Friday News And Views

 Great Iowa Fall Ride Slated For October:

Last year a big announcement was made to the effect that there would be a big three day ride out of Iowa Falls in the Fall of 2020. It was sort of an answer to RAGBRAI being cancelled and also another revenue stream for the RAGBRAI organization. However, restrictions due to COVID did not relax enough in time to hold that ride. Many have wondered since what, if anything, might become of this ride.

Well, earlier this week news was announced regarding the ride, but now it was going to start and end in Cumming, Iowa, a small village Southwest of Des Moines. The ride now would be a one day event, feature several bar/restaurant stops along its 37 mile loop, and feature a concert by the Iowa band, The Pork Tornadoes. 

The ride is on Sunday, October the 10th, and cost $60.00 if you beat the early-bird registration deadline. You can learn more about the Great Iowa Fall Ride here. 

Giro's new Latch shoe- Dampers for your feet. Image courtesy of Giro

Vibration Damping Idea Not For Gravel?!

The term "vibration damping" is a buzz-word in the gravel scene these days. Frames, tires, heck, even wheels claim to cut down on the buzz of crushed rock roads. So, when I see the term in someone's marketing chutzpah, I take note.

This time the product is shoes, but they are not aimed at the gravel market. The Giro Latch shoes are supposed to have a damping effect for riders of flat pedals on rough trails. They call the mid-sole material "Mute Foam". I'm surprised this has not been applied to Giro's shoes for gravel, to be honest. Well, perhaps I shouldn't be. I took a look at Giro's site and they do not have a category for 'gravel shoes'. Ha! Figures.....

Putting Andy To Work:

Once in a great while I get Andy from Andy's Bike Shop to test something for RidingGravel.com. Well, he hasn't had anything to test for about a year now, but that has changed since he has these new skins for his Twin Six Standard Rando. 

He chose to test out these new Maxxis Receptor tires. These were announced just last February and I wrote about them on an "FN&V" post here. They appealed to Andy as a tire he expects to be fast on pavement and decent on gravel. 

They certainly have that look. Smoother center, edge knobs for support. As I said in February, much like a WTB Byway, or maybe these have a passing resemblance to a Challenge Gravel Grinder model. But at any rate, they should be fast. 

As for how they mounted, I haven't heard about that yet from Andy. He'll let me know and I'll get something written up for the site soon, but hopefully they were not like the old Ramblers, which are a pain in the butt to set up tubeless. (UPDATE: Andy informed me that yes- these are just like the Ramblers and are really hard to mount tubeless. Yay!) Stay tuned for more on the Receptors soon.....

  Cycling Pros Start Red Bull Sponsored Gravel Event In Texas:

Colin Strickland and Payson McElveen have known Texas as home and want folks to get into it via a gravel event they have cooked up with their mutual sponsor, Red Bull. The event, to be known as the "Red Bull Rio Grande Gravel Event" is set to take place on November 13 with registration opening soon on September 17th. There is a 500 rider field limit for this 100 miler. The event will take place out of Marfa, Texas which is in the Big Bend region of the state. 

Comments: Marketing hype is big with this one. Keeping in mind that this race has never been run, even once, they say, " Bar none, the hardest 100-mile gravel race on the planet." Wow! But, whatever. They can say what they want to and ya know what? People that end up going to this will just believe it and no one else will care. So, there is that. Truth? Pfft! Doesn't matter anymore, I guess. 

Interesting side note: Red Bull was a sponsor of the very first modern day gravel event. I happen to know since I was there. So, Red Bull is no stranger to the gravel scene. They also prominently have sponsored other gravel events, most notably Rebecca's Private Idaho. Red Bull is into all sorts of stuff, so if you know anything about this company, it shouldn't be a surprise that they would sponsor a (soon to be big, I guess) gravel event in Texas. 

That's a wrap for this week! Have a great weekend and thanks for reading G-Ted Productions!

Friday News And Views

 Great Iowa Fall Ride Slated For October:

Last year a big announcement was made to the effect that there would be a big three day ride out of Iowa Falls in the Fall of 2020. It was sort of an answer to RAGBRAI being cancelled and also another revenue stream for the RAGBRAI organization. However, restrictions due to COVID did not relax enough in time to hold that ride. Many have wondered since what, if anything, might become of this ride.

