Nederland adds event to gravel racing circuit

NEDERLAND — A new race in the gravel biking circuit will debut in Nederland July 31 this year.

Called Dead Man Gravel, the race will be run on three courses — the 66-mile Tungsten loop, the 40-mile Gold loop and the 25-mile Silver loop. The different levels of the race will give participants, experienced or not, challenges without excluding those unfamiliar with the sport. Because the event is based in Nederland, riders will experience climbing, technical sections and sustained elevation.

Registration for the event is staggered. Until March 22, those who identify as female and/or Black, Indigenous and people of color may register. General registration will open on March 23 to everyone. Race organizers, according to a press release about the event, are doing this because they believe in creating space for people who have generally been excluded in the past. Registration information can be found here: https://www.deadmangravel.com/registration/. 

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Dead Man Gravel is partnering with Ride for Racial Justice and Shark Tooth Cycling, two nonprofits working to bring new athletes into the sport by helping to increase awareness and reduce barriers to entry.

Start and finish for the race will be in downtown Nederland, which is about 8,000 feet in elevation.

Clinics for women to help introduce the sport will be offered, organizers said. Topics include riding in remote areas, trail bike maintenance and gravel-specific skills.

“I’m so excited to be able to share all that Nederland and the Peak to Peak area has to offer, especially when it comes to having fun riding bikes on our amazing network of gravel roads,” Gavin Coombs, founder of the race, said in a written statement. Coombs is a former professional runner and founder of Peak to Peak Endurance, a company that manages events and provides endurance coaching.

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