Aeron TPU Tubes: Update

That's a looooong valve stem!

 Note: Guitar Ted received Aeron TPU tubes and a patch kit at no charge for test and review from Aeron. Guitar Ted is not being paid, nor bribed for this review and all opinions are Guitar Ted's. 

Last week I introduced the Aeron TPU tubes I have on test and review here. That introduction can be read by clicking THIS LINK. 

In this update I am going to cover the installation process and my first impressions of these tubes so far. So, let's dive right in!

Installation Process:

Aeron advises the user to put in about 3-4psi of air pressure in the tube before installing it. This is to give the tube shape, and to prevent the installer from folding or pinching the tube during the install. It is a basic technique for installing any tube. What you do not want to do is over inflate the TPU tube!

Another thing to note here is that Aeron made this tube to work with 650B/27.5" AND 700c wheels. This means that the tube is slightly too small in diameter for 700c upon installation. You have to stretch the tube over the rim to mount it, which might be tricky if you haven't dealt with this sort of situation before. We 29"er guys from way back know the drill as we had to use 26" tubes as spares at one point. 

While Aeron does not advise putting talc powder in the tire, it does not recommend against it, and this is something I do with any tube. It helps the tube move against the inner casing of the tire and helps prevent chafing. It could possibly lower rolling resistance a bit as well, but I have no solid evidence of this being the case. 

I installed the tubes using different sized tires. Aeron recommends these tubes for anything from 32mm to 52mm in width. I have a 47mm wide Teravail Cannonball and a 700 x 2.25" (claimed) WTB Nineline tire in use with the Aeron tubes now. The WTB Nineline is actually 51mm in width, so just within the recommendation from Aeron. 

I found that the Aeron tubes in my tires were a bit of a chore to get set into place properly. One would like to see the bead chafer strip peeking out above the rim's edge, (as seen in the image here) all the way around the wheel. But I had a devil of a time getting my tires, especially the Nineline, to set where they belong.

This is a common occurrence with butyl tube installs as well. A little lube on the tire beads can help with this issue. Older tires are also more prone to doing this, and so my old Nineline was probably more to blame than the tube was in this instance. 

Ride Impressions:

I have to play around with air pressures yet. Initial test rides are going fine though. Nothing really unusual to report and so far, this is a good thing. 

Overall Impressions: 

The installation was what I expected, and besides the issues with getting the tires to sit just right, I was fine with how the installation went. I should note here I used no levers or other tools to mount the TPU tubes. I would strongly recommend a no-tool installation since this eliminates damage which can be incurred by using levers.  

My SILCA pump head worked great with the threaded top portion of the valve stem. This feature is a little noticed thing until you run across a tube with a smooth, non-threaded valve stem and find your pump head blowing off as you inflate the tire.  

There was a comment made in the previous post on these Aeron tubes concerning the length of the valve stems. This longer stem length and the smaller diameter issue are connected, in my opinion. Aeron is trying to make a TPU tube which will work across a wide range of use cases. This way they do not have to make several variants to cover specific use cases. This includes valve stem length. If the Aeron valve stem clears a deep dish rim, it will clear a lot of other, less deep profile rims. 

I'm not necessarily a fan of this approach, but I understand it from a business/manufacturing viewpoint.  As long as the stem doesn't get knocked around, (and based upon my experiences on gravel, it shouldn't) I'm fine with this decision by Aeron functionally. Aesthetically it looks goofy. 

While this is not directly related to the tubes I have decided to swap test bikes based upon the minimal tire clearance in the rear of the Noble GX5. It was only rated for 40mm tires, so a 47mm is really pushing things!  

So, I think we are on the road to getting some real riding done with these tubes soon. That is, if it would quit raining buckets and the lightning would cease! 

Stay tuned....  

PSA: Wednesday will kick off the press releases embargo lifts for Sea Otter news. Look for several articles to go live at oddball times Wednesday and Thursday. Much of this week's FN&V will be Sea Otter news as well.  

