Skip to main content

Mainely Gravel Race Report

Mainely Gravel 2024

Just north of Portland, ME lies the rural community of New Gloucester which is sprinkled with pristine class I and II gravel roads, short punchy climbs, and plenty of forest to hug the streets. Mainely Gravel was the last race of the New England Gravel Triple Crown series and my first time biking in Maine. 

The race was 55 miles, 4200ft elevation, and maybe ~60% gravel. I had one of my best starts to this gravel race. Felt strong, held on with my group, but I learned a hard lesson after repeatedly going out of my power zones. I knew better but wanted to hold on which led me to surge way too high way too many times. When the climbs came, I couldn’t hit my numbers anymore. I fell back and waited for the next group but no group came. So I continued on solo while picking up a few other stragglers along the way. It was hard to keep my head in the game when none of the players were near. Thankfully, I found my second wind when a couple of women working together caught me in the last 10 miles. I joined in their effort and even took on my first attack from one of the other girls. Ultimately I was able to outclimb them on the last hill and made my way to the finish line 4th overall. This was a good example of the race being determined by the start. Although the second half of my race was far from my best effort, I had myself positioned well enough from the get-go that I still managed to end up where I did.

I’m learning every race is an opportunity. And being newer to the game I’m going to mess up… a lot. But it’s about showing up and putting yourself out there. If you don’t show up you’ll never make the mistakes to learn from.

Photo Cred: @angelicadixon825

Copied from the SEEN.BY.SARAH blog post written by Sarah Skelly.

Article Tags