Well, earlier this week news was announced regarding the ride, but now it was going to start and end in Cumming, Iowa, a small village Southwest of Des Moines. The ride now would be a one day event, feature several bar/restaurant stops along its 37 mile loop, and feature a concert by the Iowa band, The Pork Tornadoes. 

The ride is on Sunday, October the 10th, and cost $60.00 if you beat the early-bird registration deadline. You can learn more about the Great Iowa Fall Ride here. 

Giro's new Latch shoe- Dampers for your feet. Image courtesy of Giro

Vibration Damping Idea Not For Gravel?!

The term "vibration damping" is a buzz-word in the gravel scene these days. Frames, tires, heck, even wheels claim to cut down on the buzz of crushed rock roads. So, when I see the term in someone's marketing chutzpah, I take note.

This time the product is shoes, but they are not aimed at the gravel market. The Giro Latch shoes are supposed to have a damping effect for riders of flat pedals on rough trails. They call the mid-sole material "Mute Foam". I'm surprised this has not been applied to Giro's shoes for gravel, to be honest. Well, perhaps I shouldn't be. I took a look at Giro's site and they do not have a category for 'gravel shoes'. Ha! Figures.....

Putting Andy To Work:

Once in a great while I get Andy from Andy's Bike Shop to test something for RidingGravel.com. Well, he hasn't had anything to test for about a year now, but that has changed since he has these new skins for his Twin Six Standard Rando. 

He chose to test out these new Maxxis Receptor tires. These were announced just last February and I wrote about them on an "FN&V" post here. They appealed to Andy as a tire he expects to be fast on pavement and decent on gravel. 

They certainly have that look. Smoother center, edge knobs for support. As I said in February, much like a WTB Byway, or maybe these have a passing resemblance to a Challenge Gravel Grinder model. But at any rate, they should be fast. 

As for how they mounted, I haven't heard about that yet from Andy. He'll let me know and I'll get something written up for the site soon, but hopefully they were not like the old Ramblers, which are a pain in the butt to set up tubeless. (UPDATE: Andy informed me that yes- these are just like the Ramblers and are really hard to mount tubeless. Yay!) Stay tuned for more on the Receptors soon.....

  Cycling Pros Start Red Bull Sponsored Gravel Event In Texas:

Colin Strickland and Payson McElveen have known Texas as home and want folks to get into it via a gravel event they have cooked up with their mutual sponsor, Red Bull. The event, to be known as the "Red Bull Rio Grande Gravel Event" is set to take place on November 13 with registration opening soon on September 17th. There is a 500 rider field limit for this 100 miler. The event will take place out of Marfa, Texas which is in the Big Bend region of the state. 

Comments: Marketing hype is big with this one. Keeping in mind that this race has never been run, even once, they say, " Bar none, the hardest 100-mile gravel race on the planet." Wow! But, whatever. They can say what they want to and ya know what? People that end up going to this will just believe it and no one else will care. So, there is that. Truth? Pfft! Doesn't matter anymore, I guess. 

Interesting side note: Red Bull was a sponsor of the very first modern day gravel event. I happen to know since I was there. So, Red Bull is no stranger to the gravel scene. They also prominently have sponsored other gravel events, most notably Rebecca's Private Idaho. Red Bull is into all sorts of stuff, so if you know anything about this company, it shouldn't be a surprise that they would sponsor a (soon to be big, I guess) gravel event in Texas. 

That's a wrap for this week! Have a great weekend and thanks for reading G-Ted Productions!

Friday News And Views

Titanium El Mariachi.....yum!

In Search Of:

Okay, so I have a request that I want to put forward out there. This isn't for me, but I am asking on behalf of one of my faithful Trans Iowa volunteers. He wants to set up a gravel road rig using a size Large Salsa El Mariachi in titanium. Older models will do, and a frame set is best, but all offers will be entertained.

Got one or know of someone who is tinkering around with selling one in a Large? hit me up at g.ted.productions@gmail.com, and I will get you in touch with the potential buyer, who is serious.

There is nothing at all in this for me, other than trying to help out a volunteer that helps me out with Trans Iowa most every year for nothing other than to be a part of the event. I am just leveraging this forum for him to see if I can help.

Thanks all!

As seen from the saddle of my bike.......

 Testing The Wool:

I was asking a friend, who is going to do Tour Divide in a week here, about how to "beat the heat" that I have issues with during events like Odin's Revenge, or my own GTDRI ride. He said that he had similar problems and part of his solution was ditching the plastic garb for wool. Yes......wool in the Summer. 

