This week, I almost put the words “aero bars” in the subject because that is the best way to get attention and engagement when talking about gravel racing, right?
In all seriousness, gravel racing has enjoyed a momentous rise in the previous few years. With it have come debates about rules, the “Spirit of Gravel,” safety, and much more. UNBOUND Gravel has taken steps to give the professional and amateur racers at its event a safer, fairer experience. I’ll get into that.
But first…
🔍 Dig Deep
I did a Q&A with National Ultra Endurance Series (NUE) director Ryan O’Dell to give you more insight into what makes this mountain bike series a popular option for new and experienced racers alike. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
❓ What is your main goal in running the series?
Our original goal, with a small group of likeminded ultra-mountain bikers that included Lumberjack founder, Rick Plite, Wilderness 101 and Shenandoah 100 founder, Chris Scott, and ultra-racer, Garth Prosser, was to simply band together under a straightforward set of common rules to form a race series that would add more fun and broader interest to this relatively new sport of 100-mile off-road racing. 100-mile MTB racing was in its infancy 17 years ago, not long past the time that interest in 24-hour racing had peaked and was waning a bit. The NUE Series was born in 2006, offering racers a chance to prove themselves on an adventurous 100-mile journey instead of going around in circles on a short course. The fun, party atmosphere we loved about 24-hour racing is still here but in a new format. I have been fortunate to work with some of the most talented race directors in the US that have joined NUE, including True Grit Director, Cimarron Chacon and High Cascades Director, Mike Ripley, who are now actively involved and share a vision of NUE that is focused on offering great experiences and real rewards, including our unique travel awards for division winners and even randomly drawn finishers. The NUE experience offers racers opportunities that have included a trip to the Cruce del Istmo and Race Across Panama, and other events that included La Ruta Conquistadores, Race Across Costa Rica, and The Rincon de la Viega, a race around a volcano with four unique climate zones. Soon, we will be adding The Gigantes in Spain. It has been life changing for some, including Alan Minor from Nova Scotia, whose finish at the Mohican MTB100 on May 20 will mark his 40th NUE Finish, having flown to all but the Hampshire 100!
❓ How has the series been developed?
NUE has largely developed by listening to our racers and race directors allowing course correction for the series and development of standards. As an ultra-racer myself, I have personally competed at most events as part of the vetting process, but also rely on the suggestions of our racers and race directors when determining whether to add a new event.
❓ How have you decided on which races to add to the series?
There is a list of qualifications and benefits offered for joining NUE that is sent to prospective events who would like more information about joining NUE. In most cases now, NUE requires at least a 3-year successful track record based on feedback from our riders and a location and date that fits with the NUE schedule. Both in-person and independently-conducted NUE racer surveys offer our directors results and direct feedback about the series and their individual events.
❓ Do you have any new race additions planned for the future?
Planning is a continual process, but we will only reveal new events when the 2024 race schedule is published.
❓ How has the NUE Series adapted to the rise of gravel?
Several NUE race directors also hold gravel events that could soon result in an NUE Gravel Series. In reality, the NUE Series was the original gravel race that also happened to include miles of awesome singletrack 😉. While admittedly, some NUE races are entirely single or double track, several races, including the Cohutta 100, Wilderness 101, and Mohican MTB 100, offer a high percentage of gravel. Mohican was mostly gravel until, over the past 20 years, we constructed, improved or added much of the singletrack that is now included. The new Mohican Mo Gritty 50/30 Gravel Race on March 18 will include many current and historic routes from the Mohican MTB100, including a few short stretches of entry level singletrack scattered throughout the course. In general, I think we are witnessing an increasing number of racers who are straying from the road toward gravel and/or off-road trails. NUE races continue to grow or sell out despite the rise in popularity of gravel racing, so my view is that gravel is great and will serve to direct more racers into the more challenging and diverse courses that NUE MTB Series offers.
❓ How did COVID impact the series's sustainability?
NUE Series’ structure of independently-owned-and-managed events is the reason NUE not only survived but was, perhaps, the first and only race series that continued through 2020 awarding series champions. Each Independent NUE Race Director evaluated the situation and regulations within their state and made their own decisions about whether it was best to cancel or whether it was feasible to hold the event safely. Mohican became the first to hold an event on June 1, 2020, the day after the Ohio lockdown ended. Great precautions were taken to mitigate any possible spread, which were detailed to racers and volunteers who each made their own decision about whether to serve or compete. All NUE races offered refunds or credits for toward 2021 for racers that were canceled. Mohican MTB100 basically became a 100k time trial in 2020. The race start was three at a time, all outdoors, socially distanced, for one-hundred-kilometers spanning three counties. Mohican received favorable local press coverage that year, and, for the first time, EVERY racer finished! Many NUE and other events either adopted our mitigation plan or developed similar plans best suited to their events. It was an amazing year coming out of lockdown and the racers who competed that year were the most happy and grateful racers I have seen in my 25+ years as a race director. More than half of NUE Races were forced to cancel, several races were able to occur, and I am most pleased to report that ALL races are still HERE thanks to the wise and independent decisions made by NUE Directors.
