Last week I wrote this post about my part in the "Modern Gravel Scene" and how this all is an evolution of borrowed ideas. It is NOT a "Who Was First" question to be answered. But historical perspective IS important to understand where we've come from and where we are going, at least as it pertains to gravel/back road riding.
And I find all of this to be interesting. So, please excuse my "nerding-out" as I go into this as it pertains to events on gravel roads.
Credit for today's post goes to "KJ", who commented on last Friday's "FN&V" post concerning the saturation of gravel events on the calendar.
Yes, gravel events are proliferating again. I feel that attendance is back up to pre-pandemic levels, but the big difference here is that there are more events than ever. More events, the same number of people, (you could argue there are slightly less due to economics), and you see certain things happening.
First off, the evolution in events. Events are changing and at a rapid pace. There are the events that are on the "big" end of things. Events that sell an experience, or a participation in social issues/efforts that bring people together to share in the experience of those socially changing ethos. Whether that be a diversity or gender-inclusive effort and plan, or a benefit for a cause, these events tend to be more than just riding on gravel roads, or competitions.
Then you have another event emerging- the 'non-event'. I see a lot of efforts to just bring smaller groups together to experience a social ride and adventure. These types of "group rides" are proliferating at an amazing pace since 2022 dawned. I should maybe qualify my use of the term "group ride" here, because this is not at all in the tradition of road bike 'group riding', which tends to be exclusive, competitive, and not very social. No, these new versions of group rides ar pretty much the exact opposite- No competition, relaxed paces, social activities revolving around, or within the ride itself.
 |
| MNG "Gravel Scouts" rides are very popular. (Image courtesy of Gravel Scouts) |
Ten years ago I put on a weekly gravel group ride (3GR) which I was lucky to get six people to show up for- usually less. It was, to my knowledge at that time, the only gravel group ride in the state. Now Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Grinnell, and Des Moines all have gravel group rides with as many as 60 people showing up for each ride.
Trouble With Schedules: Now with so much going on as far as gravel races/events, the main concern for promoters is what date do you run an event on? It is getting harder and harder to find dates that do not conflict with other gravel events, and with all that going on, event promoters are seeing some cases of lower turn-outs.
But I would submit that some of this is actually just too many events, especially if you include the low-key, "group rides", which satisfy many people's desires for a bicycle ride with a good helping of social interaction on the side. The numbers of people coming into gravel has stopped increasing, and in that sense, the "saturation point" may have been reached. My other feeling is that some event promoters have now over-processed their events, and in turn, over-priced their events, to a point where the allure of the venue and competition has been a mute point.
I saw a mention of a study where Millennials were asked about working out in gyms and sports participation in specific. It was seen that in their responses that they wanted to be outdoors more with people and having a good social scene connected to their workouts. The entire "gravel group ride" thing caters to this aspect to a great degree. As an example of this, the bicycle shop, Velograrage in Kansas City has a bicycle ride culture but they have augmented this with an attached brewery and band performances outdoors on their property.
 |
| Ag equipment avoidance maneuvers. My 3GR gravel group ride in June of 2015. |
Could it be that gravel events will gravitate toward smaller, more intimate affairs with low-key competition, or no competition? Will there be more adventure based affairs with a low barrier to entry? Will these events evolve into a scene with riding as a part of a social gathering which may include other activities (watching bands, theater, or going to bars/restaurants) ?
Conversely will middle-sized events get squeezed out by the "big-time" events that cater to Pros and social-awareness issues?
I don't have the answers, but it is easy to see that another evolution in the gravel scene is taking place. Gravel Worlds will now have a Pro category. Life Time will undoubtedly promote its "Gran Prix" series again. The Belgian Waffle Ride series has grown into new regions of the country. Meanwhile, more grassroots "group ride" and adventure based rides with fewer people, low barriers to entry, and a sense of social fun are growing at a notable pace.
2023 and beyond will be interesting to watch in terms of the gravel scene.
No comments:
Post a Comment