Wheels For Gen I

The Gen I Fargo is a lifer here at Guitar Ted Productions. This will likely be a bicycle I keep until I cannot ride anymore. It's been configured in many ways since I brought it home late in 2008, but there has only been one time I really ever had a nice wheel set on it. 

That was when I ran the Edge (now Enve) carbon rimmed, DT Swiss hubbed wheel set I built up back in 2008. I ran those wheels on the bikes for a while but they ended up on the Fargo a time or three. 

But now I don't have anything great to run on this bike, and that is mostly due to the fact that the Fargo is 135MM/100mm rear/front quick release standard. A standard barely supported by the cycling industry these days. 

So, anyway, the search is on for some hubs that won't cost an arm and a leg which I can base a wheel set off of which will be the (hopefully) last wheel set I ever put on the Fargo. These wheels do not have to be carbon rims, but they also could be. 

I hope to get something put together, (either by myself or ???), soon and be able to use this bike later this Summer with a really nice set of wheels on there. So, stay tuned. And by the way, if you have any suggestions for nice QR wheels, let me know. 

Gravel History With Guitar Ted: Changing Times

About this time ten years ago...

A story I told in the latest episode of the Guitar Ted Podcast had to do with this image. The image is of myself out North and East of Waterloo at about this time of year in 2016. It is a trading card, one of a set, which was handed out at the tenth anniversary of the Dirty Kanza 200 event in Emporia, Kansas. You know.....the event known as Unbound now? Yeah, that gravel race. 

I remember when the DK folks reached out to me and asked me to send them an image. They wanted something of me recent on a bike. Well.......there are not a lot of images of myself riding a bicycle, so this was a bit of an issue for myself. 

I thought it was a bit of an odd request anyway. I mean....who cares about Guitar Ted riding bikes? Especially racers. I never amounted to much when it comes to bicycle racing. As far as my event went, Trans Iowa was weird and being eclipsed by several other events by that time in gravel. Essentially, the gravel world had grown and passed myself and Trans Iowa by. 

Sure, there was the influence, the history, which Trans Iowa and myself represented. But even by 2016 most gravel folk had no idea concerning any of that. None. Zero. 

This is why I find it ironic when today I see stories written on major online cycling media sites stating how gravel didn't really see growth until 2018, or 2019, and some punters place the "explosion of gravel" after the pandemic. 

They don't know what they are talking about.

I used to compile a calendar of gravel events every year from 2008 until 2020. Gravel events increased in number from 2010 to 2019 by a factor of over six times. Talk about "an explosion of gravel events" But no one cares to research anything in their stories, I guess. That's why I write this stuff down. 

Anyway, back to the trading cards. I eventually settled on taking a quick selfie out on a ride and I sent it off for the DK200 folks to look at. I promptly forgot all about the promotion as I was deep in the throes of organizing the next Trans Iowa event. 

Then it came time for the DK200. I went down with Tony, a friend of mine, and I was there mostly as support for Tony. But I also was there to attend this goofy, (my opinion) autograph session for people who wanted autographed trading cards. The rest of that story is on the podcast, so I'll save you from reading it here. 

The whole deal was pretty much a flop, as I recall. I did get a complete set of cards for being there.  I went home, and probably like most everyone else, I tossed these cards in a "junk drawer" to eventually get thrown out at some point in the future. 

Then one day, well over a year later, I received an odd little package in the mail. It was a playing card box full of my trading cards. I think I have around 30+ of my card in that box yet. I have no idea why I got them afterward or what I will ever do with them in the future. 

Probably throw them out in some fit of cleaning someday.....

Two Things

What Is "Success"?

Another podcast dropped this week and we got to chat with perennial guest, Dave Pryor. He was quoted in a recent article in "Velo" concerning East Coast gravel events.  (Paywalled, but if you work Google you can find a workaround)

In the article the question is asked "Why haven't East Coast gravel promoters hosted something like Unbound, Belgium Waffle Ride Series, or a Mid-South type event?" The author was taking a stance on a definition for success which, in my opinion, is the default definition used by mainstream cycling media. However; it is not the only definition for success. 