I know that may sound silly to many of you, and it did to me at first as well. However; I decided after my friends convincing arguments that I should at least give this idea a whirl. So I ordered up a Giro New Road jersey and I have been using it for the last couple of weeks. My version is a discontinued model, but the wool/poly mix is much like what you'll see in the link there.

So, what do I think? Well, with a good base layer tank underneath, I have had excellent results. Again, I haven't hardly noticed a thing at all other than that I haven't been at all uncomfortable in it. I need to try this in temperatures in the 90's yet, but into the 80's and I am fine. I think there is definitely something to this, but I will have to get into the really hot and humid stuff before I can sign off on the idea that it could help me beat the heat.

More on this later.....

Tire testing.

When I Come Back North:

I have a tire to keep testing, shown here, that I will have more to say about later. I also have to fine tune on my Karate Monkey as a possible rig to ride on the GTDRI route, but if my shoulder is still acting up, I may be swapping over to a completely different set up.

Then I have that Inbred sitting down in the Lab that needs to be put together at some point. I still need a head set to get that one rolling. However; I also have a bike for my son to finish up. That's in the works, and a few small parts have been procured along with a couple other odds and ends that I'll need to finally put that one together. It is really weird how one, small detail can hold up an entire build.

Finally, I have a build, or really, I should say "modification", that has been in the works for a long time, but I have spread out the parts necessary over a longer period because this one is expensive. Well, actually by waiting I got a break due to some recent downspec by SRAM, so I'll have that stuff coming in when it is available from SRAM, and then the "Frankenstein" operation will commence. This one will be an odd mix, which I know people with "official ties" will be shaking their heads at, saying "no, no no!", but I have been curious as to whether or not this will work. Then if it doesn't, I have a bail-out plan, but it would cost even more money. That's what I am trying to avoid.

Stay tuned.....

Have a great weekend and I'll see ya Monday.

Friday News And Views

Titanium El Mariachi.....yum!

In Search Of:

Okay, so I have a request that I want to put forward out there. This isn't for me, but I am asking on behalf of one of my faithful Trans Iowa volunteers. He wants to set up a gravel road rig using a size Large Salsa El Mariachi in titanium. Older models will do, and a frame set is best, but all offers will be entertained.

Got one or know of someone who is tinkering around with selling one in a Large? hit me up at g.ted.productions@gmail.com, and I will get you in touch with the potential buyer, who is serious.

There is nothing at all in this for me, other than trying to help out a volunteer that helps me out with Trans Iowa most every year for nothing other than to be a part of the event. I am just leveraging this forum for him to see if I can help.

Thanks all!

As seen from the saddle of my bike.......

 Testing The Wool:

I was asking a friend, who is going to do Tour Divide in a week here, about how to "beat the heat" that I have issues with during events like Odin's Revenge, or my own GTDRI ride. He said that he had similar problems and part of his solution was ditching the plastic garb for wool. Yes......wool in the Summer. 

I know that may sound silly to many of you, and it did to me at first as well. However; I decided after my friends convincing arguments that I should at least give this idea a whirl. So I ordered up a Giro New Road jersey and I have been using it for the last couple of weeks. My version is a discontinued model, but the wool/poly mix is much like what you'll see in the link there.

So, what do I think? Well, with a good base layer tank underneath, I have had excellent results. Again, I haven't hardly noticed a thing at all other than that I haven't been at all uncomfortable in it. I need to try this in temperatures in the 90's yet, but into the 80's and I am fine. I think there is definitely something to this, but I will have to get into the really hot and humid stuff before I can sign off on the idea that it could help me beat the heat.

More on this later.....

Tire testing.

When I Come Back North:

I have a tire to keep testing, shown here, that I will have more to say about later. I also have to fine tune on my Karate Monkey as a possible rig to ride on the GTDRI route, but if my shoulder is still acting up, I may be swapping over to a completely different set up.

Then I have that Inbred sitting down in the Lab that needs to be put together at some point. I still need a head set to get that one rolling. However; I also have a bike for my son to finish up. That's in the works, and a few small parts have been procured along with a couple other odds and ends that I'll need to finally put that one together. It is really weird how one, small detail can hold up an entire build.

