Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of common questions we receive. If this doesn’t help answer your questions, please reach out and we’ll help you out!
What Does Self-Supported Mean?
Lauf Gravel Worlds is completely self supported. What does this mean?
NO OUTSIDE SUPPORT!!
NO Team Vehicles or Family/Friends on course or at Checkpoints
No Drop Bags on course or at Checkpoints
If you need something that can’t be found at a convenience store, BRING IT WITH YOU!
Checkpoints will provide:
Water
Some Basic Food Options
Some Nutrition Provide by Gu Energy, Salt Stick, and Bonk Breaker
Basic Mechanical Support Provided by Goodlife Cyclery
Plan ahead on carrying your own supplies!
Any rider using outside support will be DQed from our event.
Family and friends coming to the event are encouraged to stay off of course. If you’d like to cheer on your rider, we encourage you to volunteer during the day at one of our checkpoints or oasis locations.
Avoid driving on the active course at all cost! With 2500 riders, we can not have 2500 support vehicles driving around on course. This is dangerous to everyone on course.
What If I Need to Bail?
There will be limited bail-out vehicles at our checkpoint (distance info below). We will also have sweeper vehicles at the back of the course for emergency purposes. We are close enough to Lincoln you should be able to grab an UBER/Lyft. But this is a self-supported event so bail-out options can’t be guaranteed by Gravel Worlds. You will have Verizon and AT&T full cell service the entire route (150 and below) for you to contact emergency services if needed.
Can I Hand Out Treats to Riders?
Yes, but you have to be there to hand out treats from the first to last rider. If you are coming into town to cheer on a friend or family member, you can be on course if you offer the same benefit to all riders.
Example: We have had fans of the race post up on course with hundreds of Zebra Cakes and chilled Coke to hand out. You must have enough to offer all riders that stop otherwise it will be an unfair advantage to other riders.
Course/Route Info
Course Release
For the 150, 75, 50k and Runs: Course Files will be released the Saturday before the event. We will have a Wednesday Welcome Party/Course Discussion party at Bierhaus Maisschaler on Wednesday evening.
For The GW300: Course information will be sent to riders about one month prior to race day.
Distances
All our distances will be at least the number of miles in the description. On average the courses will have two-five miles on top of the described distances. Example: Lauf Gravel Worlds 150 will be roughly 155 miles all said and done.
Checkpoint/Stops
Lauf Gravel Worlds 150
Two Provided Checkpoints Usually Between Miles 50-60 and 105-120.
Two Small Town Stops
At Least One Water Oasis
~10,000 ft Elevation
GW75
One Provided Checkpoint About Mile 40
Two Small Town Stop About Miles 20 and 60
~ 5,000 ft Elevation
GW50k
One Provided Checkpoint About Mile 20
One Small Town Stop
~ 2,000 ft Elevation
GW300
The only source of nutrition and hydration will be small-town convenience stores and gas stations. Stops will be available roughly every 50 miles.
~15,000+ ft Elevation
GW25k Ultra
Water and Nutrition Stops Every 5-10K.
~1,000 ft Elevation
Checkpoints/Oases/Small Town Stops
Checkpoints (REQUIRED)
NO OUTSIDE SUPPORT!!
Team Vehicles or Family/Friends are not allowed in the Checkpoint area.
PLEASE DO NOT try to drive to the checkpoint area. This extra traffic is extremely dangerous to all of our riders.
Each of our courses will have required checkpoints.
150 Mile Course
Two Checkpoints
Between Mile 50-60
Between Mile 100-110
75 Mile Course
One Checkpoint
Around Mile 40
35 Course
One Checkpoint
Around Mile 15
REQUIRED: Each rider must at least enter the checkpoint area and cross the timing mat. You are not required to stop for water or food.
Provided Checkpoint Amenities
Water
Drink Mix
Basic Nutrition
Fruit
Energy Bars Provide by Gu Energy, Salt Stick, and Bonk Breaker
Soda
Chips
Jerky provided by Piedmontese Beef
Beef Hotdogs provided by Piedmontese Beef
PortaPotty
Basic Mechanical Support
Limited Supply of Bike Components
On-Site Bike Mechanics by Goodlife Cyclery
Oases (Optional)
There will be at least one Optional Oasis on each course.
Riders are not required to stop at the Oases. These are usually a group of cyclists who’ve donated their time and will have water and snacks available. Be sure to say hi as you go by.
Small Town Convenience Stores (Optional)
As is tradition for Lauf Gravel Worlds, our courses will go through some of our favorite small towns on course. These towns will have convenient stores that any rider can stop and purchase traditional gas station/convenience store food/drink.
Many of these small towns will also have groups like Boy Scouts or local high school teams there with snacks to help raise money for their organizations. BRING CASH! Lauf Gravel Worlds riders have helped build a new baseball field in Malcolm, sent boy scouts on trips, and helped many more over the years. Please stop and support these causes by buying a snack and drink.
SUMMARY
If you think you need it, bring it with you at the start.
Time Limit
Time limits are in place for participants safety. With the possibility of extreme heat and/or adverse weather conditions, it is unsafe for riders or runners out in the elements to experience complete exhaustion.
BIKE
We have a 9.5 mph average time cap for our checkpoints and finish lines. Official finish timing will cut off at 15.5 hours (10pm for 150 mile and 11pm for 300 mile). Finish line support will be around for a couple of hours post cut off, but will not be fully staffed after cutoff.
Checkpoints will have the same 9.5 mph cut-off limit. Checkpoints will be around mile 60 and 110 for the 150 event. Clean up of the checkpoint will start around hour 12.
RUN
Time cut off will be 4.5 hours (17-minute mile pace). The race will start at 6:30am. Race finish cut off will be 12:00pm. Halfway Checkpoint closes 10am.
