Since the Covid 19 pandemic, a gravel boom has broken out. And the boom continues. A lot has happened since then, especially in the event landscape. Gravel has now become a racing sport as well. For the Gravel Ride & Race, despite the boom and increasing numbers of participants, one thing is clear: we want to remain true to our concept in the future.
When the Gravel Ride & Race Bern 2018 took place for the first time as a side event of the cyclo-cross world cup, nobody was talking about a gravel boom in Switzerland, in Europe. Many did not even know the term of the Gravelbike. But for us it was clear: This type of bike has great potential, because the gravel bike is so versatile that it is actually the right choice for everyone – whether in everyday life or for leisure.
We were convinced that our concept with the 25-km-Ride and the 50-km-Race (read here what the differences are) offers something for everyone. Participation has always been in the foreground for us. The spirit of Gravel should be lived. The joy of riding, exploring new routes and landscapes, pushing the bike and yourself to the limit. And the most important thing: to experience a fantastic bike day together with like-minded people.
Big raffle as a highlight
We are happy about every personal story that is written on the course. We are happy about every personal achievement that is accomplished. But what we do not want: Doggedness, competition, performance thinking. And that is precisely why we celebrate not (only) the winners at the end, but everyone who was part of the event.
This means that since 2018, we have deliberately honored “only” the winners in the respective age groups, working with natural prizes for the top 3 overall and not paying out any prize money. The best prizes can be won in the big raffle at the end of the day. Everyone who started can win the very attractive main prizes.
Maintaining the basic idea and spirit
Of course we follow intensively what is happening in the Gravel world and that there is a new Gravel World Cup since last year. Racing is becoming more and more important in gravel and is being pushed intensively by the UCI. But there are also new, wild, unusual formats that show how versatile gravel is. We are aware that gravel events will change in the next years. We are not closed to these developments, but we want to keep our basic ideas and our spirit.
That is why we are looking forward to each and everyone who will join us on October 21 and ride with us. No matter if 25 or 50 kilometers. No matter if you ride a gravel bike or a MTB. No matter if you are a pro or a complete beginner. And of course we are also looking forward to all the children and families who will pedal at the VCS Family Ride and the Kids Cross.
