Over 15 Years Strong
Gravel Worlds® officially started in 2010.
Even though we’ve grown since our first event, we have always kept the focus on every athlete from FIRST to LAST!
No matter the distance or finish time, you are what makes Gravel Worlds® possible.
Grassroots: adjective [ grahs-roo ts ]
“(You + Bike) vs. (Roads+Elements)
It’s pretty simple, really. ”
Jason Strohbehn (GW Race Director)
Gravel Worlds History
Before
We started out as a group of friends who loved riding and just wanted to play bikes without all the rules. Like kids on a playground we made up our own rules together as we went. No Categories, no officials, no prize money, just bumping elbows, bleeding lungs, blown up legs, with beers and stories at the finish.
Before Gravel Worlds we hosted an event called “The Good Life Gravel Adventure” in 2008 and 2009.
Gravel Worlds 2010
In 2010 we gathered about 100 of our closest friends for the inaugural Gravel Worlds. Some of us came to win, some came just to finish. 150 or so miles of an unknown and unmarked course, navigation was via cue sheets, no support, and only lotto tickets from small-town stores to prove you did the whole route. Who knew this game would become part of the culture that we now call #gravelfamily.
Every year our event has grown about 25%. While our event has gotten bigger, we strive to keep the grassroots feel of our event.
Now
The game has grown over the last decade to fit in all the people who want to come play. We have some rules now. We sometimes have to be the “officials” but we are staying true to our roots and just want to have fun playing bikes.
We now have 5 main events:
Gravel Worlds: 150 Miles
Privateer: 75 Miles
Buccaneer: 50km
The Long Voyage: 300 Miles
Land Ho Run Series:
25k Half
10k
Some come to race some come to ride but we all share the same road.
15 Years of Remaining Grassroots
The courses may change, but the gravel family keeps showing up for the challenge.
2024 Garmin Gravel Worlds®: YEAR 15!!
We’re here to celebrate 15 years of Gravel Worlds memories and celebrating every athlete from first to last! Join us for 5 days of gravel excellence!
2023 Garmin Gravel Worlds
2023 Garmin Gravel Worlds®
The year of the heat and mud. Runners endured 100º+ heat index and cyclists overcame 3” of unforecasted rain hours before the start, 2023 Garmin Gravel Worlds was one of the hardest challenges in our history. Every inch was earned by all athletes.
We were also excited to welcome back John Borstelmann as our 2023 Captain of the Gravel seas. Tying Alison Tetrick as the winningest humans of Gravel Worlds with 3 championships (19, 21, 23)!
2023 Garmin Gravel Worlds® 150 Champions
Man: John Borstelmann (3X CHAMP) 8:00:10
Lincoln, NE
Woman: Lauren Stephens 9:15:28
Dallas, TX
Non-Binary: Apollo Leonard 13:41:25
Bellingham, WA
Para Man: Meg Fisher 12:29:01 (GW Record)
Missoula, MT
2023 Long Voyage 300 Champions
Man: Geno Villafano 18:34:42
Vernon Rockville, CT
Woman: Tina Hart 22:25:23
Boulder, CO
2023 Land Ho 50k Champions
Man: Josh Baden 3:33:35
Lawrence, KS
Woman: Kaci Lickteig 3:44:59 (GW Record)
Omaha, NE
Non-Binary: Bonnie Branson 5:05:32 (GW Record)
Edmond, OK
2023 Photo/Video
2023 Through Thick and Think Award
Mike Suiter
The “Through Thick and Thin” Award is given out every year to an individual who has overcome challenges and perseveres through tough times while also keeping an overly positive attitude that inspires and encourages us all.
Our 2023 awardee is a 50-year cancer survivor. He has overcome the lifelong psychological and physical challenges that come with being a cancer survivor while turning that experience into a positive. For the last several years, our awardee has used his woodworking skills and passion for doing good to create “Woodworkers vs Cancer”. Mike donates 100% of his time, skill, and material in exchange for donations to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. In 2022 he raised over $10,000 and is on pace to raise well over $15,000 in 2023. The trophies we used for our Winter Endurance race in February and the sword holders you see for our Captains of the Gravel Seas awards were made by Mike.
2022 Garmin Gravel Worlds
2022 Garmin Gravel Worlds®
Back for our 13th year!
Back are our cycling adventures of 150, 75, 300 miles, and 50k.
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!!
We expanded the Gravel Family by adding the Land Ho 50k Ultra Marathon.
Such an incredible year with so many stories of personal success!
