Mid Season Recap!

It is crazy to think that I am already midway through my first gravel season. The season so far has brought new challenges, mechanicals, a lot of learning lessons but most importantly, it has been genuinely fun! To date, this season has been the most excitement I have ever had since I started racing. I have loved immersing myself in gravel racing, learning this new type of racing, and learning more about my bike. One of the parts that I have really enjoyed with gravel is how much knowledge you need to know about your equipment and nutrition. I don’t think I have every spent so much time researching tire pressure, tire width, racing with inserts, the most effective tire plug, ultra-endurance nutrition and mastering my mechanic skills… but the list still goes on! Racing gravel has given me a new form of independence when it comes to the research and knowledge that is required to perform at the highest level. I have been extremely lucky this year to have amazing partners that have supported me and provided me the equipment necessary to race at the top level. Thank you, TLAB, CAPO, Kenda, HUNT, POC, and Athlete Inspire Management for giving me confidence in my equipment and myself to perform at the highest level! For the rest of this blog, I want to go over what I have learned so far this season, what has gone well, and what I would like to change and accomplish for the rest of the season!

First off, I have learnt a lot since my first race in February. I have become more knowledgeable about equipment, tire pressure, racing strategy and nutrition. Earlier this season my lack of experience in gravel showed with my ongoing dilemma of tire pressure, tire choice and width. This seems to be the dilemma for most gravel racers, but it really became an issue for me after the Gralloch in Scotland. I was having one of my best race starts and found myself in the lead group where I really believed a top 5 or even podium was possible. This was until I had a double flat and a sidewall tear that was too big to fix and ended my race. I hated the feeling of not finishing and after that race my mission was to find the perfect set up and I think I now have! With Unbound being my next race and the Flint Hills being notorious for causing flats it was my mission to get my tire set up right. I ended up running the Kenda Alluvium Pro 40c, with Cushcore inserts and running my tire pressure at 30/28. This set up withstood the Flint Hills, training rides, and Gravel Nationals. The Kenda Alluviums has become my favorite all round tire that runs extremely well in rain or shine and has given me the confidence in my last few races.

This year I have also had my fair share of mechanical issues that have impacted my races and has left me disappointed. When things happen outside your control it is a hard pill to swallow especially with the amount of time, effort, and commitment that is needed to do well in each race. With setbacks I have faced this season, I am proud that I haven’t given up where in moments I easily could of. I do believe what makes me strong is my mentality to not give up and I know it will soon lead me to the top step of the podium. Moving forward with the rest of the season, I have my sights and expectations set high. I feel the progress I am continually making, moving past mistakes, fixing mechanical issues and focusing on improving my tactical and technical skills while focusing on training will move me forward to achieving my goals. Specifically, my next race, Crusher in the Tushar, is one I am really looking forward to. It will be a proper mountain race at altitude, and I am excited to see what I can do and how I can learn from my past mistakes to make a top 5 result. Thank you for reading and following along so far this season. The support I have received in my first year of gravel has been more than I could imagine, and I am grateful for every second of it!

Summer Update!

Unbound!

Gabby Traxler

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