Moran 166 Gravel Race Debut Q&A With Bearclaw Bicycle Co.
When the team at Bearclaw Bicycle Co. reached out to let us know they would be running a new gravel race in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula this fall, they had our attention. Well known for its lush landscapes and untamed wilderness, the U.P. is surely home to some of the best undiscovered gravel in the country. Presented by Bearclaw Bicycle Co., the makers of fine titanium drop bar adventure bikes like the Thunderhawk and Beaux Jaxson, the inaugural Moran 166 is scheduled for September 11, 2021. The new race entails 166 miles of terrain, with a shorter 64-mile course also available for those not ready for the big one. To find out more details about the new event we connected with Tyler Tafelsky of BBCo. with a few questions. We hope you enjoy his answers as much as we did, thanks Tyler!
Gravelstoke: Can you tell us a bit about the landscape and terrain in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, what makes it unique?
Tyler: The MORAN 166 route spans across the eastern part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, which is mostly flat, densely wooded, and predominantly undeveloped. Much of the route cuts through the Hiawatha National Forest, a protected, beautiful expanse comprised of old-growth hardwoods, wildlife-rich wetlands, and pristine coastlines along the Great Lakes. What’s especially unique about the UP landscape is that it feels like truly untouched wilderness. Whether you’re traveling eastbound from Wisconsin or northbound across the Mackinac Bridge, the vibe upon entering the UP is like stepping back in time.
Gravelstoke: 166 miles is a big ride! How should someone think about training for this race in a way that may be different from other endurance gravel events over 100 miles?
Tyler: The inviting aspect about the MORAN 166 is that the course is relatively flat. There’s about 3K feet of climbing across the entire route. So race-specific training shouldn’t require much climbing, but rather flat, higher speed sessions.
For beginner athletes who are just getting into long course gravel bike racing, it would be wise to get at least a couple of century rides before the event. We do recommend a 12.5 MPH average to complete the race before it gets dark. While we will have a few aid stations on the course, it’s important to get your fueling and nutrition dialed in to avoid any bonking or stomach distress throughout the day.
For those looking to be competitive, it will be a face-paced race and most contenders will be running aero bars. We anticipate the first finishers to complete the course in 8-9 hours, averaging roughly 20 MPH, perhaps even faster. There is a $10,000 cash purse for the event, so the top ten men and women will be getting paid.
Gravelstoke: The 166-mile course includes 82% gravel roads, and 91% on the 64 mile course. Can you describe the different types of gravel that riders will encounter, is it fairly consistent?
Tyler: The gravel is indeed a multifaceted textural experience. A vast majority of the gravel roads are consistently smooth-running pea on packed dirt, making for fast-rolling riding. There are a few stretches of two-track and old railroad track lines where the gravel is a bit more large and chunky in places, but still easily ridable with nothing overly technical or rough.
Gravelstoke: What types of tires and sizes would you recommend riders consider running at the Moran 166?
Tyler: We would recommend most riders stick with a ~38c to 55c wide tire in the fast-rolling variety, but we wouldn’t go with a tire any less wide than 38c. For instance, some athletes we know will be running Schwable G-One Bites, G-One All Arounds, and Furious Freds. Higher speed choices we recommend include the Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass and Schwable G-One Speeds. Of course, running something wider and with more tread is also a safe bet.
Gravelstoke: Very cool you are partnering with Short’s Brewing for the event, what’s your favorite beer that they make?
Tyler: That is a tough choice given the abundance of great beers that Shorts makes, but Psychedelic Cat Grass is probably our favorite.