2028 Gravel SM discussion thread

[JonathanR]

I wanted to open a discussion as regards to the 2028 Gravel SM.

This year's edition is being held in Blomstermåla, the 2027 edition is up in Orsa and the 2028 race is still open for applications. I will be submitting an application, associated with my cycle club.

It is my feeling that it is worth canvassing the opinion of HappyRiders as to what would make a great race. The course should be challenging for everyone, but shouldn't advantage anyone.

It seems to be the case that the races are usually held on courses of 30-40km, with varying numbers of laps depending on category.

Here are a few things that I feel are important. Please feel free to add to the list, or disagree with me!

• The gravel should be varied, with everything from champagne gravel to rough forest gravel.
• There should be hills of varying steepness, to allow gaps to be formed, but the varying steepness doesn't favour any one particular rider type.
• There should be sections that are high speed that allow groups to be formed, where group dynamics and drafting can play a part in the race strategy.
• There should be some technical descending - this shouldn't be excessively steep as that would represent a crash risk.
• There should be some technical cornering.
• Short asphalt sections are acceptable, but should be kept to an absolute minimum. 10% of the course, as a maximum.
• Short, flowing single track sections can be included, but they should not be rough or excessively technical. It is not an MTB race.
• The venue should be easy to reach, have sufficient capacity and be able to support the size of the race.
• The course should be largely traffic free, and you would need to have cooperation from local residents, Trafikverket and the Kommun to ensure that the race is safe.

These are some of my thoughts on the race. I am sure that there are things I've forgotten.

I've plotted out about 10 different potential SM courses in our area, but I think this one is possibly the best. It starts and ends at a large outdoor/cycle store called Bengtssons (who would be highly supportive of the race), has only about 500m on asphalt and has a great combination of different surface types, as well as several decisive climbs. For this course, I would propose 2 laps for the older age groups (80km, 1330m), 3 laps for the younger age groups (120km, 2000m) and 4 laps for the elites (160km, 2665m).

Bengtssons SM Course on plotaroute.com

Route map for 'Bengtssons SM Course' - a 39.1km running route near Korsberga, SE. Plotted with the plotaroute.com route planner.

www.plotaroute.com

I would really value and appreciate feedback on what I've outlined, as I want to make sure that when I submit an application, that it's as strong as possible, but also that it's a course that people genuinely are excited about competing on.

 

[RobbanE]

Hur motiverar arrangören att man tar en anmälningsavgift på 900kr?
Swe-cup lvg är maxtaket 550kr.

 

[JonathanR]

How does the organizer justify charging a registration fee of 900 SEK?
The maximum price for the Swedish Cup is 550 SEK.

I haven't looked into the pricing. I have no financial interest in the competition. My only interest is putting on a good competition.

 

[JonathanR]

I am surprised that there isn't more engagement in this topic. I would have thought that democratising the design of a race course would have been appealing to many riders.

 

[glitch]

Jag tror att du har en jättebra grund med dina tankar för en kul tävling.

Sen vet jag inte om det är på happy alla "gravel racers" som aspirerar på tävla i SM hänger.

Tror att gravel för många snarare är ett kul alternativ till andra cykelformer med mindre tävlingshets, mer natur och färre bilar.

Har dålig koll på "cykeltävlingsscenen" men kanske kan vara värt att försöka bolla med andra klubbar som har mycket erfarenhet av att arrangera lopp? Spontant tänker jag på t.ex. CK Hymer och CK Uni men det är också typ de cykelklubbar jag kan som jag vet har arrat stora tävlingar.

Kanske kan vara värt att bolla med Roger Edvinsson här på happy också, han har ju roddar mycket enduro men också gravelgrejer?

 

[nordtrek]

Ja det där kan då vara någe ! Vad en tävlings avgift bör ligga på torde gå på Antalet deltagare och Prissumman !

 

[ooms]

Jag tror att du har en jättebra grund med dina tankar för en kul tävling.

Sen vet jag inte om det är på happy alla "gravel racers" som aspirerar på tävla i SM hänger.

Tror att gravel för många snarare är ett kul alternativ till andra cykelformer med mindre tävlingshets, mer natur och färre bilar.

Har dålig koll på "cykeltävlingsscenen" men kanske kan vara värt att försöka bolla med andra klubbar som har mycket erfarenhet av att arrangera lopp? Spontant tänker jag på t.ex. CK Hymer och CK Uni men det är också typ de cykelklubbar jag kan som jag vet har arrat stora tävlingar.

Kanske kan vara värt att bolla med Roger Edvinsson här på happy också, han har ju roddar mycket enduro men också gravelgrejer?

CK Uni? Det är inte Upsala CK du tänker på? Det brukar vara Upsala CK som arrangerar SM, Skandisloppet, etc, inte CK Uni.

 

[JonathanR]

I think you have a great foundation with your thoughts for a fun competition.

Then I don't know if all the "gravel racers" who aspire to compete in the Swedish Championship are happy.

