By Jennifer Findley
A friend introduced my husband and I to gravel riding last fall. Before I even had a bike, they had signed me up for the Inaugural Steamboat Gravel, a.k.a SBT GRVL Blue, 100 mile, Ride. Thankful that it wasn’t the Black, 141 mile, Ride!
It’s a good thing they were so excited about it, registration opened in early December 2018 and was sold out in a week! In mid February, they announced an additional 200 slots for women.
There are three courses, and in good ski town fashion, there is a Green (37 miles, 2k vertical), Blue (100 miles 7K), and Black (141 miles, 9K) course Click here for maps and details: COURSE INFO
By nature, I’m a runner. It puts me in my ‘happy place’. As a teen, I was a swimmer. I’ve done some triathlon and always considered cycling my ‘weakest link’. In the past 2 months, in addition to some swimming to keep me injury free and some running to keep me ‘happy’, I have logged 1500 miles on my bike.
Race organizers, Amy, Mark and Ken, have done an amazing job of keeping everyone informed on the courses, events and race day expectations thus instilling confidence and excitement.
I’m excited, as well as nervous, for Sunday’s event. I’m hesitant to call it a race. If I could do anything to have changed my training, it would be to have spent more time in Steamboat riding at altitude and on the course. As a busy working mom of 4, it just wasn’t meant to be.
Watch for an event recap next week.
Jennifer is a 303 Ambassador (former and missed Editor and Operations of 303, triathlete and Boston Marathon finisher), She, like many folks will be tested this weekend.
The race has an incredible list of sponsors, including Canyon as the Presenting and official Bike sponsor and many Colorado outdoor companies including: Stages, Primal, Smartwool, CTS, IKOR, BOCO Gear, Otter Box, Feedback Sports along with many local Steamboat organizations.
There are many pro cyclists planning to race including many women in town for the Colorado Classic starting next Thursday (Aug 22) in Steamboat—and Amy Charity, one of the SBT GRVL organizers is racing in the Colorado Classic.
It will be an epic day for all in this inaugural event……
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