QUESTION: I recently attempted a 100-mile gravel grinder and had to drop out halfway. I’ve done plenty of century rides on the road before and thought I was ready, but the event was much harder and took much longer than I anticipated. I’m disappointed in myself for quitting and feel like I let myself down. How can I get over this, and should I try again? – Jason R
RBR REPLIES: First off, let me tell you that a DNF isn’t the end of the road. Every rider, no matter how seasoned, has faced a challenge that got the better of them. The fact that you showed up, gave it your best, and are now thinking about how to move forward is proof that you’ve got the determination to tackle this again. Gravel riding isn’t about avoiding adversity—it’s about learning how to handle it.
Here’s the thing: gravel events are a completely different beast compared to road centuries. The unpredictable terrain, rolling resistance, and slower speeds can make 100 miles on gravel feel like 150 on the road. It’s no wonder you found it tougher than expected. Many riders new to gravel face the same reality check, and it doesn’t mean you’re not up to the challenge. It just means you need to approach it a little differently next time.
If you’re feeling discouraged, one of the best things you can do is give yourself some smaller wins before tackling another 100-mile grinder. Consider signing up for a shorter gravel event—something like 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) or even a 30-miler. These shorter events let you experience the demands of gravel riding without the overwhelming duration of a full century. You’ll build confidence, refine your pacing and nutrition strategies, and get more comfortable with the nuances of gravel. Once you’ve knocked out a few shorter rides, you’ll be better prepared—both physically and mentally—for another shot at the longer distance.
Training can also help bridge the gap. Gravel-specific endurance rides, especially on terrain similar to your event, are crucial. Use these rides not only to build fitness but also to fine-tune your nutrition and pacing. Gravel doesn’t offer the same opportunities to recover as road riding, so eating and drinking steadily are key to avoiding the dreaded “bonk.” Practicing this on training rides makes it second nature when race day comes.
Pacing is another area where many riders get tripped up. On gravel, it’s tempting to go out hard, especially when you’re surrounded by other riders pushing the pace early on. But gravel rewards patience. Ride at a pace you can sustain for the long haul, even if it means letting others pull ahead. Remember, the goal is to finish strong, not to keep up with the fastest riders at the start.
Finally, don’t let disappointment overshadow the experience. Think of your first attempt as reconnaissance. Now you know what to expect, and that gives you a huge advantage for your next try. Many riders who succeed in gravel events didn’t finish their first big one. They learned, adapted, and came back stronger. You can do the same.
So, should you try again? Absolutely—but only after giving yourself the time to rebuild your confidence. Start small, string together a few shorter wins, and then tackle the next big challenge. Gravel will always be waiting for you, and when you’re ready, crossing that finish line will feel even sweeter.
It’s good also to understand the course a race will be held on. Where are the hard parts? Can you do a reconnaissance before hand of all or part of the circuit? Some gravel races are intended to be epic difficulty. And wet weather can add a lot of extra difficulty to a course.
Personal preparation is the other side of the coin. A gravel grinder is not an event you go into under-prepared or casually. I myself shepherded a friend through an event where the weather turned near-winter and he had only dressed for a summer day.
The pacing comment in the main story is very useful. I know I am a back-of-the-pack rider (I’m there to have fun!) but I also pass many dnf’ed riders who went out hard and burned out early.
Definitely try the shorter distance option if there is one. if all goes well, there’s always next year to do the long course. Expertise requires experience.
I myself like doing the longer version but at slower speed and the risk here is there are time cutoffs mid course that I get very close to sometimes. I use the I’m old and I go faster as the race goes on because my warmup is three hours (I’ve talked my way through more than one time-cutoff using this excuse this, but it’s the truth lol). I once tied for last place in a very long point-to-point offroad race and had the quad-atv squad that was picking up the dnf riders behind me for the last couple of hours of the race.