You can listen in to the podcast HERE or find it on your favorite podcast platform. 

In the episode, Dave Pryor makes a point about how "Velo" has always been about racing and racing results, so to have a big Pro-level gravel event to report on benefits them. Dave mentioned not all outlets are like this. And, of course, he is right. But what I wanted to make clear is that when you have the majority of online reporting focused on "athletic exceptionalism" then people hear the narrative that this is all that matters, because let's be honest, this is what happens. When you don't get the reporting on the individual accomplishments, stories of adventure, and self-stretching efforts, (individual exceptionalism/spiritual exceptionalism) then this is seen and felt as less than important. Sure, some outlets will post a story in this realm, but it isn't deemed "the thing that moves the needle" financially. This is because the media doesn't trust the readers to find this exciting and worthwhile reading. So, you get the same ol', same ol'. 

And the circle never ends. 

Tom Claver, foreground. (Image by C. David Ashton II)

A Rider Leaves:

Recently I learned that Tom Claver, a local rider here, is moving away to the Twin Cities area. I met Tom via bicycles, of course, and I used to do some work for him from time to time when I was a retail bicycle mechanic. 

Tom isn't one to seek out the spotlight. In fact, he probably won't be comfortable with this being here on the blog. However; when a rider of this caliber leaves the area, I think it is noteworthy.  

I cannot say I know Tom well. I know him well enough to hold casual conversation with him. I typically don't ride with anyone, so Tom and I don't see a lot of each other these days. That said, I see evidence of Tom's rides all the time. 

It is not a rare thing to see tire tracks in the dust, fairly fresh ones, going South, East, and West of Waterloo. 99% of those tracks are evidence of Tom's passing through. He rides thousands of miles, alone as I do, every year. Many of his miles being on gravel. He's tough as nails, but kind, and soft-spoken. Most locals have no idea of his accomplishments on the bikes. 

But I have somewhat of an idea. 

Tom, if you read this, know that some of us noticed you. We cared about how you were doing. And know you'll be missed.  I'll certainly miss seeing your tracks out on the gravel roads. 

Ride on.  

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Surly Bikes

 Surly Sorceress Trail Bike Debuts:

On Tuesday of this week Surly Bikes dropped a new model into their line called the Sorceress. It is a long. low, slack  steel hardtail 29'er (27.5"er in XS) with the capability to be set up geared or single speed.  

Surly worked with SRAM to develop a new rear drop out which can be set up geared using the SRAM UDH hangar or a chip can be subsituted which allows for a single speed set up. Surly calls this new dropout the "DUH". (Yes, seriously they call it this)  

The geometry is slack with a 65° head tube angle using the suggested 140mm travel fork. The seat tube is minimized for maximum length dropper post use. Chain stay length is 429mm and the bike comes in complete form with Teravail 2.5" Kessel rubber. 

The bike comes in three complete specs and as a frame ($999.00) in Elderberry Tonic or Hot Honey Bling. The single speed is priced at $2,199.00, the Deore 12 speed model is $2,499.00, and the range topping SRAM Eagle 90 is $3,199.00. 

Sorceress drop outs (Image courtesy of Surly Bikes)

Comments: Let's see...... I think it was late 2012 when I reviewed that Diamondback Mason hardtail 29"er. It was about the same bike as this Surly model. So.....nothing new here. 

Yeah, its got that drop out the online sites are all ga-ga over. What is this? Like the 39th variation of a rear drop out Surly has designed over the past 20 years? I don't know......it's all right, I guess. Nothing mind-blowing. 

I'm not sure why Surly decided to make this bike now. Are dealers clamoring for something to sell like this? Are Surly "Humanoids| messaging Surly asking for this? Maybe they are. It just seems like a weird bike for Surly to sell because it hasn't got that "make it your own" thing nor does it really do anything oddball like one used to expect from Surly. Yes....it can be set up and purchased as a single speed. At least they got that part right. 

