Something Different for the Spring
With the outdoor cycling season just around the corner, I thought I would do something different and decided to register for my first gravel bike ride adventure.
I have just bought a gravel bike which is a hybrid design between a road bike and a traditional mountain bike. Road bikes are designed for speed with lightweight frames, narrow tires, drop down handlebars and other aerodynamic features. In contrast, mountain bikes have heavier frames, flat handlebars, suspension features and the wider tread tires needed for rocky, single-track trails.
Features of a gravel bike include a longer wheelbase, more relaxed geometry, and frame clearance for wider, chunkier tires. A gravel bike is the ideal bicycle for bikers who like to plan their routes off the beaten path but still want to cover a lot of distance. Gravel cycling normally takes place on unpaved surfaces like dirt or gravel roads which are typically in scenic rural areas with very low car traffic counts.
The gravel ride I registered for is called ‘Homegrown Gravel Adventure’ and will start and finish in Franklin, Georgia. Riders can choose between 30, 40, 62, and 100-mile routes. I opted for the 62-mile course thinking that distance might be suitable for a first-time gravel participant. Approximately 60% of the course will be unpaved with about 4,800 feet of climbing on a mix of red dirt roads and gravel roads.
Besides the appeal and challenge of the course, I am curious to explore the camaraderie of the gravel cycling community. People say the gravel cycling experience is more relaxed and inclusive compared to road events. Most gravel riders are drawn to gravel events for the fun, community vibe, and ‘everybody across the finish line’ spirit. I am also looking forward to hearing the crunching of gravel tires meeting an unpaved surface. That calming sound will take me back to my childhood rides.
Like any endurance event proper planning and preparation are essential. Basic fitness and conditioning are needed. I am hoping my indoor winter training will suffice, but I have never ridden a gravel bike for 62 miles before. I will need the right clothing for the variable weather conditions. Fortunately, no rain is forecasted this weekend, but it will be 30 degrees at the start and almost 50 degrees at the finish. Finally, food and nutrition before, during, and after the event will be essential to peak performance and post-ride recovery. Besides hydration and electrolytes, I will have plenty of protein bars, cycling gel and premade sandwiches to hold me over. As a final precaution, I have paired my Garmin cycling computer with my phone so that my real time location can be tracked through a ‘live tracker’ transmission.
Preparing for a long-distance endurance event is much like planning your financial future. Proper planning, and the development of a well thought out strategy, are essential to navigating the many ups and downs and unplanned surprises. Hopefully my preparation will get me through this event and lead to many other gravel adventures.
Gary B. Martin