Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Onza Tires

 Onza Tires Brings Full Range Of Gravel Tires To Market:

Onza Tires, better known for mountain bike fare, has just announced a new range of gravel tires called "Alegra X". In an effort to guide riders to a "best tire" choice, these tires are arrayed in a ranking to categorize them from least grippy, best rolling resistance to most grippy, higher rolling resistance. With "1" having the fastest tread all the way to "6", with the most off-road ready" tread, Onza expects riders will better be able to dial in an Alegra X model which best suits their needs. 

All models seem to have 120TPI casings, single compound rubber, and a choice of tan or black wall sidewalls. Most are $59.99 USD. Sizes range from 40mm to 50mm, but not all models are available in all sizes or sidewall styles. 

See Onza's website for more details HERE.  

Comments: The ranking system is similar to how Vittoria Tires is doing things now within their range of gravel tires. Onza is not a big name in the States, so it remains to be seen how this range will be accepted. However; in my opinion this looks like a more budget friendly, high-value, low in features range. Tread designs are right in the current fashion trends for gravel, and you might be reminded of several better known brands and models while perusing the Onza range. 

Everything in the Alegra X range looks "safe" as far as how it will work on gravel, and I suspect these will all be okay for most people. However; I don't see much in the way of innovative design or anything overly inspiring here. Most of these tread designs are derivative, and look to be based off designs known to work just fine. Maybe Onza makes a dent here, but there are a LOT of choices in gravel tires in 2025/26, so the competition for space on rider's wheels is intense. 

Image courtesy of Madrone Cycles

Madrone Cycles Offers "Jab" Rebuildable Rear Mech:

Last year I featured the Madrone Cycles rear mech prototype in an FN&V segment. Now the rear derailleur for 1X systems from Shimano or SRAM is available to purchase. 

With a configurable, rebuildable design, the Jab rear mech promises versatility, longevity, and customization based upon the choice of different anodized colors. The Jab has received decent reviews so far, so the product looks promising. 

Prices will range depending upon configuration, but a standard gravel Jab runs about $298.00 USD. A Jab configured with a purple body and for Shimano 11 speed gravel usage, (shown) would run $327.00 USD. 

You can learn more on the page for the Jab HERE. 

Comments: Rebuildable? Okay......when was the last time you thought, "Hey! Why can't I rebuild my rear mech?" Maybe you've destroyed one in a wreck, or in poor conditions. Okay, maybe then. However, most rear derailleurs I have replaced over the past 30 years of repair work were 50% - 100% destroyed. You'd likely have to purchase a new rear mech anyway, unless Madrone sells all the individual parts for the Jab aftermarket. Sure, they sell most of the parts now, but what if you tweak the linkage parallelogram bits?

Then there is the price of admission. Again, as I stated in 2024, you can buy a brand new Shimano GRX rear mech for quite a bit less money. SRAM as well. Obviously, the Madrone offering looks completely cool and rad, but is it worth that much more? This is really what the piece boils down to. The way you answer this question will determine the part's value to you. There is no "wrong" answer here for a consumer, assuming it does its job. It's just that I'm not seeing what question this piece answers from a technical standpoint.  

Courtesy of Salsa Cycles social media

Salsa Reveals Another New Drop Bar Model:

The Mega Mid-South happened last weekend and both the men's and women's events were won on a new Salsa Cycles model which has not been released yet. 

The bike was feted in a Salsa Cycles social media post this week and the name of the model was revealed. The new model is going to be known as the "Flyway". 

This bike will, according to Salsa Cycles, be released this coming February. Details are said to become known about the Flyway in January, most likely because this is when dealers will be informed of those details.  

You may recall another teased new model from Salsa Cycles earlier in the Fall. I reported on this in an FN&V HERE. You may note that bike being a full suspension model with drop bars. This is not the same as the Flyway, which obviously is a hard tail, rigid front fork bike in the image shown here. 

Comments: Salsa Cycles has not redesigned, or tweaked the Warbird gravel racing bike for several years. It is long overdue for a refresh. Could the Flyway be a Warbird replacement? My guess is it will be replacing the Warbird, as Salsa's parent company has been sanitizing model names for several years. The Warbird refresh is a perfect time to axe the "militaristic" nomenclature and christen the refresh with a new, unoffensive name. Besides this, Salsa posted on their Facebook page that this bike is their "..... fifth generation gravel racing bike." Note: This is purely speculation on my part, but we've already seen a few re-namings in Salsa's line, so this would track if it is true.  

We can deduce from the images the  Flyway has a suspension corrected fork, larger tire clearances, and accessory fork mounts. The sloping top tube can be seen in this escape collective post, (paywalled if you want to read the entire post), which indicates dropper post compatibility. I'd also assume there is in-frame storage, full-internal routing, and possibly no support for mechanical group-sets, as is the fashion these days.  

We'll be keeping our eyes open for more on this "new" model after the turn of the New Year.  

