Gravel Race: Hills of High-Tor Wraps Up 2019 Durty Bikes Gravel Series

Upstate New York’s Durty Bikes Gravel Series wrapped up over the weekend at the Hills of High-Tor race outside Naples. With the race representing the rubber match of the three-race series, both race and series titles were on the line.

This year’s Hills of High-Tor was 39 miles long with an opening climb up Lower Road and then a descent to the finish in Naples.

Coming into Saturday’s race after the Ossian Giant Gravel Grinder and Prattsburgh Gravel Classic there were tight battles in both the Women and Men’s series. The Hills of High-Tor would decide the series overall.

In the Elite Women’s field, Ruth Sherman (GGWDW) led Anne August (Park Ave Bike) by just two points, and for the Elite Men, Anthony Clark (🦑) and Curtis White (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld) were tied.

Elite Women

In the first two races of the Durty Bikes series, Sherman proved to be Upstate New York’s “Eternal Second,” coming in the second spot in both races.

Sherman finally got that win, winning a nailbiter against August. Sherman also took the KOM to also give her the series win.

“Ruth and Anne put on a great showing,” said series director Tony Sylor. “Ruth has won so many of these events over the years and continues to be the standard bearer for women’s gravel racing in our area.”

Third-place finisher Anya Bogdanets (Just Ride p/b Buffalo Hardwood) was back to more manageable distances after doing the Iowa Wind and Rock ultra-endurance race a few weekends ago.

Emily Flynn (Mello Velo Racing / Nicollet Bike Team) wrapped up third in the series.

Women’s series podium: Ruth Sherman, Anne August and Emily Flynn are top 3. 2019 Hills of High-Tor Gravel Race, New York. © Anne Pellerin

“These ladies battled every week,” said Sylor. “It was great to see different winners with a mix of women who have competed and won for several years alongside new talent. The future is bright for women’s grave racing in western New York.”

Race and series results are below.

Elite Men

In the first two races of the Durty Bikes Series, White edged his cyclocross rival Clark at the line. Clark scored more points on the KOM climbs, however, pulling the two even headed into the Hills of High-Tor.

It was again the two ’cross stars at the front attacking each other on the hilly and technical course. Like Sherman, Clark finally got over the top to take the win, not leaving anything to chance with a gap of over 2 minutes.

White finished second and 16-year-old Trevor August (Park Ave Bike) finished third.

“Trevor is so fun to watch,” said Sylor. “He is really talented and comes from a wonderful cycling family. His younger brother won the overall for the Intermediate Series, his mother was second in the women’s race and his dad put on a great event. This is the first year we have worked together, and I hope we have many more ahead.”

Men’s podium: Anthony Clark, Curtis White and Trevor August. 2019 Hills of High-Tor Gravel Race, New York. © Anne Pellerin

White took the five points for the KOM at the Hills of High-Tor to give him the series win by a point. Clark took second and Kevan Edwards (Mello Velo Racing) third.

Results for the race and series are below.

Elite Women's Results: 2019 Hills of HighTor

Elite Men's Results: 2019 Hills of HighTor

2019 Durty Bikes Series Women's Standings

2019 Durty Bikes Series Men's Standings