Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame Nominations Open Up

Who will get the vest in 2024?

The Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame, (disclaimer: I am a member) is opening up their nominations for the 2024 class of inductees today and the window to nominate closes December 1st. 

So, there is one month to get in a nomination for this honor. But, you may be thinking, "How does this work and why are you bothering me with this, Ted?"

Well, I've got answers for ya. 

First off, the GCHoF wanted this process to be as democratic as possible. That means you - the reader - can nominate someone/event/thing, if you care to. So, they will accept a nomination sent in as a story about said nominee to the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame site. That link takes you straight to the page to nominate someone, thing, or an event in several categories. 

Notably missing is the "Things" category, (I made the name up), for stuff like what got entered into the GCHoF last year. Salsa Cycles' "Chaise Lounge" is actually in the GCHoF due to some cheeky nominator that wrote up such a convincing story that the GCHoF'er Board couldn't deny including it into the Hall. So, there seems to be some latitude for non-traditional entries here. Take that into advisement.

But, here's the deal as I see things, and this is completely my own opinion. It may not be shared by the Board of the GCHoF.

First: Does your nominee have an impact on the gravel scene that is felt today? In other words, was the event, person, or thing something that has had such an impact that, without it, gravel cycling would have been hindered world-wide? Consider that some folks, events, and things had 'impact' locally, or maybe even regionally, but how far did that influence go? That's on you- the person nominating the person/event/thing - to make clear to the Board. 

For example, I am one of the electors, having been put in the Hall, and last year we got some really off the wall submissions for some folks that were not known outside of their immediate community. Nothing against them or their obvious influential actions within that community, but it was not made clear, or couldn't be made clear, that the individual had any influence over the gravel scene beyond their sphere of influence locally or regionally.  

Some nominations were pretty much statistics. Not a very convincing argument. We need a story. We need to read how the person/event/thing influenced. This is not a place to give electors a resume or palmares of an athlete. This is not a popularity contest. The GCHoF isn't about who won a lot of events. 

The GCHoF exists to collect the stories and history of the gravel scene. You can read more here.

So, if you feel led to nominate someone/event/thing for the 2024 Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame Class, then get your story together and send that info in soon! Thanks for your consideration!