The 32 Inch Wheel Watch:

More and more it seems apparent the 32 inch MTB wheel is going to be a thing in 2026. Rumors are being passed around saying more choices in tires are on the way, and more people are starting to move in a direction which points to small production runs of frames and forks for the wheel size. 

While I have ridden a 36"er, I haven't ridden one off-road, so I cannot say what a 32"er would be like. Furthermore, I'm not really interested in spending a bunch of money on an off-road bike I'd barely ever use. 

If I were to get into this wheel size, it would be for gravel, and for my sort of riding, a 32"er wheel makes a ton of sense. So, I am interested in what becomes of this sort of idea, and if it ever became possible, and the tires were there which made sense, I'd probably get one of these newer, bigger wagon wheelers for my stable. 

I think the rolling momentum of such a wheel would be primo for the rolling hills of Iowa. The vibration reducing possibilities are tantalizing for a man of my age who is not getting any younger. A drop bar, single speed 32"er makes a lot of sense to me, and if I would have to use 2"-plus wide tires, I'm good with it as long as the geometry is correct. 

So, while I do not need another gravel bike, I might need  a 32"er, especially if it was something which would extend my years as a gravel cyclist. 

Image courtesy of Ritchey Design

Ritchey Design Announces Carbon "Septimer" Breakaway Frame Set:

On Wednesday Ritchey Design released news about a new breakaway frame set in carbon fiber. The breakaway feature allows the frame to come apart in two sections and be packed is a special case for travel.

This bike frame and fork, executed in carbon fiber, has external cable routing for easier breakdown and travel duties. It has tire clearance for up to 48mm tires as well. 

The frame set is named for the Septimer Pass in the Alps where a Roman era road exists which Tom Ritchey explored back in the 1980's. Price for the frame set is set at $3,499.00 and can be ordered now via Ritchey Design dealers.  

Comments: What a cool bike! Breakaway design has been around for quite a while now. I've never seen it on a carbon fiber frame before, but it makes a lot of sense for the frequent travelr who wants a fine, all-road option to take on their travels. 

The geometry is spot on with nothing out of the ordinary to my eyes. Even without the Breakaway feature, this would be a cool bike, albeit a tad spendy.  

Gore To Cease Marketing Cycling Wear:

In a surprise announcement via Gorewear's parent company, WL Gore & Associates GmbH, it has been learned the Gore cycling business will cease operations and remaining inventory will be sold out with no further replacements. 

Citing economic hardships in the business, Gore stated in a letter to retailers obtained by a German bicycle industry publication that they saw no good future prospects for success for the brand. You can read more about the closing of Gorewear in this Bike Radar article HERE. 

Comments: Gore was very aggressive in terms of marketing throughout the last 15 years. They were not shy about sending kit to several outlets, including some I have been associated with in the past. However; it never seemed as though Gore could gain a foothold against the Raphas, MAAP's, and other trendy companies. 

Gore did find itself with a hit when they developed the Shake Dry rain jacket, (shown) which had immediate effect in the marketplace, being heralded as a major technology breakthrough in wet weather cycling gear. However; it had to pull the technology off the market due to PFAS concerns and Gore's own commitments to environmentally friendly products. This was something that was a blow to the company as they never really had any answer to the Shake Dry jacket. 

This news comes on the heels of YT Bikes closure in North America, and with a slew of deep-discount sales for "Pre-Black Friday" within the industry. All of this is not very encouraging heading into Winter. 
 

That's a wrap on this week! Thank you for reading Guitar Ted Productions! Now get out and ride a bicycle! 

Announcing The 2025 Virtual Turkey Burn Challenge

 

What It Is:

Since 2021 I have held a "Virtual Turkey Burn" challenge. A challenge to you readers to ride your bicycle(s). You readers have all responded nicely each time I have asked you to do this. Last year I had another good response and so I figured I may as well offer the chance to join in this virtual group ride once again this year. 

The original post from 2021 has all the details, which will spell out the idea and time-stamp for this challenge. (Dates changed to reflect 2025) The challenge starts in three weeks from today! So you've got plenty of time to get ready. Now for the details from that 2021 post....

 Virtual: (In terms of meeting) A virtual meeting is when people around the world, regardless of their location, use video, audio, and text to link up online. Virtual meetings allow people to share information and data in real-time without being physically located together.

Turkey Burn: (relating to cycling) The day after or weekend after Thanksgiving when cyclists ride long distances to "burn" off their Thanksgiving feast. A way to kick off the Winter cycling training season. Also a means for getting outdoors when it is cold. 

The routes can be paved, unpaved, on or off road. You choose!

