When A Triathlete Does Their First Gravel Race on the OBED GVR
Mass-start gravel races are probably the best way for riders of any experience level to get a taste of bike racing. The sport is incredibly welcoming, and at any gravel event you attend, you’ll meet riders from countless different backgrounds. Some are there to perform. Some are there to have fun. Many are looking for a bit of both!
I love seeing athletes from other disciplines dip their toes into the gravel scene, and recently, our friend Jenna Haufler, a former collegiate swimmer and current triathlete, entered and finished her first-ever gravel race at Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona. There's an awesome recap video on her channel that's definitely worth watching:
Jenna is one half of the Freestyle Tri duo of Jenna and Miguel. She’s scored top age-group results in several triathlons and is eyeing a move into the pro ranks. She is sponsored by one of OBED’s sister brands, Quintana Roo. In Freestyle Tri’s last visit to our headquarters in Chattanooga, Tennessee, they picked up some fresh new OBED GVRs to do a bit of cross-training and adventuring as they prepare for the 2025 triathlon season.
Riding Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona
Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona is one of the newer races on the US gravel calendar, but it has built a reputation as one of the most rugged and challenging BWR events. The course winds through the heart of the Sonoran Desert, on the fringes of North Scottsdale, and features plenty of technical terrain.
As an elite triathlete, Jenna focuses a lot more on swimming, time trialing, and running than “shredding” off-road terrain. A key trait of every good athlete, though, is a willingness to try tough and potentially scary things. Often, it's the willingness to try new things that is the key to progression in any sport.
Jenna dove into the deep end and signed up for the 68-mile Wafer distance despite having very little time to hone her off-road skills. She spent just over two months acquainting herself with riding her gravel bike. Race day went well, and despite a few minor crashes in the off-road sectors, Jenna came away full of smiles.
Photo: Precision Fuel & Hydration
Gravel racers might be able to learn something from triathletes, too! For nutrition, Jenna used a nifty Top Tube Flask made by Precision Fuel & Hydration. This flask can be loaded with carb mix, potentially eliminating the need to carry multiple gel packets. It’s a simple solution I’ve never considered, and I like how it is as easy to use as a bottle. You don’t have to fumble with opening gel packets or stashing trash in the heat of a race.
Photo: Freestyle Tri
Now that the race season is lighting up, Jenna and Miguel will return their focus to triathlon. Their experience at BWR Arizona encapsulates why we love gravel so much, and hopefully, we’ll see them doing more gravel events in the future!
Jenna’s OBED GVR
Frame: OBED GVR, Copper Penny
Drivetrain: SRAM Force AXS XPLR
Crankset: FSA SL-K Light, 40t
Handlebars: FSA K-Wing AGX Carbon, 40cm
Stem: FSA ACR
Seatpost: FSA SL-K Carbon
Wheels: FSA SL-K AGX i25 Carbon
Tires: Panaracer GravelKing X1, 700c x 45mm