Project Nice: A Checkpoint in Valkenburg

Words and Photography by James Ion

Valkenburg aan de Geul isn’t just any backdrop. With its limestone caves, iconic Cauberg climb, and deep cycling heritage, this Dutch town hosted the Marley Grav Gravel Race on May 11 as part of the UCI Gravel World Series. Riders from all categories, including top-tier pros like Tim Wellens and Lauren Wiebes, lined up to tackle one of the most demanding yet exhilarating courses on the European gravel calendar.

The event unfolded over a two-day festival. Saturday offered recon rides, expo buzz, and a relaxed chance to absorb the atmosphere, while Sunday was all business: full race mode across multiple age groups. My race? A personal checkpoint in what I call Project Nice, a commitment I made over a year ago to qualify for the Gravel World Championships. Originally destined for Nice, the event has since relocated to Limburg. The name stuck. The mission remained.

Pre-Race Chaos: Punctures and Parking Woes

Preparation for Marley Grav was far from ideal. In the weeks leading up, a knee injury had derailed training and sent me into a loop of rehab, rest, and rising self-doubt. Still, I committed to showing up, determined to gain experience and face whatever the day would throw at me.

Saturday’s recon was meant to calm nerves. Instead, it threw up a cruel twist. After a long delay with parking and check-in, I missed the group ride and went out solo. A rough descent led to two punctures. The second one taught me a critical lesson: always check your spare tube valve length. I limped back on a half-inflated tire, ego bruised and spirits low. A quick stop at the service centre salvaged the situation, but I ate alone that evening, weighed down by self-pity and uncertainty.

It took a pep talk from Coach Toms Flaksis to snap me out of it. His words were simple: embrace the experience, whatever it brings.

Race Day: Self-Doubt in the Start Pen

The start line was buzzing. The DJ was blasting out tunes. Riders were warming up already at the start line with well over an hour to go. I managed to get a better parking space and charge the car (at least I would be getting home!), and grab a decent breakfast — small wins. I even bumped into a few familiar faces and shared a nod with a rider rocking a sharp HRSH kit. Little things that helped.

If you've never started in a mass participation gravel race, here's how it works: age groups line up in "pens," releasing every two minutes. It’s a spectacle of nerves, noise, and nuance. Some riders jostle for position, dead-eyed and serious. Others joke around, post selfies, or sit cross-legged waiting patiently. Me? Somewhere in between.

At the gun, there was no rollout. Just go. And go we did — straight up the Cauberg. Within minutes, I was out the back.

Lap One: Dust, Delight, and a Traffic Jam

Once out of Valkenburg, the magic of Marley Grav unfolded. Gravel lanes, twisting descents, and punchy climbs cut through the South Limburg countryside. Dust danced in the air. Riders streamed by. The descent where I flatted the day before? Cleared it. Redemption.

Then came the bottleneck — a singletrack climb brought the race to a standstill. For nearly 30 minutes, we stood, shuffled, and waited. Spirits dipped. Then rose again. Because what followed was sublime: rollercoaster gravel rollers, cheering fans, and a chance to breathe and enjoy.

Lap Two: Into the Grotto, Out the Back

The reward at the start of lap two? A surreal passage through the Gemeentegrot, an ancient cave system lit up and echoing with cheers. But the magic was short-lived. We exited directly onto the Cauberg again. Cue cramps, low spirits, and the familiar tug of doubt.

Every negative thought crowded my mind: You’re too slow. You’re not ready. You’re in the way. I ate, drank, and pushed on. Then a strange thing happened. Somewhere mid-lap, I began to flow. Lines clicked. Climbs felt manageable. A flicker of form. A brief escape. It was an odd experience to go from nothing to full of energy to absolutely nothing again. It was mentally taxing, to say the least. But with the end of the lap insight, I finally convinced myself to battle on.

The Finish That Wasn't

As I neared the final chute, I felt ready. Lap three? Bring it on.

But as I pushed through the crowd towards the course re-entry, I was stopped. No marshal. No signage. Just cones and confusion. "What about lap three?" I asked.

"Sorry," came the reply. "You missed the cut-off."

It was 2:02 p.m. The cut-off was 2:00.

Just like that, it was over. No final lap. No finish line. Just a slow roll back to the car and a seat in silence.

Reflection: Racing myself

Later, after the dust and sweat were washed away, something changed. I felt proud. Not of the result, but of the fight. I had beaten the real opponent: myself. The negativity, the fear, the self-imposed doubt.

I learned more in that half-finished race than I could have from a polished performance. Lessons in pacing. Fatigue resistance. Starting position. Nutrition (maybe not quite nailed yet — sorry Kate!).

My BMC Kaius handled everything with ease. The HRSH kit was flawless. And while my knee wasn't perfect, it held up just enough.

Marley Grav delivered. Organisation, atmosphere, support. All top-notch. If you're eyeing a gravel event with depth, energy, and community, make space for it in your calendar. You can race, or you can ride the festival version on Saturday. Better yet, do both.

Now, the countdown begins. Just eight weeks until Gravel One Fifty in Drenthe. A flat-out drag race across Dutch gravel. No climbs. No caves. Just you and the wind.

Project Nice continues.

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For more information on Marley Grav or the UCI Gravel World Series, visit gravelworldseries.com or marleygrav.com