Four cyclists from Guernsey have recently competed in off-island gravel racing competitions, pushing their interest in the sport to new levels.
Earlier this month, Esther Reid and Steven Palmer competed in ‘Badlands’, a punishing ultra-distance race covering 811 kilometres through the deserts, sierras, and high plateaus of Andalusia, Spain.
Jason Kon and Nathaniel Moseley-Jones received a “hero’s welcome” after they completed the 840km ‘Lost Horizons’ course earlier this summer.
That is one of ultra-endurance cycling’s newest and gruelling events, also in the mountains of Spain.
Mr Palmer said gravel racing has evolved into one of the fastest-growing sectors of cycling worldwide – with increasing interest locally too.
“Perhaps the biggest challenge is psychological rather than physical,” said Mr Palmer.
“Ultra gravel racing requires riders to become comfortable with isolation, fatigue, overnight riding, and problem-solving when things go wrong. Living on an island can mean fewer opportunities to experience the remoteness and self-sufficiency that define many ultra events.
“Nevertheless, we can develop these skills through endurance rides, back-to-back long training days, and carefully planned race simulations. While the island environment creates obstacles, it can also foster resilience and creativity in training, qualities that are often just as important as fitness when tackling the world’s toughest ultra gravel races.”
Badlands
Competing at Badlands, Mr Palmer and Ms Reid “faced days of relentless heat, technical gravel and sand tracks, minimal support, and long stretches of self-sufficiency — the hallmark of true ultra-distance racing,” he said.
Piotr Havik and Danni Shrosbree claimed the men’s and women’s titles respectively, with Shrosbree adding the solo crown to her pairs win from 2024.
The local entrants said they weren’t focused on the podium but about building resilience as they covered the course in just over 108-hours.
“My first ultra-distance event was always going to be a challenge of learning what’s possible and discovering my limits,” said Ms Reid.
“Racing as a pair was certainly the right approach for me, and I think we both benefitted from having someone else to motivate and lead when things got tough.
“I was always able to dig deeper and find more when needed, without a single thought about quitting. We had a plan which would get us to the finish and I’m so proud to have completed it.”
Mr Palmer said: “Badlands probably isn’t the sensible choice for a first ultra-distance event – these races are being raced at gravel race speeds, it’s astonishing to see the winners’ times.
“It’s a huge relief to get to the finish, and in one piece. Safety over speed for this one – venturing into the unknown in your first event is always going to be more about discovery and finding limits.
“All the preparation and planning resulted in a relatively trouble-free race for our equipment, although it may take a while for physical recovery.”
Lost Horizons
Riding as a pair, Mr Kon and Mr Moseley-Jones crossed the finish line after covering 840 kilometres in 76 hours, when they took on the Lost Horizons challenge in July.
This secured them first place in the pairs category and sixth and seventh place overall against a field of solo and pairs riders from across the world.
Considered to be one of the toughest ultra-endurance challenges on the cycling calendar, taking on remote roads, punishing climbs, and unpredictable terrain across Spain, competitors have to be entirely self sufficient while on the course battling fatigue and sleep deprivation while navigating the demanding conditions over several days and nights in the saddle.
“We are at least still talking to each other!” said Mr Moseley-Jones.
“Day one was full of excitement and relief to finally be racing the event we spent so long training for. Day two became more focused and less chatty as we dug deep and settled into our rhythym.”
Competing in his first ultra-distance event, Mr Kon said: “It’s really hard to put into words just how tough this race was. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. There are moments when you’re exhausted and everything in you is telling you to stop, but somehow you find a way to keep moving . Finishing made me realise that I’m capable of far more than I think.”
Guernsey businesses CycleWorld and Optimise.gg supported both pairs of entrants.
Mr Palmer thanked both.
“I’m extremely proud of the achievements of our team this year, taking on two of the toughest ultra cycling events just shows what’s possible, even with the limited terrain we have on our doorstep. It’s a sign of where cycling is heading as more and more riders seek out new challenges not just in the UK but across the world. I’d like to thank our sponsors CycleWorld & Optimise.gg, our friends and families, we couldn’t do these things without their support.”
