I've been racing short mountain bike races and cyclocross for a couple years. Have wanted to do some longer endurance type race so signed on for a gravel race last weekend. First time out on a multi-hour race so I went with the 60 mile version. There was also a 100 mile.

I took my hardtail 29er. Most everyone else had cross bikes, including most of my friends and team mates.

First few miles was on a paved road and on a slight downgrade. I quickly got penalized since the gearing on the 1x11 drivetrain topped out at around 25 mph. The pack broke into two big groups and I was in the second. Could see most of my pals were up in the first group.

Once we hit the dirt the decision to race the 29er started paying off. Was able to make it back up to the tail end of the first group. Lower gearing also worked for me on the climbs. Felt pretty good at the 25 mile point as we were reaching the top of the first big climb.

Despite one mental lapse where i came into a curve a little too hot, kept making up ground coming down the mountain. Was a real gas on a mountain bike winding down the dirt and gravel logging road. Passed a few cross bikes that had to take it a little slower.

Temps started to get up there as midday came and found myself dragging some. Worked with a couple guys from local bike shop for around ten miles.

Made a big bonehead error towards the end. Mile 52 there was a water stop and I figured hey only 8 miles and I still had some water left so I rode right on by. I didn't study the route map and failed to see a couple miles of climbing ahead. It was brutal.

Once I got over the hill it was easy going the last few miles downhill on the dirt and then pavement with a tailwind. Passed one racer in my category and a younger guy flew by me towards the end.

Finished in 4 hours 31 minutes and placed 17 of 52 in the 50+ category. Felt pretty good about that result for the first time out. Looking forward to doing another long gravel race and will work on and be more aware of water and nutrition along the way.

Next longish race that I signed up for is something called the "Bodie Bowl" on the east side if the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern CA. Its in August and will be looking for something between now and then to add to the schedule.