Image courtesy of Bianchi

Bianchi Releases Limited Edition Infinito Celebrating Paris-Roubaix:

 Paris-Roubaix is this weekend. It might be the most romanticized cycling event in world history. More so than any other "monument" of cycling and perhaps more so than the Tour de France as well. In my opinion, Paris-Roubaix has been more influential in regard to cycling competitions than any other cycling event ever. Just look at gravel events which borrow from either its name, its vibe, or both. 

In light of this, it should come as no surprise then to see a company like Bianchi release a very expensive, very limited edition bicycle to celebrate Paris-Roubaix. 

 The Infinito model was chosen to feature a special paint job with details such as cobbles and a commemorative logo on the seat tube. Only 55 Infinito bikes will feature this livery which points to the 55 kilometers of cobbles in the 2026 edition of Paris-Roubaix. 

See this and all Bianchi's bicycles at www.bianchi.com 

Shimano PD-GR400 flats (Image courtesy of Shimano)

Another Flat Pedal Choice:

I may be a bit behind on discovering these Shimano flat pedals, but the PD-GR400 from Shimano is right up my alley. 

The resin-composite body has nine replaceable grip pins per side and the entire pedal weighs a claimed 394 grams. At a cost of $79.99 direct from Shimano, these pedals seem like a pretty good value. 

I like that they come in different colors as well. Six colors to be exact. I'm showing purple because it is the best color ever, and there is no debate. (Ha!) 

I also like resin composite pedals in the colder times when a metal pedal acts like a heat sink and draws heat out of your foot/shoe combo. Not good! Resin is far less adept at transferring heat, which helps keep those tootsies warm in Winter. 

Anyway, these are not the only choice, but they are another choice I think is worth checking out. Personally I have been a big fan of Fyxation Mesa MP's and I have several sets of them running on different bikes. It looks like Fyxation is on the down and outs though, so I may have to use these Shimano pedals in the future. 

Image courtesy of White Industries

White Industries, Brunk Industries, and Moots Team Up for Titanium Cranks:

An unlikely trio of businesses have teamed up to help produce a made in USA titanium crank set. Brunk Industries does the stamping and forming of the titanium arms. White Industries does the precision machining of the arms and spindles. Moots does the welding of the arms and pedal inserts. 

The cranks will be sold through both White Industries and Moots in several lengths from 165mm, 170mm, and 175mm. Different spindle lengths accommodate MTB, Road, and Gravel drive trains. The cranks us 8 bolt SRAM chain ring mounting standard. Spindles can also be DUB standard or 30mm. Some slight detail differences exist between the Moots and White Industries offerings, mostly in the aesthetic realm. Both brands are selling this crank set for $1350.00 USD.  

Image courtesy of Ergon

Ergon Expands GDH Grip Line Sizing:

Ergon has had the GDH grip in the range for some time now but there was only one diameter/size available. Now there will be three sizes and some new colors as well. 

The news sizes vary 2mm smaller and2mm larger than the original GDH, so if you are a fan of the OG grip, no worries. It is now called Medium sized. 

The grips will all have the "GravityControl" grip compound, progressive damping, and anatomic finger boxes. 

Check out these grips on Ergon\s product page: ergonbike.com/en/lp/gdh-color and US riders can : buy them here. 

Grinduro Returns To PA:

Lockhaven, PA, July 18th, 2026 is the date and place for Grinduro Pennsylvania. Registration is open now. 

Grinduro is timed segment event. This means there are segments where you will be in competition, but there are also segments where you can just cruise and enjoy the ride. 

The event will be going through Sproul State Forest and will feature stunning views, top-notch aid stations, and live entertainment. The event will also feature the following:

• Four timed race segments with plenty of adventure in between
• Festive aid stations with proper fueling and the treats that will lift you spirits
• A lively post-ride celebration and “hootenanny”
• On-site camping available Friday and Saturday
• Possible “Hellbender” salamander sightings all weekend

Proceeds from Grinduro PA will benefit the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League #morekidsonbikes 

That's a wrap on this week. Stay in the saddle and ride!  
 

