2024 UTAH GRAVEL SERIES RECAP
Words by: Breanne Nalder Harward
Photo Credit: Kris Braunberger
2024 marked the inaugural year for the Utah Gravel Series. A combination of 3 races that have become staples for locals over the years are now under the ownership of Breanne Nalder Harward and Dave Harward. The Triple Crown events included the Wild Horse, Dirty Dino, and Salty Lizard. The participation is growing and the stoke levels are high as the goal of the series is to bring gravelleurs together on some of the most incredible terrain Utah has to offer, and having an absolute blast on their bikes.
RACE 1: WILD HORSE
After this event was cancelled in 2023 due to deep snow on the passes, the UGS took on the Wild Horse as event #1 on the calendar. Honoring all of the deferrals made for an interesting registration process as the BLM permit only allows 300 people on course. It all came together and the conditions were some of the best ever seen out there in Delle Utah. There is some talk about the 2025 course rolling the loops in reverse or even on seperate weekends. Maybe both loops for the ultimate challenge, the black stallion!
RACE 2: DIRTY DINO
The initial event of the series, this race was created by putting local Vernal Utah minds together and creating a course that is “T-rific”, “rawr-some,” and may give you a “mega-saur-ass. ” Dinosaur puns aside, the gravel outside of Vernal is incredible, and is the main attraction of this event. Once you ride it, you’ll come back every year. Some highlights from 2024 include the packet pick-up party hosted by DNA Cycling “Dinner with DNA,” the national anthem via electric guitar in the natural amphitheatre of the start/finish, and of course the incredible gravel conditions out on the groads above Dinosaurland.
RACE 3: SALTY LIZARD
Riding on the moon…er the Silver Island Mountains north of Wendover, Utah is enchanting. That was the case at this year’s event as the cycling gods blessed us with close to perfect temperatures, overcast skies and plenty of moondust. It had the potential to be a salty sauna out there, but luck was on our side. Wrapping up the Triple Crown on a new course for this event (all in Utah rather than rolling into Nevada) worked out really well and there is much excitement for next year’s plans for this one, including a date change.
Conclusion
Why stop at 3? The UGS is adding another Utah favorite from the gravel scene, the Wasatch All Road! There is also planning in the works for a brand new event, training camps at some of the race venue towns throughout the year, cash prize purses, and maybe some fondo-style rides & fat tire crits to make entire weekend adventures out of these trips. Breanne and Dave are on a mission to provide high quality, safe, and most importantly FUN events for all levels of riders. UGS truly wants the tag line to apply to each participant out there, “groads that smile back.”
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