I had very measured expectations for Spinistry’s 24-hour gravel race last weekend. It wasn’t a race that I had totally rested up for since I went out the Tuesday before and rode my guts out with the A group in Waco, getting my tookus handed to me in the process. It turns out there is a reason why this appears to be the only 24-hour gravel race we know of. 24-hour races on smooth roads are challenging enough, so you want to run one on gravel? Brutal. I figured I’d put in a good effort but give myself permission to stop short of really turning myself wrongside out, since I’ll be able to go do a big, as yet undermined bikepacking trip in about three weeks and I want to be well recovered for that. I checked the weather and drove up to the 4R Winery near Muenster (north of Dallas) and set up my old tent in the drizzling rain. After walking around and greeting old friends, making new ones, and prepping my gear for the next morning’s 9 a.m. start, I dragged my lawn chair over to a group of ...