Gravel racing calendars have gotten complicated with all the new events and competing series flying around. As someone who started with a local 50-miler and worked up to finishing Unbound 200, I learned everything there is to know about this wild discipline. Today, I will share it all with you.
Unbound Gravel: The Big One
Unbound in Emporia, Kansas each June has become gravel racing’s signature event. The 200-mile course crosses the Flint Hills region – endless limestone roads, punishing climbs, and the constant threat of mechanicals far from any support. Top professionals line up alongside thousands of amateurs seeking to test their limits.
What the Flint Hills Actually Does to You
The Kansas terrain presents challenges you can’t fully prepare for. Loose gravel suddenly gives way to chunky limestone that destroys tires. Weather is unpredictable – heat, wind, thunderstorms all possible in the same day. The isolation means self-sufficiency isn’t optional.
Finishing Unbound is an achievement regardless of placement. I crossed the line in 2024 after 15 hours and change. Cried at the finish. Not ashamed to admit it.
Belgian Waffle Ride: European Flair, American Dirt
The Belgian Waffle Ride series brings European-inspired gravel racing to American venues. The flagship California event in May offers multiple distance options, all demanding technical skills alongside endurance. The “Waffle” name references Belgian cycling culture, with courses designed to hurt like the Flemish classics.
Probably should have mentioned earlier, honestly – the mixed terrain rewards versatility. Pure road riders suffer on the technical descents. Pure mountain bikers struggle on the sustained climbs. You need a bit of everything.
Other Major 2025 Events Worth Your Calendar
The gravel calendar extends far beyond the flagship events. Mid South in Oklahoma kicks off the season with potentially muddy conditions that have produced legendary editions – the 2021 mud-fest is still talked about. Steamboat Gravel in Colorado offers high-altitude challenges. Gravel Worlds in Nebraska crowns champions across multiple distances.
Each event brings its own character. Some favor smooth rollers, others reward technical handling, still others demand pure endurance stubbornness.
International Growth
Gravel has expanded globally. Events across Europe, Asia, and beyond. The Gravel World Championships, UCI-sanctioned, added legitimacy while potentially changing the grassroots character many love. That tension between professionalization and adventure defines current debates.
I’m apparently one of those people who prefers the local unsanctioned events, and the community atmosphere works for me while bigger productions feel different.
Equipment: What Actually Matters
That’s what makes equipment choice endearing to us gravel riders – it varies dramatically based on event characteristics. Modern gravel bikes feature wider tire clearances, suspension options, and geometry balancing stability with agility.
Tire Selection Is Everything
Riders balance rolling resistance against grip and durability. Decisions often get made based on expected conditions – and then the weather changes and everyone’s guessing. Tubeless setups are standard now, allowing lower pressures and self-sealing of minor punctures. Carrying spare tubes and tools remains essential for longer events.
Nutrition and Strategy for the Long Haul
Ultra-distance gravel events require serious nutrition planning. You might be on course 10-15 hours, requiring thousands of calories consumed while riding. Stopping at checkpoints adds time, so eating while moving becomes essential.
Pacing strategy matters enormously. Early aggression leads to late-race collapse. I learned this the hard way at my first Unbound attempt – went out too hot, bonked at mile 120, limped home in the dark. Second attempt, started conservative, finished three hours faster.
Getting Started
Smaller local events offer excellent entry points. Shorter distances, more forgiving terrain, the adventure spirit of gravel without the 200-mile commitment. Many events offer multiple distance options.
The 2025 calendar offers something for every adventurous cyclist. Find an event that sounds interesting, sign up before it sells out, and start training. The gravel community welcomes newcomers.
