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Gear up
Practical guides for getting to the start line ready: what to pack, which tires to run, how to train for your first 50 or 100, electric pumps vs CO2 and whether to run tire inserts. We build them around the real courses we track, with the distances, climbing and aid stations organizers publish, and link every example to its race page.
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Gravel race packing list by distance
What to carry on the bike, in your pockets and in a drop bag, from a 30-mile fun race to a 200-mile self-supported day. Built around real aid-station gaps.
Gravel race tires: width, tread and pressure by terrain
Flint, sand, peanut-butter mud or smooth champagne gravel: how to choose width, tread and pressure for the course you're actually riding.
How to train for your first gravel race: 50 or 100 miles
Two plans: a beginner-friendly first 50 and a first 100. Count the weeks to a real 2027 race, build the long ride and practice fueling.
Best electric pumps for gravel (should you ditch the CO2?)
Flat at mile 20? How to fix it fast, whether CO2 is still worth carrying, what fits in a jersey pocket, and how to top up tubeless after the sealant seals.
Should you run tire inserts for gravel?
Rim protection and run-flat insurance, at a cost in weight, money and install hassle. Who they're worth it for, and which courses suggest them.
Coming soon
- Tubeless sealant: what to run and when to top it up
- What to eat in a gravel race (and how much)
- What to wear for a gravel race in any weather
Some guides include a few clearly labeled affiliate links to gear we'd use. They never change what we recommend. How we make money.
Still choosing a race? Try the Gravel Index, 2027 lottery races or what's opening soon.