Can Simon Survive A True US Gravel Race? | Racing the Steamboat Epic

Can Si survive a proper gravel race? The Steamboat gravel race in Colorado is a true American gravel race, with a mixture of professional and amateur riders tackling the challenging high altitude route together.
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Leave us a comment below!

[@jgedeonjr]

My wife and I volunteered at aid station 5 shorty after mile 115 (185 km). Si came through high on his bonk-o-meter but took a minute to converse with me, a fan who was star struck. Si was cheerful and genuine though he was deep in the race. It's great to know your hero's are great person's in real life off the camera! Si, to clarify, my wife and I watch the GCN network each night before bed, not that you put us to sleep. Glad you and GCN came to the race!

[@robbchastain3036]

Aid Station Volunteers are the best, thanks for being there and helping Si, beautiful. And it is great to hear that he is a friendly chap in real life. And I sort of expected that.

[@object_VS]

Aaaaaaawn ♡♡♡

[@sumikomei]

awwh that's so awesome~ ^^

[@soloist777]

Si's from Bristol. Cool people are from Bristol.

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Thats cool! I'm not surprised you had a good experience with Si...he seems like a great guy.

[@narutoqweavatar]

I really loved the documentary style of film making by having Si talk about the race after the fact. Please do more of that b/c it makes the race seem dramatic and cooler!

[@RobertoRodriguez-vq3bw]

This is one of the best videos GCN has made. Productions quality was amazing and it has a great rhythm to it. Also, really impressed that Si finished in 59th place!

[@ClockCutter]

Did you see last year's vid on Dirty Kanza with . . . I believe Katherine/Catherine is her name. Even better, imo.

[@BoxCarBoy12]

Yeah, pros are still ridiculously fast even after retirement. They are still faster than at least 95% of the cycling population.

[@erichaheidrich4593]

True

[@johne7100]

Gravel probably *is* the future - of UK roads.

[@1eule392]

Same in Germany - started with 28mm road tires, but need to change for gravel tires... Suits better the road conditions.

[@sergeykeso8178]

John E ahahah guys. For Russia it’s should be fat bike )?

[@fmc6338]

same here in states. Crumbling infrastructure.

[@HumaneNewt]

@@1eule392 Germany has the best roads I've ever seen and ive been all over Europe. Come to Ireland and you'll see what bad are really like!

[@wernervandermerwe8422]

loool you should see South African roads then xD

[@monzadh]

Only Si can have a catastrophic Bonk and still come in 59 out of 1000....

[@KandiKlover]

Doing over 100 miles in a day on mostly roads is already pretty taxing. Doing that over gravel roads and with lots of mountain climbing all throughout is insane especially in under 10 hours like that. Guy is a beast. That would be enough to even bonk out Mark Beaumont. (the endurance one not the GMBN one)

[@mantaskatkus4733]

@@KandiKlover He definitely portrayed it as though he was being dropped left and right, and yet he came in 59th. That's an amazing effort by him. :)

[@S.Frankl]

It was a beautiful day of racing in my home state. Glad to see Si on the course...passing me swiftly in the last 5 miles! And I was only on the 100 mile route!

[@tallulahbeaverhausen4382]

The Siborg can survive anything - as long as it doesn't take place on a dance floor. ;) Joke aside, amazing ride, great presentation as usual and a big thumb up to the filming and editing crew !

[@ericleonard5543]

It was a great one I must confirm and fun to watch with pleasure

[@ronbyers9912]

The way gravel grinding has taken off in the United States is amazing. From the weekend rides in the country to the big races more and more people are rediscovering the joy they found in cycling as kids. Am I the only one who has noticed the similarity between the early road races in Europe and North American gravel grinding. Back then the roads were bad, the stages were long, support vehicles were unknown and it was every rider for him or herself. That is where we are with gravel grinding. I just wish adventure riding had taken off when I was young 50 years ago.

[@stranGer.bizarre]

Fully agree. I recently discovered cycling again ;-) Also doing some gravel riding for fun, for my own pleasure.

[@KandiKlover]

Adventure riding doesn't need to take off because it has always been, just known more commonly as bicycle touring and has always been there with a decent population for the past 100 years. You missed out man.

[@paulgreen758]

me to mate, looking for some rides in the UK, and im a old man the now

[@rogerc23]

The lungs need the dust and dirt. It is actually a anti-anxiety drug to the body and mind.

