Lynn's story: Dirty Kitten Gralley Cat

BaseCamp athlete Lynn Botelho shared her experience at the 2026 Dirty Kitten Gralley Cat bike race in Virginia.

The Dirty Kitten Gralley Cat (Virginia) is in the books! It is a Gravel + Alleycat + Adventure event. There is no GPS and no set routes. There is a paper map that I wore threadbare trying to navigate and collect my cards. Two rounds collecting, with each round's checkpoint being at the top of the Kitten Crusher (a 21+% climb). It's held on a private farm, and the courses take you over gravel, red dirt, the edge of a plowed field, and through the woods. There are no cars!

My cycling was fine. My navigation was not. I got so turned around so many times. In fact, I made a wrong turn the last time down the Crusher that cost me 3 extra miles. That's a good glimpse into the day I was having with the map. I rode 42 miles instead of 40. It really is a team event, and I was solo. I did bubble-up with folks and everyone helped each other find the "hidden" checkpoints of Round Two. Next time: It's a Team! Great Vibe! Cool Event.

Preparation

I didn't need to do anything outside of the usual pre-race fueling and sleep.

The course

From their website: "The course is approximately 20-40 miles and anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 or more ft of elevation gain (depending on distance and route). The property is 100% unpaved with mostly gravel roads and dirt trails: the majority of terrain is on private farm roads with some dirt and grass double-track sections. It varies from smooth, groomed roads to rough, choppy areas with the possibility of mud if there is rain."

The course is pretty flat except for one slight climb and the Kitten Crusher -- and that's just a hoot! This is a working farm and also the home of a fox hunt. They open it up for gravel biking and trail running a few times a year. Things are super well maintained. The volunteers are friendly. The outdoor facilities are nice. Dirty Kitten partners with a wide range of groups to promote community and inclusion in the bike world. I like their mission.

The weather

It was unseasonably hot, even for that part of Virginia. Think mid 80s. I like it warm, and I love the long-sleeve summer kit. I've ridden there mid-summer when it is truly hot, and they provide plenty of ice and aid station love.

How did I feel in the event

Ahhh. This is the tricky part. I got so frustrated/pissed off with my poor navigation. But no feeling lasts forever. It came and went, but when I added an extra 3 miles at the end, that feeling was most certainly back! Let me explain! In my youth, I ran fishing boats, and thus I have a U.S. Coast Guard Master's license, which is the same test the super tanker guys take. Yup, old-fashioned chart problems and all -- compass deviation, variation, yak yak.... Normally, maps are my friend. On this day, my friends gave me such a bad time about it that I was soon teased into a good mood and ready to try it again next year -- with a team!

Thanks to Maia Paris, my legs were just fine!