I think that for many people, gravel is more of a fun alternative to other forms of cycling with less competition, more nature and fewer cars.

I don't have much knowledge of the "cycling competition scene" but maybe it might be worth trying to get in touch with other clubs that have a lot of experience in arranging races? I spontaneously think of, for example, CK Hymer and CK Uni, but those are also the cycling clubs I know that have arranged big competitions.

Maybe it might be worth talking to Roger Edvinsson here at happy too, he does a lot of enduro but also gravel stuff?

I guess that gravel is like many of the other forms of cycling in that most of the people who are riding it aren't competing.

That being said, our cycle club here in Virserum has organised large mountain bike races, on account of us having Dackestupet right here in the village. So the experience for hosting races is here! There is no chance that I would try to go into this without the help of people more experienced than me. My strength is my passion for the riding and knowing the local area extremely well. Engaging with Trafikverket and landowners for permission is going to be something for which I will need to turn to my local friends/cycling contacts.

 

[RockyRider]

Jag gjorde rutten för första SM gravel 2023 i Simlångsdalen utanför Halmstad, vilket också ingick i Gravel grit n grinds UCI tävling. Då var det en loop på 133 eller 104 km beroende på klasser. Jag tycker du tänker helt rätt när det gäller gravelrutter med runt 90% grus och varierat underlag. En varvbana underlättar arrangemanget och langningsmöjligheter. När vi gjorde SM/UCI rutterna hade vi en backe i början på 1 km 100 hm och sen böljande terräng första halvan. Andra halvan var betydligt tuffare. Problemet var att första backen inte var tillräcklig för att sprida fältet och stora klungor bildades fram till halvvägs då backar kom slag i slag. Överlag var det tillräckligt med höjdmeter men distributionen bör vara mer jämnt fördelad över varvet. Så, därför anser jag att början på rutten bör vara ganska kuperad för att sprida fältet mer. En tuff backe på slutet är också bra för att minska risken för större klungspurter.

 

[JonathanR]

I made the route for the first SM gravel 2023 in Simlångsdalen outside Halmstad, which was also part of the Gravel grit n grinds UCI competition. At that time it was a loop of 133 or 104 km depending on the classes. I think you are absolutely right when it comes to gravel routes with around 90% gravel and varied surface. A lap course facilitates the arrangement and passing opportunities. When we made the SM/UCI routes, we had a hill at the beginning of 1 km 100 hm and then undulating terrain in the first half. The second half was significantly tougher. The problem was that the first hill was not enough to spread the field and large clusters formed until halfway when hills came one after another. Overall, there were enough elevation meters but the distribution should be more evenly distributed over the lap. So, therefore, I believe that the beginning of the route should be quite hilly to spread the field more. A tough hill at the end is also good to reduce the risk of larger cluster sprints.

Lots of very good points there, and thank you for your input!
I too feel that having plenty of hills is really important. If nothing else, having a spread out field is just safer, and it sorts out who is the strongest rider, not just who is best at drafting.
Repeated hills of varying steepness and length really challenge all competitors and I think make for the best racing.

 

[glitch]

CK Uni? Det är inte Upsala CK du tänker på? Det brukar vara Upsala CK som arrangerar SM, Skandisloppet, etc, inte CK Uni.

Helt rätt! Som sagt, jag har ruskigt dålig koll på organiserad cykling:)

 

[RockyRider]

Lots of very good points there, and thank you for your input!
I too feel that having plenty of hills is really important. If nothing else, having a spread out field is just safer, and it sorts out who is the strongest rider, not just who is best at drafting.
Repeated hills of varying steepness and length really challenge all competitors and I think make for the best racing

Lots of very good points there, and thank you for your input!
I too feel that having plenty of hills is really important. If nothing else, having a spread out field is just safer, and it sorts out who is the strongest rider, not just who is best at drafting.
Repeated hills of varying steepness and length really challenge all competitors and I think make for

Jag hoppas ni får ihop gravel SM 28 och jag ser i så fall fram mot att köra den själv! Jag gillar backar och har inget emot lite enklare stigar och ojämna skogsvägar.

 

[C-dale]

Hur motiverar arrangören att man tar en anmälningsavgift på 900kr?
Swe-cup lvg är maxtaket 550kr.

Att cykelvasan är dubbla priset.

 

[C-dale]

Du får väl prata med arrangören om bandragningen.
Tyvärr kan man inte bara dra upp en drömrunda utan att få tillstånd från markägare , polis, länsstyrelse mm.

 

[JonathanR]

Du får väl prata med arrangören om bandragningen.
Tyvärr kan man inte bara dra upp en drömrunda utan att få tillstånd från markägare , polis, länsstyrelse mm.

I know it's a really complicated process. I've had long chats with the guys at Abloc and have course checked/altered for them, so I am aware of the complications.

The advantage of our area is that it's very quiet, so an inconvenience for residents should be minimal