[@petermead4992]

Outstanding effort, Si. To finish 59th out of 1500 is an excellent achievement.

[@apzeoifjpazeough]

Kinda amazing you find content like this for free on the web. Great stuff.

[@mynineridesshotgun]

As a huge fan of Zabel growing up, it was really amazing to see him pop up in this video.

[@xandar9884]

Great positive suprise to see him on this vid! Good on him!

[@53glowe]

Eric Zabel...old school, eating Mars & Snickers. How do you breathe eating a Mars bar on a bike 😬 Now that's a skill 🤔

[@philipk4475]

The biggest issue is that they start to melt. Now that's a mess!

[@FlatSpinMan]

A Mars bar I can do, but anything cake like instantly sucks every molecule of liquid out of my mouth causing me to choke and snort it up the inside of my nose.

[@otm646]

@@philipk4475 starting with them frozen is a great treat on a ride.

[@tonyfranklin8306]

Nah, proper old school is home made flapjack, wine gums, home made sausage rolls, banana and drinks made from orange juice, honey and salt. these are superior to the crap in marathon/mars and chemical crap in gels and so called isotonic drinks. Cyclists have been doing long distance cycling on this stuff for a very long time.

[@stangordon2136]

@@tonyfranklin8306 Don't forget the classic jam sandwich

[@vancelopez9787]

"Switching between Ks and Miles gives you more milestones..." I think I'll use this on the next long ride! Great soundtrack on this one. All around well done!

[@JustOneRedSoloCup]

I absolutely loved this video. The editing, the framing, the content - not to mention Si is a natural in front of the camera in the midst of a gravel race. GCN certainly did Steamboat Springs (and Canyon) a solid.

[@PumpkinVillage]

This has to be one of my favorite videos so far on GCN . Epic coverage of the race and Si''s commentary was outstanding. That pickle face was spot on. Take care and safe cycling, Al

[@kevindelehanty7402]

Thank you for doing this, Si! Well done, mate! I'm trying my first gravel race this spring. Looking forward to it.

[@DimoDimov1]

I just love listening to Simon. Such a great voice and such good vibes. He's the kinda guy you'd trust your children with if you need to leave the room for a bit :D

[@adamgriss2025]

Keep the presenter challenges/races coming! Brilliant video and I can't wait to watch more similar videos. Chapeau, GCN and especially to Simon for having the humility to give the experience a try.. and eventually accomplishing such an arduous and apparently enjoyable event.

[@DAlexKablack]

Just the kind of thing i wanted to watch before an early morning ride

[@LaughingSaint66]

D. Alex Kablack me too except it’s now afternoon 🤷🏼‍♂️😩

[@SIvers-or2ke]

Awesome, Si. Awesome and humble. Your a champion on many levels mate. Loved it.

[@markflolid5930]

Si, hope to see you riding the 2021 race. I've watched this video several times and love your commentary.

[@gcn]

Thanks Mark!

[@davidhale8034]

Erik Zabel - Legend!! Also, love this video.

[@TheTubalicious]

Erik: Mars, Snickers and Bananas - He is just adorbs!

[@cgrisetti87]

I loved the vulture / eagle confusion! Put a big smile on my face.

[@FlatSpinMan]

Great to see. Looks like a beautiful area ride in. Si’s honesty was hilarious. Love this kind of content. This vid is the first one that made me even a bit interested in gravel riding.

[@linusowens2858]

Big props to you Si. I finished close behind in 396th and 4+ hours back. You weren't the only one getting emotional. I could've use a pickle myself.

[@monty2078]

I think your best presentation yet. So honest, insightful and well done

[@stevesnailfish]

Eric Zabel.....Nice one.....Great video...Si, you are a star......off-road, I love it as I ride MTB, gravel and CX bikes most of the time.....way to go.

[@owenhunt]

I've just completed a 130+ mile round trip to Shrewsbury today, with some extra bosh from not knowing every turn like a vehicular salesman, I ended up getting a bit lost nearer home.. somehow. Absolutely exhilarating to watch this as I unwind for bed. Really please for you Si. Keep up the great content.

[@choochoo2246]

Wow. Great ride, Si. 59th place. Huge. Do more of these videos. Maybe have Emma do a gravel ride!

