Ensure your GPS and phone are charged in case you miss an all-important turn. That gravel road you planned on riding might prove a bit more MTB-inclined. In short, on-the-fly route changes are inevitable during these events.
Segments to keep it social
Segment racing – pioneered by enduro mountain biking and showcased by the international Grinduro series – brings the best of both worlds to gravel.
A relaxed, open start, followed by a social ride to the first timed section. Speed is optional, fun essential.
Events like these allow mixed-ability riding friends to regroup after each segment and settle back into a friendly party pace. At a weekender like Grinduro, the post-ride festivities tend to be as memorable as the two-wheeled ones.
For those looking for equal parts social, equal parts suffering, the burgeoning calendar of timed segment races allows you to scratch that competitive itch in a moderate manner.
Campground fun
As gravel gets more established and the calendar grows, event organizers are pushing the boundaries of what they offer to riders. Suppose you’re looking for a non-competitive experience with workshops, talks, and community sessions. In that case, you’ll find a host of women’s-only camps, vegan camps, women-led camps, camps in exotic locations, camps based out of high-end hotels, or camps where you’ll sit around a bonfire and toast marshmallows. Take your pick. Gravel camps offer so much more than just riding.
The outliers
Continuing the theme of ripping up the rule book, gravel event concepts also include alleycat gravel events, grallies, and even secret community get-togethers, for which you will need to know someone who knows someone to join.
Then there is the concept of gravel stage races, which will be raced over multiple days with set breaks and shorter point-to-point distances that follow road cycling’s stage race concept – think Tour de France or Giro d’Italia with rougher ground and more action.
Even if these are more on the fringe, they bring together like-minded riders for all-terrain adventures that can last anything from a couple of hours to a few weeks.
With gravel still figuring out what it is – and what it can be – events are yet to get super specialized or segregated like in other cycling disciplines. Now is the time to dip your toe in the gravel and find an adventure or race concept that makes you smile.
Photo credits: Phil Gale, Emmie Collinge, Unlock Studios, Dan Monaghan, Cadence Images.
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