#gravel biking

[velovelo]

[rollingmeaway]

Race weekend. Impossible to sleep. Too wound up. Going into these races sleep deprived is never good and is always the case.

[pauldotbike]

What goes into a great tool pack for your ride? Check out this video while I go through my pack.

[campag01]

[lennasaurus]

First gravel ride of the season

[stevenrindner1]

Steven Rindner on Gravel Biking: Tools and Accessories

Steven Rindner on Gravel Biking: What do You Need?

Over the past few years, we've witnessed a huge increase in the number of bikes and accessories on offer, in parallel with the growing popularity of gravel biking.

SRAM, Shimano, and Campagnolo have all launched gravel groupsets designed with a better gear range than typical cycling groupsets, which have become commonplace on gravel bike setups, as bikers like Steven Rindner note.

The number of electric gravel bikes is also increasing, allowing more riders to explore steeper and further than ever before.

Flared handlebars are now quite common for gravel bikes, giving more stability on the drops, and many riders opt for wider bars than you'd typically find on standard road bikes.

Several technologies are also coming across, from the world of mountain biking to gravel riding.

The integration of suspension into seat posts and stems aims to relieve discomfort caused by rough terrain. In addition, gravel bike suspension is now available in the form of the Lauf Grit fork (30mm travel), Niner's MCR 9 RDO full suspension gravel bike (50mm travel), and the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork (30 or 40mm travel).

Tubeless tire inserts, lightweight foam tubes that reduce your puncture risk, and gravel bike dropper posts, which lower the seat post and alter your body weight on the bike on steep descents, also have MTB origins.

What tools do you need to take for gravel riding?

As bikers like Steven Rindner note, you have to ensure you carry all the necessary spares and tools, including a quick link and chain tool, tire boot, tubeless repair kit, spare tubes, and a high-volume pump. If you're heading out into the wild, bringing cable ties, a spare derailleur hanger, tape, and even brake pads is a great idea.

Planning before you ride, with your route loaded on your phone, GPS bike computer, or smartwatch, can be invaluable. Cycling apps, such as Komoot, are also very helpful.

In case of battery failure, Steven Rindner and other biking enthusiasts point out that people shouldn't forget a paper map on trips into the wilderness. In this environment, you should pack water and plenty of snacks for your ride. There's nothing worse than biking in the middle of nowhere without a resupply point for miles.

Read more about the benefits of thru-hiking, bikepacking, performance cycling, and gravel biking by subscribing to this Steven Rindner page.

[velopistamedia]

Gravel Miami is Happening Again!

Do you need to get your gravel legs going, but there’s still snow on the ground in your part of the world? Come down to the Florida Everglades for the second edition of Gravel Miami, happening February 4th, 2023. This area of South Florida has quickly become a gravel destination in its own right, and Gravel Miami is its premier event.

Gravel Miami was held for the first time in 2022, and attracted riders and racers of all levels. Alison Tetrick, aka the Queen of Gravel, Brennan Wertz and Anthony Carter from Scuderia Pinarello, Olympic medalist Mari Holden, and the team from Velocio // Exploro were among the pros out racing for the podium top step.

“The early February event is a pre-season test for those aspiring to compete in the Unbound event and others,” reveals Kevin Abbate of ESPtiming, the team behind Gravel Miami. “Most use it as a vacation to get away from the cold.” Abbate is no stranger to racing, having put together multiple state cycling championships and successfully competing in a few himself.

 Not a racer? No need to worry, there are three course distances offered this year: 36, 56, and 107 miles, to accommodate any level or type of rider.

“We never call it a race,” says Abbate. “But an experience. It’s one of the few times riders can see the Everglades up front, and visit a biological wonder of the world.” No matter which course length you choose, you will be riding through an incredible river of grass that is not found anywhere else in the world.

The course for 2023 is all new, adding an area called Frog Pond, and promising more mud and grass sections. You can cruise through it all and enjoy the wild scenery, or you can test your legs against some of the best national – and local – talent, and maybe even earn one of the top three category spots.

If you are ready to race, bring everything you’ve got. Expect to see some of South Florida’s GOATs out on the course (you all know who you are), and lots of top talent from around the country coming down here for Gravel Miami. Confirmed riders include Brazilian/American pro mountain bike and gravel racer, Stefano Barberi, and Unbound veteran Danielle Larson, coming in from Arizona.

You’ll get a newly designed shirt with your registration, along with a ticket for a free beer at the Miami Brewing Company, which is located right next to the ample free parking (including overnight RV parking) near the course. The brewery is also putting together some activities for Friday for the early arrivals for Saturday’s Gravel Miami, and for Sunday as well. Registration and event information can be found at www.GravelMiami.com.

[outsiders111]

[shachormet]

[velovelo]

[umazane-muesli]

So it's just gonna be back to back idiot shenanigans for the rest of the day, huh?

[pauldotbike]

Got a new set of tires for my gravel bike. The terravail Washburns in 700x42 in durable casing. Replacing the horribly unreliable WTB Byways.

So far so good. They seem to be way gripper than the byways.

[grogumaximus]

[canipel]

Coffe zone / Make sure you follow > Shot By Canipel & Instagram

[theminimalisto]

3T x Huracan Sterrato. 

[hannibal-or-maybe-just-rex]