Originally named the Dead Man Gravel, organizers have changed the name to reflect a more inviting event and to better highlight the location of Nederland. There is no denying that gravel racing is exploding all across the country. And nowhere is that more evident than on the dirt roads and mountains surrounding Boulder, Colorado.
Ned Gravel is adding to that excitement by bringing a true gravel challenge to western Boulder County. Based in Nederland, Colorado, Ned Gravel is poised to be one of the highest and most challenging gravel races in the country.
The inaugural Ned Gravel will take place Saturday, July 31, 2021, with a start/finish in downtown Nederland, Colorado. Registration for Women and BIPOC riders opens March 16, 2021; open registration begins on March 23, 2021.
The event will have three course distances to appeal to every type of rider. For true Type 2 fun, there is the Tungsten Course at 66 miles; then there is the speedier, more road friendly 41 mile Gold Course; and the beginner friendly Silver Course that is a great intro to gravel racing with about 50/50 tarmac to gravel. All courses start in the eclectic mountain town of Nederland. Sitting above 8000’ at the base of the Indian Peaks it is the perfect launching point for any endurance adventure.
Ned Gravel believes that more people should be brought into the sport, not excluded. That includes women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and differently abled athletes. To help achieve this, Ned Gravel is partnering with organizations including Ride for Racial Justice, Sharktooth Cycling and the Davis Phinney Foundation. These nonprofits are doing incredible work in bringing new, and typically disadvantaged, athletes into the sport by helping to increase awareness and reduce barriers to entry. RagTag Outdoors was also brought on to help shape the inclusivity, diversity and environmental stewardship initiatives. Ned Gravel’s diverse board of advisors is also working to creatively decrease barriers and increase access to all riders.
Some of the ways they are working on this is by providing early and discounted registration for women and BIPOC athletes. Providing equal prize money and representation on the starting line among other things. Ned Gravel is also partnering with Ride for Racial Justice to give several athletes of color a spot on the starting line, personalized coaching and some basic gear. Ned Gravel will also be hosting women led/women only clinics aimed at reducing barriers around things like riding in remote areas, on trail bike maintenance and gravel specific skills.
“I’m so excited to be able to share all that Nederland and the Peak to Peak area has to offer, especially when it comes to having fun riding bikes on our amazing network of gravel roads,” said Gavin Coombs, founder of Ned Gravel. “This is going to be a fantastic event that hopefully helps continue to move the needle for increasing diversity and inclusivity in cycling, and giving people another much needed summer gravel race event outside of Boulder.” A former professional runner, Coombs is also the founder of Peak to Peak Endurance, an event management company that is putting on Ned Gravel as well as hosting retreat weekends and endurance coaching.
Coming out of the gate in partnership with Ned Gravel is Cutaway USA, a premium cycling clothing company based out of Charlottesville, Virginia. Inspired by their location in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cutaway clothing is known for design, color, innovation, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Cutaway USA is an outdoor industry leader in cycling kit design for cyclists, triathletes, and runners.
“We’re excited to work with Ned Gravel as they represent two things we hold dear at Cutaway USA: a desire to explore, and to share that exploration with as many people as possible,” said Cutaway founder Phillip Robb. “We look forward to partnering with one of the new challenging gravel races that showcases the best that their hometown has to offer. Rooted in east coast exploration and gravel riding, Cutaway is excited to see the continued growth of gravel across the US and especially excited to partner with such a unique event in Colorado.”
Additional sponsors and partners for Ned Gravel in year one include: Carbo Rocket and Spring Energy at the Gold Level; Stages Cycling and Eldora Mountain Resort at a Silver Level sponsorship; TheCyclist-lawyer.com, Kim Hullet Real Estate Broker Associate at Porch Light Realty and Knotted Root Brewing at a Bronze Level; Pure Power Botanicals, Weller CBD and Panaracer Tires at a Community Level; Look Cycles as our official pedal supplier; Elevation Outdoors is our official Media Partner.
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