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I propose a "Virtual Turkey Burn Century". Here are the parameters for participation:

1. Pick a bike. (Or multiple bicycles!) The more 'forlorn, forgotten, and neglected' of your choices, all the better. But also- Run what ya brung. If you want to use your favorite, most used bike- go for it. 
2. Ride a "century". Metric or full-on hundy, (63K or 100m) I don't care. Pavement, single track, gravel, back alleys, whatever. You decide. 
3. Take a picture. Take several if you want to. Digital works best for this.
4. Send me your pic(s) and a few words with a name I can credit to. (IMPORTANT!)
5. Do this challenge between Thursday, November 27th to Sunday November 30th. (Thanksgiving 'weekend' in the USA) You can do a century over several days even- if you want to. Whatever.
   
6. Send in your pics and words to g.ted.productions@gmail.com by Tuesday December 2nd. I will put up the "Virtual Turkey Burn Reports" starting on Monday December 8th, (and possibly after- Depending upon the number of submissions)  showing off everyone's submissions. (That is, if there are any daring enough to actually do this deal.)

You can join in the fun or just come back to see if anyone actually did something and read about it here. I am committed to the idea, so there will be one report, at the least. What do you get as a participant? Just a fun activity and possibly an infamous reputation from having your images and words posted on Guitar Ted Productions. Sorry, but if you participate, that's the only reward folks! This ain't no fancy-pants organization here. If you get laughed at by your peers for having your stuff show up here, well then, I am sorry, but I warned ya! 

Okay, that's the plan. Now..... GO! 

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

More Details For The 2025 Virtual Turkey Burn Challenge:

Last year was a banner year for the VTBC. I received ten reports from all across the nation and internationally. It took the better part of a week to post all the reports I received. I have no idea how many I will get in this year, but if I get a very high number, I will have to do something a little differently here to get them all posted up for you to enjoy.  However, be assured I will post all reports I receive. 

 Keep in mind that anyone wanting to participate doesn't have to submit an entry here concerning your ride, but if you choose to, it adds to the fun for the readers here. Those who choose to send in a report, please include an image or two and a name for image credits by December 2nd via email as indicated above.  

My motivation in offering the VTBC is to motivate YOU to RIDE. Especially since here in the Northern Hemisphere many believe it is too cold to ride and it is "not cycling season". Rubbish! We can and should ride all year around. 

If you have any questions please feel free to ask them in the comments or email me at the address above.  

Your Bicycle Tires May Not Be Black In The Future

Vittoria's "green" tan colored tire. (Image by Ari Andonopoulos)

 Last February I was honored to present a report from CABDA (Chicago Area Bicycle Dealers Association) which was sent to me by my good friend Ari Andonopoulos. In the report, Ari had an image of one of Vittoria's new "green initiatives". A tire made from 95% recycled materials. Because Vittoria is trying to reach a "carbon neutral" state in manufacturing, no material was added to make the rubber black. (Which, somewhat ironically, is called carbon black.)

Now it appears these tires with a "natural tan" color, are actually outperforming Vittoria's typical gravel tires. Several Pro athletes sponsored by Vittoria were using the tan colored tires at the recent UCI Gravel World Championships, according to an online report recently. 

With claims coming from the athletes making it sound as though these tires are faster rolling and have excellent traction qualities, will we see more of these tires in the future? 

As of now, Vittoria does not offer these gravel tires for sale, but one would have to think this will change soon. Especially if racers are sharing glowing comments about them. The amateurs will be clamoring for similar benefits, no doubt! 

From a social media sale post

Now, if you are old enough to remember, Tioga, (and a few other brands) were doing weirdly colored tires for mountain bikes in the 1990s. There were the Onza Porcupines with those round knobs in a white hue. There were Specialized "Umma Gumma" tires in a gray colored rubber. Ritchey had a reddish colored Z-Max tire. The Tiogas were a "butterscotch" and I have no idea if they would have been anything like today's Vittoria tires, but they did have a reputation for being fast wearing and fragile. So, there is that historical reference. 

You may be thinking there would be "no way" you'd ever run these "ugly" Vittorias, but let me tell you, don't be surprised if these get popular. Tioga "Butterscotch" Psychos were very trendy in the 1990's. Lots of brands stuck them on their mountain bikes back then, and they were a hot item there for a "hot minute". 

Plus, Panaracer has proven there is a market for colored rubber on your gravel tires. How many years have they offered weirdly colored tires now? So, yeah, I think there is a market for this.  

Psychos went out of favor due to their shortcomings in terms of performance and durability. However; if Vittoria has cracked the code on this, and the tires are faster than black ones, I think they will catch on. The fact the tires Vittoria are developing have a 95% recycled content makes this technology appealing to younger riders who have a deep sense of environmental preservation. Judging from what I have heard from young people, this is not a small number. So, the performance factor and the "green" factor matter here. 

I'd rock a set too. I always kind of liked those odd-colored tires back in the 90's! 

Cold Weather Riding

 Today I wanted to link to a few posts about cold weather riding. The seasons are changing, and if what the weather prognosticators are saying comes true, we are in for a few cold wallops and more snow than we've had for a few years. 

I don't know about what it has been like wherever you live, but around here I think we are certainly due for a more Wintry season than we've experienced in a while.

