Mix Tape is a timed segment gravel race based around the south shore of Massachusetts, from the organizers of Secret Squirrel MTB and Secret Squirrel CX, New England Adventure Fellowship, along with the help of Swansea Velo Club, Blount Fine Foods, BikeWorks MA, Berkley Beer, Blount Clam Shack, Endurance Threads, and many volunteers. The event is capped at a low registration number and has sold out a couple of times, though this year’s weather predictions meant spots were still open race weekend. Being in south eastern MA, the race lacks in elevation but makes up for that with a wide mix of surfaces – Mix Tape, right?

The course rolls out onto paved roads from the parking lot of main sponsor Blount Fine Foods' soup factory in Fall River, MA. From there anything from smooth to rough patchy asphalt, gravel and gravel with pond-sized pot holes, to very technical single track and double track can be expected. Many trails in the Freetown-Fall River State Forest are mixed in throughout the day. Five timed segments determined podiums, and featured everything from a paved climb to a rocky and rooted singletrack. And all in all one of the best events in the local gravel racing scene. James and Greg made the trip up for a memorable day.

Photographs by Adam Woolley:

Race day recaps

James

A very good day out and so glad to have done Mix Tape, and that Greg was up for it! It’s a great event that keeps things light, it’s well-run and safe with police stopping traffic on the more dangerous intersections, and a good example of the best of lcl grvl events.

We knew the weather might be unpredictable and on the drive up afternoon before, the rain was starting to drizzle steadily but never a downpour. I do not seek out these conditions, but I also do not hate it once in the middle of it. Read: I’m not the one to ask if on the fence due to weather!

Route
This course on this day ranks high on my list of fun days on the bike. The single track and double track were fantastic and the sandy soil drained very well. No real mud, just wet. I think both of us enjoyed just sending it in those sections whether timed segments or not. The gravel roads had large puddles so no head down peddling for hours like at those big gravel slogs events. I thought it was a pretty good balance of paved/gravel/2track and trails over the 3 hours of riding. The aid station was well stocked with gels and drink mix plus other solid foods to supplement what I’d brought along.

Tires
Challenge Gravine 40mm, 32psi front 34psi rear. They did what tires do extremely well, ideal for the conditions.

Kit
We’d discussed what to bring for potentially wet race and on the day opted for shoe covers and the team Defeet wool socks: feet stayed warm and were only a little damp. Greg’s shoes remained flawlessly white. A list: Castelli RC Pioggerella shoe covers, with toe covers underneath, Defeat team wool socks, Castelli seamless leg warmers and unlimited cargo bibs, team base later, long sleeve base later, team jersey, team long sleeve jersey, team buff, thermal skull cap, and team full finger gloves.

Post-race
We were promised bags of soup though we had to drive home before they arrived. But there was plenty of free pizza, beer and n.a. beer, water, and a food truck selling chowder and Mac and cheese pulled up post-race.

Greg

Course
It was a great mix (get it?!) of gravel, dirt, singletrack, and road. There were 5 timed segments, and all were pretty different.

Event vibes
I really like that this event doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a race with timed segments, but it’s kinda fun and silly. No intense grvl branding or references to hell.

Team vibes
Everyone should have a teammate on a cold & rainy day.

Event food
In the spirit of not taking themselves too seriously, the organizers had a beer tent and just ordered a ton of pizzas. A clam chowder food truck rolled up like 90 minutes after most people finished because New England.

Weather
Mid-40’s, rainy, and muddy. I think the rain turned to sleet twice. Maybe that’s your thing, and I don’t wanna yuck your yum, but it sorta felt like a deep-sea adventure, too.

Closing thoughts
It was awesome to ride some stuff I hadn’t ridden before. Got to see some old Boston friends. Maybe short races are alright. I dunno.

Here’s a strange stress ball that I got at the sign-in table.