Disappointed in CO gravel events, am I looking in the wrong place?
#1
With a mighty wind
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
#7
With a mighty wind
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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.
#8
just keep riding
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Yep. Not every event uses the same registration site.
Events Archive -
https://gravelcyclist.com/?s=colorado
Events Archive -
https://gravelcyclist.com/?s=colorado
#9
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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.
#10
staring at the mountains
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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....
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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-
#12
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#13
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and this:
https://www.explorelasanimas.com/
https://www.explorelasanimas.com/
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