Pure Gravel Girona – Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
Words: Nathaniel Roberts
Photos: Laura Fletcher (Cassette Media)/ Nathaniel Roberts
When I was selected through the Cycling Culture Club scholarship to take part in Pure Gravel Girona, I knew it was an opportunity I could not turn down. It was my first international gravel race, so I was excited, but also unsure of what to expect. I knew it would be a new experience for me, especially with the terrain, the heat, and riding in an unfamiliar place.
I decided to enter the Sprint route, which was originally planned to be 80 km. As someone still relatively new to gravel racing, I wanted to challenge myself without biting off more than I could chew. I also had Stone Circle Gravel the following weekend, so I wanted to enjoy the experience without completely burning myself out. Due to the extreme heat warnings, the organisers shortened the route to 72 km while still maintaining over 400 metres of elevation gain.
When I landed in Girona, we headed to Guava to pick up our hire bikes and meet the team. From the start, the Cycling Culture Club, Castelli SOG support team made us feel welcome and at home. That made a big difference because I was definitely outside my comfort zone, and at times I did feel overwhelmed.
I also picked up my kit from the Castelli store and tried it on before the event (AND THEY FIT ME). I felt really good in it, which gave me a bit of extra confidence going into the race. I also tried on some bib shorts while I was there, and the staff were really friendly and helpful. It was a great experience, and I’ll definitely be coming back.
One of the highlights before race day was the recce ride led by Merida. It gave us the chance to get used to the bikes, ride some of the local terrain, do a few openers and ease the nerves before the race. The atmosphere on that ride was really good, and by the end of it I was buzzing with excitement. That night, I was so excited for the race and the adventure ahead that I struggled to sleep.
The people were one of the biggest parts of the experience for me. There was no pressure from anyone to perform or chase a result. Everyone just wanted us to have fun, enjoy the ride and take in the experience. Merida and Piotr were brilliant throughout the weekend. They drove us to the race, supported us, encouraged us and helped keep me calm when I was feeling nervous. Merida won the Sprint & Piotr won the Classic. It was a beautiful sight.
The race started well. The first few kilometres felt good, and I was able to move around the bunch and settle into the ride. As the route progressed, the terrain became more challenging, with sandy sections, steep climbs, rocky tracks, and technical descents. It quickly reminded me that gravel racing is not just about fitness. You have to think about line choice, handling, pacing and staying calm when the terrain changes.
At one point, I had some technical difficulties with my shifters after hitting a couple of potholes. The shifters moved out of position, so I had to ride in the drops for about 15 km. Luckily, I managed to sit in with a good group until we reached a smoother stretch of road, where I was able to adjust the shifter position while still riding. It was one of those moments where I had to stay calm and just deal with the situation.
The biggest challenge of the day was definitely the heat. I tried to stay as hydrated and fuelled as I could throughout the ride. There were two food stops on the route, and they were really useful. I felt okay at the first one, but by the second stop, I needed more time to cool down, eat properly and reset before continuing. I remember having a ham and cheese sandwich there, and it tasted amazing. There was also a water fountain along the route where I put my head under the water to cool myself down, which made a massive difference. We had a group chat to communicate with the ground crew to keep everyone in the loop.
The Guava Spot I rode was a really impressive bike. It was fully carbon, stiff, and fast, and it handled the rocky gravel terrain really well. It did not feel too heavy, and the handlebars were comfortable, with a width of 40 cm that flared to 42 cm, which gave me more confidence on descents. I also liked the storage section inside the frame, where you can carry spare tubes and tools.
The bike was equipped with a TRP Vestar-Classified setup (wireless), running a 1x 48T chainring and an 11–40 cassette. The Classified hub has a 0.7 multiplier, so it effectively gives you the feel of a double chainring setup, similar to having a 48/33 with an 11–40 cassette. It also had Classified carbon wheels and 45 mm WTB Riddler tyres with inner tubes. Despite the rocky sections and rough terrain, I had no punctures throughout the race, which gave me a lot of confidence in the setup. The 48T was perfect for me, as I could still get good speed on the flat sections.
During the race, I also managed to ride with a few Spanish riders. Even with the language barrier, there was mutual respect in the group. We took turns pulling on the front and worked together, which I really enjoyed. It reminded me that cycling has its own language. You can communicate a lot through effort, respect, and riding with others. I’ve kept in touch with the riders on Instagram & Strava.
Looking back, Pure Gravel humbled me in the best possible way. It showed me that gravel racing is about much more than just fitness. It is about adapting to the terrain, managing the heat, choosing the right lines, trusting your equipment and staying calm when things do not go exactly to plan.
The experience also made me realise that I am stronger than I sometimes give myself credit for. I went into the event unsure of what to expect, but I came away with more confidence and a real desire to explore different types of racing. It has made me want to research more events, build a proper training plan and continue improving my technical skills.
Pure Gravel was not just a race for me. It was an adventure, a learning experience and a chance to step outside my comfort zone. The people, the support, the route, the bike and the whole atmosphere made it something I will remember for a long time.
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