Is SBT's New Format Gravel's Second Wave?
Turn the lights on, set clear boundaries. Then, get back to partying.
Since its inception in 2019, Steamboat Gravel (SBT) has been widely recognized as one of the premier gravel events in the world. However, as the event grew to more than 4,000 participants, so did frustration from rural landowners who organized to put the future of the race in jeopardy.
Leading up to this year’s race, the team at SBT attempted to address concerns from landowners while keeping the event’s core structure in place. But their efforts weren’t enough. In order to survive as an event going forward, they needed to make substantial changes for 2025. A new two day format with a ride on Saturday and a race on Sunday was announced in October. Their weekend structure can serve as a scaffolding for other gravel events and spur a second wave of growth for the sport.
Gravel’s First Wave- The Mullet
Over the past five years, gravel exploded in popularity. A combination of factors including: novelty, the Covid pandemic, advances in bike technology, safety concerns, and events like SBT all contributed to the genre's boom. But gravel isn’t new any more. The pandemic is in the rearview mirror. Bike technology is ongoing but most of the genre defining innovations have already happened. Riders will continue to avoid distracted drivers by seeking roads less traveled (gravel) but what about events?
SBT’s 1.0 format mimicked other large U.S. gravel events. A weekend complete with sponsor expos and supported shake out rides that lead up to a mass start race with multiple distances to choose from. This format has worked to inspire an initial wave of enthusiasm for gravel events but it underserves new riders who are best positioned to steward sustained growth for the sport.
Gravel events are known for having two kinds of riders. It’s referred to as “mullet-protocol” which is loosely defined as: business up front (race), party in the back (ride). This murky race/ride combination gets hyped as being inclusive. If you want to hammer, race your heart out. If you want to cruise, you can ride the race. Compared to traditional road racing, the format was transformative and has served as a defining feature of gravel’s first wave.
But competition is contagious. “Racer mind” can overtake camaraderie. The consequence is an atmosphere where some riders feel inspiration and excitement while others feel anxiety and tension. While well intended, the combination can lead to a soup with too much salt. For example, another key player in the off-road racing space, the Belgian Waffle Ride California had an embarrassing 10:1 male to female ratio in their long distance course. SBT’s better but not much at 10:3. So is gravel going bro? With new, clear formats like SBT’s ride then race weekend, it doesn’t have to.
Gravel 2.0 Weekend Scaffolding
Friday night criterium/fun bike related event followed by open streets party with food trucks and live music.
Saturday ride: Unlike SBT’s new format, I recommend not timing the full ride. Instead encourage a “ soft start” where people set off based on the pace they’d like to go. Cruisers roll out early and faster riders leave later and play catch up. Ideally, courses have a selection of optional timed segments that give any self identifying hammerheads a clear and obvious space to do their thing. Importantly, the Saturday ride would have a bounty of floating trail fairies. These are experienced riders who gracefully share their pack riding skills in service of the group. Fairy functions include but are not limited to: teaching the art of pace, mid-ride nutrition, and purveying kindhearted stoke energy to all.
Sunday race: I love what SBT has done as far as a circuit style course. The key here is safety. It’s obvious that proper all-out racing requires closed roads. People want to set up for turns with maximum speed and smash as hard as they can. And races should provide as safe a space as possible for them to do that. This style of racing finally takes gravel out of the shadows and into the light. Not everyone will like this change but it’s part of growing up. A circuit format is particularly beneficial for junior racing. Especially for those with aspirations to race in Europe.
A wholehearted thank you goes out to the folks at SBT for coming up with the format. It was do or die for the event and they’ve created a weekend that meets riders where they’re at. A concept that will hopefully continue to get more butts on bikes. Registration for Steamboat Gravel opens today.
Why the Bike Industry Should be Excited about Gravel 2.0
The second wave of gravel is an opportunity to sell more stuff. Clap, pleease. Riders and racers are different. The bikes, the clothing, the gear, it’s different. The 1.0 segment was “gravel” and it overly leaned on racing. With gravel 2.0 brands no long have to split the middle. They can make the fastest lightest stuff possible for racers. And they can make comfortable stylish gear for riders.