Champion gravel cyclist Keegan Swenson takes on 170 miles of dirt roads, interstate highways, and gas station hot dogs as he trains to win Unbound Gravel.

There’s no shortage of exciting races on the calendar – and maybe we’re partial to Strade Bianche because the event just concluded – but here are the reasons why cycling’s “sixth monument” is number one in our book.

Whether you’re a beginner heading out for a few miles a week or a seasoned enthusiast who logs several hours a day on the bike, the foundation for a comfortable ...