There's a whole cadre of really experienced gravel/adventure riders out there, and y'all are welcome to chime in with your thoughts. This post is for the new to gravel riders, who maybe are used to doing well organized centuries, club rides and weekend rides with friends - but not 4+ hour totally unsupported, where-the-heck-am-I rides in the puckerbush. (Actually, Miesville isn't puckerbush. Far from it - you are <15 miles from the start no matter where you are on the course, and usually no more than 1/4 mile from somebody's farm.)
So here goes with the tip sheet.
Know where you are - bring turn list, map, GPS, phone - and KNOW HOW TO READ A MAP!!! GPS devices have batteries that die. Phones may not connect and batteries may die. Maps seldom lie. Pay attention to your map and turns even if you are with a group. You may decide to stop for a nature break and the group may not. Keep track of where you are on the course!
Be prepared for the weather - and pay attention to what's coming. If it's 85 degrees, your biggest weather concerns are hydration and sunscreen. If it's 45, a sudden shower can bring on hypothermia. Make sure you have enough clothing to add a layer if you have to stop for a while. (I carry a jacket, stocking cap and long finger gloves on spring rides). No cotton is the first rule. Know your body and the weather is the second. Especially in the spring, be prepared for a sudden storm. If there is any chance of thunderstorms, keep an eye on the horizon - especially behind you! Spring storms can travel at 40+mph, and bring wind, rain, lightning and hail. Be prepared to find cover quickly if you see one approaching.
Make sure you have enough to eat. If you are used to road rides at 15mph, and view 60 miles as a 4 hour adventure, make sure you have enough food for 5-6 hours of riding. (400 kcal/hour is about right for most people). Eat things that sit well on your stomach, but not simple sugar based food (like candy and pop). These cause an insulin rush followed by a crash. The exception - Shot blocks or gel packs are an essential element in dealing with 'the bonk'. Quick calories to consume while your body processes better foods.
Carry enough tools, but don't go crazy. At a minimum 2 tubes, tire irons, patches (none of which you need if you run tubeless), hand pump, optional CO2 inflators, multi-tool, $21 (1 dollar bill makes a dandy boot for a cut tire), a couple of zip ties, quick link for your chain.
Headlight/taillight. It's amazing how much more visible you are when you use these. If it's a gray day, maybe a neon vest, too.
Riding habits. When the going gets rough, you need to ride more lightly. Soften up your elbows, loosen your death grip on the bars, sit lighter on your saddle, and transfer more weight to your hands and feet. And maybe click up a gear harder if you have them. And don't stare at your front wheel. It's not going anywhere, but the bumps it'll hit are up the road in front of you. Keep searching for the smoothest hardest line. I will change lines fairly often as I see patches that look firmer, drier, smoother, or whatever. If you are in deep loose stuff, look at the shoulder and even at grassy strips. Don't be afraid to experiment.
Challenge rollers - go down them as fast as you dare, pedal up as hard as you can without going over redline, and strive for the top. You'll get a quick recovery over the top anyway, so if you can use your momentum to help blast UP that roller, you'll have much less to do to finish it. This can save many minutes on a typical south Minnesota/Iowa rolling farm road, without spending any extra energy.
Final tip. Don't forget to enjoy the ride. There's always going to be someone who has their head down, hammering away and never realizes that they missed a herd of deer, or goats being silly on a farm. They never see the green valleys, classic cars, waving farm kids or talking to the people they were riding with. Which really makes me wonder why they are out here. Much more fun to smell the roses.
Enjoy.
~marsh
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