Mark Bruce delivered an outstanding performance at the weekend, finishing 14th in the brutal 96km Carron Valley Crusher, part of the UK’s premier gravel race series, GrALBA.
The GrALBA Series is the UK’s premier gravel race series, consistently packed with some of the strongest riders in the country, so placing this high is a serious marker of Mark’s form and class.
We caught up with him after the race to hear how FLYCARB’s BiCarrb is helping him push new limits:
“I’ve been using FLYCARB for racing and tough sessions, and the benefits have been unreal. I was using BiCarrb when I hit a 44-watt PB in a power test. You really feel the difference in sustained efforts, your legs just have more to give, and that gives you the confidence to go deep. Love it.”
Mark’s ride shows the real-world value of lactate buffering, especially over long, variable-effort events like gravel racing.
Why BiCarrb Works So Well for Gravel
Gravel races are unpredictable. The Carron Valley Crusher threw everything at the riders, steep climbs, rugged technical sections, exposed moorland, and bursts of hard accelerations. Over 96 kilometres, the effort might look aerobic on paper, but the reality is anything but steady.
Riders are constantly dipping in and out of high intensity zones. That is where lactate buffering becomes a secret weapon.
BiCarrb is built around sodium bicarbonate, one of the most researched performance supplements in sport. During repeated anaerobic efforts, like short climbs or sprinting out of corners, your body produces hydrogen ions. These contribute to acidosis and muscle fatigue. Bicarbonate helps buffer those ions, delaying the burn and extending your power window.
For gravel athletes, that translates into:
- More sustained power on climbs
- Faster recovery from spikes in effort
- Better pacing confidence over long race days
Mark’s power PB and top finish are just two signs of what happens when real world racing meets smart fuelling.
Want to Go Deeper?
If you're racing gravel, chasing road PRs, or just love tough sessions, BiCarrb can give you that extra margin with no GI distress and no gimmicks.
Head over to our shop to grab yours now!