Ben, just wanted to say that of all the channels out there, Yours should be the absolute top channel in everyone’s playlist. Your honest journalistic approach to cycling is refreshing and authentic. Don’t stop what you do! This is without rival the number one RUclips channel in cycling, not just gravel but in all cycling. Much love man, we appreciate you more than you can imagine. Thank you for all that you do!
Fantastic video, as always. This will be the second year I put on a race with a unique format. The same 10 mile gravel loop repeated as many times as possible over a set time (12 hours is the longest) in a tiny town called Marys Home in Central Missouri. Borrowed from XC MTB races of yesteryear, riders come through a Race HQ, stop by their tent, refill bottles, etc. It creates some really interesting race strategy. Race is called Mary Go Round and will be Saturday, June 7, 2025. Last year's winner was 130+ miles and 10k+ ft. of climbing so not for the faint of heart at the pointy end. Gravel newbies can also "try" gravel with a low commitment point of just 10 miles.
This year I thought I'd give back to the local gravel community and decided to volunteer in a local event. It was so much fun to make hot dogs and hand them out to the riders at the feed zone. As a reward, I got a free entry to another awesome event. I figure I scored a double win. Next year I will be doing the Traka, which should keep me motivated to get on the trainer through the winter. The Dolomites are on my bucket sometime beyond 2025, maybe I'll get to ride the Yolomites if the stars are aligned.
Another great video Ben. Just be sure to put Nannup Gravel World Championships in 2026 on the bucket list. If you want a sense of the course look up the Seven UCI qualifier video. Just an epic part of the world.
Ben, would love to see a video of you riding and sharing experience of riding the Rock Cobbler in Bakersfield, CA. Given the Mammoth Tuff shirt, you might enjoy another ride with a mix of racing and non-serious frivolity and a cult following of returning riders.
No argument here! I love what Sam has built with the Cobbler - living room ride-throughs, impossible run-ups, push ups, ball pits… in a word: fun. Matter of fact, Stephen and I were talking about it before we started recording. One day!
In addition to the Vermont Overland, another fantastic event is the D2R2 (Deerfield Dirt Road Randonee). Not a race, but a huge celebration of the beautiful landscape in Western MA and Southern VT. It's been around for 20 years! Rides range from a family friendly 40k to the 180k with over 11,000 ft. of climbing. You encounter maybe 3-4 cars/hour. The best event I've ever done.
Great video and thanks for sharing. Nice way to build up the 2025 calendar. Adding Trakka in Girona, Spain to my bucket to my list. Gravel Miami is a good one to ride in the flatlands of Homestead, FL.
Events you may want to put on your Radar Seven Gravel in Nannup Western Australia. Hosting the 2026 UCI gravel worlds. It will be first gravel worlds out of Europe and those that were disappointed by what looked like bike path worlds and not gravel event, this course will step up a lot technically. Course is 125km for the full length and a bit over 3000m of climbing. Nannup is just out of the Margret River region in SW WA, one of the best areas in Australia in my opinion. Great riding, beaches, climbing, nature, food, wine, beer. They have it all.
Good to see you doing better. I also woke my hip and my collarbone first of may. Last year in Girona I met a sweet couple from Colorado. I was riding a scarab and a day before a mosaic. So I´ve to things on my agenda: Doing Gravel race(s) in the U.S. and buying a mosaic (which is easier, because I live in Germany).
Your shirt from mammoth tuff, the leadville gravel: high elevation, lack of plants in areas, widest tires possible in frame required, and usually dry. From inland SoCal so after BWR and other local/regional spring races next year is long drive events as adventure rides out in front range/central plains or gravel stage races (Oregon trail or RPI).
Looking forward to a big event gives me the motivation to train and ride with friends. Just finished my third RAD in Trinidad! Thanks for the content Ben.
If you come to Europe check out a Nordic event (for instance one of the Nordic Gravel Series events or FNLD GRVL). Gravel up here is somewhat different to Central or South European as we have tons of cadillac gravel groads.
I dont think im ready for this yet. I'm worth about 50 miles @ 16mph racing cyclist clueless to the fact im racing them! Even then its a battle... I am in love with the bike though. Its amazing what 2 wheels can do for the soul.
Most events have multiple distances, starting at about 35-40 miles. So you could absolutely go do most events right now - and build up to longer ones if you want to. 🤜🤛
Ben, just wanted to say that of all the channels out there, Yours should be the absolute top channel in everyone’s playlist. Your honest journalistic approach to cycling is refreshing and authentic.
Don’t stop what you do! This is without rival the number one RUclips channel in cycling, not just gravel but in all cycling.
Much love man, we appreciate you more than you can imagine. Thank you for all that you do!
Sheesh, thanks!
Agreed!
Fantastic video, as always. This will be the second year I put on a race with a unique format. The same 10 mile gravel loop repeated as many times as possible over a set time (12 hours is the longest) in a tiny town called Marys Home in Central Missouri. Borrowed from XC MTB races of yesteryear, riders come through a Race HQ, stop by their tent, refill bottles, etc. It creates some really interesting race strategy. Race is called Mary Go Round and will be Saturday, June 7, 2025. Last year's winner was 130+ miles and 10k+ ft. of climbing so not for the faint of heart at the pointy end. Gravel newbies can also "try" gravel with a low commitment point of just 10 miles.