Review: Aeron TPU Tubes

 Note: Guitar Ted received Aeron TPU tubes and a patch kit at no charge for test and review from Aeron. Guitar Ted is not being paid, nor bribed for this review and all opinions are Guitar Ted's. 

I mentioned in a recent FN&V article here that I was receiving some Aeron TPU tubes for testing. Those tubes, and a patch kit, have arrived so now it is time to let you readers know what these TPU tubes are all about. 

Aeron has three levels of TPU tubes available. The Superlite Race AL, The ExtraLite Protect AL, and the ExtraLite Protect. Essentially the differences are that the SuperLite has a thinner TPU than the other two. The ExtraLite Protect AL has an aluminum valve stem while the ExtraLite Protect has a polymer valve stem and costs slightly less. 

Prices are $29.95 USD for the SuperLite Race AL and ExtraLite Protect AL and $24.95 USD for the ExtraLite Protect.

You can check out the range on the Aeron site HERE. 

Aeron TPU patch kit contents

Why TPU? Why Not Run Tubeless? 

This is probably a good place to discuss this, at the beginning, so you will not waste your time with the review if tubeless is your decision no matter what. However; if you have an open mind, there is a good argument to be made for TPU tubes.  

First of all, it is fairly well understood that butyl tubes, the typical "rubber" tubes you probably are familiar with, can puncture and there are several use cases for a different system than a typical tube. For instance, you may ride in an area infested with poky things, like goat heads, or cacti, or glass shards. Tubes are a frustration in these instances because they can fail easily. 

This is where tubeless comes in handy as generally speaking, those poky things will not stop you because the tire self-heals with the aid of sealant. This is great.....when it works. 

Sealant does dry over time, so there is a maintenance factor you get with it. Eventually tires should be cleaned since old sealant cakes up inside tires when it dries out. Valve stems can fail due to the ammonia and latex which is in most sealants. So, you can have this to deal with at times along with the possibility clogged valves at as well.  

Tubeless aficionados put up with this because the ride quality is enhanced by using tires without tubes. Once felt, this can be addictive and hard to think about giving up. On the other hand, tubes can be easily swapped, if the need arises, they hold air well, and there is no sealant maintenance issues, no clogged valves, and no sticky, gooey mess. I won't even get into rim tapes, mounting of tubeless tires, and patching tires when sealant fails to seal up a bigger puncture or tear.  

TPU tubes are far lighter than their butyl counterparts. 

Now what about TPU? How does this material fit in as a tube for a tire? Well, it has a lot going for it. TPU doesn't allow air leakage like a butyl rubber tube does, so it holds pressure for longer than standard tubes and tubeless set ups. But the real advantages come in when you have a failure and need to fix a flat tire.

Remember when I said tubeless is great when it works? Well, there are times when it doesn't. Thus the entire tubeless plug industry. Those plugs are there to help you seal up a leak the sealant cannot manage to seal. Okay.....what's the problem? 

Well, those plugs are great, but you are losing sealant up until the point you get the plug to seal, and this depletes any further protection level should you puncture again. Maybe you get another plug to work, maybe not. 

Of course, you may not have a "plug-sized" hole, because it is a tear, or too big a hole for a plug, and now you've gotta deal with the sealant mess. Now you remember, perhaps, if you are old enough, how you could swap a tube fairly quickly and be on your way again. You could boot a tear with a Power Bar wrapper, (remember those?), or you patched a tube if you weren't in a hurry and kept on truckin'. Do you wish those days were back, but with benefits? This is why you may like TPU tubes. 

They have light weight down. Typically you can save way over 50% in weight over a similar sized butyl rubber tube. You get nearly the same low rolling resistance as tubeless, but none of the downsides. Plus, TPU is less likely to puncture than butyl tubes and the TPU can be patched. Besides, you can swap out a TPU tube in the field, and be on your way again without needing plugs or spraying sealant. Plus TPU is recyclable. So it is a better solution than tubeless from a "green" standpoint.  

UPDATE: I also should mention that any TPU tube should NOT be used with rim brakes. The heat generated by braking on the rim can cause TPU tubes to burst. Only use TPU tubes on disc brake bikes!  