[@reinout1139]

This has to be, of all the GCN videos, my favorite one that I've watched. I was able to sit all the way through.

[@benstanden8784]

When you think the bank holiday weekend can't get any better.... GCN release this. EPIC!!!

[@phwhitefly]

I'm glad you were able to experience the highs and lows that one goes through during these ultra endurance events. You never now what you are capable of doing until you give it a try. Making new friends along the way, going into that dark place where you just want to climb off and quit and finally feeling the thrill of crossing the line. So many emotions felt in a one day event. Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@fender10g]

The formatting / directing / editing of this is on point! Editing really makes the difference between just any old go pro run of a trail and an actual documentary. Please, keep doing this! It's EPIC!

[@hjshoon5244]

👏on the achievement. The weather and terrain is a super challenge mentally and physically

[@kevinschrimmer1671]

Really enjoyed this video! I just got back from Steamboat two weeks before the big race and I cannot wait to return. This video certainly captures the spirit of the town and the beautiful mountains that surround it. I must say that Simon didn't seem all that gassed at the conclusion!

[@jimmalone5851]

Good Job Simon ! 59th is very impressive in such a start studded field. Good Job GCN !

[@theoriginaltylerdurden]

Great work Si. Glad you got the chance to do this ride.

[@jerrygundecker743]

"Stick a fork in me, I'm done." "...Crisps, potato chips, I think they're called..." Hilarious. I love it.

[@susiemendoza7020]

Fppfchannel

[@stevechant3782]

GCN! Your videos are just getting better and better!

[@timwilliams3919]

Gravel is the future for California, because we don't fix roads anymore!! Awesome video, I love Steamboat, wish I could have helped you with the wildlife, but I would still be riding...who and why would anyone give this a thumbs down?

[@aggiesjc]

Makes me wonder where our gas tax is going. Roads are so bad in CA.

[@thakoharris]

I saw you there Si! But wasn’t sure it was you. So seemingly out of context. LOL. Loved the event as well. Will we be seeing more GCN at Gravel races?

[@53glowe]

Super episode by Si and the GCN production team. Despite his suffering, his sense of humour is a treat. Most enjoyable watch indeed. Chapeau 🚵👍

[@chrisscott8362]

Si - good comments about eating. You should get with the GTN crew and come up with a custom fueling plan for a long effort such as this. You do have a high carb burn. Being around Iron man folks, they get into some scientific fueling strategies that I'm sure the general GCN crowd would enjoy learning about.

[@hellergang]

Love seeing you cycling in NA. We've got spring and summers full of rides of every sort. Gravel, road, endurance, climbing at altitude, multi-day, cross state - California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington. Come and do more rides!

[@jackiegammon2065]

Incredible video and one that leads to "I want more of these!" Great info, nice riding along and thanks to GCN for going along and thanks Si for sharing your fun and pain during the race!!

[@ralph1269]

59th is hella good! You made it seem like finished 300th. Congrats and hope to see you stateside doing more of these.

[@fancifulrat]

Great stuff , you managed to make gravel interesting . I didn't think that was possible .

[@ralph1269]

LOL...I can't believe I watched all 20 minutes.

[@kenkretz6392]

Well done. Nice to see Eric Zable.

[@iBike2Live]

Spec-tac-u-lar! Filled me (M59) with high hopes of completing such an event (and vivid dreams of recollections from my yester-years)! Just outstanding, funny, insightful, emotional and - for me - heart-wrenching. Thank you for all that you do for people like me all around the world.

[@TheWessexmusic]

Excellent vid. Simon the demons that creep up on most of us who do lengthy tough rides were there for all to see. Thanks.

[@richfi9576]

another superb video production from GCN. Massive kudos to Si. 59th is pretty good going when you're up against a bunch of pros who have trained specifically for the event. And bonus points for black bear bingo!

[@douglaspate9314]

Are the GCN videos now to be regarded as art? This is AWESOME!

[@Normally_aspirated]

This is some of the best content on the platform

[@greengonzonz]

Si, you are "the man"! We really felt like we were there with you. 💙

[@paulbigbee]

Si is always a delight and the editing is masterful. I find myself coming to GCN now more for this content (e.g. Iceland bikepacking) than for the professional racing coverage, so please keep it up!

