SV100

Gravel Racers, picture yourself here (Masonic Park). I took full advantage of the weather last week to get a training ride in on the Spring Valley course. What did I choose? A loop that included everybody’s favorite, Oriole Hill, where my GPS’ grade topped out at 17%, wow! I needed that friendly reminder I dish out each year, to find a hill, and climb it and climb it again and again and again. I was reminded, in my 25-mile ride, that Indoor training is not a total substitute for the real deal climbs like Oriole Hill and the climb out of Masonic Park. Traditionally our ride-group carries some adult hydration for the Oriole Hill leg of our incredible journey; those that make it up without tapping out, get to partake, those who do not, have to watch the others toast a victory.

Speaking of toasting, our good friends from Bluff Brothers Brewing are offering a complimentary adult beverage for registered finishers of your SV Gravel Race experience, just bring your dusty 2025 SV Gravel race number in for verification. Just when you thought your Free, barrier-free, grand daddy of all gravel race experiences couldn’t get any better; a free micro? “Priceless!” There is a wide variety of after-race food choices around town and Bluff Brothers will have a food truck available all afternoon to satisfy your cravings for something other than a shot of pickle juice, another protein bar, chew or gel. What better way to share your race adventure than over some suds and sustenance?

I hear word that the new 7′ wide bridge is in place in Forestville State Park, so be on the lookout for course updates that “may”, once again, include a ride through the scenic forest canopy and modern rest stop that we’ve missed the last three years due to the bridge being out and river crossing being prohibited.

I know it’s hard to think of getting a long gravel training ride in outdoors with yet another snow storm coming through portions of the Midwest, but the SV Gravel Races will be here before you know it, so keep your feet on the pedals and see you real soon. Paul, Mike and Alan, your SV Gravel Races stewards.

With the Spring Valley Gravel Races a little over two months away, now is a great time to tune up your ride, fresh tubes or a tubeless fluid refresh are great ideas before taking on a new gravel season. There’s nothing worse than hitting the first downhill with that dreaded pop or hissing of a flat; been there, done that.

While you’re busy tuning and training, the City of Spring Valley and local businesses are making preps for your arrival. Keep a watchful eye for periodic race reports on this site and look for a potential update to the route this year, rumor has it that there is now a pedestrian bridge that would enable us to utilize the traditional route through Forestville State Park.

With the 2025-2026 Gravel National Championships being held in the Fall of both years from nearby La Crescent, both the SV 60-mile and 100-mile race routes here are a great way to test your training and get familiar with the unique conditions Bluff Country has to offer; where the prairies meet the bluffs and where Superheroes come to be humbled.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We are looking forward to seeing you. Continue to spread the word, the city will be ordering the bib numbers soon, so get your team/friends off the fence and onto the registration site. Let’s get ready to crush some gravel!