Great points Spencer. I (used to) LOVE gravel (& still do) - think original Grinduros, Rapha Gentlemen's, Leadville 😉, etc. but how many Crushers or SBT's do I "need" to do? Much rather do a Breck Epic, BC Bike Race or hometown gravel who varies the course each year and prioritizes killer courses and FUN!
Pro gravel racing has basically never been anything but stale, in my book. It's impossible to spectate, even when there is a livestream they are so boring as to be completely unwatchable, as you said the competitive balance is next to non-existent, and I have no idea why I or anyone should pay attention. I'm sure the action at the front of those races is very exciting to be a part of, but it doesn't come through at all for me.
For amateur racing, I think it's getting away from what I'm interested too. There's a place for the super grassroots event that costs $10-30 and gives you nothing but a gpx track and a finish line, and there's a place for the deluxe event that costs $200, but for that money, I expect a deluxe experience! There are self-supported open-road races charging huge entry fees - what exactly I am getting for my money if there aren't aid stations, support vehicles, markings, course marshals? The "brand name" of getting to say I raced Unbound? It doesn't seem worth it at all, especially when there are events (often in the MTB space!) that cost a bunch of money but have all those elements of support. I think some of the "big gravel" events have gotten away with providing a terrible value proposition for their entrants because the sport is hot and growing, but at some point I hope athletes start to expect more.
Great points Spencer. I (used to) LOVE gravel (& still do) - think original Grinduros, Rapha Gentlemen's, Leadville 😉, etc. but how many Crushers or SBT's do I "need" to do? Much rather do a Breck Epic, BC Bike Race or hometown gravel who varies the course each year and prioritizes killer courses and FUN!
Pro gravel racing has basically never been anything but stale, in my book. It's impossible to spectate, even when there is a livestream they are so boring as to be completely unwatchable, as you said the competitive balance is next to non-existent, and I have no idea why I or anyone should pay attention. I'm sure the action at the front of those races is very exciting to be a part of, but it doesn't come through at all for me.
For amateur racing, I think it's getting away from what I'm interested too. There's a place for the super grassroots event that costs $10-30 and gives you nothing but a gpx track and a finish line, and there's a place for the deluxe event that costs $200, but for that money, I expect a deluxe experience! There are self-supported open-road races charging huge entry fees - what exactly I am getting for my money if there aren't aid stations, support vehicles, markings, course marshals? The "brand name" of getting to say I raced Unbound? It doesn't seem worth it at all, especially when there are events (often in the MTB space!) that cost a bunch of money but have all those elements of support. I think some of the "big gravel" events have gotten away with providing a terrible value proposition for their entrants because the sport is hot and growing, but at some point I hope athletes start to expect more.