[@luisvega903]

The year is 2020, GCN films on an 8k camera and only graces us with a 1080 end result, Cmon GCN we want 4K!!!

[@johnnewman5662]

Great video. Steamboat really is "Biketown USA" Road, Mountain, Gravel. It's all terrific.

[@sudduthjonathan]

Congrats Si! So fun to see you ride in my state and see (I think) some familiar faces (or at least jerseys) from the local racing scene. The more I watch these gravel events, the more I want to do them. I raced the Boulder Roubaix (~ 50/50 pavement/gravel) this year and it was of my favorite events so far. I might have to try Steamboat next year if I can borrow or buy a gravel bike. Speaking of, yes, Steamboat is an awesome place. And I’m glad that you got to experience a true Colorado altitude bonk. I too yelled at the Rocky Mountains and the wind during a race earlier this year. I was definitely “cross”!

[@therealcaldini]

Great story telling Si. Loved that video. It’s made me want to sign up for another big ride event.

[@GQ08]

Like the format of this video! Having Si sit down and comment on the footage was 👍🏻

[@piershammond7164]

Honestly the cinematography and video direction has gotten amazing ! It’s like the grand tour but bicycles

[@TechNCyclingNerd]

US cyclist: "I'm a big fan of the fanny pack while I'm training". Si: ...

[@squiresuzuki]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnXWl62Ajax0pZo

[@prime8nate]

Si: "Thankfully the pickle has given me a little bit extra" US viewers:

[@robertbotta6536]

Simon, you are absolutely awesome. Great athlete, great sense of humor, great entertainer. Thanks buddy.

[@workingguy6666]

I'm back to watch this a second time. Si, when are you coming back over?

[@bunkerman99]

Cmon Si you made it sound like you were suffering but in fact buddy you were smoking fast for that ride. Great Job. Cheers

[@KevinFoulds]

Yup. Love gravel riding. Not much of it in the UK but in Switzerland its a dream. Great video. Let's hope for many more...

[@jeffheck5559]

Having a cold beer after a hot ride watching Si suffer on GCN. Perfect Sunday afternoon. GCN has really hit its stride, keep em coming !

[@harrisr.7979]

Excellent presentation! Kudos to Si, GCN and Steamboat Springs! Good suffering Colorado style!

[@thatracecameraguy]

More videos like this please

[@jonpoon3896]

Love the interview style of this one. Done well to show Si as a racer rather than a presenter

[@razzwilmz7970]

Fun to watch. Si glad you made it from start to finish. Llama bonus points are legit....and thanks to all the production crew at GCN.....well done.👏🍻✌👍

[@alexgrytsenko85]

Well done Si! Amazing job. Usually when I ride this type of race, I don't want to breath. You were riding, talking, vlogging. Amazing))) Cheers!

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

Laughing my butt off at your wildlife bingo, Si. Good way to distract yourself from that competitive streak. Pickles aren't for fuel so much as electrolytes and salt. Great show, and I loved the candid look.

[@doitpulis]

Love it, the VLOG shows him on his arse, on the edge, depleted of energy ....finishes 59th from 1500 haha. Your 'red line' and mine are in very different places ha!

[@lukerichert6809]

Really good quality. Liked the different strategy of just chatting to Si and then showing footage.

[@aarondavis7391]

It was fantastic to see you racing in N America! Colorado is some beautiful country to see much less ride. I'm 2 months back in the saddle and just did a 50 mile ride on Thursday. I am going to try for my first 62.137 mile (100km) ride Tuesday on my old Trek 4300. One day I hope to get myself a road or gravel bike to hit those higher speeds. Keep making the awesome videos. Watching GCN inspired me to start riding again. Thanks!

[@j...bro.]

To do this and be focused enough for the viewers. What talent.

[@stppearson825]

I’m from Colorado and just went to Steamboat for the first time this summer. It’s beautiful there. As far as wildlife goes, some of the animals on your list are rare to see at least in my experience. I have lived in Colorado for 52 years and have never seen a black bear. My brother has seen them multiple times. I have seen cougars twice, however. Cougars are more difficult to see because they really don’t like to be seen, and it is definitely better to see them first because they will ambush and kill people on occasion (including bicycle riders). Prairie dogs are pretty common. Deer and elk are pretty common, though elk can be the more difficult to see because they run away from people right away. Moose were reintroduced to Colorado back in the 80’s and are becoming more common. Pronghorn antelope (technically they aren’t really antelope, but that’s what we call them for some reason kind of like we call bison buffalo though they aren’t technically buffalo) can be common depending on the part of the state you are in, but are more common in Wyoming. I would suggest hiking as opposed to riding a bicycle if you really want to see wildlife. Steamboat had some good hiking right in town. If you get a chance, go to Boulder it’s the true cycling capital of Colorado, it’s easily as beautiful and has better food than Steamboat in my opinion. There’s also some good hiking there as well, but it is a lot more crowded than Steamboat.