❓ Where do you see the series in 5-10 years?
This is the fun question and the one that keeps me motivated, especially when there is an opportunity to share and discuss this topic with racers and race directors, who play a role in setting the direction of NUE, the series with no license required that offers amazing events and real rewards at affordable prices. Within 5-10 years, I would like to see, and I am actively working on, providing additional travel award opportunities for division winners representing NUE as well as randomly drawn or discounted packages for NUE series finishers so everyone who goes the distance, completing at least three races, has reward and opportunity. In the USA, there are plans to add an additional event(s) in the Southwest, early in the season, and a another great event in the Northeast, making it easier and more affordable for racers in every region to complete at least three events in this best three series. International races both in Europe and Latin America have expressed interest in joining NUE so expect more travel options/packages to distant, magical lands vetted by NUE racers. There will be a new interactive results/standings reporting program developed by three-time NUE SS Champion, Justin Holle, that will be introduced this year along with a free revamped NUE newsletter, headed by Mike Ripley. The best is yet to come for NUE racers, and our talent comes from everywhere thanks to independant race directors continually improving their events, voicing their suggestions and concerns, and propelling NUE closer toward our 20th season and beyond.
❓ How does the popularity of the whole series compare to single-race popularity?
Single race is the most popular with many racers coming out just for one or two events but there are also many, like Alan Minor, way up in Nova Scotia who travel to many races each season. Many racers bring their entire families with the race being just part of their NUE experience at our awesome locations. However, given the current state of the economy, rampant inflation that has contributed to higher travel costs, NUE has lowered this year's qualification to best three, not four, which is intended to encourage more racers to take the challenge and receive their national ranking from NUE.
❓Tell me more about the "sponsorship" opportunities you offer to race internationally. How can racers qualify for this?
To qualify for travel awards, racers must complete at least three races. NUE has reciprocal agreements with international events who offer NUE Qualifiers either FREE or discounted travel to their event. For NUE Division Winners, that typically includes complimentary race entry, transportation to and from the airport nearest to the event, along with lodging and some food privileges. One event, The Rincon, even offered surfing lessons to NUE Champs. La Ruta in Costa Rica once offered a horseback ride leading to the put-in on an amazing rafting trip along one of the most reknown white-water destinations in the world. For most events, racers must provide for their own air travel cost to the race location.
❓ Why should racers choose to do NUE events?
The tag line on our website says NUE SERIES: "Long Bike Races in the Dirt". Are you tired of going around in circles and want a true mountain bike adventure on a 50-mile, 100-kilometer or 100-mile race course through pristine wilderness, followed by a party at the finish line with local craft brews AND a chance to score cash and international travel opportunities to similar adventurous, challenging events with no license required? Then NUE is YOUR Series.
Here is the 2023 NUE Series Map:
🏁 Race News
UNBOUND Gravel has announced a series of new rules that includes separating the amateur start from the professional starts for the 200-mile event.
USA Cycling CEO Brendan Quirk’s interview on the Groadio Podcast includes comments on his perspective on the gravel scene. ICYMI, USAC will be entering the gravel scene at the junior and collegiate level and will be adding a national championship.
On the “Spirit of Gravel:”
“At a certain point, enough’s enough about the “Spirit of Gravel” and let’s talk about the bike race a little bit, but that’s just my opinion.”
On the proliferation of influencers and ambassadors:
“For some knuckleheaded guy who got 23rd at UNBOUND, do I care what kind of tire sealant he uses? No. I don’t care what kind of tire sealant he uses”
Listen to the whole podcast below. These comments come in the last part of the show.
📆 Registration Dates
UNBOUND Gravel 25, 50, 100, and 200, Emporia, Kan. – The lottery for these June 3 events is open until Jan. 20. 🔑 Hack: get your housing early. Word on the street is there are few options left. If you miss out, check back in the days after lottery results are announced as many people will no longer have need for housing if they don’t get into the race.
Sea Otter Fuego XL, Monterrey, Calif. – The Leadville 100 lottery for 2023 may be closed, but you can still get in through a qualifier event such as the newly announced Fuego XL. Already a Life Time Grand Prix event, its becoming a Leadville qualifier will make it popular, so get on it. Other options are here.
