San Marcos, Ca
april 28- may 03 EXPERIENCE

BWR California Method

Step to the start line as part of The Gravel Method experience—with guidance, structure, and a team behind you.


  • Race entry as well VIP access pre and post race at The Gravel Method tent area

  • Personalized gravel-specific training plan leading up to event

  • Course familiarization and skills rides on BWR terrain

  • Guided rides with expert coaching and feedback

  • Pacing, fueling, and race strategy sessions

  • Complete bike set guidance and modifications

  • Full in-house professional mechanic services

  • Hands-on mechanical clinics (tire pressure, setup, quick fixes)

  • Skills instruction for sand, corners, climbing, and descending

  • Chef-inspired meals designed for performance and recovery

  • Shared luxury Airbnb accommodations

  • Transportation from and to airport

  • Assos Premium ‘The Gravel Method’ Jersey

  • The Gravel Method alumni race-day experience + support

  • Small group environment for personalized attention

  • Recovery time and tools integrated throughout camp and post race

  • Post race recovery food and party

Inclusions

Exclusions

  • Travel to and from San Diego, California

  • Local travel outside of scheduled camp activities

  • Bike shipping, rental, or additional equipment needs

  • Optional lodging upgrades (private room, extended stay)

  • Recovery services and wellness add-ons (massage, IV therapy, etc.)

  • Personal nutrition products outside of provided meals and ride fuel

  • Alcoholic beverages and personal purchases

  • Travel insurance or trip protection

  • Mechanical parts replacement (tires, chains, components beyond basic support)

[ OVERVIEW ]

The Gravel Method BWR California Prep Camp is built for the unique demands of the Belgian Waffle Ride California—where coastal climbs, technical descents, singletrack, and relentless terrain changes define how your race unfolds. This isn’t just about fitness. It’s about knowing how to manage effort over steep pitches, fuel through constant intensity shifts, and confidently handle mixed surfaces from pavement to dirt. Through guided rides, strategy sessions, and real-time application, you’ll learn exactly how to approach this course—so you can show up prepared and execute with confidence.

The Gravel Method Experience Details

Chef Inspired Meals, Lodging, Race Entry, Assos Jersey, Personal Training Plan, Nutrition Sent to You to practice prior to event, Race Day Full Support, Mechanical Support, Full Nutrition Plan and Race Day Plan, VIP Access to The Gravel Method staging area pre and post race, full week shuttle service, Access to Partner Deals, Amazing Swag

Included

Next Dates

APRIL 28 - MAY 03 2027

Duration

5 days 5 nights

$3400 Shared Accomodations $4000 Private Room

Pricing

⤷ Book Now
Contact Us 
[ HIGHLIGHTS ]

Steep climbs, technical descents, and relentless terrain changes—this is Belgian Waffle Ride California at race pace. From pavement to dirt to singletrack, the course never settles, demanding constant focus, skill, and adaptability. With punchy climbs, high-speed transitions, and power spikes throughout, success comes down to managing effort, handling technical terrain with confidence, and fueling through intensity shifts. This is where preparation meets execution—and where races are won (or lost).

Ride Features

An all-inclusive, performance-driven experience designed to prepare you for the demands of Belgian Waffle Ride California—without the guesswork.
Train under expert coaching from Audra Adair, combining proven methods with real-world application on terrain that mirrors race conditions.
Dial in your fueling, pacing, equipment, and strategy through hands-on learning, chef-inspired meals, and guided rides.
Arrive at the start line confident, prepared, and fully supported—ready to execute your race plan.

Nutrition & Recovery

Ride with intention on terrain that prepares you for race-day demands, practicing pacing, handling, and decision-making in real time. Dial in your fueling strategy with guided support—learning how to hydrate, fuel, and manage energy so you stay strong from start to finish. Between sessions, prioritize recovery with built-in time, tools, and chef-inspired meals designed to help your body absorb the work and perform at its best.

