As true lovers of cycling and adventure, we are always ready and willing to take on exciting challenges and visit new destinations. When the team from Bike Zone contacted us to take part in their project—the UCI Gravel World Series race called Dustman—we didn’t hesitate long before saying yes to their proposal. We knew what it meant: the trip itself, logistics, weather, food, terrain… and many other variables beyond our control. All of this turned into doubts and headaches that we gradually resolved. One thing we were sure of was that our trip to Thailand would be an unforgettable experience.

Welcome to Thailand

Using Bangkok, the capital city, as the starting point for this adventure, participants could get to know the country not only from a competitive perspective but also through an experiential and cultural lens. Thai Airways, one of the event’s main sponsors, was responsible for flying us to Thailand. After a flight of about 11 hours, we arrived in a city full of car traffic and noise, yet peculiar and attractive to those of us coming from outside the Asian continent.

Once at the hotel, we recharged with a good coffee and took advantage of the day to see some of the city’s highlights: visiting a few temples, getting lost in street markets, taking a tuk-tuk ride, and, of course, trying the delicious local food for the first time.

The next day, after our first jetlagged night, we set off for what would be our basecamp: the Dheva Mantra Resort hotel in Kanchanaburi. This region lies in the west of the country, bordering Myanmar, and is characterized by its rural nature, where most people make a living from farming. During our transfer from the capital, we met other riders of different nationalities who had traveled to Thailand to participate in Dustman; many were from Asia, with a strong presence of Australians, while Europeans were in the minority. Everyone was eager, excited, and thrilled to be there for such a great adventure.

The day before the race, we took part in a short ride led by some members of the organization, which gave us a first taste of the local gravel and allowed us to fine-tune the bikes our friends at Sarto Bikes had provided for the occasion. Despite our fatigue and ongoing adaptation to the country, our sensations weren’t bad at all. Once back at the hotel, it was clear that the high temperature and very noticeable humidity would require us to be especially careful with hydration and nutrition during the race.

Rain, mud, and a big spirit of adventure

After attending the race briefing, we returned to our room where our Sarto bikes gleamed in a corner. It had been raining heavily for two days, and the scenery had completely changed. The organizers explained that due to torrential rain, they had to modify some sections at the last minute to guarantee the riders’ safety. It seemed the weather was going to test us: rivers with higher flow than expected, fully flooded gravel tracks, mud of all textures and colors… It was time to change our mindset. Rather than focusing on qualifying for the Gravel World Championships, we decided to switch to survival mode and set our goal on finishing the race without mechanical problems or serious crashes. That alone would make us happy.

We woke up at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday and boarded a shuttle to Mueang Sing Historical Park, where the race started at 7:00 a.m. In the dark and still under rain, we made the final tire pressure adjustments on our bikes. Luckily, the Sarto Raso Wide bikes we were exclusively using for this race were equipped with the new Campagnolo Bora X wheels and 55 mm tires, which would be a great help on such a demanding course. Matching the wheels, a Campagnolo Super Record X groupset, single chainring and 13 speeds also helped reduce drivetrain issues.

The die was cast. We were thousands of kilometres from home, with the usual pre-race nerves and an unfavourable weather forecast, but there was no room for excuses; it was time to give it our all and enjoy the experience to the fullest.

We positioned ourselves well at the start and tried to maintain our desired spot in the peloton. We completed the first 10 km with the leading group and reached the first gravel section in a good position. The first meters of the track marked the beginning of the true adventure.

Mud and countless puddles covered the path. Riders tried to dodge obstacles and find the best line at high speed. From that point, the lead group broke into smaller packs of three or four riders, each finding their own pace and doing their best to handle the rough terrain.

The full route—about 130 km with 1,300 m of elevation gain—turned into a true battle for survival. Each section brought its own level of difficulty that, while not extremely technical, definitely put us to the test.

We lost count of how many rivers we crossed and how many times we submerged our bikes in puddles where the water reached above our knees. The race and weather conditions were not only a big challenge for us but also for the bikes. Mud, water, and dirt gradually seeped into every corner of the bottom bracket, bearings, and drivetrain.

Meter by meter, we devoured the course and overcame all the adversities we faced. We managed to cross the finish line safe and sound, and despite being completely covered in mud, the bikes worked perfectly, with no mechanical problems.

We didn’t earn a spot for the Gravel World Championships in Australia 2026, but we did finish a tough race that tested every single participant in the Dustman.

Thoughts after the experience

One of the most complex aspects of traveling to Thailand for a cycling event is managing the trip: flights, special luggage, hotels, transportation, etc. However, in the case of Dustman, the organizers wanted to make things as easy as possible for participants by offering all-inclusive packages for those who wanted to focus solely on race preparation.

The experience in a race like this is a perfectly balanced mix of competition, adventure, culture, and gastronomy. It’s an attractive destination and a great opportunity to earn a spot in the Gravel World Championships that crown the UCI Gravel World Series every year, regardless of your age.

As the management team of Bike Zone Events told us, Dustman’s main goal is to position Thailand on the global gravel scene. The event has great potential and, although there’s always room for improvement, we believe it’s heading in the right direction. Both the organizers and their entire team, along with the volunteers, did an outstanding job and handled all the weather-related challenges skillfully. They were always willing to help and made us feel at home—and when you’re so far away from yours, that’s something you truly appreciate.

Last but not least, we’d like to highlight the warm welcome and hospitality of all the Thai people we met during this trip. We were treated wonderfully everywhere we went, we felt safe at all times, and we enjoyed every minute spent in the country. Without a doubt, it’s one more reason to repeat an experience like this very soon.