I like riding in Winter, but I do have a few rules. (see THIS POST) There are times it can be fun with the right equipment though, and the link there takes you to an idea which might prove worth looking into for your possible Wintry rides. 

Then there are these odd bits of cycling kit called pogies. They usually have structure and act like fairings for your hands. We have some home-grown pogies from here in Iowa which are a bit different and are easily placed on your bars, or removed.  In this way the Bike Iowa Pogie Lites are different. Other pogies are more or less stuck on the bars for the season.  There are other advantages to Pogie Lites as well. Check out my review HERE. 

You don't really need a specific bicycle to ride in Winter time, but in many places, a fat bike is kind of nice. I wrote a very popular post about the first complete, turnkey fat bike available commercially HERE. There is a bit of backstory there, which you may find enlightening concerning fat bikes. 

Finally, I do a cold weather riding clinic for the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective from time to time. I took the liberty of posting all my hand-out notes from one of these on this blog. You can read it HERE.  

That is a lot of information to check into, but instead of just regurgitating information, which I've already covered in detail, it made more sense to me to just link pertinent posts here and remind you readers of how there are ways to be successful at riding in Winter.  

Read the comments on those posts as well. there are a few nuggets in them. Otherwise, if you have a tip which you did not see here, please share it with the other readers by posting a comment.  

Tweaking The Peregrine

The C.O.G. 40 is in the rear view mirror now so I can move back to riding the Peregrine again for a while. There was something really not 'sitting' right with me about the build, and I decided I now would experiment with a change. 

I guess these new snub-nosed saddles are all the rage, but everyone I've tried (with one exception) hasn't hit me quite right 100%. There is always some niggling thing about each one of these which has made me go back to the tried and true saddles I've used in the past. Saddles which I know I can squeeze out multiple hour ride on. 

I pulled out my bin of saddles and started going through them. (This prompted me to donate a bunch of them to the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective, by the way) I found one I knew would be a saddle with a very high chance of being exactly what I want. It was the WTB Silverado. 

I took off the WTB snub-nosed saddle and swapped to the Silverado, took it for a ride, and immediately felt a huge difference. It was like coming home. Yep! I should have just went with this one right away. I even think it looks better than the snub-nosed saddles I've had. 

On other bits of this bike, I have not yet decided if I can live without a ShockStop stem on this bike. It's going to probably be decided by tires. Right now these Schwalbes are not quite damping enough for my tastes. They feel a bit stiff, and I think it is due to the puncture protection belt. So, more tire experimentation will be necessary. 

I hope to squeeze in several more gravel rides before the snow flies. Stay tuned....

Musings On The Checkout

Image courtesy of Trek Bicycles

 During the latest "Guitar Ted Podcast", N.Y. Roll and I got into a discussion about the new Trek Checkout full suspension gravel bike. He gave a good, valid reasoning why someone would want a bicycle like this. Then I countered with a few points of my own. You can click the hyperlink above if you want to listen in to what we had to say, which is about 3/4's of the way into the episode. 

I'm going to share my thoughts here. So, let's dig in....

I'm going to cut right to the chase here and say the Trek Checkout is a compromised full suspension 29"er mountain bike. Yes.....it has drop bars, but it doesn't take much imagination to see this bicycle with a flat bar installed. And when you do "see it" , it is very difficult to "unsee it". 

I already went into fine detail concerning this opinion of mine in a post last September HERE.  

Secondly, I shared in the podcast we may not be wanting, or needing, a "Trek Checkout" if standard steel frames weren't so overbuilt. Now, it may be hard for younger riders to relate to this, but the seasoned riders amongst us probably will understand where I am coming from quite easily. See, steel frames and forks don't ride like they used to. 

I know this sounds like some "Unc", Boomer thing to say, but hear me out. There are reasons behind this opinion which, when you know what has happened to steel frames, may help you see the wisdom in the statement. 

A 2007 Salsa El Mariachi

 The steel frames of 20 years ago weren't held to the same testing standards as steel, aluminum, and carbon frames are held to now. I'm going to limit my comments to the steel frames and forks, but it is obvious the testing standards have affected other materials as well. 

Steel frames could be made to have flex/compliance in ways which are impossible to do today due to testing standards. Standards which must be met in order for frames and forks to be sold internationally. My opinion is that today's steel frames are so stiff, as is also the case with other frames in other materials, that the idea of suspension is now valid in a way it wasn't decades ago. 

My Honeman Flyer was built without regard to testing standards for sale internationally. So, the builder could use whatever he felt would provide me with the best ride balancing out with intentions for use and my size. 

Since this was the case, the Honeman Flyer rides like those older 2000's steel frames. It is smooth, but not flexy, which you really have to watch on a single speed. This comfortable ride comes despite the fact I am using a Thomson seat post, which is not a paragon of flex by any stretch of the imagination. Had this been a frame built for a major brand?

