Now, first things first. I had to enter a lottery to get in so I was cautiously optimistic while I awaited the notification date. I had a few other events on my calendar in 2024 so if I didn’t get in, there was always next year. Well, the day came and I found out I got in! I was so stoked. Now I needed to figure out travel and all that getting there entailed. Initially, I had planned to just make a quick trip out of it — there and back for a long weekend. Upon telling my VERY patient wife that I got in, she clearly stated, “Like hell I was going to Iceland alone!” So it became a family adventure.  This was extra special as my family had never been to a race, or seen me ride at an event and I was thrilled they were going to be at the finish line.

Fast forward to the week leading up to the event — daily emails were going out from the organizers; would there be snow on the course?, info about the Sock Drop (spare socks to change into after the numerous glacial river crossings were complete) & how the start time could deviate by up to 12 hours based on the weather forecast. Talk about build up!  This only added to my excitement. This was going to be a true adventure!

There are two main flavors for this adventure—100 and 200k. As I am predisposed to enjoying some self-punishment, I mean pushing myself mentally and physically, I signed up for the 200k and prepared for what was to come. The night before the race, I built my bike, laid everything out for the morning, and went for a casual ride to shake out and take some photos at 10:30 p.m., while it was oddly, still very light out. 

The morning of the race rolled around and I was ready to go for the 7:30a start. Blue skies, big fluffy white clouds, a light breeze and about 50°F — perfect riding weather in my book. The course was a lollipop with an 8k stick at the beginning and end with a mix of gravel, full off-road glory and pavement between. The first 8k was on good old pavement. Turning off of the pavement and onto gravel, was a lot like slipping through the wardrobe to Narnia. It was familiar for a moment but the further down the gravel road I went, the more I realized this was going to be a ride like no other.

Now to replay every detail is really hard. It was all so surreal that I had to make a concerted effort to stop and soak in what I was looking at and what I was riding on. I crossed rivers fed by melting snowpack and glaciers, rode on the remains of a volcanic eruption from thousands of years ago, reduced to a moonscape by weather and time, watched sheep graze in alpine meadows high on the flanks of mountains, rode on some of the absolutely most punishing washboard roads I have ever experienced and even got a small rainshower during the final 6k of the day. Then capped it off with a freaking rainbow as I crossed the finish line, got a hug from my family and ate a finish line hotdog (they’re a big deal in Iceland) to celebrate what was the most spectacular day I have ever had on a bike.

A huge thanks to Planet Gravel organizers, the volunteers staffing the 6 aid stations throughout the course,the Police, Iceland Search and Rescue and, the town of Hvollsvöllur for hosting 1200 riders from around the globe. This is a special place and an incredible place to ride. Thanks for helping to bring a dream to life. Keep dreaming, keep adventuring and above all, happy riding!

For those interested, here is a rough overview of my setup for The Rift Gravel  Race. Not comprehensive but hits the major pieces.
 

Bike: Salsa Warbird

Cargo: Route Werks Handlebar Bag (layers, food, spare battery, phone) 

Computer: Garmin 840 Solar

Tires: Maxxis Reaver 700c x 40 (if I had this to do over, I would ride on 42 or 45s for just a bit more comfort)

Kit: Velocio Thermal Bib shorts, Velocio Concept Merino Long Sleeve Jersey, Gore Vest

Water: USWE Outlander Pro, 2 Camelbak bottles