2022 Garmin Gravel Worlds® 150 Champions
Man: Adam Roberge 6:59:44 (GW Record)
Prevost, QC
Woman: Lauren De Crescenzo 7:33:03 (GW Record)
Longmont, CO
Non-Binary: Apollo Leonard 9:39:05 (GW Record)
Bellingham, WA
Para Man: Alexander McKiernan 14:56:43 (GW Record)
Lincoln, NE
2022 Long Voyage 300 Champions
Man: Colin Patterson 17:21:41 (GW Record)
Savannah, GA
Woman: Paige Redman 20:14:11 (GW Record)
Tuscan, AZ
Non-Binary: Lily Friend 27:00:57 (GW Record)
Austin, TX
2022 Land Ho 50k Champions
Man: Josh Baden 3:28:39 (GW Record)
Lawrence, KS
Woman: Kaci Lickteig 3:58:56
Omaha, NE
Non-Binary: Bonnie Branson 5:08:09
Edmond, OK
2022 Garmin Gravel Worlds Video/Photos
1000 Women of Gravel Worlds
2022 was a historical moment for women in gravel. In late 2021, after many meetings with sponsors who praised the 28% women’s participation in 2021 stating it was double the industry average, the Gravel Worlds crew set a monumental goal of tripling the number of women they ever had attend Gravel Worlds.
The goal of 1000 women was set, while also setting out to raise $15,000 ($15 per woman) to the NICA GRiT Program. Through the incredible encouragement and motivation by the Gravel Family, this monumental goal was accomplished in June of 2022, just weeks before the event.
This achievement was accomplished because of all the incredible work of those who have ever encouraged and inspired women to join the Gravel Family. It is an honor to get to be a part of Herstory, but we can’t wait to encourage and support who comes and pushes the bar next.
To everyone who has come before us and who helped accomplish this, THANK YOU! We hope you feel pride in this moment as it doesn’t happen without YOU!
2022 Through Thick and Thin Award
Lawrence “Larry” Lohmeier
The “Through Thick and Thin” Award will be given out every year to an individual who has overcome challenges and perseveres through tough times while also keeping an overly positive attitude that inspires and encourages us all.
On April 15th, 2022, while on a ride east of Lincoln, our honoree was involved in a crash with a pickup truck. He was severely hurt and sustained many critical injuries including a crushed chest cavity, bruised lungs and heart, two broken collar bones, a broken leg, a fractured spine, and severe facial lacerations. He was on the ventilator for over a week and had multiple blood clots and surgeries during the course of his hospitalization. He spent many months in hospitals while rehabbing prior to going home with his family. He overcame so many challenges during the past 4 months, but still wanted to compete in the Long Voyage presented by Goodr! That is a testament to his incredible determination and willpower. While he wasn’t able to compete this year, he still dedicated his time and energy to volunteer at Gravel Worlds to help other riders.
2021 Gravel Worlds
2021 Gravel Worlds®
Gravel Worlds 2021 was a monumental year in our history. We grew to over 1700 riders and also added the inaugural Long Voyage 300. This was also the first year we did a single checkpoint location at Branch Oak Farms which was a very unique addition to our event.
The 2021 Privateer 75 overall was won by Lauren Stephens. This accomplishment marks the first time a woman has won the overall of any Gravel Worlds event!
2021 was also the year we were awarded our official Registered Trademark so we can and will forever be Gravel Worlds®!
2021 Gravel Worlds® 150 Champions
John Borstelmann 7:04:37
Lincoln, NE
Lauren De Crescenzo 7:36:42
Longmont, CO
2021 Gravel Worlds Long Voyage 300 Champions
Zeno Molteni 20:48:15
Arlington Heights, IL
Paige Redman 22:57:18
Tuscan, AZ
2021 Honorary Champion
2021 Honorary Champion: Brett Miller
Nicole (Brett’s Sister) and Chad Cottom.
Brett Miller
Lansing, MI
Brett Miller tragically passed away on August 1st, 2021 after a road bike racing injury. Brett was an active member of his cycling community in Lansing, Michigan. He was a larger-than-life presence and he was instrumental in building the Lansing and SPIN Bicycle Shop cycling community to what it is today. Brett had signed up for the Long Voyage and was fiercely training to complete the 300-mile journey. Brett’s sister, Nicole, and her husband Chad (also Brett’s best friend) rode the Long Voyage while carrying Brett’s GPS tracking device in his honor. They carried Brett across the gravel roads of Nebraska while honoring his memory along the way.
Brett Miller will be forever named the Honorary Champion of Gravel Worlds 2021.
2020 Goes Virtual!
2020 was a year many of us will never forget. Due to the COVID-19 Virus we had to cancel our normal event and we went to a virtual format. Riders from anywhere in the world could ride any of our three distances (150 mile, 75 mile, or 50km) and donate at least $10 directly to the Randy Gibson Memorial Fund to participate in the event.
