2023 Border Wars Gravel Race
First, I would like to thank Wayne of Independent Gravel for a great event and an amazing course. Second, a big thank you to the host of the event, Ben, for allowing us to use his property for parking and post ride events.
This is my first Race Report, and I haven’t landed on any style or template on how I want to detail the race yet. I am sure that as the events come along, each report with require its own unique touches, but they will have some commonalities between them. Depending on the amount of action or moves that transpire throughout the race will require a more detail account.
Also, I am proposing on make a race rating/ranking system to create a Top Race Event Ranking that will be useful to all types of riders to help people choose their events.
Check out my Race Event Ranking Guide for in-depth details of each category. And see my race rating below.
Border Wars is a small sized event geared mainly towards the Atlanta, GA cycling community, but it easily accessible to riders throughout Alabama, Georgia, and possibly North Florida and Tennessee. The event has a small amount of rider availability with the event capped at 300 riders.
The event did not fill up right away, but I would suggest getting in early if this is an even you are looking to target.
This was an ideal event for me because it was only a $45 USD registration fee, and it was a 3-hour drive for me. It is an early season C-level race, so I didn’t have huge expectations for winning. I was hoping to get the feel of racing again.
Let’s get Racing
The event was supposed to have a neutral roll out to avoid any crashes, but the pace intended paced of 15 mph crept up into the 20+ mph pace multiple times. Also, I was let riders pass me instead of sticking to the front wheels because I wanted to keep it neutral. Once the race started, I was mid-pack and I had to burn a few matches early on get up to the lead group, which was quite unfortunate.
The lead riders were setting a blazing pace. I was able to close that gap not too long after the neutral roll out and made it to the lead group of riders. There was some rotating and sharing the workload among the front riders, but it was not too organized. I could see that I was having to ride at threshold to hold on, so I did my best just to sit on.
Through the first hour, my Intensity factor was about 1.04. This was quite unstainable for a 4.5-5-hour event, and I ended up getting blown out the back on a climb.
I was expecting a group to go hard for most of the event and I am not surprised that a group of riders went out this hard right away. Looking back, I should have stuck to the front and not let so many people pass me initially during the “neutral” roll out.
After getting splintered from the front group, I adjusted my pace to something that was more manageable. I was hoping to do some Tempo and Sweet Spot efforts with some Threshold efforts to get me up the climbs.
Eventually, I was absorbed by another group of riders. The group stayed together for a few miles then splinter again on the next climb. Again, I found myself riding solo meandering my way around Alabama and back into Georgia. I did not spend too much time appreciating the scenery in between the periods of suffering, and even though it was rainy and muddy at times, this part of the country is quite amazing.
My strategy coming into the race in terms of stopping for breaks was to go all the way without stopping, and that is what I did. I had hoped that the benefits of not stopping outweighed the extra weight carrying all that I needed.
I passed a group of riders multiple times as they stopped for restroom and aid station breaks. I had all my food in a top tube bag, two large water bottles with electrolyte mix, and a hydration backpack. In the end, that group of riders and one or two other riders passed me, and I finished in 12th place overall.
Race Thoughts
The race was quite uneventful in terms of race action, it did not seem like people were looking to work together. Larger groups did not come together at the front, and rotating pace lines did not form. Though in gravel, these types of tactics are a little harder to preform than in road racing or even flat gravel races with wide open roads, these tactics could have been used to close the gap to the front riders.
I was hoping to find a group of riders that were similarly matched and wanted to work together, but it didn’t work out. Also, I am not very fast on the climbs and get dropped by those that are less gravity challenged.
I probably went out too hard, especially coming off being sick for a week before the race. I could have gone out a little easier at the beginning and had a slightly higher average power and finished a bit quicker. Riding with a group of riders that share the workload could potentially make the ride a little easier and have a faster average speed.
The course
The course was quite epic. It was 75-mile race with over 6600 ft of climbing. My finishing time was about 5 hour 10 mins with the first 75 miler finisher was about 4 hours 37 minutes. The gravel sections were about 57 miles and the road sections totaled about 21 miles.
The day started out a bit foggy and chilly. The weather reports were all over the place leading into the event with predictions of sun initially, then switching to cloudy with a small chance of rain. During the race, it rained multiple times.
The course had some technical descents that were quite bumpy and rocky at times. I was able to pass riders often in these sections and make up some time on the riders the were up the road, but typically a climb would follow, and I would lose most of my advantage gained. Luckily, I have been mountain biking for years and it has given me good confidence on the gravel bike in the gnarlier sections.