Ha! Forget about the ultra-smooth ride this bicycle has. It would be a much stiffer, much less forgiving ride. My point here is that IF we could have those older standards in play for steel bicycles in 2025, maybe we wouldn't be thinking a Trek Checkout would be necessary. 

And this goes for the carbon and aluminum materials as well. Take my Salsa Cycles Waxwing fork, a stiff board of a fork which makes me run the ShockStop stem to keep my hands, arms, and shoulders from getting jackhammered. 

Of course, all this is a pipe dream for a company like Trek. They have to have their frames manufactured in a way which will pass the tests for certification. It is an advantage to their bottom line as this testing helps to reduce, and hopefully eliminate, frame and fork breakages, the resulting recalls, and potential lawsuits.  So, on one hand I understand, but there is another way, and maybe we don't really need the complexity, cost, maintenance schedules, and proprietary parts this sort of full suspension "gravel bike" engenders. 

A Missed Opportunity

Gifts which arrived with registration for Trans Iowa v11

Today there is a big registration party going on at District Cycles for the Mid-South event upcoming in March of 2026. District Cycles owner, Bobby Wintle, is the mastermind behind the event, and along with his wife, Crystal, they have leveraged every opportunity to promote their business alongside this event. 

Makes sense when you stop to consider it all. Why would one want to keep things separated - the event and the business - or why would one not want to hitch their wagon, as a business, to an event which draws in warm bodies to your establishment? 

These were my questions back twelve, fifteen years ago, as I was running Trans Iowa. In fact, Jeff Kerkove and I started Trans Iowa out of the bicycle shop we worked at. All along, for fourteen years, one might have thought Europa Cycle & Ski would have wanted to take advantage of what Trans Iowa was capable of bringing to the business.

Post card registrations for Trans Iowa v11

 But oddly enough, the owner did not take advantage of anything we could have benefited the business with. I recall one Trans Iowa registration where we had a dozen people waiting to get in the door to register. That's twelve plus people you wouldn't have had inside your business at any other time, but was there any effort to make anything out of this opportunity? 

Nope. 

And this was, and still is, baffling to my mind. I look at how Bobby Wintle handles this kind of thing and I can only shake my head at all the years of lost opportunities related to Trans Iowa and the bike shop I worked at then. I think about the buzz registration at the shop caused amongst the employees. Heck, even the mailman was excited every year about Trans Iowa. You'd think this would be a clue that possibly there was a nugget of opportunity waiting there.  An opportunity to bring in local cyclists to be a part of something cool and unique, and create goodwill amongst the locals for the shop. Maybe even sell some things. 

Yeah, it doesn't matter anymore. But whenever I see something like Mid-South's registration party, and remember Trans Iowa registration typically happened in November, one of the worst times for cycling retail in Iowa, and I cannot believe all the missed opportunities. 

But what do I know? I'm just some greasy bicycle mechanic.  

Friday News And Views

 Image courtesy of the Rattlesnake Rumble social media:

Rattlesnake Rumble Gravel Race Announced:

On September 4th an announcement went out saying the Mississippi Gravel Cup Series would end after their series of 2025 events were over. This series had been in existence for eight years and had several events in Mississippi. 

But sad news leaving a void is sometimes followed by good news, and this is the case for those in the Southeastern USA now that a new event has been announced. 

This event, dubbed the Rattlesnake Rumble, takes place in the Desoto National Forest where one of the old Mississippi Gravel Cup events was based out of as well. This event features a few distances and costs only $50.00. If you are interested in this early April 2026 event, check out their BikeReg page HERE. 

Image courtesy of AERON/TPU

TPU Tubes Take Hold:

I've been experimenting with TPU tubes for a couple of years now and it seems many riders are taking the new technology and trusting it for their ride.  

Last weekend one of the C.O.G. 40 riders was using TPU tubes in his tires and seemed to be pretty happy with them. However; I also know at least one dissatisfied former TPU tube user. So, not everyone is onboard with TPU tubes. But more and more folks seem to be checking them out.  

Options are becoming available with more features. Last week I mentioned the SILCA TPU tubes, and I may be getting a set of the new AERON TPU tubes to test soon. One other thing I've noted is the recommended width offerings are becoming more wide-ranged. 

So, instead of a TPU tube being recommended for 35mm - 40mm, I'm seeing thing like recommendations from 32mm - 52mm ! I think the stretch-ability of TPU has been found to be more resilient and accommodating than once thought. But unlike butyl rubber tubes, TPU, once stretched, stays stretched. This may not matter, but it is worth noting. 

Look for more on TPU tubes here soon.  

Image courtesy of Bianchi Bicycles

Bianchi Announces New Aluminum Gravel Model:

Bianchi expanded their range of gravel/allroad bicycles by introducing the aluminum version of their Arcadex adventure/gravel bike. Called the Arcadex AL, this bike comes in three colors with a Shimano GRX 610 12 speed mechanical group set. 

