He doesn’t remember exactly when it was. “2009. No, maybe it was 2008.” Paddy Humenny was there as the foundational bricks that built up the gravel scene were laid by events like Unbound and TransIowa. Like most cool things, these huge rides started out low-key. “Little races like TransIowa started popping up. It was all pirate style. You sent in a postcard to say you were coming, then you just showed up and did the race.” Humenny was using these “little” races as training for his main focus, 24 hour mountain bike racing. In his first TransIowa, which is 524 km (325 mi), Humenny rode solo, on a single speed. It took him 25 hours to cross the state and he must have enjoyed it because he came back the next year. Unfortunately, heavy rains made many of the roads unrideable. However, two weeks later, another “little” event was happening down in Emporia, KS. Then known as DK, the 321 km (200 mile) gravel ride through the Flint Hills had around 70 riders, Humenny finished third.

During those years back in Canada, and the rest of North America for that matter, gravel was still relatively underground. Humenny continued to focus on 24 hour events taking the top spot at 24 hours of Adrenalin in Canmore in 2012. He continued sampling ultra endurance categories competing in cycling, running and ski events while the Great Plains gravel ripple started moving outwards.

2019 Lost Soul 200km Winner. Alam Lam Photo

Flash forward to 2020, Humenny had a full schedule of mostly ultra-running races he was hoping to compete in. Then Covid19 hit and he had to put those goals aside. When the Gravel Royale launched, his girlfriend, Kristy Jahn, noticed the event and came to Humenny with the idea that it would be fun to ride as a team. “She didn’t even have a gravel bike at the time.” But that didn’t stop her from signing herself and Patty up in the mixed team division. Jahn now has a gravel bike on order and they’re already planning out where they’ll ride next spring in preparation for the August event.

One rider with two decades of ultra racing experience teamed up with someone who’s never done a bike race... This seems like the makings of an interesting dynamic. “She’ll be smelling the roses less than she thinks.”Humenny said that Jahn might be less competitive than she thinks but that she loves a challenge. “We’re going to have a good time. I’m there to enjoy it with her. But I think she’s going to find that she wants to be competitive.” One of the areas these two are planning to use for their spring training rides is the plethora of beautiful dirt roads around Canal Flats (finish of stage 3). “We’ll check out the Nipika stage as well. Lyle’s an amazing person. Nipika is an awesome facility, the scenery up there is just amazing.”

2012 Giver8er, Calgary - Paddy with Travis Hauck

With two decades of ultra endurance racing under his belt, we asked Humenny for some tips to help get the most out of the experience. Humenny was quick to note the importance of being good to your body parts. “Bring chamois butter and a good pair of shorts.” Humenny said having a good time means being comfortable on your bike. “You’ll want to ride harder on a bike that feels better. You can focus on terrain rather than being uncomfortable.” As for gear, Humenny and Jahn will look to strike a balance with speed and comfort. Humenny likes Maxxis tires with a width somewhere around 40-45mm. He likens the preferable tread pattern to be similar to his current hairstyle, semi-slick. “Not a lot on top, and a little bit on the sides.” Humenny says that in the end, he’s looking forward to getting back with the racing community. “Racing, yes it’s a test. But at the end, it’s a party. We haven’t been able to do that this year, so next year I’m really looking forward to embracing that. Celebrating where we are, the sport, and the people. Just that hope that racing will be back, safely. That hope is amazing.”

Stage 3 - Nipika to Canal Flats - 82 km / 51 mi - 1,800m / 5,900 feet of climbing

After two nights of camping at Nipika, you’re headed back to cellular coverage today, but you’ve got 82 km of gravel riding ahead of you first to get there. Starting out from Nipika you’ll be retracing the Stage 2 finish in reverse for just a few kilometers to Cochrane Creek. From there you’ll head up a small canyon, climbing gradually on a good forest service road beside the creek. After a few kilometers you’ll turn off to the right and start climbing more steeply on older, less travelled double-track. The grade kicks up for a little while as you tackle the biggest climb of the day, gaining over 500 meters from the Kootenay River valley. This section is rideable depending on your gearing and energy level at this point. You may prefer to walk short sections where the grade is steepest if only to save your legs for later in the stage. You’ll hit the top of the climb and the high point of this stage at around the 11km mark, starting a long descent back to the Kootenay River Valley.

The next descent is fast and fun, but be careful of the occasional drainage ditches across the road on the way down. They can all be rolled, but could cause a loss of control if you hit them at speed without expecting them. Early in the morning, parts of this descent could be in and out of shadow, so additional care will be required to make sure you see these cross ditches coming. Check your speed, stand up, and bend your knees and elbows to suck up the roll and keep your wheels on the ground through these ditches. Otherwise, it’s a fun secluded downhill back to the main FSR and Checkpoint 1 at the 20km point. You will cross the Palliser River and continue down the Kootenay River Valley on the main road.

A 20km, mostly flat stretch on the Kootenay River FSR will take you to a left turn onto the White River FSR for a short climb before descending to a small campground and Checkpoint 2 at 44km. At this point you will ford the White River. At this time of year, we expect the river to be low enough to cross on foot (it was in 2020), but if our course crew determines it to be too high to ford, we will keep you on the west side of the Kootenay River all the way into the Canal Flats. Assuming we can ford the river, we will have safety crew in place to assist and the river crossing will take you across the White River near the confluence with the Kootenay River, where you will finish the stage with wet feet!

Old overgrown doubletrack winds along the River. As you work your way along this shaded, rolling road, it gradually gets wider and more open as you connect with more frequently used sections of road. Eventually, you will start the main descent on good gravel roads back down towards the Kootenay River. This time you will be crossing the river on a long wooden single lane bridge across the Kootenay. From there, you’ve got one modest climb before a final descent into Canal Flats and a finish at the arena. You’ve got one more beautiful stage to go!