The monthly gravel ride will roll on Saturday July 7th at
8:00AM. Please be signed-in and ready to listen to the pre-ride speech by
7:45AM.
Start Point: Celina Elementary School, 550 S Utah Dr., Celina, TX 75009. Park in the west lot, facing Utah Dr.
This is a relatively flat route of 37.6 miles with approximately 22 miles of gravel. There are no hydration, food, or restroom stops on this route (or at the start), so please carry enough hydration/food to get you through the ride and take care of any biological needs before you arrive.
We will start together in a loose formation and will regroup as necessary after climbs or if the group starts to spread out. Any point on the route where the direction changes should be considered a mandatory regroup point. Please wait for the group to gather and allow for a short break if needed. Expect the pace to be approximately 11-13MPH, which is roughly the equivalent to a 15-17MPH road effort.
Route (route colors denote gravel and paved sections)
GRAVEL BASICS
Bring your Gravel/Cross/Mountain bike and join the fun! For those who have never ridden gravel before, but are curious, here are a few tips:
GRAVEL is more work than riding on paved roads. You will want to hydrate and fuel more than you would on a road ride (yes, even at 11-13MPH). For the best experience, it is recommended that you are comfortable with a B2 or faster ride pace.
GRAVEL is an adventure. Plan to get dirty, water a tree (there are usually no facilities on the route), and have a good time with your friends. Speed is secondary to enjoying the environment.
GRAVEL can be unpredictable. The size and amount of gravel can vary from ride to ride (even on the same route), so when it comes to choosing a tire width - wider is better and will provide the most comfort. Go with the biggest tire that will fit in your frame, allowing for a little mud clearance. Anything narrower than 32mm tire will put you in danger of flatting, is tougher to control, and will likely jar a few fillings loose.
GRAVEL riders are self-sufficient. Be sure to bring everything you and your bike needs for a successful ride (hydration/fuel, tubes, pump/CO2, tire levers, tools, etc.).