Aeron TPU tube on the left, Tubolito TPU tube on the right. 

TPU's Evolution:

TPU, when it first came out, was not ready for prime time. There were issues with valve stems, which were made of a polymer or TPU material. There were issues with stretching too thin and failures occurred. Early TPU tubes were perhaps too radical in that they were made so thin and lightweight they did not hold up well in real world riding situations. 

As an example, I pulled out an old Tubolito TPU tube I got several years ago. It has a flimsy TPU valve stem, a non-removable valve core, and it was really thin! The "gravel" Tubolito on the right above weighs 33 grams! The Aeron tube weighs 59 grams. The Aeron tube is thicker feeling. It gives me a feeling of confidence in that I won't worry if it will hold up or not. The Tubolito always was in the back of my mind as something which could fail at any moment due to the flimsy feeling material and the sketchy valve stem.   

The Aeron stem is aluminum and has a robust connection with the tube.

Aeron uses a "multi-layer" TPU which you can feel in the hand as a thicker, perhaps tougher material. It is probably why Aeron recommends this TPU tube for anything from a 32mm tire to a 52mm wide tire. Early TPU tubes were not recommended for such a wide range and could split if you pushed them too far in terms of tire width. 

Obviously the aluminum valve stem is much better than the old, flimsy first generation TPU valve stems which, to be honest, were really bad. 

All this to say that TPU tubes have come a long way since the first TPU tubes came out several years ago. 

The Test Set Up:

I'll be putting the Aeron ExtraLite AL TPU tubes in a wheel set I have with different tire sizes for rougher terrain riding. The rear is a Teravail Cannonball 47mm tire while the front is a going to be either a WTB Nineline or Nanoraptor. I have to make sure the tire isn't too wide. 

The next post will show the set up and I'll give you all some first ride impressions. Stay tuned... 

Gravel Grinder News: Baumier & WTB Press Releases

Image courtesy of Baumier 

 Note: With Sea Otter coming up in a week there are press releases hitting the in-box at Guitar Ted Productions headquarters which require space here to publish outside of the FN&V. 

All information and images were provided by Baumier and WTB. Comments are Guitar Ted's.  

Quebec's Baumier Announces Their First Complete Bicycle: 

The Canadian company, Baumier, is known more for wheels than complete bicycles, but the Quebec based firm hopes to change this in the future. Their first complete bike, the BO1, is designed and manufactured completely in the Marche Central District.

The BO1 has 3D printed titanium junctions including the head tube, bottom bracket, seat cluster, and drop outs. The connection between these titanium bits is made from braided RFC carbon fiber tubing. The RFC process (Resin Flow Composite), allows Baumier to optimize strength and lightness with zero waste. The process has been in development for eight years. 

The Baumier B01 is defined as an "all-road" bike and maximum tire clearance is 42mm. The bike can be configured in three spec levels which Baumier calls "Hors Categorie", "Lifetime", and "Timeless". 

B01 Hors-Catégorie (HC)  Features

• Drivetrain: Shimano XTR Dura-Ace Di2 or Sram Red XPLR
• Crankset: Rotor Carbon 
• Wheels: RT40 HC or GT24 UL

B01 Lifetime (LT) Features

• Drivetrain: Shimano GRX-827 Di2
• Crankset: Gemini Forged carbon & 5DEV Titanium crank arms
• Wheels: RT40 LT or GT24 LT

B01 Timeless (TL) Features

• Drivetrain: Shimano GRX mechanical
• Crankset: Rotor alloy
• Wheels: RT40 LT or GT24 LT

Technical Specifications
Frame Features

• Material & Process: Braided RFC (resin transfer molding) carbon tubes & 3D-printed Grade 5 Titanium lugs
• Constructed, finished, and built in-house
• Geometry: Allroad road geometry, 5 sizes from 50 to 60
• Finish: Natural brushed titanium or sandblasted titanium
• Maximum tire size: 42mm 

No pricing was given in the press release. See Baumier's site for more. 
 