Finally, I have a build, or really, I should say "modification", that has been in the works for a long time, but I have spread out the parts necessary over a longer period because this one is expensive. Well, actually by waiting I got a break due to some recent downspec by SRAM, so I'll have that stuff coming in when it is available from SRAM, and then the "Frankenstein" operation will commence. This one will be an odd mix, which I know people with "official ties" will be shaking their heads at, saying "no, no no!", but I have been curious as to whether or not this will work. Then if it doesn't, I have a bail-out plan, but it would cost even more money. That's what I am trying to avoid.

Stay tuned.....

Have a great weekend and I'll see ya Monday.

Friday News And Views

Getting The Horse Ready Part II: As I alluded to yesterday, I had put a few new parts on the Specialized Epic Marathon. The Blunt SL's are installed and the bike is good to go with the proto Ground Control tires. I'll either have a replacement rack to throw this and the Big Mama on, or I'll be doing a quick refurb on the old, rusty T2 Saturday before bugging out of town.

I see the forecast for El Paso is HOT! I'll have a few days to acclimate before I get a chance to ride there anyway, so hopefully I can get some sort of riding done down there. Updates will be not quite as regular as normal, perhaps, but I'll do the best I can while I find time.

And -Oh By The Way... Did anyone see this, (or a story similar to it), concerning Alberto Contador? Yes, the guy who recently (maybe) won the Giro. Oh, yeah, did you notice that "maybe" too. Yeah......road cycling just got even weirder. And get this, he'll be running in the Tour de France before they settle his case from last year. So.......what if he is guilty? Who cares? Just move everyone behind him ahead one spot, right?


Well, that story I referred to above? It has this little nugget in it:


"If Contador is banned by CAS it will render the last three weeks a huge waste of time. Contador's effect on this race has been enormous, and it's not as simple as taking him out of the results and promoting everybody else.

Incredibly this year's Tour could go exactly the same way now that CAS has postponed the hearing.

Contador - who is showing more and more of the traits that Lance Armstrong did at his most ostentatious - has refused to bow, or show a modicum of sympathy for the race whose result will be rendered meaningless if CAS decide to ban him and strip him of all results since last July due to his positive test for Clenbuterol."

Wow. Just wow....... I guess I won't even bother watching the Tour then. Why would I? It all is a circus that has a few clowns that I don't think are very funny. And they  are affecting the whole show.

Dirty Kanza 200: Tomorrow is the big gravel event in Kansas' Flint Hills region. First of all, I want to wish everyone well that is riding in this 200 mile gravel race. Secondly, I want to say, "Be careful out there!" It looks to be a repeat of last year's brutal wind and heat.

One part of me will miss the camaraderie and the atmosphere of the event. Part of me is relieved that I won't be punching myself out in the brutal wind and heat, which many of the Upper Mid-Westerners attending this event will be facing for the first time this year. And that's why I say, "be careful". It sneaks up on you down there, and of course, as you can see from my image posted here that I took last year, there isn't anything out there to offer relief from the elements.

Oh, and by the way, the image makes the terrain look flat. That couldn't be further from the truth. It is very, very hilly down there!

So, have a great weekend, whether you are riding in Kansas heat and wind, or wherever. Get on a bicycle and have an adventure. I'll be packing for my trip and debriefing the house sitter, then hitting the wide open road.......

Friday News And Views

Getting The Horse Ready Part II: As I alluded to yesterday, I had put a few new parts on the Specialized Epic Marathon. The Blunt SL's are installed and the bike is good to go with the proto Ground Control tires. I'll either have a replacement rack to throw this and the Big Mama on, or I'll be doing a quick refurb on the old, rusty T2 Saturday before bugging out of town.

I see the forecast for El Paso is HOT! I'll have a few days to acclimate before I get a chance to ride there anyway, so hopefully I can get some sort of riding done down there. Updates will be not quite as regular as normal, perhaps, but I'll do the best I can while I find time.

And -Oh By The Way... Did anyone see this, (or a story similar to it), concerning Alberto Contador? Yes, the guy who recently (maybe) won the Giro. Oh, yeah, did you notice that "maybe" too. Yeah......road cycling just got even weirder. And get this, he'll be running in the Tour de France before they settle his case from last year. So.......what if he is guilty? Who cares? Just move everyone behind him ahead one spot, right?


Well, that story I referred to above? It has this little nugget in it:


"If Contador is banned by CAS it will render the last three weeks a huge waste of time. Contador's effect on this race has been enormous, and it's not as simple as taking him out of the results and promoting everybody else.

Incredibly this year's Tour could go exactly the same way now that CAS has postponed the hearing.

