A Gravel Racing Triumph: Second Place at the Welsh Championships on the Yoeleo Altera G21

In the evolving landscape of gravel racing, where events demand a blend of endurance, technical prowess, and reliable equipment, a recent performance at the Welsh Gravel Championships underscored these necessities. Covering a formidable 63 kilometers with an ascent of 1,800 meters through the varied terrain of Crychan Forest, the race proved to be a significant test. Navigating both swift gravel paths and intricate singletrack, the author successfully secured a second-place finish, completing the challenging course in just over three hours aboard the Yoeleo G21 gravel bike.

The championship, a core component of the broader Gravel Fondo Cymru event held in mid-Wales, presented a meticulously designed route that challenged participants with its diverse topography. The competition commenced under warm conditions with a mass start, placing the women's field directly behind the senior men. The initial kilometers were crucial for strategic positioning, as riders vied to keep key rivals within sight and navigate through the dense peloton.

Unlike many gravel events that employ timed segments to accommodate public access on forest trails, the Welsh Gravel Championships benefited from a unique arrangement: Crychan Forest was exclusively reserved for the race day. This allowed for an uninterrupted, head-to-head competition from start to finish, intensifying the strategic and physical demands on the participants. The course itself was a masterclass in variety, featuring extensive stretches of rapid forest roads interspersed with demanding technical singletrack sections. While certain parts of the route were exceptionally rough, the choice of a gravel bike proved optimal, enabling riders to maintain speed effectively across the diverse surfaces.

For this gruelling event, the participant relied on Yoeleo's Altera G21 frameset, which represents the brand's latest offering in race-focused gravel platforms. This was complemented by Yoeleo's C45 NxT wheels, boasting 45mm-deep carbon rims and a generous 27mm internal width. Despite their robust depth, these wheels maintained a competitive weight under 1,400g, offering excellent climbing capabilities while preserving aerodynamic advantages on faster sections. Tire clearance was a critical consideration, and the Altera G21 provided ample space for wide tires, accommodating up to 53mm on 700c wheels in a 1x configuration. The rider chose 50mm Vittoria Terreno T50 tires, whose mixed tread pattern offered a superior balance of rolling efficiency on hard-packed fire roads and essential grip on looser surfaces and technical singletrack.

The numerous steep ascents were a defining characteristic of the race, severely testing both physical fitness and gearing choices. With 1,800 meters of elevation condensed into 63 kilometers, an extensive gear range was indispensable. The chosen setup featured SRAM's Force XPLR groupset, including a wide-range 10-46T cassette paired with a 38-tooth chainring. This configuration provided the necessary gearing to maintain momentum on the steepest climbs, allowing the rider to continue pedalling while others were forced to dismount and push their bikes. Shimano XTR pedals were utilized for their superior mud-shedding capabilities compared to road pedals, which can easily become clogged in off-road conditions, despite the latter offering a larger platform. Even with optimal equipment, certain sections of the course, particularly those affected by flooding, necessitated dismounting and carrying the bike.

Given the race's duration and intensity, carrying adequate hydration, nutrition, and spare parts was crucial. A saddlebag was employed to maximize capacity for tools and spares, freeing up jersey pockets for gels and snacks. The Altera G21's integrated storage within the top tube and downtube also proved invaluable for stowing emergency gels and tubeless plugs. The simultaneous start with the senior men made it challenging to ascertain the exact positions of other female competitors as the race progressed and groups began to separate. However, this arrangement also provided numerous opportunities to draft within various groups, helping to maintain a high pace while effectively managing personal effort.

The final half-hour of the race presented the ultimate challenge, as the cumulative effects of the heat and relentless climbing began to take their toll, threatening to induce cramps. Fortuitously, finding another rider to collaborate with helped sustain the pace through the gruelling last stretch. The determined effort led to a commendable second-place finish, achieved in a time of 3 hours and 16 minutes, a highly gratifying result given the demanding nature of the course.