SBT GRVL Asked To Downsize

Image courtesy of Marley Blonski's social media.

 This post is a follow-up to a post I wrote on September 8th where I posited that perhaps "growth" in gravel events was not always the best move. SBT GRVL was used as an example and now it seems that if this event is to carry onward into the future, it will have to downsize. A recent article in the "Steamboat Pilot & Today" written by Trevor Ballentyne states that Routt County Sheriff, Doug Sherar and Colorado State Patrol Captain, Ryan Parker have advised that SBT GRVL cannot continue as formatted this year where 3,000 individuals took part in the event. 

This despite efforts on the part of SBT GRVL to mitigate complaints coming from local ranchers and residents who were complaining of being obstructed from traveling roads and who were offended by certain acts of the riders including public urination. SBT GRVL held several "listening sessions" to obtain feedback and address the concerns of the locals. SBT GRVL even had riders sign "oaths" and made changes to the route, also adding more spots for riders to relieve themselves without exposure to public view. 

According to Sherar and Parker, it was the sheer numbers of riders that was at issue, and they have recommended that the ride field be reduced to between 1,500 and 1,800 riders. Furthermore, Routt County Commissioners are now asking SBT GRVL be held with no prize money and are still on the fence regarding a definitive field limit. Regardless of what the outcome there might be, the County is pretty solidly decided on limiting what SBT GRVL can do for an event. Stating limitations on resources, specifically in manning patrols for course safety, the County is probably not in a mood to allow anything resembling what SBT GRVL was in 2024. 

Comments: In my linked post from earlier in September I wrote, "What should be defined as "successful" when it comes to gravel events?" SBT GRVL pursued the "bigger, more pro, more high polished, socially conscious" route to "success", but now finds itself being redirected due to lack of foresight when they expanded and grew the event, The consequences seem to be severe, but not if SBT GRVL is willing to pivot from its previous format to one that prioritizes more on the rider experiences, and not the competition and field size side. SBT GRVL can still be a "success" doing more with less. 

Whatever SBT GRVL ends up doing, what has already happened is a cautionary tale for other gravel events across the USA. "Success" doesn't have to be predicated on large rider fields or Pro competition. Successful events don't necessarily mean a steady, livable income for event/race directors. Game planning ahead of growth may lead to discovering issues before they happen. 

It will be interesting to watch any future developments. 

Note: Thanks to shiggy for the tip to the article in the "Steamboat Pilot & Today".