Contador - who is showing more and more of the traits that Lance Armstrong did at his most ostentatious - has refused to bow, or show a modicum of sympathy for the race whose result will be rendered meaningless if CAS decide to ban him and strip him of all results since last July due to his positive test for Clenbuterol."

Wow. Just wow....... I guess I won't even bother watching the Tour then. Why would I? It all is a circus that has a few clowns that I don't think are very funny. And they  are affecting the whole show.

Dirty Kanza 200: Tomorrow is the big gravel event in Kansas' Flint Hills region. First of all, I want to wish everyone well that is riding in this 200 mile gravel race. Secondly, I want to say, "Be careful out there!" It looks to be a repeat of last year's brutal wind and heat.

One part of me will miss the camaraderie and the atmosphere of the event. Part of me is relieved that I won't be punching myself out in the brutal wind and heat, which many of the Upper Mid-Westerners attending this event will be facing for the first time this year. And that's why I say, "be careful". It sneaks up on you down there, and of course, as you can see from my image posted here that I took last year, there isn't anything out there to offer relief from the elements.

Oh, and by the way, the image makes the terrain look flat. That couldn't be further from the truth. It is very, very hilly down there!

So, have a great weekend, whether you are riding in Kansas heat and wind, or wherever. Get on a bicycle and have an adventure. I'll be packing for my trip and debriefing the house sitter, then hitting the wide open road.......

The Bitter And The Sweet

The Bitter: Of course, if you are a cycling fan, or a road racing aficionado, you know what happened during Stage 3 of the Giro d'Italia yesterday. Wouter Weylandt was killed in a high speed crash on a descent on the course of the race, and the cycling world is in shock.

These kinds of tragedies are very hard to absorb, much less understand. I thought the esteemed blogger, "Bike Snob NYC" caught a good vision of what it is like for a lot of us. (Read it here)

There are a lot of folks that are not cyclists, or are casual cyclists, that may not grasp the "why" of what some of us engage in. (I know my family has a hard time with some of what I do!) I only hope that the negativism that may come from those quarters isn't allowed to dampen the spirit of adventure, the joy, and yes- the risk that all of us as cyclists understand is there.

My deepest condolences to the family, friends, and team mates of Wouter Weylandt.

The Sweet: Of course, if you hung around here through all the Trans Iowa madness, you know Janna Vavra notched the first finish in any Trans Iowa by a female. I found a link to her report for Nebraska Cycling News, which I read just yesterday. I thought I'd share it today.

I have to say that one of the most surprising things that happened when I got involved with Trans Iowa was how my perceptions of people that competed on bicycles was forever changed. It started that cold April day in 2005, and every spring since, that hasn't stopped happening.

Janna adds to that experience of mine with her class, her character, and her athleticism. She mentions how being in Trans Iowa forever changes people, and I can vouch that putting the event on has also forever changed my life as well.

Cycling: It can be bitter, and it can be sweet. 

The Bitter And The Sweet

The Bitter: Of course, if you are a cycling fan, or a road racing aficionado, you know what happened during Stage 3 of the Giro d'Italia yesterday. Wouter Weylandt was killed in a high speed crash on a descent on the course of the race, and the cycling world is in shock.

These kinds of tragedies are very hard to absorb, much less understand. I thought the esteemed blogger, "Bike Snob NYC" caught a good vision of what it is like for a lot of us. (Read it here)

There are a lot of folks that are not cyclists, or are casual cyclists, that may not grasp the "why" of what some of us engage in. (I know my family has a hard time with some of what I do!) I only hope that the negativism that may come from those quarters isn't allowed to dampen the spirit of adventure, the joy, and yes- the risk that all of us as cyclists understand is there.

My deepest condolences to the family, friends, and team mates of Wouter Weylandt.

The Sweet: Of course, if you hung around here through all the Trans Iowa madness, you know Janna Vavra notched the first finish in any Trans Iowa by a female. I found a link to her report for Nebraska Cycling News, which I read just yesterday. I thought I'd share it today.

I have to say that one of the most surprising things that happened when I got involved with Trans Iowa was how my perceptions of people that competed on bicycles was forever changed. It started that cold April day in 2005, and every spring since, that hasn't stopped happening.

Janna adds to that experience of mine with her class, her character, and her athleticism. She mentions how being in Trans Iowa forever changes people, and I can vouch that putting the event on has also forever changed my life as well.

Cycling: It can be bitter, and it can be sweet.