Where We Came From: The Lincoln Scene Reaction

 Thursady of last week saw N.Y. Roll and I recorded a "Guitar Ted Podcast" episode with Lincoln, Nebraskans Matt Wills and Matt Gersib. This is one of our "Where We Came from" series of podcasts we are hoping to do more of here in 2025. If you haven't heard this episode you can check it out HERE. 

This post will be a commentary on what we learned from Mat G and Matt W on the show. 

My biggest takeaway from the show was how people were central to the movement from mountain biking, road biking, and finally toward a more gravel centered community, although both road and MTB thrive to this day in the Lincoln area. 

However; it was interesting to note how both MG and MW talked about the disillusionment and rebellion to what was happening in Pro road, Pro MTB and even local events featuring both types of riding. Rules, regulations, and cheating by way of doping were all brought up as reasons the two gents were not all that enamored of being part of those events and riding styles. The stripped down, fun, and socially oriented rides were what appealed to them more. 

But competitiveness was a motivator, obviously, so the organized challenges/races like Trans Iowa and the Dirty Kanza 200 were outlets for this, along with a way to feed into the adventurous nature of their riding. Supplemented by MTB events locally, and the growing choices in gravel riding, the two gents found an outlet for this competitive side. 

The DK200 from the mid-2000's (Image courtesy of Corey Godfrey)

Secondly, my theory all along was that gravel cycling was mostly an outgrowth of 24Hr MTB, ultra-distance MTB, and with a dash of road/cyclo cross on the side. MW and MG came out of a mountain biking scene which found itself looking for more trails which led to gravel roads. 

While gravel roads were seemingly used only for training in the beginning, once someone suggested that a race could happen only using gravel, the seeds were planted. This tracks with my experiences and observations as well.

However; Matt Wills brought out a super important bit concerning where society was at the time in the mid-2000's and how the blog culture of the time played a huge role in how gravel cycling took root. In this I could not agree more. This has been my assertion all along. Blogs and how we were exploring the internet at that particular point in time was definitely a very important part of gravel cycling's success story. 

Emily Broderson (Plate #8) leading a group at Trans Iowa v1 in 2005

 Blogs like Jeff Kerkoves were very popular, and when Jeff announced Trans Iowa in November of 2004, it was his blog that made the connections across the nation which spurred on participation and innovation in cycling on gravel roads. The Lincoln scene took notice as well, sending Skip "Endurosnob" Cronin and Emily Broderson to the first modern day gravel event (Trans Iowa, April 2005). They and others took their experiences and evangelized others. In the podcast you will hear how Matt Wills and eventually Matt Gersib were influenced by this. Blogs were essential to the spread of the gravel word. 

Finally, it all circles back to the people. MW and MG shared great stories of very influential and important Lincolnites who were essential to the growth of gravel there and outwardly to all points in the years to come. Even up to the present day, you can find examples of people in Lincoln, Nebraska or the surrounding area who are bringing gravel riding to the attention of new folks to the scene.

I hope you will give the podcast a listen if you have not heard it already. The stories told there are ones you will not get anywhere else and these are the stories of gravel cycling's rise to prominence. It is a story which truly defines where we came from. 

This is the link to hear the show on Spotify.