Gravel Grinder News: Gravel Worlds Breaks Down Financial Barriers To Riders – by Guitar Ted
The Pirate Cycling League, promoters of Gravel Worlds, have announced a plan to help break down any financial barriers to a rider that desires to ride in their Gravel Worlds event, slated for August 22nd, 2020 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Gravel Worlds representatives, Corey Godfrey and Craig Schmidt announced the plan via a press release sent out today. In the release, Godfrey is quoted as saying, “We’re always focused on making Gravel Worlds an inclusive event for all,” Godfrey said. “The event was created to allow anyone and everyone an opportunity to ride together and enjoy the beautiful rolling gravel roads on the Great Plains of Nebraska.
Some race, some ride, but we all share the same road. We try to limit barriers to participation and understand a financial barrier may prevent some from joining. If you have a financial barrier to participating in Gravel Worlds, please reach out to us. We want you here and can help.”
Gravel Worlds, which will celebrate its eleventh running in August, features two courses for riders. The full course is 150 miles and the shorter course is 75 miles. Riders participating in the 150 mile event have the chance to win “Gravel Worlds” jerseys in several categories. The event is contested on the long rolling hills of Nebraska’s rural countryside near Lincoln, the capitol city of Nebraska. The event has steadily grown over the years under the watchful eyes of Godfrey and Schmidt who hope to host 1000 riders this time.
“We didn’t charge an entry fee for the first six years of the event and only began to do so when the growth and increasing expenses necessitated it,” Godfrey said. “The current growth of gravel events was built upon less barriers to participation, including entry fees. We understand cycling can be an expensive sport and want to ensure our event doesn’t price someone out of participation.
“If someone can’t truly afford the entry fee, we don’t want money to prevent them from joining us. We’ll evaluate each situation and offer free entries for those that need it. The idea has been supported by numerous members of the gravel tribe including former category winners who have offered to pay for others. That’s true community.”
Godfrey said registration is open and encourage participants to reach out to him via email or social media regarding the event and the free entry application. Learn more or register at BikeReg.com and the event website.
Note: Information for this post was provided by Gravel Worlds
