Irish Hills Gravel Weekend with Paige Onweller - Saturday Ride and Q&A

We’re excited to be hosting a Gravel Weekend with Lifetime Grand Prix professional cyclist and Michigan native Paige Onweller. We’ve put together a series of events designed to be welcoming, informative, and fun whether you’re new to gravel or a seasoned rider.

Paige will be joined throughout the weekend by Maxine Bratus of fitmi in Ann Arbor, one of the country’s premier bike fitters, bringing a wealth of knowledge and insight to the clinic, rides, and discussions.

Newer riders are absolutely welcome.

Helmets are required for all rides and clinic activities

Schedule (subject to change)

Saturday, July 18 – 9:00 AM

No-Drop Group Ride + Skills Clinic

River and Rail Farmers Market (The Armory)

100 Armory Court, Jackson, MI

• 9:00–9:30 AM – Introductions + Tire Pressure Q&A

• 9:30 AM–12:00 PM – On-bike skills clinic focused on body position, cornering technique, and gaining confidence on your gravel bike in a safe and controlled environment.

We’ll also have a closed circuit to practice pace-line riding and group ride etiquette. Riders will learn how to safely signal, communicate, and ride together as a group.

After 60–90 minutes of skills work, we’ll head out on a 10-mile no-drop ride to put those pace-line skills into practice on the road.

Topics We’ll Cover

• Finding the right tire pressure for your setup

• Body position for cornering and descending

• Hand position

• Foot position

• Where to look

• Building confidence on loose terrain such as gravel

• How to safely ride in a pace line

• Group ride communication and signaling

What to Bring

• Your bike

• Flat repair items and basic bike tools (If you’re not sure how to use them, just ask — we’ll help!)

• Helmet (required during the clinic and ride)

• Positive attitude

We’ll have pumps and tire gauges available on-site.

Saturday, July 18 – 1:00 PM

Q&A + Meet & Greet

Ogma Brewing Co.

129 E. Michigan Ave, Jackson, MI 49201

After the clinic and ride, participants are invited to join Paige Onweller, Maxine Bratus, and others from the cycling community for a casual meet & greet at Ogma Brewing Co. in downtown Jackson.

This informal gathering is an opportunity to ask questions, connect with other riders, and continue the conversation about gravel riding, training, equipment, bike fit, and getting more women involved in cycling.

Whether you’re curious about race strategy, riding in the pro peloton at a Lifetime Grand Prix event, or dialing in tire choice and pressure, this is your chance to ask.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Ogma Brewing.

Sunday, July 19 – 9:00 AM

Irish Hills Gravel Group Rides

Swain Memorial Park

Brooklyn, Michigan

Sunday’s rides are designed to be fun, collaborative group experiences for a variety of riders and pace levels.

Our faster group will aim for a 17–20 mph average pace and will focus on riding smoothly and efficiently together rather than attacking or racing each other. Stronger riders may take longer pulls at the front to help support the group effort.

We're also working with our friend Nate Evans and his Rolling Toast Group Ride to offer a shorter distance (closer to 25 miles) and more approachable pace groups available, so riders who get dropped or simply want a more relaxed experience will still have a welcoming group to ride with.

If the front group gets away, no problem — settle in, enjoy the roads, and take in everything Southern Michigan gravel has to offer.

After the ride, riders are welcome to continue the conversation and grab brunch together at Atlas Restaurant & Bar in downtown Brooklyn. Food and beverages will be available for purchase individually.

Women’s Participation Incentives

Any woman who attends the Irish Hills Gravel Weekend with Paige Onweller will receive:

• A 50% off registration code for Irish Hills Gravel

• Access to a monthly webinar series with Paige Onweller leading up to race day

These webinars will provide opportunities to ask questions about:

• Equipment

• Training

• Nutrition

• Race preparation

• Gravel riding in general

Our goal is to create a supportive and welcoming environment that helps more women feel confident exploring gravel and off-road cycling.