Friday News And Views

Apologies:

The 32”er wheel news was a mistake on my part and I apologize for the mistake  

Thanks for the folks in the comments who set me straight  I appreciate you all  

New Podcast With Dark Reader Questions:

We like reader questions and Josh, (a local rider. Hello Josh!), loves sending us questions. He sent one in recently which gave rise to the title of our latest episode, "The Death Bike"

Without giving too much away, the premise of the main question was this: You have five good, healthy years left. Then you die. You have ONE bike to ride these last five years, and price is no barrier. What would you build? 

We jokingly called this our "death bike" dream build. So, that is why we named the episode as we have. At any rate, it is Halloween weekend! Please enjoy the new episode, and there is a lot more in there than just that topic to listen to. 

We're closing in on the end of Season 4 of the Guitar 
Ted Podcast. Four seasons and we have already recorded 122 episodes. Thirty-Two just this year alone. The total output of the Guitar Ted Podcast has already outstripped the Riding Gravel Radio Ranch's output in less than half the amount of time. As I look back the decision to take control of the production was a wise one from a podcast production standpoint. 

Hopefully you listeners are enjoying the podcast and we still like doing it. New things are in the works for 2027. Stay tuned....

I Get No Respect:

In the annals of gravel event history in the Modern Era, Barry-Roubaix is often forgotten or ignored for some reason. 

I'm not sure why this is. The event has perennially been one of the largest gravel events anywhere with 5,700 riders annually now. It boasts a prize pool worth $40,000 dollars. It is well sponsored by the cycling industry and is one of the best run events anywhere in cycling. 

But do you ever read or hear anything about this event? If you do, it is rare to see it mentioned in mainstream media that covers cycling. And maybe that is a good thing. Maybe it helps preserve the feel of this event. But the importance and influence this event has, and still does, cannot be denied. 

That influence is important to gravel cycling history. Co-founders of Barry-Roubaix, Rick Plite and his wife, Cathy Plite probably should have already been in the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame by this point. (PLEASE, someone nominate them HERE) They not only deserve being in the Hall, they are a glaring omission from it. 

And by the way, you can register for the 2027 Barry-Roubaix, scheduled for April 17th, 2027, on November 14th on BIKEREG. Barry-Roubaix Homepage HERE.  

Not Much Happening:

Typically I have to edit out several stories from appearing here on the FN&V. However; this week has been a slow news week,and so this FN&V will be a brief one this week. 

There is another circumstance which may be affecting this shorter FN&V if anything breaks news-wise on Thursday. But to learn why that is, you'll have to come back here on Saturday and read that day's entry. 

There are a few things percolating in the background here which I cannot discuss just yet. That all should get announced soon. 

Reviews are all starting to be wrapped up. I think I have something like three more to go before I can put the 2026 review season in the rear view mirror. Speaking of rear view mirrors.... 

I'll be working up my end-of-year stuff soon too. 2026 is quickly coming to a close. Meanwhile we tied a record for temperature here on Wednesday at 79°. 

Ridiculous. 

Okay folks.....go ride those bicycles!