True Grit MTB + Gravel, St. George, Utah. – Mountain bike? Gravel? Both? You have all the options when you register for this event (open now). The MTB option is Mar. 11 and gravel is Mar. 18.
Grasshopper Series, Calif. – Registration for the five-event series spanning from January through April is open. You can choose between a series pass or single-event registration.
US Pro Cup, Vail Lake, Temecula, Calif. – Registration for the Mar. 31 UCI short track, Apr. 1 amateur XC, and Apr. 2 UCI C1 XCO races is open.
US Pro Cup, Fayetteville, Ark. – Registration for the Apr. 12 UCI C1 XCO, Apr. 14 UCI C3 short track, Apr. 15 UCI HC XC, and Apr. 16 amateur XC races is open.
Pikes Peak APEX Stage Race, Colorado Springs, Colo. – Registration for this Sept. 8-10 MTB event just opened.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Durango, Colo. – You can register for this 50-year-old event now. There are gravel, MTB, and yes, road options on May 27 and 28. Read about its unique history here.
Whiskey Off-Road, Prescott, Ariz. – You can register for the 15, 30, or 50-mile options this MTB race offers now. Event dates are April 28-30.
Rebecca’s Private Idaho, Ketchum, Idaho. – Registration is now open for this Aug. 3 to Sept. 3 event run by off-road cycling legend Rebecca Rusch.
Gravel Worlds, Lincoln, Neb. – Not the UCI Gravel Worlds: the other one. Registration is open, and you don’t need to qualify for this version, which takes place on Aug 25-26.
Gravel Locos, Hico, Texas. – Registration is open to race distances from 30 to 150 miles on May 23. No lottery entry is required.
Belgian Waffle Ride. – Registration for each of the six events in Ariz., Calif., British Columbia, N.C., Mich., and Kan. is now open and selling out fast.
🔑 Hack: Looking for a race in your area? Check out the Gravel Calendar.
🚵 Professional Racing
The previously-mentioned new rules announced by UNBOUND Gravel include creating a new elite men’s field that will start ten minutes ahead of the amateurs and an elite women’s field that will start eight minutes ahead of the amateurs. Aerobars will not be allowed in the elite fields. Full rules at can be found at number 12 here. Read pro athletes’ reactions here.
The Groadio Podcast released its Life Time Grand Prix preview episode, which features this newsletter’s author as a co-host and some predictions about which “rookies” will perform well.
💡 Today’s Tip
What to eat before a ride if you’re crunched for time
If you have to ride early in the morning or right after work or class, it can be hard to find something that fuels you while also sitting well in your stomach with minimal digestion time. Here is one of my go-to’s.
🍞 Nut butter and banana toast
Bread. Pick something easy to digest like white bread. I usually have 2-3 slices, depending on the duration of the ride I have. Toast it.
Nut (or seed butter). A standard option for us is almond butter but whatever fits your dietary restrictions works fine.
Banana
Cinnamon sprinkled on top
🔑 Hack: Traveling? Just make it a sandwich. Mush the banana to keep it sticking together well.
Fueled and ready to ride ✅.
📍 Check Out This Route
North Shore, Mass. Gravel Sampler
Location: Wenham, Mass.
Surface: Gravel roads, double track, some easy singletrack, and paved roads
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 27.7 miles
Elevation gain: 950 feet
Did you know there are some fun adventures to be had just north of Boston? I certainly did not before my family moved here. This gravel route will take you from Gordon College through Chebacco Woods, which lended its name to the Parlee Chebacco gravel bike. After a brief stint on the road, you will enjoy a ride on some relatively easy singletrack up to Sagamore Hill, my favorite spot on the North Shore. After enjoying views from atop the "Chief's Alter," you will ride through New England Biolabs before a trip to British pastures in Appleton Farms. Enjoy the beautiful stone walls and fields before riding through Pingree Woods to Bradley Palmer State Park. A stint on the quiet, paved Perkins Row will take you to the dirt bike path, where you will ride along a canal straight out of the Netherlands before meandering your way back to Gordon College.
❤️ Race Recommendation
Mohican 100 in Loudonville, Ohio, is one of the great options that is part of the NUE MTB Series. The 100-mile and 100-kilometer options take you through some gorgeous, and shockingly hilly parts of Ohio. You might see some Amish carriages and, with recent course updates, will certainly encounter plentiful rocks, roots, and everything else that makes riding in the eastern US fun. My favorite part is the first few miles along some flowing singletrack in Mohican State Park. Prepare yourself for a challenging, but fun race!