Bianchi also states this bike has tire clearance for up to 50mm tires. There are rack and fender mounts, along with accessory mounts on the fork blades making this a good choice for bike packing and adventures.  

Comments: The geometry here is right in the pocket for what I would consider great handling and stability over most surfaces. The seat tube measurements are a tad on the short size for each size, but this is most likely in deference to the dropper post option this frame supports. I couldn't find an updated price, but I would assume this is a reasonably priced, enthusiasts level bike choice. 

Paris - Ancaster 2026 Registration Open:

The classic Canadian event,  Paris - Ancaster, is going to happen on Sunday, April 26th, 2026. Registration for this event is now open (Here) 

This event, which has been held annually since 1994, was on the UCI Gravel World Series calendar for 2025, but there is no indication yet this will be the case for 2026. 

The event is a point-to-point course with three distance options. The "Cento" is 100km, the "Classic" is the original 70km distance, and the "Brevet" is a 45km distance event. Since the event is point-to-point, the starting lines are different for each distance.  

Comments: The event features farm roads, muddy tracks, and difficult sections which have challenged riders for years. This event was one of the first featured on my "Gravel Grinder News" calendar back almost 20 years ago now. Since then I have heard varying takes on the event with some stating it isn't  really a "gravel" event, but it isn't your typical roadie event either, so....

Image courtesy of the Mid-South

2026 Mid-South Registration Opens:

The 2026 Mid-South will be a two-day event this coming year with dates set on  March 12 - 13th. There are several new changes to this event set to take place. 

First and most interesting is the separation of the Pro categories from the amateurs. This coming March the Pro categories will take the start on Friday. Even more interesting is the choice for the Pro's to do the "Double", a 50k run and the 100 mile bicycle event, on the same day.  

All other categories for cyclists will be contested on Saturday as this event has done since its inception. Amateur runners will compete on Friday as well. 

A new finish line area has been designated which will be set up near the new Stillwater Park and Amphitheater. 

The Mega-Mid-South, a 300 mile ultra-distance event, will take place tomorrow out of District Bicycles where the Mid-South registration party will also be happening. Participants can come down and send off the Mega Mid-South riders and stick around for fun and refreshments. Registration will be held online at the Mid-South's online site.  

Image courtesy of Campagnolo

New Super Record X 13 For Campy Brings Gravel An Italian Option:

Campagnolo has dabbled in the gravel category for several years with its groundbreaking, if not popular, Ekar 13 speed group. Now Campagnolo is putting forth an effort to compete at the highest levels of the gravel racing scene with a new 13 speed group called Super Record X. 

A 1X group, this new choice features two choices in cassettes with a 9 - 42T set or a 10 - 48T set. The jumps between gears are relatively small, and in fact, both cassettes are really similar with the only difference being at the extremes. One having a start at 9T and ending at 42T while the other cassette has the same gears minus the 9T and adding the 48T. 

The other important piece here is the crank set. The new Super Record X gets a power meter crank or a non-power metered crank with chain ring sizes ranging from 38T - 48T and the capability to upgrade to a 52T ring. The arms and ring are matched for best aero characteristics.  Lengths range from 165mm to 175mm. The cranks utilize Campy's longstanding Ultra Torque bottom bracket design. 

The rear derailleur is wireless and electronic, of course, with a removable battery which charges in 60 minutes or less. Campy also has made the cage out of carbon fiber with different sized pulleys. The Universal Mount will work with frames set up with the UDH standard or traditional mounts for derailleurs. Maximum tooth range is 48T. 

The levers are borrowed from the current Super record 13 group with the left lever being the only "new" piece seeing as it has only to activate the front brake. Otherwise the shifting is accomplished with a separate lever behind the brake lever on the right side with the return of the famous Campy "thumb lever" on the inside of the upper lever body. 

See more details at Campy's Super record X site HERE. 

That is a wrap for this week! get out and ride those bicycles!

C.O.G. 40 Gear Review

The Honeman Flyer by King Fabrications

 This post will conclude my C.O.G. 40 musings for the week. Here I will go over the specifics of my bicycle and what I wore for this ride. I then will go over what I would change if this ride were t happen again. 

The course was mostly rolling hills with a few monster grades thrown in for good measure. As a single speed rider, gearing is always of the utmost concern, so I will go over this first. 

The Bike: 

I used a 42T chain ring with a 20T rear freewheel. This results in a low 60's gear inch, which isn't all that 'fast' in terms of what people use for gravel racing, but I do not set up my single speed gravel bikes for racing. I set them up for adventure. 

The 42T/20T gearing leaves me spinning madly on the flats but it is an easy enough gear that I can manage most gradual grades or shorter hills. Consecutive steeps can grind my legs to paste, but one here or there is okay. 

One thing I tell anyone asking for advice on single speed gravel gearing is that you have to know you will never have a perfect gear. Never. If you are the type that is driven crazy by the mere thought of not having the right gear, I would suggest single speed is not for you.  