Sightseeing & Culture

Ride and explore along the stunning Southern California coastline, where rugged canyons, ocean views, and rolling terrain create a dynamic landscape unlike anywhere else. From coastal climbs to backcountry dirt roads, every mile offers a new perspective, with iconic views that make the effort worth it.

Experience the energy of North County San Diego, with laid-back beach towns, great coffee, local boutiques, and a vibrant food scene. It’s the perfect place to unwind post-ride, refuel, and soak in the blend of surf culture and performance-driven lifestyle that defines the BWR California experience.

Lodging

Shared Luxury Accommodation + Chef-Inspired Meals

Stay in a curated luxury Airbnb designed for comfort, connection, and recovery. Shared rooms offer a community-driven experience, while chef-inspired meals provide high-quality nutrition to fuel performance and elevate your overall camp experience.

A backyard with a swimming pool, potted plants, and a white two-story house with a covered balcony and large windows, under a blue sky with some clouds.
Cliffs along the coastline during sunset with waves crashing on the rocky shore.
A group of people dining at a restaurant with various plates of partially eaten food, glasses of drinks, and utensils on a wooden table.

Method Itinerary

two bike riders descending on pavements 
Day ONE

Arrival in CA & Warm-Up Ride

Arrive on site, get checked into your lodging, and settle into camp. We’ll make sure your bike is built, your equipment is dialed, and you’re ready for the weekend ahead. The day wraps with a welcome gathering, camp overview, and chef-catered dinner so you can meet the group and get clear on what to expect.

two bike riders climbing up a mountain pass 
Day Two

The Course Preview

Start the day with breakfast and a fueling briefing before heading out for a guided course familiarization ride. You’ll preview key sections of the course, learn important terrain features, and begin to understand how to pace and prepare for race day. Later, we’ll cover mechanical basics, bike setup, and practical skills to help you feel more confident and self-sufficient on gravel.

two riders on gravel ride during training camp 
Day Three

The Course Mastery

This is where preparation becomes execution. You’ll put what you’ve learned into action during a race simulation ride focused on pacing, fueling, and race-day decision making. The afternoon includes recovery, strategy sessions, and deeper education around how to approach your event with a clear, confident plan.

Day FOUR

Race Prep Day

The day before the race starts with a short opener ride to loosen up your legs and make a final check of your bike setup. Our mechanic will be available for last-minute adjustments so everything is ready for race morning. We’ll review your pacing strategy, key course sections, and fueling plan, then organize your bottles and race nutrition. Together, we’ll head to the expo to pick up race packets, explore the booths, and attend the rider briefing. The rest of the day is for eating well, relaxing, and getting to bed ready to race.

Day Five

Race Day

Start race morning at The Gravel Method tent, where you can check in with your coaches and leave a bag with clothes for after the finish. Head to the start line with your pacing and fueling plans practiced and your bike ready to go. Out on the course, you’ll have coaches riding and planned bottle handoffs to help you stay fueled. After the finish, return to our tent for food, a private place to change, and time in the Normatec recovery boots. Settle in, share your race stories, and cheer on the rest of the group as they cross the line.

Day SIX

Ease into the final day with a relaxed morning NormaTec session, reflect on the week and enjoy the last meal together. Share coffee, stories, and final takeaways as the group comes together one last time. Wrap up with goodbyes, connections made, and a clear plan moving forward—leaving not just stronger, but more confident in how you train, fuel, and race.

Rise and Relaxed

Audra Adair | Founder & Lead Coach

Your Coaches

Audra Adair is the founder of The Gravel Method and lead coach behind its immersive training camps. With over 20 years of coaching experience and a background in exercise physiology, she combines science-based training with real-world race execution. A seasoned endurance athlete and multiple gravel and MTB wins , Audra has spent decades refining what actually works on race day. Her approach is built to simplify the complexity of gravel racing—so athletes can train with purpose, fuel with confidence, and perform at their best.

At camp, Audra leads guided rides, teaches pacing and fueling strategy, runs hands-on education sessions, and works directly with athletes to dial in their individual race plans. From course familiarization to race-day execution, she is on-site throughout the experience—ensuring every athlete leaves with the tools, confidence, and clarity to perform at their best.

