Homegrown Gravel Adventure
HardSouthern gravel season-opener on red clay roads around Franklin, Georgia. The long route is roughly 100 miles with about 8,500 feet of climbing and a high percentage of gravel.
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▌ Southern gravel season-opener on red clay roads around Franklin, Georgia
North America race event organized by Homegrown Gravel Adventure
13 SCORING DIMENSIONS
EFFORT MATRIX
EXPERIENCE MATRIX
GREEN FLAGS
- [+]161 km of hard gravel through Franklin, Georgia
- [+]2,591 m of climbing — proper elevation
- [+]Organized by Homegrown Gravel Adventure
- [+]Varied terrain: Gravel, Clay Roads, Rural Roads
- [+]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
Franklin, Georgia in mid-winter (February): expect cold conditions, plan for rain and layering. 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]Cold-weather hypothermia — wet rider + low temps = bad day
INSIDER INTEL
“Homegrown Gravel Adventure 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
Homegrown Gravel Adventure is a quality north america event — great if you're nearby or want to explore the region.