Gravel Bike Racing joining the Pikes Peak APEX

COLORADO SPRINGS — Gravel bike racing is a new addition to the Pikes Peak APEX off-road bicycle race series.

“It's sort of a mix between road, pure road and mountain bike,” said APEX Racer, Oliver Rutberg.

“Gravel cycling. Is the new big jam,” said APEX Course Director, Daniel Matheny
Course Director.

A gravel bike has drop handlebars like a road bike and then more rugged tires and suspension similar to a mountain bike.

Rutberg who is from Colorado Springs and just graduated high school has gotten noticed in the ranks of mountain bike racing.

He was recently selected to join cycling’s Pas Development Team.

He said his squad is, “more focusing on gravel.”

At this year’s first ever gravel race Rutberg will be among the pro racers going the135 miles from Colorado Springs, through the mountains to Victor, then Canon City and back.

“Some gnarly mountain bike technical skills and some fast roads out in Canon City,” said Rutberg, “So you have a mix of road, mountain bike, cyclo-cross, all sorts of these different events.”

His prep for the off-road racing season started last fall.

He is currently cranking as much as 350 miles a week.

Rutberg said, “There are some really, really big names that are in Colorado Springs. And it just elevates the whole game. You train with people that are faster than you, and it pushes you to a whole new level. And everybody grows together.

To some the gravel race may seem daunting.

Rutberg looks forward to the fun and challenge.

“I absolutely love banging bars and going shoulder to shoulder with all these guys. And it's my whole life at this point.”

Click here for more information about the Pikes Peak APEX.___

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