Disappointed in CO gravel events, am I looking in the wrong place?
03-19-19, 02:24 PM
#1
With a mighty wind
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,574
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1084 Post(s)
Liked 854 Times
in
483 Posts
Disappointed in CO gravel events, am I looking in the wrong place?
I was hoping to enter a few gravel events this year. Both to get better use of my gravel bike and to take advantage of the aid stations while riding that distance.
I've got a kid due around the last week of August, so realistically, I'd like to do rides from now until the end of July. That eliminates the Rampart Rager though I may ride the course for funsies here soon. I may do the Crippler in Sept, it's another route I just ride for fun though without an event.
So I found the Tour of Colorado series. It seemed perfect, all on Sundays (I work Saturdays). Then I read the fine print. 47% dirt for Fountain and barely any climbing, just a day for a dusty road bike. Wellington has 80% dirt and barely any climbing. Sounds fun in a hot and windy sort of way. Victor has a ton of climbing, was genuinely excited, it might also have some of the terrain from the Crippler, but alas, only 37% dirt. I'm not impressed.
If I wanted to race my road bike, I would, I did it for 10 years. Around here my road rides still have legit dirt sections. I built the gravel bike to go deeper, not dick around in the dust then still end up in a road race.
Absolutely nothing is stopping me from just mapping epic courses and setting off on my own. I just thought it might be fun to be in some long events with like minded folks to suffer alongside.
So, is there a super secret calendar? 60-120 mile gravel rides that are mostly gravel (or worse) and climb a ton?
I've got a kid due around the last week of August, so realistically, I'd like to do rides from now until the end of July. That eliminates the Rampart Rager though I may ride the course for funsies here soon. I may do the Crippler in Sept, it's another route I just ride for fun though without an event.
So I found the Tour of Colorado series. It seemed perfect, all on Sundays (I work Saturdays). Then I read the fine print. 47% dirt for Fountain and barely any climbing, just a day for a dusty road bike. Wellington has 80% dirt and barely any climbing. Sounds fun in a hot and windy sort of way. Victor has a ton of climbing, was genuinely excited, it might also have some of the terrain from the Crippler, but alas, only 37% dirt. I'm not impressed.
If I wanted to race my road bike, I would, I did it for 10 years. Around here my road rides still have legit dirt sections. I built the gravel bike to go deeper, not dick around in the dust then still end up in a road race.
Absolutely nothing is stopping me from just mapping epic courses and setting off on my own. I just thought it might be fun to be in some long events with like minded folks to suffer alongside.
So, is there a super secret calendar? 60-120 mile gravel rides that are mostly gravel (or worse) and climb a ton?
03-20-19, 07:31 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,825
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6926 Post(s)
Liked 10,926 Times
in
4,667 Posts
I'm not in CO, but I am guessing that there are plenty of events on Saturdays...As that is when most bike rides/races are held.
Methinks that if you want more options, you may need to take a few days off from work.
Methinks that if you want more options, you may need to take a few days off from work.
03-20-19, 08:00 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,825
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6926 Post(s)
Liked 10,926 Times
in
4,667 Posts
Okay, well, here is where I get most of my info about area cycling events. In my experience, there may be a few events that don't use Bikereg, but not many.
03-20-19, 09:53 AM
#6
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
I hear that...most events are scheduled around the M-F grind, sadly. I may be taking on a T-S work schedule, myself, soon....it would be fun work--but it screws up doing organized events. But it is what it is.
BikeReg is the best one stop shop....OTOH if your shop locally organizes rides, maybe they have a Sunday ride doing mostly unpaved.
BikeReg is the best one stop shop....OTOH if your shop locally organizes rides, maybe they have a Sunday ride doing mostly unpaved.
03-20-19, 01:38 PM
#7
With a mighty wind
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,574
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1084 Post(s)
Liked 854 Times
in
483 Posts
I hear that...most events are scheduled around the M-F grind, sadly. I may be taking on a T-S work schedule, myself, soon....it would be fun work--but it screws up doing organized events. But it is what it is.
BikeReg is the best one stop shop....OTOH if your shop locally organizes rides, maybe they have a Sunday ride doing mostly unpaved.
BikeReg is the best one stop shop....OTOH if your shop locally organizes rides, maybe they have a Sunday ride doing mostly unpaved.
03-22-19, 06:27 PM
#8
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
Yep. Not every event uses the same registration site.
Events Archive -
https://gravelcyclist.com/?s=colorado
Events Archive -
https://gravelcyclist.com/?s=colorado
03-26-19, 07:55 AM
#9
With a mighty wind
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,574
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1084 Post(s)
Liked 854 Times
in
483 Posts
A lot of new ideas there. Looking at schedule and proximity though, I'll probably do the three centuries I mentioned in the OP.
Maybe I'll do the Victor ride on a road bike though.
Maybe I'll do the Victor ride on a road bike though.
03-26-19, 10:28 AM
#10
staring at the mountains
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Castle Pines, CO
Posts: 4,560
Bikes: Obed GVR, Fairdale Goodship, Salsa Timberjack 29
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 394 Post(s)
Liked 197 Times
in
112 Posts
You found one promoter's series. The links provided are good, here's one more: https://303cycling.com/colorado-cycling-calendar/ You can also check out usacycling.org's calendar....
03-26-19, 11:21 AM
#11
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
Lots of events are organized exclusively through facebook which is a shame because many don't do facebook.
I regularly see events people do on Strava and wonder how they found out about them. When I ask, sure enough, facebook.
-Tim-
I regularly see events people do on Strava and wonder how they found out about them. When I ask, sure enough, facebook.
-Tim-
03-26-19, 09:51 PM
#12
Junior Member
04-03-19, 07:05 AM
#13
Senior Member
and this:
https://www.explorelasanimas.com/
https://www.explorelasanimas.com/
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
advrace
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
18
03-27-17 08:38 AM
bennybenny
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
1
01-06-16 02:17 PM
Barrettscv
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
19
12-11-12 01:05 PM
legobuff
Northeast Rides and Events
0
01-17-12 09:30 AM
