Den's story: Gravel Worlds
BaseCamp athlete Den Scanlon shared his experience at the 2026 Gravel Worlds bike race in Nebraska.
This year's Gravel Worlds was about a number of firsts. First Gravel Worlds without mud, first Gravel Worlds for me at the shorter 75-mile distance, first gravel race with miles and miles of pace line drafting, and the first time I've ever ridden through a museum! My preparations this year have been less than optimal, with my riding down about 25%, and so I stepped back from the 150 to the 75-mile event. I went into that event with no expectations other than to enjoy the ride on some of my favorite roads. What I got was so much more.
The start at GW always feels like a blastoff before it settles down, and that remained true to form. Once I got settled into a group, my race was all about . . . um . . . wheel sucking. I used every trick I ever learned and might have made up a few along the way, and I managed to stay off the front to the SAC museum. Leaving the SAC, I was alone for a short time until I picked up a group about 5 miles later and rode with them through the Lauf aid station. As expected, I could feel the attrition in my legs but was pleased (if that is the right word) to see others dropping off the pace before me. At mile 70ish I had a bout of cramps that separated me from my group, but after a bit of soft pedaling, I rejoined them, because the main "engine" of that group also cramped. At that point I took my only pull of the day, and we kept the pace going with a group of four. Near the end I faded from the group and rode the last section in as a solo. Crossing the line I was both surprised and pleased to hear I had taken 3rd in my age group, despite going out with no expectations. Icing on the cake was that Shannon and I now have matching trophies.
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