So, I really like where I am at with gearing and my crank set length also, which is 172.5mm. The big thing these days is to go shorter on cranks, but with single speed it has always been the move to put on a longer crank set than usual. 

There are a TON of theories and opinions as to why one would want to do this. I did it partially out of convenience. The cranks I was using for single speed gravel just so happened to be 172.5mm in length for each arm. I chose these partially out of the desire to go shorter on crank arm length but still give a nod to longer than normal crank arms for single speed usage. 

Because the crank set had a 42T chain ring already the Shimano 20T free wheel was a perfect match to get me into a gear inch range I wanted. So, it all sort of fell into place. It has all worked out very well also, so I do not see any major changes to sizes and types for my drive train. I would like upgrades though. 

My crank arms are chipped and beaten up by gravel. They are carbon, so I feel as though it is getting time to switch cranks. Then the Shimano freewheel, while being reliable and quiet, has been popping randomly now and again. I think a White Industries freewheel is in the cards soon. But all the specifics stay the same if and when those upgrades happen. 

I could get lighter wheels, but I don't need them. And besides, I cannot be more happy with what I have on the bike now. Blunt SS rims are perfectly durable, lightweight, and the specs are dead-on for modern gravel usage. The Paul hubs? I cannot say enough good things about these. They are so smooth and roll like crazy. So, I will be sticking with these wheels for a long time. 

I ran Ritchey SpeedMax tires and they are also highly recommended. I see no reasons to switch those out at any time until they wear out. 

The zero offset Thomson seat post is spot on, but I wonder if I couldn't find a bit more compliance in a carbon post, or a titanium one. I may look into this as well in the future.  

The Clothing:

Image courtesy of Twin Six

Last year about this time I wrote up a review on the Twin Six Thermal Cargo Bib Knickers. I wore these on the C.O.G. 40 ride where the temperatures were in the 50's with a pretty hefty wind for most of the day. 

These bib knickers worked great from the standpoints of comfort and warmth all day long. The chamois pad is perfect for me and there was no binding or pinching in the undercarriage area. The legs stay where you put them, but are not too tight or too loose. The grippers are nice, but they do not tear out hair or grab skin. I just find these to be great in cooler weather. 

I wore a Twin Six base layer under an old Bontrager Classic long sleeved wool jersey. Twin Six hasn't had a wool long sleeved jersey in a while, but they did announce a new piece this week which may bear looking into. (Note: It is only available for women at the moment)

Over the jersey I wore a Twin Six wind vest. I wore Hand-Up gloves for my hands. For socks I had a pair of 12" Sock Guy wool socks I have had for years now. Shoes were Shimano mid-range gravel shoes with plastic shopping bag vapor barriers to keep the toes warm. 

On my head I wore a red bandana and my Bontrager Circuit helmet. All this stuff worked to perfection and I had zero issues with any of it on the cool, brisk day out in the country. Had it been a touch colder or wet, or both, I would have went with warmer stuff. 

That's a wrap on my gear. I was pretty happy with everything. Overall, the bike was fantastic and the gear I wore is mostly tried and true stuff I know works for myself. I hope you all enjoyed the gear review, but if you have any questions about what I used and need to know something I did not cover, let me know in the comments. 

Barns For Jason: The C.O.G. 40 Edition

Barns For Jason #1

Many years ago my friend Jason Boucher challenged me to a photo contest. The rules were simple. The image had to be of a barn in a rural setting which you saw on a bicycle ride. No barns could be used twice. 

Who would post the most barns? Well, location has a lot to do with who gets images, and it soon became apparent Iowa was going to outpace Minnesota in this competition. Therefore, Jason capitulated to me early on, but I continued to post up barns even though there no longer was any competition involved. 

I love barns anyway. So for myself, it is a way to continue to look for barns and to post them here. Barns also are a relic of days gone by, with most of these structures having no purpose on many farms now. While "working barns" still exist, most are moldering away and disappearing due to lack of purpose. My intentions, therefore, are to preserve these barns in images here, in a way making them timeless and recorded for those who may care in the future. 

So, with all of this in mind, here is a "photo-dump" of all the barns I saw on the C.O.G. 100 which I was able to get a good image of to show here. I hope you enjoy these. 

Barns For Jason #2

Barns For Jason #3

Barns For Jason #4

Barns For Jason #5

Barns For Jason #6

Barns For Jason #7

Barns For Jason #8

C.O,G 40 Photo Dump

Image by C. David Ashton II

Today I have several images taken by a couple of the riders, David, and Tom, which were shared via a group text after the ride. I thought they were too good to pass on sharing them with you all, so this post will include the ones I thought were worth posting here. 

I will also point out I lightly edited these and some are cropped to bring out details. 

I also will try to credit each according to who took the image, but I may have a couple wrong. The texts were not clear as to who took what, so I had to guess on a couple which did not show all the other riders, thus making an attribution easy. 

