Gravel & Giving

G&G currently available in Sarasota FL, Lincoln NE, Cheltenham UK, Bentonville AR, & Colorado. To launch this program in your community visit the “Join The Movement” page & apply to become a certified AFA coach to learn more.

Gravel & Giving is a biking program that prepares adventure athletes & their parent(s)/guardian(s) for their first-ever gravel bike race of 20+ miles. During the 4-8 months of intensive training, they learn what it takes to commit, persist, & ride with intention. Athletes who continue through the program progress to 40+ mile races and eventually 75+ mile races.

For most adventure athlete’s this is their first time feeling that sense of independence & accomplishment as they cross their first finish line. But, it’s not just about the outcome. It’s about developing the mindset of an athlete—learning to push through discomfort, trust the process, & set personal goals that once seemed impossible. Gravel & Giving teaches the value of consistent effort, perseverance, & independence—on & off the bike.

Before tackling long-distance gravel rides, athletes must first master the fundamentals of their drop bar bike. Drop bar bikes require a different riding style & control than flat-bar bikes, making this phase essential for adapting to gravel-specific positioning, braking, & balance techniques. Athletes will learn how to shift on command, maneuver turns with precision, & stabilize on varying terrain, setting the foundation for endurance & technical skill development.

Gravel racing presents unpredictable situations & surfaces, which requires athletes to develop the skills to navigate obstacles, loose gravel, & hills. This phase focuses on layering skills to continue advancing their multi-processing development. This includes shifting while climbing hills, speed control when cornering, & group dynamic awareness to help athletes carry the tools to ride with confidence.

Adventure athletes learn that endurance isn’t built overnight—it’s a process of consistent effort & adaptation. This instills the understanding that self-growth is not a destination, but a life-long pursuit. Through structured training rides that progress in length & intensity they practice cadence (sustained pedaling), hydration & nutrition strategies, along with proper body positioning for extended rides. All key elements for maintaining performance over longer distances.

This phase sharpens technical precision & tactical awareness. Mastering pacing, gear selection, & terrain adaptation is crucial for increased independence during endurance races. Adventure athletes will practice reacting to a multitude of environmental elements while processing coaching cues & enhancing independent decision making. These drills advance corning, ascending, descending, & much more.

Now, training shifts toward race-specific preparation, where adventure athletes practice structured training sessions that mimic race conditions. Depending on strengths & areas of improvement we will work on long gravel sections, sustained climbs, &/or high-intensity bursts. This phase ensures that your adventure athlete understands that we are all on our own growth journey & at times, we must train & focus on what will specifically help us reach our individual goals.