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!  
 

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.  

Pro "Un-Road" Racing: Old Is New Again

Man vs Nature: DK200 2015- Is this what Pro Road Racing should be?

The gravel racing genre has been what I have lived and breathed now for more than a decade. I often get asked why folks have tend to gravitate toward this sort of bicycling. I can think of a lot of reasons that it has been a growing genre of cycling. Many things are exciting about this type of riding. But what is it exactly?

Why has gravel racing become so popular?  I think if we look at the obvious, the biggest reason it has become the fastest growing form of bicycle racing is that it pits "man" against "nature" in a way that is exciting, attractive, and touches our innermost visceral core. Here is why......

I can pretty much sum it all up with one name: Roubaix. Of course, I refer to the seminal classic of Spring that road racers take on in Northern France. Oft called "The Hell of the North", Paris-Roubaix's name is the most often copied or referred to moniker for gravel road racing in the USA. Consider that "Barry-Roubaix" is the most popular gravel road event in North America. Or consider that there are at least 15 other gravel road based events in North America that currently use the word "roubaix" in their name. That's not even counting events that refer to the classic Euro event in their race descriptions or other race names that emulate the event without using "roubaix". Why? Why is it that this European clasic road event is so revered and emulated?

Grit, determination, fortitude against all odds. That's what we want to see. Image by Jason Boucher.

 Well, think about Paris-Roubaix and what image that immediately conjures up. Likely it is one of a mud covered face on a road bike traveling over cruel stones. We are drawn to such displays of the human spirit overcoming Nature's worst and the primitive roads and slots cut through the countryside. All those "sanitized" road races that happen the rest of the year seem somewhat less in comparison.

In fact, I believe that this is one reason why cyclo-cross has become such a popular sport. You all know that the cyclo-cross races we still talk about, the best ones, are contested in truly awful conditions. No one recalls that sunny day in dry weather when the grass was green and everyone was as clean at the start as they were at the end. Ho hum.......

Not many years ago, Pro Road racing took to the gravel again, if only in small bites, in an event called the Strade Bianche. It became an instant hit. With the sagging popularity of road racing in North America and in Europe, an event that strikes a cord like the Strade Bianche raises some eyebrows. So seeing that and working on revitalizing a declining event, organizers of Schaal Sels, an event in Belgium, went to the dirt. (Read about it all here) The event, once on the verge of anonymity, has become the shining example of a revitalized race and interest in dirt and gravel racing seems to be on the rise in Europe as well. Again, it seems that the primal attraction to dicing it up on dodgy roads is the main appeal.

“You don’t know what’s going to hit you next — but to be honest you can’t wait because it’s exciting and it’s just plain fun,” Dan Craven (Cycling Academy)- from an Instagram post after the 2016 event. (Via Velo News online story here. )

 

I think this is what riders want to ride and what we as spectators of the world's greatest cyclists would want to see. Riders riding in Paris-Roubaix type events more often. Events that have dirt, gravel, stones, or what ever types of road ways we can ride on. That's what the US gravel/back roads scene is all about. The crazier the conditions, the better, it seems. 

 At any rate, it would seem that the Pro Road scene is finally picking up on what it left behind those many decades ago. It is rediscovering what made cycling great to begin with. Even Ghent-Wevelgem is getting in on the action.  It sure isn't what we have gotten lately that is making people take notice. We have gotten team cars, totally pampered and prepped Pro Road racers, over-blown budgets, and doping in the last three decades. What really gets us to take notice?

A muddy Paris-Roubaix, some white gravel sections in one Italian based event, an obscure Belgian race that has taken its course out to the farm roads, and Froome running down a mountain road. That's about the extent of the highlights. 

When all we have to talk about is Peter Sagan riding wheelies and how he wears his hair, there is a big problem. We need dirt, dust, grit, and grime pitted against steely eyed riders on two wheels who are self supported and maybe a good ol' rain storm thrown in for good measure. That would make for some drama. That would be inspirational. I mean, how many bunch sprints or mountain top finishes do we have to endure? Everything else is fodder for the dust bin. 

That's why we ride these gravel events. It is an adventure, it makes us stretch ourselves, and sometimes parts and bodies don't hold up. But that's all part of the fun. Just like the quote from the Velo News story above. We cannot wait to see what's next because it is exciting and fun. 

I think it is high time we saw some fun and excitement like that in Pro Road Racing, but who knows......Maybe we'll see that happen. But...... I ain't holding my breath, I'll tell ya that much.

Pro "Un-Road" Racing: Old Is New Again

Man vs Nature: DK200 2015- Is this what Pro Road Racing should be?

The gravel racing genre has been what I have lived and breathed now for more than a decade. I often get asked why folks have tend to gravitate toward this sort of bicycling. I can think of a lot of reasons that it has been a growing genre of cycling. Many things are exciting about this type of riding. But what is it exactly?

Why has gravel racing become so popular?  I think if we look at the obvious, the biggest reason it has become the fastest growing form of bicycle racing is that it pits "man" against "nature" in a way that is exciting, attractive, and touches our innermost visceral core. Here is why......

I can pretty much sum it all up with one name: Roubaix. Of course, I refer to the seminal classic of Spring that road racers take on in Northern France. Oft called "The Hell of the North", Paris-Roubaix's name is the most often copied or referred to moniker for gravel road racing in the USA. Consider that "Barry-Roubaix" is the most popular gravel road event in North America. Or consider that there are at least 15 other gravel road based events in North America that currently use the word "roubaix" in their name. That's not even counting events that refer to the classic Euro event in their race descriptions or other race names that emulate the event without using "roubaix". Why? Why is it that this European clasic road event is so revered and emulated?

Grit, determination, fortitude against all odds. That's what we want to see. Image by Jason Boucher.

