I think maybe there’s a fifth kind... there’s a Deep South variety of races that have a lot of short, steep pitches, technical Forest Service roads, a high proportion of elevation to distance, but are typically only 50 miles or so. The climbs aren’t long enough for Mountain Gravel. I’m thinking of Alabama races like Alabama Ass Whoopin and Shake and Brake, and Southern Cross in Georgia. Maybe there are races like this in Vermont or elsewhere, I dunno. I’d put Cynthia Frazier’s Gravista in the Mountain Gravel category as it has several 2-3 mile climbs and is definitely worth doing.
Sounds cool! I know a lot of people think twice about gravel events when they hear the courses are 100+ miles. I’ve done Vermont Overland and it is similar to what you’re describing.
Over here in the UK we can't even agree on what gravel riding actually is, let alone sub-categories of gravel. Occasionally, for a fleeting sweet moment, you can fool yourself into thinking you're riding plush gravel, like those big brand marketing folk want to make you dream and drool over. But really, it's not "gravel", gravel. Still, we've all got gravel bikes. Just in case. And it's still fun.
I think maybe there’s a fifth kind... there’s a Deep South variety of races that have a lot of short, steep pitches, technical Forest Service roads, a high proportion of elevation to distance, but are typically only 50 miles or so. The climbs aren’t long enough for Mountain Gravel. I’m thinking of Alabama races like Alabama Ass Whoopin and Shake and Brake, and Southern Cross in Georgia. Maybe there are races like this in Vermont or elsewhere, I dunno. I’d put Cynthia Frazier’s Gravista in the Mountain Gravel category as it has several 2-3 mile climbs and is definitely worth doing.
Sounds cool! I know a lot of people think twice about gravel events when they hear the courses are 100+ miles. I’ve done Vermont Overland and it is similar to what you’re describing.
Here’s what I wrote on Shake and Brake last fall. https://open.substack.com/pub/150words/p/i-had-pre-riding-gravel-courses-all?r=8m6l5&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Well written! And this fifth kind is the one I ride and like the most! Thankfully closest to the house for me
Over here in the UK we can't even agree on what gravel riding actually is, let alone sub-categories of gravel. Occasionally, for a fleeting sweet moment, you can fool yourself into thinking you're riding plush gravel, like those big brand marketing folk want to make you dream and drool over. But really, it's not "gravel", gravel. Still, we've all got gravel bikes. Just in case. And it's still fun.
Yes. Spot on. I’m getting there. Slowly.
Thanks again.
Heck yeah! Look at Colorado representing!
I’ll admit I’m a bit of a homer... but it is good here!!
Gets no arguments from me.
I love that my current two favorites made your list as the wild cards. Heck yeah *peace emoji*
You gonna do Old Man Winter this year? Goes right past my house.