[@polsifter]

Niiice! The editing in the last year has just got better and better! This one is great and the humbleness & honesty of Si is a joy to watch. Keep it up guys, you are rocking and a rolling... 🤙👏🙌

[@JOSH2625]

Si is always so chipper love his demeanor.

[@user-fk6id7qs6r]

loved how you guys did this video, watched it for the second time, such a fun time!

[@props651]

Great video, Si. I thoroughly enjoyed that. Glad I found the GCN as I recently started cycling. Great tips, information and most of all, some very good inspiration. Thanks, Si and GCN!

[@jonjoseph6401]

I’d like to see a GCN video discussing techniques for descending in thicker gravel and cornering in thicker gravel. Thanks!

[@DerdOn0ner]

Hell yeah, positively surprised to see the legend Erik Zabel

[@PissFingers69]

God I love Erik Zabel, such a cool dude. Remember watching the TDF with my dad around 2000 when he was riding for Telekom. Good times

[@Pratalax]

10:00 Didn't know Shane Miller was a fan of gravel racing!

[@j...bro.]

He likes the lamas. 😂 only reason He was here.🤣

[@craigpaterson5085]

some say he was searching for the perfect shimano crank arm-power meter !

[@chrisscott8362]

I said "hey Llama How bout a little something for the effort!"

[@kathyerickson9402]

That was great! A big shout out to Si for taking on gravel and sharing both his high points and low points! And a BIG shout out to SBT GRVL for a race that included everyone at the start...fantastic! (As for pickles...you're welcome!)

[@LanterneRougeCycling]

This is one of the best videos you have ever made, can you please make more of these mini docos when lockdown is over

[@gcn]

Cheers! We hope to make many more like this, and some other fantastic documentaries too. Big plans :)

[@sabergo1]

This was really cool to see. Great presentation and really motivational for Gravel.

[@robinseibel7540]

Does this mean that Si's going to join Katherine for the 2020 Dirty Kanza? Or maybe Si can catch the Belgian Waffle Ride or the Crusher in the Tushar?

[@PazLeBon]

yeah or the pedal for paella, grow up man joke

[@jasonjayalap]

Bagel Bonkfest

[@teuast]

well this aged poorly

[@ColoradoClassic]

Great to see you guys enjoying Colorado!

[@itsallspent]

Thanks Si! I really miss Colorado!

[@AussieInJapan]

Fantastic stuff! 220km is a heck of a ride and great to see GCN showing some of the alternative riding and wish we had roads like that in Japan. I can’t wait to do my first Grinduro in October, hope you could cover a Grinduro in a video.

[@BruceChastain]

Not much Gravel in Japan? I did some riding there once, but I don't really remember seeing any graval roads.

[@AussieInJapan]

@hackandridebikes there’s some riverside and some fire road gravel but the fire roads tend to be on steep hills and mountains. Maybe in the countryside.

[@michaelmorris739]

Excellent work Si, glad you were able to touch ground in my home state. Awesome watching. Come back again and maybe we could swing a single speed gravel ride, eh?

[@aglees2b]

I think this is one of your best commentaries. Creased me up several times. Chapeau! Oh, and stunning ride. Well jel.

[@gcn]

Thanks Andrew

[@asheratkinson3265]

Come back with GMBN for a few days and profile the Steamboat area. Steamboat is arguably the best town in the US for road, gravel and trail riding. Thanks for providing a taste in this nice video.

[@Moving_Chicane]

Fantastic! Also really quality video!!! thanks and congrats!

[@ianstewart8301]

First, awesome job Si! What a great race. Second, kudos to the production team. Your videos have come so far! This was so enjoyable to watch.

[@Mantis858585]

3:37 a peak at Jeremiah Bishop. That dudes a legend.