Lauren De Crescenzo right here, in any other case often called “LDC” for the reasonably difficult pronunciation of my Italian final identify. I’m the most recent contributor to Cyclingnews, writing from the behind-the-scenes perspective in regards to the internal workings {of professional} gravel biking and past.
I started my skilled biking profession on the highway and prefer to say, “I’ve a roadie coronary heart, filled with gravel”. So, when the chance arose to race in The Growler at Levi’s GranFondo, I could not resist. The timing aligned completely with the Sea Otter Traditional mountain bike race, Fuego XL, the primary cease of the Life Time Grand Prix, a number of hours away in Monterey, California. The 100% highway Growler appeared the proper alternative for a mini-confidence enhance earlier than presenting myself to the mountain bike gods.
The Growler’s hefty 138-mile course, with 14,000 toes of climbing, meandered via Sonoma County’s wine nation’s world-class, breathtaking (no pun meant) roads. As race organizer, former Tour de France professional Levi Leipheimer will attest: “The Growler rivals among the hardest levels of the world’s most troublesome highway races”.
I used to be a mix of exhausted, relieved, and thrilled after I rolled throughout the end line in downtown Windsor to win the ladies’s division.
4 of the highest 5 girls will probably be a part of the LTGP this yr (extra on that beneath). On the lads’s facet, Keegan Swenson, two-time champ of the LTGP, out-sprinted Lawrence Naesen for the victory.
It encapsulated my favourite features of highway using: relentless climbs coupled with high-speed considerably technical descents. The course promised to push my limits, and bike-handling abilities all whereas placing my roadie coronary heart to the check. A considerable $55,000 prize purse cut up equally among the many high 5 women and men for The Growler racers added to the stakes and motivation.
Ian Boswell, who completed fourth within the males’s division at The Growler, put it nicely when he stated, “Levi’s GranFondo discovered the spirit of gravel.” Who is aware of, perhaps the Growler has began to revive the “spirit of the highway” within the US.
Grand Prix and way forward for gravel
Reflecting on Levi’s, I am unable to assist however distinction this expertise with my current foray into mountain biking, notably with the upcoming Fuego XL at Sea Otter Traditional.
Transitioning from the highway to the paths presents a stark distinction in terrain and method. I am excited to proceed enhancing on the mountain bike and my means on the gravel bike as I put together to reenter the Life Time Grand Prix collection.
Along with my racing, I’m actively engaged in shaping the way forward for gravel via my involvement in an athlete advisory group collaborating with Life Time.
Our focus is refining the beginning protocols and drafting guidelines for the Life Time collection. These discussions are ongoing and detail-oriented, concerning essential features comparable to penalties, enforcement, and clear communication of guidelines – particularly guaranteeing that males perceive and cling to the identical pointers prohibiting drafting off feminine racers.
I’ve advocated for elevated intervals between begin occasions to optimize race dynamics. As an example, proposing that pro-men start at 7 a.m., adopted by pro-women at 8 a.m., after which different racers at 9 a.m.
Ideally, I envision a future the place girls’s races begin on separate days, mirroring the profitable strategy used on the UCI World Championships in Italy in 2022, the place I represented the US crew. The separation of race days eradicated any potential interference, offering a good and centered platform for showcasing our means.
Mass begins
In true gran fondo trend, all riders commenced at 8 a.m. in downtown Windsor making a feel-good palpable vitality. As feel-good because the vitality was, mixed mass begins typically alter the dynamics of ladies’s racing, notably in lengthy occasions.
Males’s explosive energy is advantageous within the early levels of racing, whereas girls sometimes have higher endurance, and we desire to go our male counterparts later within the race.
On the mass begins, particularly in gravel, I believe a change is essential if we need to set up true girls’s races, reasonably than counting on probability components comparable to which male group you are caught up with, professional or newbie. Whether or not a professional male is recovering from a mechanical concern and aiding your progress, or the generally unpredictable ways seen when substantial prize cash is at stake, come into play.
Gravel races and occasions with vital purses necessitate separate begins to make sure equity. The present setup typically feels arbitrary, relying too closely on exterior components like male help or motives.
For girls to compete on a stage taking part in discipline, we require our personal beginning line. That is important to ensure that the strongest racer wins.
Again to highway roots at The Growler
Opposite to the saying, “It by no means rains in California,” it rained practically all day, making the occasion extra epic than initially deliberate. After cautious consideration, I opted for a Castelli Gabba—hanging the suitable steadiness of rain safety with out overheating.
In the course of the first flat and quick 30 miles, with the entrance group averaging 23 mph on the moist roads, Sarah Sturm and I discovered ourselves at or close to the entrance. As we rode amidst the peloton, we exchanged issues in regards to the inherent risks behind us, commenting on how relieved we’re about Life Time committing to separate begins for women and men in each race of the 2024 Life Time Grand Prix collection.
The primary large climb of the race, King Ridge, got here at mile 30 with practically 2,000 toes of elevation achieve over seven miles. After a steep 11% gradient, 1.24-mile pitch, I discovered myself in a gaggle with Flavia Oliviera, LTGP riders Sturm and Lauren Stephens, in addition to Lauren’s husband Mat Stephens.
The next climb “Skaggs” got here in two parts- a climb, fast descent, adopted by a second and steeper climb. After downing a much-needed caffeine gel, I attacked a steep part within the second a part of the climb. At this level, the sector had blown up and drafting was much less helpful. I created a spot and went solo for the following 80 miles.
The third and ultimate ascent, “Geysers,” was a real check of endurance, stretching over 15 miles and that includes greater than 2,000 toes of climbing. Because the route ventured onto less-maintained roads, my gravel abilities got here into play, navigating tough terrain that included a memorable “puddle crossing.” The choice to go together with 28mm Maxxis Excessive Street tubeless tires proved instrumental, notably on the moist and technical descents the place the tread sample supplied dependable grip and management.
The pavement was in truth notably tough and slender in lots of sections. This was far out of your normal highway race; it demanded adaptability, and a few technical prowess. The mix of rugged terrain, and even some tough ascents the place there was actually just one good line, coupled with technical descents, made this race an unforgettable and distinctly gravel-like expertise.
And simply after I thought the race was over, it was not over. Following the Geyser’s technical descent, I nonetheless had 20 miles of rolling terrain via stunning vineyards, which at the very least helped numb the ache in my legs. I centered on staying aero and conserving my effort managed.
An enormous thanks to Levi’s GranFondo crew for an distinctive course, beneficiant prize purse, and well-executed occasion. I might inform it was placed on by a crew that had been racers themselves. Lauren Stephens joined me on the rostrum in second, Sturm in third, Oliveira in fourth and one other LTGP rider Emily Newsom in fifth.
Finally, what drives me is a love for using bikes—whether or not on gravel, highway, or mountain trails. Every self-discipline gives its personal set of challenges, pushing me to repeatedly evolve by .1% on daily basis.
As I put together to embark on the Life Time Grand Prix collection as soon as once more, I carry with me this pleasure.
