Final Saturday (6/4/2024), I participated in my first gravel race known as Morkovské Bajk. This 12 months’s route was considerably modified to make it rideable not just for mountain bikers but additionally for many who have a gravel bike. Since I’m testing the YOELEO G21, I took the chance to enter the race on the final minute.
Course Recon
I initially didn’t actually wish to do the race as a result of I got here again from Belgium just a few days earlier than, which was very difficult. However I knew I’d remorse not making an attempt the race on gravel. That’s why I did a recon two days earlier than the race to see if I wanted to alter tires. In the mean time, I’ve Maxxis Receptor Exo TR 40mm, that are easy and never very appropriate for off-road or tough descents.
As quickly as I completed driving the route, I suspected having wider tires with some thread can be higher. The route was 70% on forest gravel roads, however the different 30% was extra of a damaged downhill the place the race may very well be determined. On the similar time, I suspected that at race speeds, I’d usually discover their restrict within the corners. And I used to be proper, however extra about that later.
Anyway, the course was good, and I loved it. I solely needed to make the final choice: Am I going to experience 2 or 3 laps? Every lap was about 22 km lengthy and had about 400m of climbing. I knew 3 laps can be difficult as a result of I haven’t tried an excessive amount of depth this 12 months but, but it surely may very well be the right alternative to check my legs.
The Race: Exhausting however Lovely
I knew beforehand that I had no likelihood to win, as there have been a number of professionals within the race. That’s why I took the race as coaching and enjoyable. I underestimated the arrival in the beginning a bit, as there have been already over 60 opponents standing there 20 minutes earlier than the beginning. So I used to be standing nearly on the finish (88 individuals had been beginning on this course in complete).
5 seconds to begin, 4, 3, 2, 1… START! I instantly tried to get as far ahead as doable, as I knew that after a few kilometer, there can be a climb the place there wouldn’t be a lot room for overtaking. I managed to maneuver up just a few dozen positions, however nonetheless not the place I wished to be. I felt nice, and for the primary 20 minutes, I averaged 4 w/kg, which is nearly my restrict. I knew I couldn’t sustain that tempo for the entire race, however on the similar time, I wished to get into the group in entrance of me, which I had in my sights.
We labored with one biker in the course of the first lap to chase the group in entrance of us. Other than nearly going out of the nook twice (attributable to poor approach and low grip), there was one important second. The biker was driving about 5 meters in entrance of me on the downhill. Nevertheless, he went right into a puddle that was deeper than we anticipated. Straight away, I used to be driving by the splashed water behind him, praying I may preserve my steadiness. I did, however I used to be not removed from falling at excessive pace.
It was difficult as a result of once we received the group all the way down to 30 meters, however after some time, that they had a much bigger hole once more. However I didn’t surrender. I lastly managed to catch them at the start of the second lap, the place I may relaxation a bit as a result of the race had calmed down.
Initially, there was not a lot cooperation within the group. There have been a number of assaults the place it grew to become clear who was the strongest. I used to be nonetheless feeling fairly good and didn’t neglect to eat and replenish my vitality. It was clear that it could be determined within the third spherical.
In one of many harder passages I attacked and tried to see what the response of the others can be. To my shock, nobody was chasing me. Nevertheless it was a protracted solution to the end, so I slowed down once more and waited for the group.
Sadly, I started to really feel fatigue within the type of cramps. I had magnesium with me however couldn’t discover it in my pockets. Subsequently, I used to be subsequently unable to meet up with the group that had escaped me once more on the downhill.
Classes for Subsequent Time
I’ll should put in additional kilometers earlier than the subsequent gravel race. After the primary lap, my decrease again was already hurting from not getting used to driving it. It was clear that I used to be serving to my again when pedaling, which led to their early fatigue.
On the similar time, I might want to select completely different tires. I had loads of bother with mine, and in comparison with the mountain bikes, I misplaced quite a bit on the downhills. That value me loads of vitality within the chase.
And most significantly, I’ll should line up earlier in the beginning to get a greater beginning place. Sadly, the course didn’t enable me to get to the entrance earlier than the choice began.
Total, nonetheless, I’m proud of my efficiency. I positioned twenty seventh out of 88 individuals. However most significantly, I survived it in good well being (aside from the blisters on my fingers) and loved the ache.
Due to the organizers and different volunteers for organizing this race.
Preview image: radekklasik