This post and the "Barns For Jason" post following this one will be the last photo dumps from the ride. Tomorrow I am going to go over the gear I used, mostly focusing on the bicycle. I'll give a few thoughts about what worked and what I might do differently. 

For now, here are those images. Enjoy!
 

Image by Tom Claver

Image by C. David Ashton II

Image by C. David Ashton II

Image by C. David Ashton II

Image by Tom Claver

Image by C. David Ashton II

Image by Tom Claver

Image by Tom Claver

Image by Tom Claver

C.O.G. 40 Report: Part 2

Leaving The Park:

 With the lunch rest stop out of the way we were ready to head out East and finish off the ride. We'd stopped for maybe a half an hour or so. Not too bad, and I wasn't stiff or cold when we left, which was a good sign. 

My fears were allayed by my good form coming to Union Grove State Park, but how would the lunch and rest affect me?  When would my legs get tired and quit on me? I pushed all these questions down and kept my head up and pedaled onward. 

The wind wasn't too bad going East. No worse than it had been going South, that was for sure. Then we hit a short Northward section of the route, and it became readily apparent it was going to be far easier going North. We had a long stretch to go North, but I would have to wait a bit on this. First, we had about three or four miles to go East again, and it was hilly. 

We hit one particularly steep hill in this Eastward section which made me really work hard. My legs started to feel like they were asleep and I knew I was running out of gas at this rate. I had to stop and rest, just before the top of the hill. 

One of several cemeteries we rode by on the route. 

 

Beers At The Bridge: 

Oddly enough, I only had this one time on the road back where I felt I needed a rest. I ended up riding pretty well after this for a while. We had Ben and I and then a large gap back to David and Tom. At one point we had to stop when I noted Tom was missing, but he caught back on fairly quickly and we were back at it again as a group. 

Ben had told us about a cooler he had stashed near a bridge which we would com up on once we turned North again. It was at about Mile 35. We reached the wood plank bridge and stopped. Ben got off, scrambled down a ditch by the end of a guard rail on the bridge, and struggled up again with a blue cooler in his hands.  

Ben retrieving the cooler from its hiding place. 

Ben had cold Hamms beers and Pringles stashed away there. Those Pringles were gold! They hit the spot with their salty goodness! We chatted for a short bit here on the bridge, but I think the sense amongst us was to get going. We had seven miles to go to Reinbeck and David, in particular, had a long drive back home to accomplish. So, we didn't dally and before too long we were back climbing rollers and coasting down hills toward Reinbeck again. 

Finally the Sun came out. Kind of. 

 

At least there were some pretty Fall colors in Reinbeck!

 The Finish:

Ben led the way into town. He must have "smelled the barn", because he was way up the road on us. I tried to come back to him, but since he had a geared bicycle it was tough to do without some big downhills to bring me closer. 

We rolled up to our cars by about 1:40pm, so we smoked that last half of the course and made some good time.  Ben was excited about stopping at the Digg Inn, a bar/record shop right across from our cars. David bowed out, since he had to get home. Tom's girlfriend met him there and while they did not indicate what they might do, eventually they must have slipped away and went home as well. 

So, it was just myself and Ben at first until his wife joined us. Ben bought me a drink and we chatted for a bit. Then around 3:00pm I bade them farewell and headed home. The group started a chat before we all left and went our separate ways, and those guys have a ton of great images. I will share those tomorrow and also I will have a special "Barns For Jason" post from this ride. 

Epilogue:

The riders declared this a very fun and successful ride. While the group was small, it did allow for us to ride together at different points and get to know each other better. This was always a hallmark of a good gravel event back in the beginning of gravel grinding.  

As for myself, I was very happy I rode through the opening miles of funk and came out the other side with a decent ride. I was not totally exhausted, worn out, or lacking in power. Those hills in Tama County are no joke, and had the course been littered with them I would have been in big trouble on the single speed. But fortunately it wasn't too gnarly as far as big hills and I was happy with my ride. 

I'm glad we did this. N.Y. Roll and Kat knocked the pierogie stop out of the park, and Ben's contribution was a pleasant surprise. Yeah, it was a bit disappointing that we did not have a few more riders show up, but then again, it was small enough we had a chance to talk to each other over the miles. So, I'm not mad about it. 

I should mention that we may have had only four riders in attendance, but we had four others "in spirit". Near Lincoln, Nebraska, Matt Gersib, Matt Wills, and their friend Noah rode single track for 40 miles in solidarity with us. One other rider in the Black Hills, Craig Groseth, also did a ride on his single speed being inspired by the C.O.G. 40. So, it was kind of like the Virtual Turkey Burn ride. Hey!

Maybe we should open this up in that way in the future. Something to think about....  

Next? Probably the Virtual Turkey Burn ride in a month. (!!!) Then Winter and next season. Thanks for reading and remember to check the photo dumps tomorrow.