Thank you to our sponsors who still donated over $10,000 of prizes to those who participated in the 2020 virtual. Because of our sponsors and the incredible generosity of our Gravel Family, we raised over $14,000 to the RG memorial fund and fully funded the memorial which will be built in a new park south of Down Town Lincoln in the next couple years.
2019 Gravel Worlds
2019 Gravel Worlds (YEAR 10!!)
A decade later! This was a celebration of surviving an entire decade of Grassroots Gravel Racing. Staying true to how we started. Just a few more friends riding together, self supported on the Gravel Seas around Lincoln.
Thank you to our #GravelFamily for being there for us and supporting us. Here’s to another decade!
Alison Tetrick becomes winningest athlete in Gravel Worlds history.
We start using the phrase and hashtag “Gravel Family”. At the time only 51 #GravelFamily posts had ever been made on social media. This would finally give and name to a core part of Gravel Worlds history.
Winners:
Male: John Borstelmann 7:02:19
Female: Alison Tetrick 7:56:43
2018 Gravel Worlds
2018 was one of the most difficult GW courses. Heading north to the “Bohemian Alps”. Over 12,000 feet of total elevation one hill at a time.
Winners:
Male: Colin Strickland 7:09:54
Female: Alison Tetrick 7:39:50
2017 Gravel Worlds
2017 was the last year we did a “loop” course around Lincoln. Going counter clock-wise around Lincoln with stops in Valparaiso, Malcom, Denton, Roca, and Bennet. It was also the first year adding the Privateer 75!
2017 was the start of Alison Tetricks domination of Gravel Worlds. She would go on to win 2017, 2018 and 2019 becoming the only 3-peat GW Champion!
Winners:
Male: Colin Strickland 7:18:26
Female: Alison Tetrick 8:13:51
2016 Gravel Worlds
Clockwise Loop around Lincoln with stops in Greenwood, Eagle, Bennet, Roca, Malcom, and Valparaiso.
Winners:
Male: Rob Evans 8:16:14
Female: Kae Takeshita 9:09:23
2015 Gravel Worlds
This was the first year we moved the start/finish to the Fallbrook Neighborhood on the Northside of Lincoln where the race is still held today. Heading out on 1st street which is now the first and last gravel you see on the race.
Moving to the north side of Lincoln has given Gravel Worlds a “home”. We’ve developed a great relationship with Schilling Bridge Tap House who has been our host sponsor since 2016. If you’re in town, go check them out!
Winners:
Male: Neil Shirley 7:54:03
Female: Rebecca Rusch 9:08:47
2014 Gravel Worlds
2014 was the second and final year we had the start/finish at Conestoga State Park. This year was a clockwise loop around Lincoln visiting Garland, Malcom, and Hickman. This was the first year that elevation was over 10,000ft.
Winners:
Male: Dan Hughes 9:05:07
Female: Monika Sattler 9:38:00
2013 Gravel Worlds
2013 was the first of two years we started/finished at Conestoga State Park. Another loop route around Lincoln going counter clockwise hitting Hickman, Bennet, and Malcom as our self supported oasis locations.
Winners:
Male: Austin Horse 9:05
Female: Monika Sattler 9:38
2012 Gravel Worlds
“The PCL is happy to announce that Gravel Worlds will happen again in 2012! Date is yet to be determined (most likely the end of August). The event will begin and end in Lincoln, Nebraska. New course for 2012! Stay tuned for intermittent details!”
PCL Blog Post Dated 11.9.2011
Of all the years of Gravel Worlds, this year had the least elevation gain with only ~6,000 feet of elevation.
Winners:
Male: Jay Thomas 9:06
Female: Sydney Brown 11:22
2011 Gravel Worlds
Gravel Worlds came back and nearly 200 friends joined this time. The course was another loop rode around Lincoln going north out of the Lancaster County Event Center.
This year was brutal weather conditions with heavy rain and wind. Still to this day is our lowest completion rate with under 35%.
Winners:
Male: Greg Shimonek 10:38:30
Female: Loren Uscilowski 12:21:34
2010 Gravel Worlds
The “Good Life Gravel Adventure” was held in ’08 & ‘09 and was the predecessor to the first Gravel Worlds in 2010. During those early years 100 of our closest friends joined Corey Godfrey for a challenging 150 mile adventure race looping around Lincoln.
Winners:
Male: Mike Marchand 8:51
Female: Kelly Kostman 12:15
First-ever Gravel Worlds Promo Video! 2010
