After the finish line, EJ turned to introduce his girlfriend to the man who rode the last 3 hours with him, only to realize he was gone, EJ asked the organizers where the man was that finished right behind him, but the organizers told him he had finished alone…

The quantity and quality of NorCal is out of bounds right now - love it! Chapeau, Jeff and EJ!

Wow, that's some dedication for sure. Every rider deserved a big trophy for just starting that ride.

This looks like a lifelong memory kind of trip. I hope to see more of this type of content, in the future. It inspires me to get out there myself.

Absolute LEGEND!! Such good vibes in the hardest race❤❤

Doing gravel right in some gnarly weather. Awesome you made a BFF. I think you are way more worthy of the lead group than you gave yourself credit. Myself, I roll up in the pickup, sleep in the back, line up at the rear, ride alone most of the race, place mid-pack at best, hose off, sleep and drive home. You are right, if not for the vibe it would be pure torture instead of just 50%.

Awesome work, EJ! I want to say, your work and transformation have motivated me to work more and focus on what I need to do to transform my riding. Keep up the great work and videos!

I know you're not the first person to do it but your story has definitely made an impact on me! You just seem so happy and full of life bro and that makes me happy for you! Anyway, thanks so much EJ!

What a great place to stay! Snow - beautiful sights! Nicely done.

Read the comments… screw the haters this was amazing and fun to watch… if someone wants to focus on decibel levels and editing times then that’s on them and they’ve missed the point of the video (they’re the literal definition of “can’t see the forest through the trees”) As for me I loved this video!! Loved that you immediately understood and embodied the “spirit of gravel”!! Loved that you made a friend and got to have a weekend with the your race mates!!! Keep filming whatever makes you happy to race cause that happiness is contagious ❤❤

Luke is a man of focus, commitment and shear will

Did my first gravel race this weekend and I too felt kinda like I was in the twilight zone when the front pack disappeared and it was solo for the next 80ish miles. Didnt have the chance to really partner up, because people were either too far ahead or too far behind. but it woulda been nice to latch onto a group of people for the majority of it.

Damn dude, that sucks - at least you can say you got your first wreck out of the way and not in a crit 😂

Saw this in bits and pieces at work but put this on on the 75" flat screen after dinner....dude...simply awesome. You and the crew in the vid...the whole relaxed fun vibe makes it. Keep it up. Crit races are fun...but this sort of video...the whole atmosphere...simply awesome

Keep it up Ethan!!! Thank you for bringing us along on your journey from couch to racing!!! Very inspiring!!

Fantastic video. I loved watching your struggles and how you pulled through. Congrats to all of you for your hard efforts 👍

Great job finishing what you started!! Would love seeing more weekend race videos!

this rapidly became my favorite cycling channel

Love the content! I love these long race day/weekend videos. Keep them coming!!! Your attitude while doing new and hard things is great. I enjoy watching your progress.

So awesome for you to share your first gravel ride! Got the feels

You really stretching the definition of a "beginner"

Cool video. More please!

Always stoked to see what EJ is up to! Keep up the good work

That was amazing!!!

So cool to meet you before the race! And to see my cold butt appear before the hammer went down. Really a great day out on the bike, that last 25 miles were definitely soul-sucking. Great job EJ!

I was nervous initially I thought this awesome channel would be CRIT only content. Turns out we got gravel also which is king here in Michigan part of Michigan gravel racing series. Barry Roubaix is probably the biggest.

...so you drove from a place with perfect weather to go race in a place where there is snow? Crazy! Some of the best riding buddies I met were at gravel events. There is something about the vibe that creates bonds.

Dude, was great meeting you and riding with you for a bit! I was on the purple Stigmata with green MAAP shorts (eating the burrito next to you at the finish line). Alex was an absolute life saver! Guy was a diesel! Awesome to see your view of the race.

Bummer about the crash, I was just to the right of the guy that crashed(I'm the guy in orange at 19:43). Come out for some more gravel, you do belong! I'm sure you would have been in the lead group much longer no problem. Nice work! That's a really hard course to be isolated so kudos for sticking it out. It fragmented into all small groups by the top of the main climb anyway. At some point we all had some type 2 fun alone :P Come up to Oregon and race/ride some gravel up here we have some great races I'm sure you would love.

your videos inspired me to get back on the bike. I took 6 months off and I'm loving it even more. I made the switch gravel and it's so fun.

Everyone will tell you, those tough lows are needed. That way, the highs are appreciated that much more. It helps build the mental fortitude. I do 12/24 racing. The best mantra, whatever you are feeling right now, it won't last. It's a Rollercoaster ride. You don't get that in 40min races. Ride On.

congratulations! recover well!

Superb video & content. Way to go on your first gravel race!

Brilliant balance - keep it up !

Ahh yesss!!!! The "REALLLL" NorCal! lol Had some friends there, looked crazy!

congratulations!!!

Great job man! Killer race

That looked liked pretty gnarly conditions. Glad your okay from the crash! Thinking of doing my first gravel race later this year 🤔

A fun race for you and your friend is RAW or RAAM. You can do alone duo or a team 4... love your videos.

Nice race EJ, I actually digging Gravel race videos cuz they are rarely posted here in KZfaq. About the crash I'm hoping that nothing serious injuries happened and hope you feel better now ❤️.

Amazing Blog!!

10:22 EJ probably casually doing 1500-1600 watts

Damn is it still cold over there it’s been in the 70s and 80s here in Florida been some nice riding weather

Took 9th at that race. Great job when you were with the group. Some hitters there. Crash almost took me out too.

More vlogs and content like this please! ;)

Lol, been waiting for the crash video since you posted on strava.

Was the guy on the ground, during that brief footage of the crash aftermath, good?

MY BOY ALEX RIPPING THRU THE SNOW ON A ROAD BIKE LIKE A TRU VERMONTER

I have a feeling it's going to be more like couch to cat 1!

EJ, don't you think racing on gravel actually might help a lot with the bike handling, that u can use for road crits?

Jackson is camera shy 🤭

cant believe u went down and chugged out another 3 1/2 hrs thats wild

This video feels like a vegan cyclist cosplay.

I’m potentially moving to the east Bay Area near the foothills, can anyone let me know where to find group rides and good road cycling routes?

Hey! How did Jackson manage to squeeze a 46t chainring? My 44t is so close on my aspero

Gravel isn’t about winning. It’s about racing.

Are you ok, man??

I don't mind a bit of an intro, but for all those with lives, skip to @17:38 for the actual beginning of the race. Editing bro, it's what you do.

For me a beginner is an over 45y over weight Person who never really did much athletics in his life

Dang man, the amount of ads on your videos have soured the experience..

You laugh and scream, and yell into the camera too much dude 😮

that looks miserable