We asked Tiffany Burris, founder of the Dirt Road Debutante Gravel Academy /Dark Early Coaching to give us her background story.
“I am an endurance coach and athlete. I come from a running background, turned triathlete. Cycling was my weak link, so to get stronger I went to my local bike shop, Santa Fe Trails Bicycle and Coffee Shop in Leavenworth, KS, and started asking questions about how to get better. They recommended I give the local criterium circuit a try. That spring I competed in the Spring Fling in Lawrence, KS. I saw tremendous improvements in my cycling. As a thank you I offered to volunteer at the shop sponsored gravel race, then called “Cool Hand Luke”. After much resistance and push back the owner talked me into riding it: the 100-miler! He also offered me his wife’s bike to borrow for the event and assured it would be a great fun.
At the time I rode a 1990’s Giant Boulder that weighed about 37lbs. I had ridden it a few times on my local pea gravel trail. My husband and I decided to do the Mullet Ride in Baldwin to prepare. As our longest ride ever, 37 miles, it went smoothly. Next I signed us up for the Gravelleur’s Raid 50 miler in April, about 3 weeks before the Cool Hand Luke.
I had the most terrible experience ever and could not believe I next had to do 100 miles.
On this 50-mile route, I used cue sheets, paired with my triathlon watch for directions. At approximately the half-way point my cue sheets and watch said go straight while everyone in front of me turned right. As I pulled out my phone for verification my Garmin watch died, my phone died, and my heart sank. I then spent the next 15 mins or so wandering aimlessly trying to figure out what to do. Low and behold, another cyclist finally happened upon me. He was headed to the right, with a working GPS. I followed him. Shortly there after my bladder felt full. I held it, there were no trees or privacy, and I didn’t want to be left by this guy. Occasionally he had to walk because he was cramping, which turns out is why he was in the back with me. Fearful of being lost but dependent on this guy, I stayed close by. I could not wait to finish the “stupid” ride. When I finally crossed the line, I was more than pissed and hated everything about what I had just done. I won’t tell you the words that came out of my mouth, where I let my bladder fully empty, or how long that took, because none of that information is appropriate for the web. I will tell you though, that I thought gravel cyclists were masochistic and anyone who rode gravel must hate themselves more than they could ever express in words….and so began my cycling career. 😊
For the next 3 weeks I did not ride my bike, or any bike for that matter. I instead read 3 books on mindset, knowing there was no way in h#!! I would finish with the Cool Hand ride a bad attitude. I got my mind right just before I picked up that borrowed bike.
I won’t go into details about my full Cool Hand Luke experience, but I will tell you I finished it with a smile, even after changing 2 flats. I was ready to run a 5k when I crossed that finish line because I was so excited!!
These experiences are what I drew from when creating the Dirt Road Debutante Gravel Academy. As I became more serious about gravel cycling, I used my knowledge as a triathlon coach to create my training plans, including a plan that took me to the finish line of the now Unbound Gravel 200. I looked all over for information on training, racing, nutrition, hydration, bike handling, bike maintenance, race schedules, and so much more. I knew what I didn’t know, but I had a hard time finding the information I was looking for, let alone in one place. If I was searching for information, surely others must be. So, with a push from my husband, I started the Dirt Road Debutante Gravel Academy with the intent to give women the knowledge to become successful on gravel, with the skills necessary to stay safe, and the confidence to trust themselves on rough terrain. I recruited the best ladies and bike shops in Kansas City to help cover the topics I felt necessary to make any woman feel welcome, and confident. Between everyone who gives their time for the clinic we have an accumulation of over 85 years of cycling experience.
I have done my best to keep expenses low and provide a service that surpasses what anyone else is willing to do. Everyone, including myself, that “work” the clinics are volunteers. All the registration fees go to cover expenses. The swag bags, meals and jerseys are valuable bonuses. Our sponsors help with donations and gifts for the bags, raffle table, as well as help with the costs. The knowledge gained and women met are the true value. The confidence change in these women, at every single clinic, keeps me coming back for more. It is such an honor and blessing to see the growth and the smiles on their faces as they realize they can enjoy gravel roads without fear.
Since our first clinic we have enjoyed the company of over 75 women. We have grown our cycling community. We have expanded from a general clinic to Beginner and Intermediate versions, and likely an Advanced clinic in the near future. Next year will be our 5th, and we are planning a “reunion” ride jubilee, hoping to bring as many debutantes together to meet, and ride, as possible.