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Gravel Bike Racing in Texas and Colorado
2022 Goals for Gravel Locos, Caprock Gravel Grind, Sweetwater Gravel Grind, and Rad Dirt Fest
I am super excited by the opportunities to challenge myself to race gravel in Texas and Colorado this year. I am fortunate that these high-quality and up-and-coming races are all located relatively close to me in Lubbock, Texas.
May 14th, 2022
Race #1: Gravel Locos | Hico, Texas | Distance from my house: 286 miles (460.27 km) ~ 4-hour drive.
Gravel Locos is situated within the Texas Hill Country. I signed up for the La Loca route, which is 155.9 miles (250.9 km) in distance with 8,200 feet (2.5 km) of climbing. Gravel Locos, in only its second year, attracts some of the biggest names in US gravel racing.
Goals: Get weight down from 255lbs to 230lbs before the race, and finish the race.
May 21st, 2022
Race #2: Caprock Gravel Grind | Southland, Texas | Distance from my house: 26 miles (41.84 km) ~30-minute drive
I participated in my local gravel race in 2018 and 2019. The race went on hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am excited to have this local event back on the calendar. In this year’s event, the longest race offered is 61 miles (98.17 km) with 1,749 feet (0.53 kilometers) of climbing. I did this route back in 2019 and finished within the upper half of the field.
Goal: Finish in the top 5.
June 18th, 2022
Race#3: Rattlesnake Gravel Grind | Sweetwater, Texas | Distance from house: 129 miles (207.61 km) ~1 hour and 50-minute drive
The rattlesnake gravel grind is also located near my house. I signed up for the 111.3 mile (179.12 km) route that consists of 4,115 feet (1.25 kilometers) of climbing.
Goals: Get weight down from 230 to 220lbs, and finish in the upper half of the field.
October 8th, 2022
Race#4: Rad Dirt Fest | Trinidad, Colorado | Distance from my house: 344 miles (553.61 km) ~5 hours and 12-minute drive.
