Tracy's story: Hart Hills

BaseCamp
May 12, 2025
3 min read

BaseCamp athlete Tracy Gravlin shared her experience at the 2025 Hart Hills gravel bike race in Michigan.

First race as part of BaseCamp Explore Team this past Saturday: Hart Hills, and as they advertise, "probably one of the toughest gravel races in lower Michigan." I had never done it and wanted to. I heard it was sandy and checked with a few people who had done it before. They didn’t remember it being bad. So I took my Lauf with 40c tires instead of my wider Gravel Kings. We drove the course the night before, and I cursed myself for not bringing the 50c tires. It was pretty much loose stones and sand. But thankfully also pavement!

As usual I found myself way too far back at the start. I had to start a little slower going out of town. Once we got to our first big climb, on pavement, I tried to pass as many as I could. I was happy to make it through the first big descent on loose stone and then just tried to go. I am very happy that I started to feel comfortable riding on the sandy roads. The first big gravel/sand hill, some around me got off to walk. But I felt good and made it up no problem. I was working with 2 guys at thus point. They would be a bit ahead of me on the climbs, and I would take off on them in the downhills ( thank you gravel camp skills!!)

About 43 minutes in, we hit a 2 track that was very deep sand and no way to get off to the side to ride. My confidence ended there, and I got off and ran my bike. A steep downhill in beach sand followed , and I ran that too ( I am a 69 year old woman with osteoporosis. I do not need to crash). Sadly I was passed by so many riders. Some wiped out. By the time we got back on a normal road, I had my work cut out for me. I felt good still and used surges to get past people and eventually reeling all but the 2 guys in. I still felt good on the uphills and worked harder to get by and keep going.

About 19 miles in, I saw my 2 guys from earlier. I put my head down and went after them. Caught up to them and passed them with 4 miles to go. After that we went back and forth. I tried to hang on to them. The last big climb my legs felt it. Then a gentle downhill to the finish. I cranked it to finish on the tail of the 2 guys. I must say I was happy I signed up for the 26 mile race and not the 55. Phew.

The best part was running into teammate John Keepers, who did great on the 55. He labeled it “Sandman” on his Strava. Strong race, John!

I ended 1st age group out of 3 ,60-69. And 9th out of 26 women.

It was definitely a challenge for me, and I am happy with my riding in the sand and putting to use what i have learned in BaseCamp. I tried to gear 2 breathe on hills. I concentrated on my pedaling and hydrated well. It was a beautiful day. Just the right temp. The wind was only noticeable in the last 1/2 of the race.