I recently did my first gravel Triathlon in Vermont and had a blast last weekend. I have a been looking at Jan Frodeno’s SGRAIL events the last couple years and would love to do the one in Silvaplana next year I just booked a refundable AirB&B close to the venue. The photos and videos on Instagram look amazing. This is right up my alley. I’m doing my last Ironman branded 70.3 in Nov. I was planning on “retiring” completely from triathlon but if I’m already doing the three activities I love, then it’s not like the grind of Ironman/70.3 training. I plan on trail running, gravel biking and open water swimming next summer and all year when I can (except for open water swimming as it’s getting cold now).
Did anyone do this race this past weekend?? Could you give me a run down on the bike and run/trail course? I have the GPS files saved and on paper it looks good. Did you love this race? Would love the scoop from someone who just did it.
I didn’t do it, but 10+ members of my Trigether Triathlon Club did. Both the women #1 and men #2 represented our club. Everyone loved it, also our former STer Mike Callaghan.
Water was cold, allowing for neoprene caps and gloves. Most people raced on European-type gravel bikes, with plenty of Canyon Grails, Rose Backroads etc. with 40-45mm tires.
That is very cool! Congrats on your club members. So happy everyone loved it!
What do you mean by “European-type” gravel bikes? I have a Litespeed Flint with 43mm tires. Do you mean something built for more technical trails?
I have lugged my tri-bike to Europe, Hawaii, Canada, all over the USA and the Caribbean. But wondering if it would be better and possible to rent higher end gravel bikes. And just bring my pedals. Do you think it’s possible? We would fly into Zurich and drive to Silvaplana. Maybe rentals in St. Moritz?
Yeah I have done cold swims. Not my favorite type of swimming. But I live close to Canada and have a thermal wetsuit complete with the thermal cap, gloves and booties.
I do have a refundable AirB&B secured for 2026. Registration opens soon from the website
St. Moritz and Silvaplana are small, I wouldn’t count on renting a bike there.
What I meant by European-type gravel bikes are usually those with 40-45mm tires, semi-knobby (e.g. Conti Terra Trail), with enough gearing to handle >10% or >15% climbs. Geometry-wise they’re closer to CX/road bikes than to mountain bikes or bike-packing bikes.
The type of gravel here in Switzerland is usually quite stone-y and/or forest-y, with climbing / downhill riding including 180 degree turns. You want to have grip, but it’s rarely muddy. Also, there’s clear distinction what’s an MTB trail and a gravel trail here.
Edit: I live in Zurich, so feel free to ping me once you’re here.
Thanks all good information. The gravel triahtlon I recently did had 15% grades in certain areas. And where I live there are hills that feel steeper. But I just got a new Garmin Edge so can now meaure the grades. So I think my bike would be fine in Silvaplana. I do some gnarly riding in Vermont. We have a lot of unmaintained class 4 dirt roads that can get challenging.