The gravel scene in North America will get even more exciting this weekend, starting with the Gravel Locos Race in Hico Texas. Alison Tetrick, Ted King, Colin Strickland, Lauren Stevens, and Peter Stetina are among the high-profile faces who will participate in the grueling 155-mile (249 km) race. Lawrence ten Dam is also traveling from Europe to compete in his first major event since retiring from the World Tour at the end of 2019.

The event is the brainchild of promoter Fabian Serralta, who hopes to put down gravel racing roots in Texas and build a cycling community in the area. The race also helps raise funds for the Hico Volunteer Fire Department, which has already donated more than $35,000. 3] "Early on, the promoter approached gravel cyclists like myself, Ted King, and Peter Stetina with the idea of having an event in Texas,"

"and we were very interested. Tetrick told Cycling News the morning after he moved from California to Texas,

"I had an idea for an event in Texas.

"He DM'd me and invited me to come support his event. He wanted to help build a gravel community in Texas with a free event, which seemed like a really cool idea. But the funny thing is, at first I thought it was going to be a 100-kilometer event, but it's a huge race with 1,100 riders. It's a huge opportunity for the sport."

"It's a great opportunity for the sport.

The North American gravel racing scene saw its calendar devastated last year by COVID-19. Some events, like the Grasshopper Series, are slowly making a comeback, and UNBOUND will be held in a few weeks. But Gravel Locos is perhaps the first event to bring athletes from all over the country together in one place.

"I wonder what I registered for," laughs Tetrick, who has not worn a race number in over a year due to the pandemic.

"I mean, it shows how excited people are about going to the event. It's a new place, some of the racers are from the area, and it's a really cool place to race. It's an impressive lineup."

But this is more than just a race. The Gravel Locos is a chance for the entire peloton of athletes to turn the page on a difficult 12 months and to let the community spirit that underpins the whole spirit of gravel racing shine through once again.

"This will be my first major race of the season. I ran a segment in the Wild West Gravel Grinder event earlier this year, but this is my first race of the year." In fact, I haven't raced competitively since over a year ago; my last race was in March 2020. I'm just excited to be reunited with the gravel community I've gotten to know over the past few years. I know I've been running alone for the past year, and I'm anxious to line up with a large group of people. For me personally, this is more than just a race, it's about supporting and growing the event. I want to give back, but I also want to feel like I have a bike hangover. It's something you don't get when you're riding alone."

The riders who sign up have three courses to choose from: 30 miles, 63 miles, and 155 miles. The latter consists of 112 miles of pure gravel racing and 8,200 feet of climbing. 'It rains a lot around here, but there's a lot of rock, so it's going to be hardpack gravel. But that may mean the river crossing is a little deeper. It depends on the storms between now and then, but I think the terrain is rolling. Not much elevation gain, but by no means flat. From what I've seen in photos and reconnaissance, it's somewhere between UNBOUND and Gravel World. Both are undulating, with not a single long climb. There are constant ups and downs," he said. Tetrick rode part of the course Thursday afternoon before sending a note to Cycling News.

"Hard-packed gravel roads, double track, and deep river crossings. There are some pretty steep hills deep into the course, but it's fast and will be a great Texas adventure," Tetrick said.

"Basically, I'm excited to be reunited with my gravel family. For me, racing is about challenging myself and having fun. I know it sounds cliché, but gravel is about deflating tires and the pressures of life. You just have to enjoy the ride and celebrate the day."

Whether the terrain is up or down, the very fact that big-time gravel racing continues to make a comeback in America is a cause for celebration.

** Admission to this event was free, but anyone could make a donation to their local fire department.