Houffa Gravel
Houffa Gravel is a UCI Gravel World Series event.
Houffa Gravel, or full title, Bolero Houffa Gravel Fondo, is part of the UCI Gravel World Series. It takes place in the Belgian town of Houffalize, well known for its MTB riding. Situated in the south of Belgium, it’s home to rolling hills, forests and loads of WW2 history. The event combines a qualifying race for the UCI Gravel World Championships and a sportive.
The Houffa Gravel was the first UCI gravel event that I rode back in 2022. It was a fantastic experience that I thoroughly enjoyed; all the more so as I managed a top ten finish! After I finished I vowed I would come back again as it was such a fun event compared with the limited gravel racing we have in the UK. However I missed the next two editions due to Pneumonia and a crash.
Family holiday and a race?
So when this year’s edition happened to coincide with the family’s need for a holiday, I decided Belgium was to be the destination. The fact that there would be a bike race meant that my family wouldn’t have to put up with me moping as I couldn’t ride. So the entry is in, training is ok and we are just looking for somewhere to stay. Unfortunately this is a little more difficult as gravel racing is now incredibly popular. Any even vaguely reasonable accommodation has already been snapped up, so we will be staying a little further out.
This popularity also means my top-ten finish is not likely to be repeated. Since the start of the series, the standard of racing has just rocketed! People weren’t too sure what to make of this ‘new’ style of racing, or whether it would last. Well, it’s lasted and now all the WorldTour boys are getting involved, everybody wants to have a go. While this is great for getting people racing, it means my kids are going to have to get used to seeing dad roll in around 40th place!
What can you expect at the Houffa Gravel?
The third edition of Houffa Gravel takes place on Saturday the 24 August in the town of Houffalize. If you enter the World Championship qualifier you will race over 110 or 68 kilometres, depending on your UCI age category. For those who want a more relaxed ride, there are three sportives that set off after the racers have cleared the grid. I’m thinking that this would be perfect for the family to ride; we can all swap war-stories afterwards!
According to the organisers, “you’ll still face the brutal opening climb on Rue du Saint Roch (1km at a punishing 10.8%!), but most of the race unfolds on the beautiful, rolling gravel terrain surrounding Houffalize, often dubbed Belgium’s off-road capital.
Assuming the full route hasn’t changed much since the first edition, it has something for everyone. The start goes from outside the townhall and straight up the Côte de Saint Roche, if that doesn’t get your heart pumping nothing will! From then on it’s a mix of rolling climbs and descents through the Ardennes. The surfaces are a mix of tarmac, gravel and rocky chutes, something for everyone.
Houffa Gravel, what will I ride?
The first time I rode the Houffa Gravel I used my Handsling CXC. This was my old cyclo-cross bike and I must have been one of the few riders still on rim brakes! This year I have moved up to Handsling’s CEXevo. This is an evolution of that original bike and comes equipped with disc-brakes, Shimano 105 Di2, lightweight carbon wheels, but the same, slightly older motor!
That motor will be pushing a 52×36 2x set up with an 11-36 cassette. For me this combination of gearing works well for these kind of events. I have gears that can handle the fast tarmac sections and the off-road uphill. Tyre choice will be either Vittoria’s Terreno Dry Endurance or Hutchinson’s Caracal. Both tyres would be perfect for the mix of on and off-road surfaces at the Houffa Gravel; as long as it stays dry.
Last year’s winner in the men’s Elite category was a certain Wout Van Aert, who came in nine minutes ahead of second place! There’s a good chance you might get to see past and present pro riders on the start-grid, so be ready for those selfies. The atmosphere is always very relaxed at these events and it’s easy to chat to the riders.
Fancy a chance at qualifying for the Gravel World Championships? Or just want to ride on the same course as the pros, then head over to the Houffa Gravel website. While – like me – you may not qualify you’ll enjoy some fantastic riding!