Para Categories
Gravel Worlds does have Para Categories in all the competitive distances. The champions of the 150 Gravel Worlds course receive a world champion jersey and sword trophy and is listed as a “Captain of the Gravel Seas”.
Equipment
What Tires Should I Use?
Panaracer Gravel Kings are the go-to tire for the Lauf Gravel Worlds Crew. Each one of us on the crew has thousands of miles ridden on Panaracer Gravel Kings and we’re thankful their sponsorship has allowed us to continue to use those tires.
We recommend tires with a width of 35 or larger. 40+mm width is a very common width to local riders.
Our gravel generally rolls pretty fast, so Panaracer Gravel King X1, SS, or SK models will work great! The new Panaracer Gravel King X1 is the best all-round tire for most situations.
Our team rides Gravel King X1 year round for summer or winter conditions.
Are E-Bikes/Mechanical Assist Allowed?
E-Bikes or Mechanical Assist is only allowed in the GW50k and Para Categories. E-Bikes are not allowed in the GW75, GW150, or GW300.
Are Aero Bars Allowed?
Aero Bars are allowed, but CAN NOT be used when riding in a group. For the safety of all riders, if you are riding in a group you must have hands on the handlebars at all times.
Are Shoes Required (RUN)?
Never thought we’d have to answer this, but YES!! Shoes are required for our running events. Our gravel can be very sharp and in addition to potential trash/debris it would be too dangerous to run without shoes.
Is there a place to rent a bike?
There isn’t a shop/store locally that rents gravel bikes. There are bike sharing apps that allow you to rent bikes, but we haven’t tested these on the reliability to use for our event. Use at your own risk.
Goodlife Cyclery does have services that allow you to ship your bike directly to the shop and they will assemble it for you for $100 each way. Contact them to set up shipping and set-up.
What is Our Gravel Like?
Overall our gravel is a mix of limestone and pea gravel mix. The soil base is generally very sandy so our gravel roads generally dry very quickly compared to other areas with a clay base. We’ve had a couple Lauf Gravel Worlds years where it rained pretty heavy the few days before the race and the course was completely dry by race day.
(In order of commonality)
Hard Packed Gravel
Most Gravel on course will be fast, hard-packed limestone gravel. When dry, the well-packed gravel of the car tracks can roll almost as fast as concrete. When wet, will generally still roll fairly fast, but if wet for extended periods of time can become soft and be the softness of a wet rails-to-trail path. Gravel size is usually smaller than large marble in size.
Pea Gravel
Ranging from just slightly covered to 3-4” deep. The pea gravel roads can be the ultimate speed sucker if you don’t stay in the normal driving rut or go too far to the side of the road. Most pea gravel roads will still roll fast with a hard base but can be very deep in places. These roads are often the most altering and can very quickly change in condition. Pea gravel is usually smaller than marble size.
Fresh Limestone/White Rock
Any road repairs or newer roads will be covered with new thick Limestone/White Rock. This rock will often be harder to ride at speed and likely won’t have any paths worn in from cars. White rock can range from marble size to the size of your fist. This is also the most likely location for any punctures as the rock can be sharp.
Dirt/Mud “MMR”
“Minimum Maintenance Roads” or “MMRs” will be announced with a yellow signs that say “Gravel Ends”, “Dirt Road”, or “Minimum Maintenance Road”. These roads are generally 100% dirt with no gravel/rock on top.
When dry, these roads can be hard-packed and roll like concrete. If it’s been dry and hot for extended periods these roads can be almost powder dirt. Be sure to be cautious of vehicle or equipment ruts that may have been left from the last time the road was wet.
However, when wet these roads will be brutal and unrideable with a very thick and heavy peanut butter consistency.. Mud will instantly accumulate and bog up any amount of tire clearance if you attempt to ride.
Travel
Where Can I Stay?
We have discounted rooms at hotels in Lincoln. Please go to our WHERE TO STAY page for links to hotels.
If you’re looking for an Air BnB, look on the northeast side of Lincoln. This will have the easiest access to the start/finish area.
Camping?
Our new venue offers on-site camping starting at just $25 a night! With full electrical and water hook-ups, as well as indoor bathrooms and showers (from 6am-10pm) the convenience can’t be beat! OH! And did we mention the finish line runs right through the campground?
Book your camping spot here:
Where Do I Park?
Welcome Party Parking
Our Wednesday night Welcome Party will be held at Bierhaus Maisschaler in the Haymarket District of downtown Lincoln! There is plenty of on street parking as well as garages with one hour free offers.
Event Week Parking
We have fully on-site parking at our venue: Sandhills Global Event Center. Follow the signs for parking information.
Registration Refunds, Deferrals, Transfers, or Distance Changes?
There are no refunds or deferrals available for race registrations.
If you purchased registration insurance through BikeReg and need a refund for medical or travel issues, you should qualify for a refund. Please reach out to BikeReg.com for registration insurance information.
Transfers are allowed through your BikeReg account. If you find a rider to transfer your registration to, you can transfer your registration by going to Your Events in your BikeReg page and click transfer.
Changing Distance/Category is allowed when transfers are allowed. Simply log into your BikeReg account and click “Edit/Transfer” then click “Change Category”.
All Registration including Transfers, Distance Changes, and Category changes will be locking on August 1st.
Where should I ride if I’m coming to town throughout the year?
If you’re coming to town throughout the year and want to enjoy our gravel, check out our history page. We have every Gravel Worlds route listed there for you to download.
Click Here To See Every Gravel Worlds Route
If you don’t want to ride alone, feel free to message us and we’ll try to join you or get some friends to join. Turns out we like riding gravel all year too!
