2018 Gravel Worlds
Heat, Hills & Redemption
Gravel Worlds 2018 Results and Photos
Independent Links and Videos
By 2018, Gravel Worlds had cemented itself as one of the monument endurance gravel events in the country. With over 600 riders rolling out from Lincoln, Nebraska, the race showcased everything the sport had become known for—grit, camaraderie, and just the right amount of chaos.
Dawn, Dust & the Course Unfolds
Race morning was thick with humidity as riders gathered under the dim glow of headlights and taillights. The first miles out of Fallbrook quickly separated the pack into small groups and solo efforts. The course—a 150-mile clockwise loop—was a relentless series of rolling gravel hills that added up to around 87 climbs. Each one short, but together they became a formidable test.
The gravel was mostly firm and fast, though the occasional deep, loose stretch demanded steady nerves and careful handling. Riders navigated using cue sheets or GPS, always mindful that a missed turn could cost precious miles and morale.
The Turnaround: Flat, Fight & Finish
For the pros, 2018 brought drama. Colin Strickland, after suffering an early flat, clawed his way back through the field to take victory—an impressive show of resilience. Alison Tetrick, already a household name in gravel, rode a tactically brilliant race to defend her women’s title on her S-Works Diverge.
Temperatures climbed through the 80s, pushing hydration and nutrition to the forefront. Riders leaned on each other for moral support, ice water, and shared suffering as the sun baked Nebraska’s rolling roads.
The Course: 150 Miles of Nebraska Gravel
The 2018 route was a 150-mile loop through the heart of Nebraska’s gravel country, winding past rolling farmland, wind-swept ridges, and small rural towns like Malcolm, Garland, and Hallam. The course was often described as “deceptively tough.” There were no towering mountain passes, but there were over 100 hills that relentlessly stacked fatigue with every climb.
The gravel itself ranged from smooth, hardpack to loose, chunky stretches that punished the unwary. Riders constantly adjusted tire pressure, cadence, and focus as conditions changed. Long straightaways gave riders a false sense of relief before another set of rolling climbs appeared over the horizon.
For many, the most striking feature wasn’t just the terrain—it was the view. Endless prairie skies, golden fields, and a ribbon of white gravel stretching endlessly ahead captured what made Gravel Worlds unique: a test of both endurance and appreciation for the quiet beauty of Nebraska.
The Everyday Rider’s Gravel Worlds
While champions crossed the line in under ten hours, the heart of Gravel Worlds 2018 beat strongest among the riders still grinding it out long after. For most, the race wasn’t about podiums—it was about finishing what they started.
From first-time gravel racers to seasoned endurance junkies, everyone had their own story. Some battled flats or cramps, others fought through waves of self-doubt somewhere around mile 120. Aid stations—often at small-town stores and community stops—became havens of laughter, shared gels, and much-needed encouragement.
Many riders talked about the beauty of Nebraska’s gravel: the way the horizon stretches endlessly, the wind that feels like an adversary one moment and an ally the next, and the small but powerful cheers from volunteers at checkpoints. For them, Gravel Worlds wasn’t a race—it was a journey through grit and gratitude.
Even for those who didn’t make the finish line before cutoff, the experience carried weight. As one rider wrote,
“You learn a lot about yourself somewhere between Garland and Hickman. You realize this isn’t just about gravel—it’s about heart.”
Results & Recognition
Open Men: Colin Strickland
Open Women: Alison Tetrick
Masters Men: Joel Brazil
Masters Women: Tina Severson
Single Speed Men: Joe Kleidosty
Single Speed Women: Desiree White
Fatbike Men: Scott Sumpter
Fatbike Women: Kristin Luebke
Tandem: Josh Schrock & Don Daly
The Legacy of 2018
Gravel Worlds 2018 reminded everyone—from the pros to the party-pacers—why this event had become so special. It wasn’t just about the racing; it was about the collective experience of pushing beyond comfort, surrounded by others doing the same. The finish line hugs, dusty smiles, and stories swapped over post-race beers were proof that the Gravel Family spirit was stronger than ever.
