Race guide · Rocky Mountains, Colorado
SBT GRVL: Training Guide
Fast, smooth Colorado gravel — at altitude, for a very long day.
SBT GRVL is run on the smooth, rolling ranch gravel around Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Unlike the tire-shredding chunk of some gravel races, the surface here is fast — which means the difficulty is less about survival and more about holding a strong, steady effort over a long day, often in a group.
The catch is the elevation. Steamboat sits well above 6,000 feet and the course climbs from there, so every effort costs more than it would at sea level. Multiple route lengths let riders pick their day, but each is a real endurance test at altitude.
What makes it hard
- Altitude. The whole course plays out at elevation; if you live near sea level, your sustainable power will be lower and recovery from each surge slower. This is the defining factor.
- Sustained pace. Because the gravel is smooth and fast, the race rarely lets up — it rewards a high, steady aerobic effort rather than punchy bursts, and groups push the pace.
- Duration. The long route is a many-hour day; durability late, not peak power early, decides your finish.
- Sun and exposure. High-altitude August sun and long open stretches make hydration and pacing their own challenge.
What the day actually demands
SBT GRVL is a sustained aerobic day. The smooth surface means your result tracks closely with the steady power you can hold for hours — there is little technical terrain to hide a fitness gap. Train your sustainable, all-day effort.
Riding in groups matters here more than at rougher races: smart drafting on the fast sections saves real energy. But the limiter for most riders is simply holding tempo at altitude without going into the red on the climbs early.
How to build toward it
Plan on 12 to 20 weeks. Build aerobic volume with long rides, then layer in tempo and sweet-spot work to raise the steady power you can sustain — that is the engine this race tests.
If you live at low elevation, do what you can to prepare for altitude: arrive several days early if your schedule allows, hydrate aggressively, and accept that your numbers will read lower up high. Pace by feel, not by your sea-level power targets.
Fueling and hydration
Aim to practice 60–90 grams of carbohydrate per hour on long rides well before race day, and rehearse it until your gut is reliable. Altitude and dry mountain air also push fluid and electrolyte needs up — plan your refills around the aid stations and carry enough between them.
Equipment and tires
Because the gravel is relatively smooth, many riders run faster, somewhat narrower tubeless setups than they would at a chunkier race — but always confirm current course conditions and the event’s guidance, since a wet or freshly graded year changes the calculus. Check the official site for the year you are racing.
A sample build
A skeleton, not a prescription — the right plan flexes around your starting fitness, your weeks, and your life. Use it to picture the shape of the work.
Common questions
Is SBT GRVL hard if I live at sea level?
The altitude is the biggest adjustment. Your sustainable power will be lower at Steamboat’s elevation and efforts will feel harder, so pace by feel rather than your home power numbers and, if you can, arrive a few days early to start adapting.
How long does it take to finish SBT GRVL?
It depends heavily on which route you choose and the conditions, but the long course is a many-hour day for most riders. Train for durability over a long, steady effort rather than for a short, hard race.
Course distance, elevation, and dates shift year to year. Always confirm the current year's details on the official event site — SBT GRVL. This guide is general training information, not coaching advice tailored to you.
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