Riding and racing since the mid-1980s — and working every corner of the sport since, as a mechanic, industry rep, and coach — has taught me one thing: fast riders aren't born, they're built. Four decades in the sport shape how I coach today, from wrenching and selling bikes to representing brands like ASSOS, GIRO, ENVE, and Scott.

My own results come from the dirt and gravel as much as the pavement — Arizona State Criterium Champion, eight-time Leadville 100 MTB finisher, a completed sub-13-hour Unbound 200, and a sub-8-hour Leadville. 

I specialize in gravel, mountain biking, and road, and I work with riders at every stage — from someone lining up for their first gravel race or Gran Fondo to athletes chasing a top step. My approach blends technical precision (bike fit, race-day nutrition, pacing) with the same curiosity and passion for the sport that got me into it forty years ago. I'm still an early adopter at heart — always testing, evaluating, and looking for the edge that makes the difference on race day.

John Benson | Coach

Your Specialists

Ray Harris | Professional Mechanic

Ray brings 20 years of racing experience and firsthand knowledge of every BWR course to The Gravel Method. As a professional mechanic and racer, he understands how bike setup affects comfort, confidence, and performance across demanding terrain.

From assembling your bike after travel to dialing in tires, pressure, and final adjustments, Ray helps you arrive at the start line ready to ride. He’ll also teach practical trailside repair skills so you’re better prepared to handle mechanical issues during the race. He knows the courses, knows the equipment, and understands what riders need when the day gets tough.

Carol Johnston | Hospitality Specialist


Being on dirt is Carol’s happy place. As Audra’s right-hand gal, she brings her energy, warmth, and love of the sport to The Gravel Method camps. A former XTERRA champion, Leadville Stage Race buckle finisher, and age-group gravel and mountain bike competitor, she knows what it feels like to finish a ride dirty, tired, and hungry.

Carol believes that challenging our bodies should go hand in hand with caring for them—and that good food and good company are part of the experience. She loves preparing healthy, hearty, delicious meals and creating a welcoming place to relax, refuel, and share stories. She’ll have your pump-up jams loaded and ready to get you fired up for race day. Her goal is to make every rider feel well fed, cared for, and supported. At camp, she’s got your back.

[ FAQ ]

Common Questions

  • We structure the camp so every athlete gets the right level of challenge and support. Riders are grouped by pace, experience, and goals, with multiple ride options and regroup points built into each session—so no one feels pushed beyond their ability or held back from their potential.

    Coaching is individualized within the group setting, with guidance on pacing, fueling, and technique tailored to where you are right now. Whether you’re newer to gravel or preparing to compete at a high level, you’ll be challenged appropriately, supported throughout, and able to fully benefit from the experience.

  • We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel or adjust your camp registration, we offer flexible options depending on timing. Transfers to a future camp may be available, and partial credits can often be applied if changes are made in advance.

    Because race entries and accommodations are secured ahead of time, certain portions of the camp may be non-refundable.

    We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment. For full details, please refer to our cancellation policy or reach out directly—we’re here to help you find the best solution.

  • You’ll get communication emails leading up to camp that will help you pack, prep, and feel 100% ready.

  • You don’t need to arrive at peak fitness—but you should come prepared to ride multiple days in a row. Consistency matters more than intensity, so focus on building steady volume, comfort on the bike, and the ability to handle back-to-back riding days.

    Before camp, aim to include longer rides, some climbing or variable terrain, and begin practicing your fueling and hydration strategy. This will allow you to get more out of each session and fully apply what you’re learning.

    All athletes receive a structured, gravel-specific training plan leading into camp, so you’ll know exactly how to prepare. The goal is to arrive ready to learn, absorb the work, and take your performance to the next level.

  • Please reach out to Audra to inquire about renting a demo bike.

Related Methods

There are a number of Gravel Method Experiences available in a number of destinations.

View the full Method Calendar for details.

View Full Calendar