Gravel Ride of the Week: Gravel Grinder Nationals
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Blue skies and sunshine as the backdrop to lush, green, rolling farmland divided by historic stone walls and smooth gravel. This is what we all expected when we signed up for the Gravel Grinder Nationals, set in gorgeous Bluemont, Virginia. But mother nature had the last laugh when the weather conditions dumped 1.5-inches of rain over the region in the span of roughly 48-hours. This race was wet, grueling and completely unforgettable! Check it out in the latest Gravel Ride of the Week video to see all the action from this event.
While this event carries the name of Gravel Grinder Nationals, anyone who completed 100-miles of riding on wet and soggy gravel can claim any title they want at the end of the day! The route consisted of 2-laps, which made it pretty convenient for riders to bail after 1 lap, certainly an understandable choice, given the conditions. The event also offered the Mini-G, a 30-mile course, which was also a great option for folks who wanted a taste of the event, without spending hours getting drenched.
For a 100-mile race in the rain, the pace during those first few miles was simply way above what I could handle. I tried to hang with the lead bunch as long as possible, but I had no choice but to drop back into a more sustainable tempo. Then, just as I settled into the second group on the road, I noticed that my front wheel was severely deflated after banging into a big pothole. With only 10-miles covered, this race was becoming more challenging by the minute.
I pulled out my useless little pump and had to watch how just about every bunch disappeared up the road while I struggled to get some air back in the tire. Lesson learned! From now on, I'll be sure to take my C02 cartridges along to races. They sure would have been handy on this day! I was way back in the field and the bigger bunches had well and truly disappeared and I would not see them again for the rest of the day. Riding 100-miles solo is challenging on a day with perfect weather conditions. But riding solo in the downpour was flat out brutal! Staying in the game mentally was all I could do at this point and I sure would have loved some riding buddies to keep me company.
A massive thank you goes out to all the supporters and volunteers on the day. I was especially appreciative of the mechanical assistance at the aid stations. Aid station #1 gave me access to a proper pump and I could head back out on the road to grind out more miles after inflating the tire to the desired pressure. The first pothole was only the first of several that banged up my tire and I also stopped at the second aid station to pump it up, yet again.
This race kicked me to the ground multiple times throughout the day, but I was determined to get it done. And for me, that was the biggest victory. I would have loved to place well in my age category, competing on my home turf. But that wasn’t meant to be this time around. Gravel riding teaches us to persevere through whatever challenging and uncomfortable conditions may come. I’m very thankful that I stuck it out and got those 100-miles done!
A massive well done goes out to everyone who braved this weather to ride, support or volunteer. You are all champions!
-Wiehan
