So You’re Thinking About Your First Gravel Race?
There’s something about gravel racing that draws people in. It’s part grit, part adventure, and part community celebration. But if you’re new to it, especially if you’ve never lined up at the start line of any race before, it can feel like a lot. The gear. The training. The distance. The questions like, “Am I even ready for this?”
Take a breath. You’re not alone. And you’re more capable than you think.
Whether you’re eyeing the full 82-mile BorderLands long route or leaning toward the approachable-but-challenging 39-mile short course, there’s room for you here. Gravel is built on the idea that it’s not about who’s fastest ... it’s about who shows up.
Here’s what we wish someone told us before our first gravel race.
You Don’t Need a Coach. You Need a Plan
If you’re training for your first gravel race, don’t overcomplicate it. You don’t need to hire a coach or dive into heart rate zones and FTP tests. Start by building time on the bike. That’s it. Ride consistently. Mix in some longer rides on weekends, and toss in a few efforts where your breathing gets heavy. You’re preparing your body to handle time in the saddle, not to win a podium.
For BorderLands, it helps to simulate the kind of riding you’ll face. Gravel roads. Loose sections. Wind. If you can get in a few rides that are around 75–80% of your target race distance, you’re in good shape.
Nutrition and Hydration Are Training Too
Your legs can be ready and still shut down if you don’t fuel them right. Practice eating and drinking during your rides. Find a hydration mix that doesn’t make your stomach churn. Learn what snacks you can tolerate at mile 30, not just mile 3.
Gravel races don’t hand you food every 5 miles like a road race. Plan to carry what you need and know where the aid stations are. For BorderLands, there’s a lot of open desert out there. Respect it.
You’ll Never Feel 100% Ready and That’s Fine
Here’s a secret: even experienced racers wonder if they’ve done enough. Your bike will never feel perfectly dialed. Your legs won’t always feel fresh. That’s not failure. It’s just part of the process.
If you’re new to racing, the goal isn’t to crush the field. It’s to show up. To ride your ride. To soak in the energy at the start line and the stories at the finish.
And if that sounds like something you want to be part of, the 39-mile Short Course is calling your name. It’s a perfect mix of challenge and beauty. Enough distance to feel earned. Enough support to feel safe. And a whole lot of Southern Arizona wildness along the way.
What’s Next?
Training for your first gravel race doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be consistent. Start pedaling. Get used to the gravel. Fuel your body. Then sign up. That first race finish line? It sticks with you.
And BorderLands Gravel is the kind of race that makes you want to come back.
Ready to give it a go? Register here and join us this fall. The 39-mile Short Course is built for first-timers just like you.