Comments: The BO1 is an interesting bike which leverages newer tech and allows for a bit better style of manufacturing considering Baumier's focus on zero waste and Earth-centric values. Granted, this is a canadian company and they are not well known here in the States, but I like the in-house design and production piece here. 

Hopefully they can make a go of it. Similar efforts by Allied and others in the US have not been as successful in doing what Bamier is trying to accomplish with the B01. 

WTB Announces All New Fit Right Saddle Finder System:

WTB, the tire, rim, and saddle makers from California, just dropped their revamped saddle fit system. Their previous system was a bit less robust when it came to details, but the new system seems to have addressed those shortcomings. 

Dubbed the Fit Right System, the new saddle finder has riders answer a few questions, plug in their sit bone width, (if you do not know this measurement, they have a way for you to find out), and then there are suggested saddles for you to look at. 

Comments: As with any fitting system for humans, this isn't going to be a slam-dunk, definitive saddle answer for everyone. That said, it's better than what they had before and probably will get you in a ball park so you can find that perfect saddle eventually much more quickly as well.  

Paris-Roubaix Is The Most Influential Cycling Event

Image courtesy of the Official website of the Paris-Roubaix

The Paris-Roubaix. Just saying the name probably conjures up images of mud-splattered riders on a narrow French farm road. Riders lined alongside these roads with a crowned surface of stones called cobbles. The brutality of riding these rough-hewn stones on bike and body seems to impart some sort of deep-set, carnal impulse to celebrate overcoming such a course. 

Without going into depth on the historical and cultural background of the event itself, because this would take a novel-length post to get into, I wanted to point out something relevant to gravel cycling. 

At the onset of gravel cycling's Modern Era, comparisons to Paris-Roubaix were unavoidable. Maybe it was because Trans Iowa started in April, the same month  Paris-Roubaix was held. Maybe it had something to do with the muddy second year where no one finished. But it became immediately apparent that something about a Springtime gravel event was akin to Paris-Roubaix in some way or another. Dust, grit, mud, and sweat all combined to give an atmosphere similar to the French monument event. The country settings most early gravel events embraced only enhanced the connections. 

The rural settings, Springtime weather, and the challenge hearken back to Paris Roubaix. Image by Wally Kilburg (R.I.P.)

A shout-out also has to given to the Canadian event, Paris - Ancaster, which has utilized a similar Springtime, farm-road sector event to pull in the same vibes as Paris-Roubaix. This event no doubt was also a big influence upon the early gravel event promoters of the Eastern part of the USA. 

Maybe you would not agree that Paris Roubaix is the most influential cycling event in a competitive sense, but consider all the gravel events which took cues from this seminal European road race. So many events used the name "roubaix" in their event name that you just cannot deny the influence. Events like Dairy Roubaix, Rouge Roubaix, and the famous Barry Roubaix events show their influences right upfront. 

Other events drew the same or a similar vibe to Paris-Roubaix with events either featuring muddy roads or dirt roads which were rough and tumble. Either way, by direct naming usage or in its DNA, many early gravel events were influenced by Paris-Roubaix and the images of dirt-splattered faces were the signs of a hard-won prize in those early events. 

Gravel's popularity spread from there with many being attracted by the challenges these events offered. There were no Pro classes, no pretense of making a living, just the purity of competition and challenge set out for each participant. It was this, and the romanticized "Paris-Roubaix" factor which drew in thousands of gravel riders. 

This is not obvious to the casual observer now. However; how many events can you point to today which bear a resemblance to the Tour de France which have such high participation numbers as gravel events do from the general populace? I'll wait while you look.....

Image by Steve Fuller

Gravel is the de facto king of competitive cycling now in terms of participation numbers. Many of the events seen on the calendar today owe part of their inspiration, either directly or indirectly, to Paris - Roubaix. It is, by far, the most influential competitive cycling event ever. 

Enjoy watching or following the Paris-Roubaix this weekend, and if you do, think about all those gravel events which have drawn form this monument of cycling competition.