'I raced Gravel Worlds in the elite category on a $500 Facebook Marketplace bike – and I’d do it again'

At the 2026 Gravel Worlds race on August 22, 31 elite women lined up on the start line, many with expensive carbon bikes. One standout was 32-year-old professional triathlete Amanda Macuiba, who rode a $500 Marin gravel bike she purchased on Facebook Marketplace the previous week. Macuiba admits she was underprepared but had faith in her body and racing experience to complete the 150-mile course through Nebraska's plains, covering 9,000 feet of climbing.

Despite a late entry and lack of gravel-specific training, Macuiba competed in the elite category and faced the challenge of not having a gravel bike, opting for the $500 Marin instead. During the race, Macuiba kept up with the elite peloton initially but learned the importance of gravel-specific skills. She crashed at mile 53, damaging her bike, and had to manually shift gears for the remaining miles.

Despite a difficult experience, Macuiba came away with valuable insights and plans to do it again, taking into account her technical riding and gear improvements. She encourages cyclists of all levels to embrace the challenge and enjoy the experience, rather than waiting for perfect conditions.