Winty's story: Gravel Fondo Moab

BaseCamp athlete Winty Singh shared his experience at the 2026 Gravel Fondo Moab in Utah.

Moab Gravel Fondo was my first ever gravel event, and I did the 30-mile route. It was also their first time adding a gravel event alongside the road and MTB races that weekend, which made it feel like a bit of a shared experiment.

I did a short pre-ride the day before, which helped me dial in tire pressure and get a feel for the terrain. That made a noticeable difference in how I approached ride day.

At the start line I heard someone call out, "Hey, a BaseCamper," which turned out to be Ali Knutson. We chatted briefly, and she grabbed a few photos and videos before the start. I also spotted another BaseCamper out on course on an MTB but didn't get a chance to connect.

The gravel start itself was a highlight. We rolled out straight onto gravel as a group, almost like a stampede, which felt a lot more exciting and dynamic than a typical road start.

The course was a real introduction to gravel. The first 15 miles were almost entirely off-road and largely climbing, with deep sand and technical sections that forced me off the bike multiple times. I went down a few times as well, all low speed in soft sand. Talking to others afterward, it sounds like this was actually considered a tougher course because of those conditions.

The final 15 miles flipped completely, from hardpack into a long pavement descent back to the start, where I could finally settle into a rhythm. I was able to reel a few folks in on more stable terrain. That contrast made it clear my limiter isn't endurance; it's staying on the bike and moving efficiently through loose terrain.

Weather was clear and dry, with a cool breeze that turned into a headwind on the descent. I stayed consistent with fueling and hydration, which helped me finish strong after a challenging first half. I ended up finishing in the middle of my age group, which I'm happy with for a first gravel event.

Overall, this was a valuable first experience. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and gave me a clear focus going forward, better line choice, staying relaxed on the bike, and maintaining momentum through technical sections.