The Mental Game of Gravel: How to Keep Going When the Race Gets Hard
At some point in a long gravel race, you’ve wanted to quit. Your legs felt terrible. Nothing was feeling good. Most gravel racers have felt this: Maybe you’ve had three flat tires, your shifting isn’t working correctly, and the group you were riding with disappeared up the road 20 minutes ago. Or maybe nothing is […]
When Gravel Motivation Gets Muddy: How to Keep Training When You Don’t Feel Like It
Gravel racing is supposed to be fun. That might sound obvious, but it’s easy to forget when the alarm goes off early, the workout says “VO2max intervals,” your legs feel heavy, the weather is terrible, and the couch is whispering your name. Motivation is one of those things athletes think they either have or don’t […]
Mastering the Climb: How to Train, Prepare, and Execute Faster Hill Climbs
by Coach Anthony James Great climbers aren’t just strong, they’re prepared, precise, and efficient. Hill climbing success comes down to three pillars: structured training, smart execution, and consistent fueling. But there’s one piece riders often overlook… Strength training is non-negotiable. Let’s talk about how to build complete climbing performance from the gym to the dirt […]
Race Day Nutrition Crisis Management: What to Do When Your Plan Goes Wrong
You spent months preparing for your race. You tested your fueling strategy during training, packed your nutrition, and reviewed your pacing plan. Then race day happens. The aid station runs out of drink mix. Your stomach suddenly revolts. You drop a bottle. Your gels become impossible to swallow or the gravel road is so rough […]
Beyond Gels: Variety in Your Gravel Race Fueling Arsenal
Why flavor fatigue happens and how to combat it If you’ve ever been 4 hours into a 100-mile gravel race, staring at another packet of strawberry gels, and nearly vomited at the thought of putting one more in your mouth, you’ve experienced flavor fatigue. It’s real, it’s brutal, and it’s one of the biggest reasons […]
Gravel Racing Hydration: The Drink-to-Thirst Strategy That Works
Gravel races can be a long time in the saddle. Your legs will burn, your lungs will beg for mercy, and somewhere around hour four, your brain will start making questionable decisions about “just one more hill.” But you can control one critical variable that makes or breaks these epic days: your hydration strategy. Let’s […]
Do Hard Efforts “Ruin” an Endurance Ride? What Every Cyclist Needs to Know
You head out for a Zone 2 ride. Then a hill shows up. You push a little harder. Maybe into threshold. Maybe you sprint over the top. And then the question hits: “Did I just ruin the purpose of this ride?” It’s a common concern—especially with all the talk about Zone 2, polarized training, and […]
Aid Station Strategy: Maximizing Efficiency at 100-Mile Gravel Markers
You’ve trained for months. Your legs are ready. Your bike is dialed. But at mile 70 of a 100-mile gravel race, when your legs are screaming and your stomach is rebelling, the aid station can make or break your day. Most riders treat aid stations like a buffet. They roll in, stop for 3-5 minutes, […]
Gravel Riding Skills: Master the Rough Stuff and Ride Faster
The thing that separates good gravel riders from great ones isn’t raw power, although that helps. It’s what happens when the road gets rough. Potholes, washboard, loose rock, ruts, etc., that’s where races can be won or lost. And here’s the truth many riders miss: you don’t ride around technical terrain. You ride through it […]
Why Mountain Bike Tires Win in Arkansas Gravel
by Coach Anthony James If you’re showing up to an Arkansas gravel event with the same tire setup you’d use in Kansas or Colorado, you’re already behind. Here’s the thing—most gravel racing advice out there assumes you’re riding smooth, rolled crusher dust on endless country roads. That’s fine for the Great Plains. It’s great for […]
