Here’s the U.S. Racing Action From the Weekend—Spoiler, it Was a Lot
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As spring begins to transition into summer, U.S. bike racing is in full swing. And adventure seems to be the theme. Routes are getting more technical, and singletrack is a common addition to many already challenging courses. Also crit racing just keeps getting more hyped up. This past weekend featured several bucket list races that might be worth adding to your future calendar.
Telluride Gravel
Telluride, Colorado is one of those places that doesn’t seem real. The box canyon views are epic no matter the season. Fifty years ago, this place barely existed. An old mining town at the end of a difficult-to-get-to dead-end road. So it makes sense that the race motto is, “To hell you ride.” It’s not an easy venture. The race has two distance options, “the Outlaw,” 42 miles with 4,000 feet of climbing, or “To Hell U Ride,” 93 miles with 10,000 feet of climbing. The long course is the main event.
This race debuted last year in October, at the height of golden aspen season. This year, instead of fall leaf views, they switched to a spring date, which gave stretches of wildflowers and impossibly green fields. The elevation profile on this course makes it look like there isn’t a single moment of flat road — you’re either going straight up or straight down. Tons of climbing, tons of singletrack, creek crossings, empty gravel roads, and literally non-stop views of the San Juan Mountains.
This past weekend, Durango, Colorado, the neighboring mountain town 100 miles south, known for its mountain biking community, fully represented. Maybe it’s no coincidence that two Durango riders — Payson McElveen and Sarah Sturm — with extensive mountain bike experience, won this race. Both seemed unfazed by the incredible amount of climbing on the course. This was the second of four races in the Summer of Gravel series. Race prizes included male, female, and non-binary categories.
Belgian Waffle Ride, North Carolina
Modeled after the European one-day Spring Classics, the Belgian Waffle Rides are known to be unusually difficult races. There are now 6 iterations in North America, and in North Carolina this past weekend there were three distances to choose from, the longer Waffle event (131 miles), the Wafer (70 miles), and the Wanna ride (37 miles).
The Hendersonville, NC race location is located on 1,400 stunning acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The sights include a beautiful 30-acre lake, and 20-miles of trails. The race aims to be among the toughest around, with roughly 131-miles and 13,500 feet of climbing for the long course. Pavement, fire roads, singletrack, through a barn, and over bridges.
This year Austin Killips (nice bikes) and Adam Roberge (Jukebox Factor) won the elite titles.
Fish Rock
Fish Rock is a “road bike race for people who aren’t afraid of a little hardcore gravel.” Taking place in Boonville, California, 100 miles north of San Francisco, it’s fully out-of-the-city. The ride was named after the fabled Fish Rock Road. The course consists mostly of paved roads, with a 14-mile, very time-consuming gravel section called Fish Rock. That means the times are fast, but the task at hand is difficult. There’s only one distance—72 miles, with over 9,000 feet of climbing.
The views of the Pacific are unmatched, and the roads are mostly low-traffic and mountainous. Think of it as a big tough road ride to get to the off-road ride. Leslie Ethridge won the women’s podium and told Bicycling, “I’m honestly having a hard time focusing on my win when there is so much trans hatred happening in the bike racing world. But Fish Rock is a really great race and overall I’m happy to finally nab that top step after being so close in other races this year.” Ethridge returned to racing this year after illness. “I’ve enjoyed returning to racing here in California and have felt so welcomed by the environment that Bike Monkey and the Grasshopper Series creates. Really thankful for these promoters putting on great races.”
Nick Brown won the men’s podium.
Tulsa Tough
The stoke is real for crit racing in the U.S. lately, and it’s especially obvious in this high-energy weekend of events. Whether you’re a professional cyclist, new to crits, or even a casual cyclist seeking a fun experience, Tulsa Tough has something for everyone. This weekend there were three days of crits, each taking place on a different course and at a unique venue. All the big names came out for the generous payouts and the unmatched enthusiasm from the local crowd—it’s off the charts.
After a weekend of serious sweat and rippin’ fast action, Skylar Schneide (Legion), Samantha Schneider (Legion), and Olivia Cummins (DNA Pro Cycling) made up the pro women’s podium. And on the men’s pro podium, Sam Boardman (Legion), Noah Granigan (Denver Disruptors), and Jonas Schmeiser (DCC). In a post-race interview, Boardman said, “I love what this team does in terms of putting out representation of Black success and Black ownership to the masses and seeing what that kind of entrepreneurship and ownership can be put towards in a race setting. And I’m happy to be a part of that mission and in my mind a win is a bonus and I 'm just happy to be out here racing my bike.”
Tour Divide
The Tour Divide riders set off on Friday for what will be a weeks-long bikepacking race from Canada to Mexico. The 2,745-mile trek begins in Banff, AB and ends at the U.S./Mexico border in Antelope Wells, NM. Riders are completely self-supported and are encouraged to depend on the towns that they journey through. They may eat at restaurants, shop at grocery stores, sleep in hotels, but cannot accept help that’s not available to everyone else in the race.
The race is free to enter and there’s no prize for winning or setting a new record. This year Ted King is documenting his journey on social media, as is Alex Howes. Veteran Tour Divide rider and women’s record holder, Lael Wilcox is out there again, and says this will be her last time racing, though she’ll never stop riding the route that she’s come to love so much.
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