We caught up with Nicky Clark, also know as @_nickthegreek_ to hear all about his journey to the Gralloch and dreams of qualifying to ride for Great Britain. Discover what training and nutrition Is going to get him there.

I’m training for The Gralloch, a brutal but beautiful gravel race in Gatehouse of Fleet, Scotland. It’s my shot at qualifying to represent Great Britain at the Gravel World Championships this October. Between a full-time 9-5, renovating a house, trying to be a decent partner and keeping some sort of social life, training has been a bit of a juggling act. I’m not the strongest or the fastest. My bike handling’s sketchy at best. But I’ve got this weird itch I can’t ignore – to see how far I can really go.

Veloforte’s been a bit of a secret weapon through my training block. I’ve always struggled with keeping energy up on longer rides without feeling bloated or crashing hard afterwards. Their products are the first I’ve found that actually taste good and are gentle on the stomach, especially when the miles start to rack up. It’s like having real food on the bike only better.

I’m a big fan of the energy bars. It feels like a treat mid-ride but it genuinely keeps me going too.

Gravel’s a mental game as much as a physical one. You don’t need the best bike or the fanciest kit. Just start, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to look silly while learning. Practise fuelling like you practise riding. And finally, find the joy in the slog. The mud, the headwinds, the sore legs – they’re all part of it.