Irish Hills Gravel Weekend with Paige Onweller - Saturday Ride and Q&A
About the Event
Experience the beauty of Southern Michigan's rolling hills at our upcoming Gravel Weekend, hosted by professional cyclist Paige Onweller. The weekend is designed to cater to both beginners and seasoned riders alike, offering an array of events that are sure to be engaging and informative. Join us on Saturday, July 18th for a No-Drop Group Ride + Skills Clinic at the River and Rail Farmers Market (The Armory) in Jackson, Michigan. From 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, participants will receive hands-on instruction from Paige Onweller and Maxine Bratus of fitmi on essential skills such as body position for cornering and descending, hand and foot positioning, where to focus your vision while riding, and how to build confidence in loose terrain. A closed circuit is provided to practice pace-line riding and group ride etiquette. After the clinic, a 10-mile no-drop ride will put these new skills into action on local gravel roads, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the experience without feeling left behind. The event concludes with an informal Q&A + Meet & Greet at Ogma Brewing Co., where attendees can mingle with Paige Onweller and other cycling enthusiasts over food and drinks. On Sunday, July 19th, head to Swain Memorial Park in Brooklyn for Irish Hills Gravel Group Rides designed for a variety of skill levels. Our faster group will maintain an average pace between 17-20 mph, focusing on smooth riding rather than racing each other. For those seeking a more relaxed experience or who might need some support, we have partnered with Nate Evans and his Rolling Toast Group Ride to offer shorter distances and easier paces. Post-ride, all participants are invited to continue the conversation over brunch at Atlas Restaurant & Bar in downtown Brooklyn, where refreshments will be available for purchase individually. Women attending this event can enjoy exclusive benefits: a 50% off registration code for future Irish Hills Gravel events and access to a monthly webinar series with Paige Onweller covering topics such as equipment selection, training strategies, nutrition advice, race preparation, and more. Our goal is simple—to create an inclusive environment that encourages women to explore the thrilling world of gravel cycling. Whether you’re new to the sport or looking for tips from a professional, this weekend promises to be a memorable experience in Southern Michigan’s picturesque landscapes.
Races Offered
Female No Drop Ride + Skills Clinic
Jul 18, 2026
straighten
Distance —
16.1K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
14 days remaining
sell
$0.00
Female Q & A + Meet and Greet
Jul 18, 2026
straighten
Distance —
Female Q & A + Meet and Greet
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
14 days remaining
sell
$0.00
Male No Drop Ride + Skills Clinic
Jul 18, 2026
straighten
Distance —
16.1K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
14 days remaining
sell
$0.00
Male Q & A + Meet and Greet
Jul 18, 2026
straighten
Distance —
Male Q & A + Meet and Greet
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
14 days remaining
sell
$0.00
Non Binary Q & A Meet and Greet
Jul 18, 2026
straighten
Distance —
Non Binary Q & A Meet and Greet
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
14 days remaining
sell
$0.00
Non-Binary No Drop Ride + Skills Clinic
Jul 18, 2026
straighten
Distance —
16.1K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
14 days remaining
sell
$0.00
Weather History
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for July in Jackson.
thermostatTemperature
17.6° / 27.6°
wb_sunnyFeels like
17.7° / 27.9°
light_mode
Avg sunshine hours
12h 11m
water_drop
Avg rainfall
2.9 mm
ac_unit
Avg snowfall
—
air
Avg wind speed
9.4 km/h (Light breeze)
opacity
Sweat loss rate
High
terrain
Course conditions
Hard and dry surface
sunny
Max UV Index
Very High (8.0)
humidity_mid
Humidity
72.3%
wb_twilight
Sunrise
06:16
nightlight
Sunset
21:09
About Jackson
Learn more about the host city, Jackson.
Jackson is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County in the south-central part of the state of Michigan, halfway between Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor, forty minutes south of Lansing and about an hour west of Detroit. Its population is 31,347 (2021) and combined with the county has a metro population of 160,050. Its tall buildings show a Jackson more populated than today, for the population had been declining since 1950 or so, but efforts have begun to flatten the curve and make the city diversified and vibrant.