It is tough to say how much of my total time I spent riding alone, but I would guess it was probably about 60-70% of the total time. I am quite please with my results because I lost some training and fitness the week and half before going into this event from having a slight cold.
With all that, my Normalized Power for the event was about 260 W.
The main event was the 75-mile race. But for those not looking to race or go for the main distance, a 45-mile course was available. There was also an unadvertised 30-mile option route for those needing to bail or unsure if they could finish the 45.
There were two aid station available, but I did not stop at either. The options looked quite limited as I passed by, but I cannot comment on that for sure. I do know that if you were stopping with a larger group, you were not going to get out of there quickly. This isn’t a problem for those that were not racing, but if you were racing and planning to stop you were going to lose some time.
Post-Ride Event
The event was catered with pulled pork sandwiches, jambalaya, hot dogs, hamburgers, and more. There were plenty of post ride drinks available from an Atlanta brewery too. The food hit the spot, but there might not have been quite enough, specifically for the riders finishing late.
A lot of people stayed for the event and most seemed to be having a good time. I am not sure if a lot of the people knew each other or everyone is quite friendly, but there was definitely a lot of chatting going on. Even with sub-optimal weather, many people stayed and enjoyed the post ride event.
To top off the post-ride event, there was a raffle sponsored by a local Atlanta bike shop. All finishers were given a raffle ticket. There were some really nice items too (pumps, shoes, bike lights, bike lube, etc.). My number was called, and I choose some sweet Knog lights.
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![IMG_1576[1]](https://epei4kg2e7p.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/IMG_15761-q2u5syt8t1b4y4owoaram7eq4t4vi97jld69tby9ds.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&w=1920&ssl=1 "IMG_1576[1]")
I want to preface this ranking with this event being a small budget event that only cost $45 to enter. Also, 10% of the proceeds were being donated to Atlanta MTB. There was no prize money, but there were some cool handmade pottery pieces for the winners.
Cost – This even is very affordable given the cost of other events and the cost of anything these days.
Course Distance Options – Though technically there were only distances provided, there were some shorter unadvertised options available. With the big race only being 75 miles. I feel two official distances makes sense.
Race Category Options – There were only two categories: Men and Women. The race was not timed and only the 75-mile riders were noted for placing. I think timing and a few categories could be added.
Pre-Race Communication – There were many pre-race email instructions, and everything was handled quite well.
Ease of Entry – With it being such a small event and the property owner having limited space, the rider limit must be capped at 300 riders. Carpooling is highly recommended too. If this event were to grow, the event location would need to be moved to a larger venue.
Ease of Travel – If you are trying to get here from out-of-state your best bet would be to fly into Atlanta airport and make the short drive from there.
Lodging – Campsites are quite limited and not very close by.
Competition Level – You are not going to find any pros at this race yet. Give it a few years and that it is a possibility.
Course Difficulty – This course had quite a bit of climbing and the rain and mud made it even more challenging. Last year, it was quite chilly, so you will need to be prepared for all kinds of weather.
Sag Support – There was sag support available, but it was meant as a last resort only.
Aid/Feed Station Availability and Supplies – There were feed stations available and with it being only 75 miles two stops is adequate.
Live Race Coverage/Photography – I noticed the race promotor out on the course in a few locations taking pictures, there were no lived updates during the race and there was not a lead vehicle.
Prize Money – No prize money and with a small race entry fee none should be expected. There was some cool pottery available for the men’s and women’s winners of the 75-mile race.
Post Ride Party – There was a social gathering afterwards, though I saw quite a few people leaving early. There was also a raffle event, and I won a nice pair of Knog lights.
Post Ride Food – There was food! And I am very grateful for that. The food quantity might have been lacking specifically for the riders finishing late.
Overall Ranking (coming soon)
For the money and proximity to my house, this is a tough even to beat. The course was quite challenging and there were quite a few fast riders. This probably is not the best event for riders that have not done a gravel race before, but I did meet a guy that was doing the 75-mile race and it was his first time.
If I must complain about anything, it would be about the neutral roll out. Since did not start on the road, it is understandable that we would have a neutral roll out. But it was far from a neutral roll out. I can imagine that a lot of the 45-mile riders got dropped right out of the gate.
I think next year, if the neutral roll out is to continue, there should be a lead vehicle holding the speed at the 15 mph. The race promotor told a few of the front riders to keep it below 15 mph, but that broke down quickly.
I think this race has a lot of potential to grow. If you are looking to explore some amazing gravel road, beautiful country views in rural Georgia and Alabama, this is an event for you.
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