Heaven of the South
HardFirst race of the Vicious Cycle Gravel Fondo Series, set in the rolling hills of southeastern Washington outside Kennewick. Grande and Medio distances through Horse Heaven Hills wine country.
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
SHARE THIS RACE
>> COMMUNITY
▌ First race of the Vicious Cycle Gravel Fondo Series, set in the rolling hills of southeastern Washington outside Kennewick
North America gravel event organized by Vicious Cycle
12 SCORING DIMENSIONS
EFFORT MATRIX
EXPERIENCE MATRIX
GREEN FLAGS
- [+]132 km of hard gravel through Kennewick, Washington
- [+]2,200 m of climbing — proper elevation
- [+]Organized by Vicious Cycle
- [+]Varied terrain: Gravel, Farm Roads, Vineyards
- [+]Strong US-style aid stations and event production
RED FLAGS
- [!]Off-season date — plan for cold / wet conditions
- [!]Details not yet verified — confirm via official site
RIDER FIT
Built for hours in the saddle — your distance
Limited use for pure climbers
Single-day event with strong sense of place
Wrong format for bikepacking specifics
Smoother surfaces let raw speed talk
Single-day pace suits crit-style riders less here
TIRE INTEL
Mixed gravel with no extreme demands — go for rolling speed.
WEATHER PLAYBOOK
Kennewick, Washington in spring (March): expect mild conditions — pack for variable weather. Always check 7-day forecast race week and pack a packable shell.
PACING PLAYBOOK
Sit in. Let the start sort itself out. Pace by feel, not by rivals.
Where the field shatters. Stick to your power numbers, not the surge.
Save one match. The last 20% is where placement is decided.
WHAT TO FEAR
- [!01]Pacing mistakes — most issues here are self-inflicted
INSIDER INTEL
“Heaven of the South is exactly what American gravel does best — well-organized, big aid stations, and a finish-line festival that makes the suffering worthwhile.”
RACE LOGISTICS
Standard aid stations every 30-50 km with food, water, and basic mechanical help.
- +Timing chip + bib
- +Course markings + GPX
- +Aid station nutrition + water
- -Spare tubes / tubeless plugs
- -Lodging
- -Drop bag transport (unless specified)
Book 6+ months ahead for big events. Check the race partner-hotel list for discounts.
Often the best value for groups. Search the wider race region, not just the start town.
Many gravel events offer on-site camping for a small fee. Check race FAQ.
- ▸Carry at least one tube + plug kit even with tubeless. Mechanical bad luck is the #1 DNF cause.
TRAVEL OPS
Heaven of the South is a quality north america event — great if you're nearby or want to explore the region.