Whoa! 10 to 130mi is quite the range. Love it.
This year I thought I'd give back to the local gravel community and decided to volunteer in a local event. It was so much fun to make hot dogs and hand them out to the riders at the feed zone. As a reward, I got a free entry to another awesome event. I figure I scored a double win. Next year I will be doing the Traka, which should keep me motivated to get on the trainer through the winter. The Dolomites are on my bucket sometime beyond 2025, maybe I'll get to ride the Yolomites if the stars are aligned.
Looking forward to the 2025 Arkansas Graveler! It's a newer multi- day event, but it looks freaking awesome!
Another great video Ben. Just be sure to put Nannup Gravel World Championships in 2026 on the bucket list. If you want a sense of the course look up the Seven UCI qualifier video. Just an epic part of the world.
Ben, would love to see a video of you riding and sharing experience of riding the Rock Cobbler in Bakersfield, CA. Given the Mammoth Tuff shirt, you might enjoy another ride with a mix of racing and non-serious frivolity and a cult following of returning riders.
No argument here! I love what Sam has built with the Cobbler - living room ride-throughs, impossible run-ups, push ups, ball pits… in a word: fun. Matter of fact, Stephen and I were talking about it before we started recording. One day!
+1
In addition to the Vermont Overland, another fantastic event is the D2R2 (Deerfield Dirt Road Randonee). Not a race, but a huge celebration of the beautiful landscape in Western MA and Southern VT. It's been around for 20 years! Rides range from a family friendly 40k to the 180k with over 11,000 ft. of climbing. You encounter maybe 3-4 cars/hour. The best event I've ever done.
Ah yeah. Thanks for shouting that one out.
Great video and thanks for sharing. Nice way to build up the 2025 calendar. Adding Trakka in Girona, Spain to my bucket to my list. Gravel Miami is a good one to ride in the flatlands of Homestead, FL.
Events you may want to put on your Radar Seven Gravel in Nannup Western Australia. Hosting the 2026 UCI gravel worlds. It will be first gravel worlds out of Europe and those that were disappointed by what looked like bike path worlds and not gravel event, this course will step up a lot technically. Course is 125km for the full length and a bit over 3000m of climbing. Nannup is just out of the Margret River region in SW WA, one of the best areas in Australia in my opinion. Great riding, beaches, climbing, nature, food, wine, beer. They have it all.
Nice shirt, Ben! Damn, the YOLOmites roads look insane and tempting...
First of all, How are you Ben? Great to see you out of the brace. Now I will enjoy this vid. Comments later.
It’s a slow recovery, and my arm doesn’t really work yet. But I can get on the trainer and out for walks in the mountains. Thanks for asking.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney slow and easy does it. No hurry. (I know it sucks)
Good to see you doing better. I also woke my hip and my collarbone first of may. Last year in Girona I met a sweet couple from Colorado. I was riding a scarab and a day before a mosaic. So I´ve to things on my agenda: Doing Gravel race(s) in the U.S. and buying a mosaic (which is easier, because I live in Germany).
Sorry to hear about the breaks. Were you able to rent the Scarab and Mosaic from Service Course? Those are two sweet bikes.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Yes i rented it from service course and the scarab got many looks.
The Iceland stuff is on my bucket list. Really enjoyed this video btw!
Your shirt from mammoth tuff, the leadville gravel: high elevation, lack of plants in areas, widest tires possible in frame required, and usually dry. From inland SoCal so after BWR and other local/regional spring races next year is long drive events as adventure rides out in front range/central plains or gravel stage races (Oregon trail or RPI).
Looking forward to a big event gives me the motivation to train and ride with friends. Just finished my third RAD in Trinidad! Thanks for the content Ben.
Boom!
If you come to Europe check out a Nordic event (for instance one of the Nordic Gravel Series events or FNLD GRVL). Gravel up here is somewhat different to Central or South European as we have tons of cadillac gravel groads.
I would love to get up there and explore. Hopefully one day!
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Let me know if you do!
I’ll come to FNLD GRVL if I get to meet Valterri!
That was brilliant! You are so the man Ben Delaney!
How did you get your bones to heal so fast. 🤔
💕🚴🙏
Glad you enjoyed it. Recovery is still a work in progress, but at least I am out of the sling.
I dont think im ready for this yet. I'm worth about 50 miles @ 16mph racing cyclist clueless to the fact im racing them! Even then its a battle...
I am in love with the bike though. Its amazing what 2 wheels can do for the soul.
Most events have multiple distances, starting at about 35-40 miles. So you could absolutely go do most events right now - and build up to longer ones if you want to. 🤜🤛
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Now there is motivation, Thanks Ben! I'm going to look into some for my area.
Worlds vs Worlds. Love it (the Nebraska course had over double the amount of climbing... just sayin... ;) )
IDOL ! Come ride with us in San Diego !
Hi Ben, nice to see your arm is healing well. But how much muscle mass have you lost if any?
Thanks for the video 👍🏻
Stephen! Haha he lives on the same street as I did (until we moved in 2020). Our kids went to the same school. Sadly I’m too large for the rodeo bikes