 Well, think about Paris-Roubaix and what image that immediately conjures up. Likely it is one of a mud covered face on a road bike traveling over cruel stones. We are drawn to such displays of the human spirit overcoming Nature's worst and the primitive roads and slots cut through the countryside. All those "sanitized" road races that happen the rest of the year seem somewhat less in comparison.

In fact, I believe that this is one reason why cyclo-cross has become such a popular sport. You all know that the cyclo-cross races we still talk about, the best ones, are contested in truly awful conditions. No one recalls that sunny day in dry weather when the grass was green and everyone was as clean at the start as they were at the end. Ho hum.......

Not many years ago, Pro Road racing took to the gravel again, if only in small bites, in an event called the Strade Bianche. It became an instant hit. With the sagging popularity of road racing in North America and in Europe, an event that strikes a cord like the Strade Bianche raises some eyebrows. So seeing that and working on revitalizing a declining event, organizers of Schaal Sels, an event in Belgium, went to the dirt. (Read about it all here) The event, once on the verge of anonymity, has become the shining example of a revitalized race and interest in dirt and gravel racing seems to be on the rise in Europe as well. Again, it seems that the primal attraction to dicing it up on dodgy roads is the main appeal.

“You don’t know what’s going to hit you next — but to be honest you can’t wait because it’s exciting and it’s just plain fun,” Dan Craven (Cycling Academy)- from an Instagram post after the 2016 event. (Via Velo News online story here. )

 

I think this is what riders want to ride and what we as spectators of the world's greatest cyclists would want to see. Riders riding in Paris-Roubaix type events more often. Events that have dirt, gravel, stones, or what ever types of road ways we can ride on. That's what the US gravel/back roads scene is all about. The crazier the conditions, the better, it seems. 

 At any rate, it would seem that the Pro Road scene is finally picking up on what it left behind those many decades ago. It is rediscovering what made cycling great to begin with. Even Ghent-Wevelgem is getting in on the action.  It sure isn't what we have gotten lately that is making people take notice. We have gotten team cars, totally pampered and prepped Pro Road racers, over-blown budgets, and doping in the last three decades. What really gets us to take notice?

A muddy Paris-Roubaix, some white gravel sections in one Italian based event, an obscure Belgian race that has taken its course out to the farm roads, and Froome running down a mountain road. That's about the extent of the highlights. 

When all we have to talk about is Peter Sagan riding wheelies and how he wears his hair, there is a big problem. We need dirt, dust, grit, and grime pitted against steely eyed riders on two wheels who are self supported and maybe a good ol' rain storm thrown in for good measure. That would make for some drama. That would be inspirational. I mean, how many bunch sprints or mountain top finishes do we have to endure? Everything else is fodder for the dust bin. 

That's why we ride these gravel events. It is an adventure, it makes us stretch ourselves, and sometimes parts and bodies don't hold up. But that's all part of the fun. Just like the quote from the Velo News story above. We cannot wait to see what's next because it is exciting and fun. 

I think it is high time we saw some fun and excitement like that in Pro Road Racing, but who knows......Maybe we'll see that happen. But...... I ain't holding my breath, I'll tell ya that much.

Friday News And Views

The new SRAM GX 2X11 group (minus cassette)

If you were cruising the web yesterday you probably saw that SRAM introduced a new suite of mtb components dubbed "GX". The new stuff supplants X-7 and X-9 parts and will fall into a price point similar to what those parts cost at retail.

There are two interesting things about this from my standpoint. Firstly, it brings a 1 X 11 possibility to a much lower price point which is affordable to far more people. This will see tons of spec on 2016 model bikes. But in a brilliant move, SRAM finally made a 2 X 11 option which utilizes the 10-42 cassette and will have a tremendously wide gearing range. Again- all at a price point far below elite level components. This will circumvent Shimano's entry to 11 speed componentry since they only have XTR at present, (unless they unleash an XT and SLX variant on XTR later this year), and will probably push the XD driver standard further down in price point on wheels as well.

From where I sit, I am pleased with this SRAM announcement as it slides perfectly into my schemes that I have in pursuit of my 29+ project. Hopefully we won't have to wait forever to see this stuff become available. At any rate, the derailleur and shifter are all I am really after, and when I get those parts, I will have all I need to complete the drive train. Then it will be on to tires......

Finally, all the media stories mentioned that these parts will be offered in a  Boost 142 compatible version. That tells all of us out here that you can pretty much look for 135mm QR rear hubs to start disappearing for most future mountain bike applications. And really, it's been far too long that the industry has held on to that standard for mtb. Don't worry though. Your old 135OLD disc hubs will work perfectly on new road bikes for quite awhile into the future.

Ira Iowa- T.I.v9 Checkpoint #1

Forgotten Iowa:

Okay, if you are a sucker for historical tidbits about Iowa, then beware of this next link, because it just may suck you in! It is a site about little hamlets, villages, towns, and forgotten places in Iowa. Here's the link. 

I love stuff like this, and I come across places like this all the time in my Trans Iowa wanderings setting up courses. When I peruse maps and see some spot listed that is near to where I want to go, has an interesting name, or a historical connection to someone or something, I'm all over that as a place to go through for Trans Iowa. I don't know that anyone else has caught on to that, or even cares as much as I do, but I love that sort of thing. It goes way back to one of my old self-supported tours I did in the mid-90's where we went through Wood, South Dakota. I just remember thinking that I might be one of only a few people that had ever gone through that village of 62 people on a bicycle. It just struck me as being cool and I have remarked to people bragging about having gone to some far flung places on the globe by saying, "Oh yeah? But have you ever been to Wood, South Dakota?".

I know.......I am sort of an oddball that way. 

In fact, I probably got the bug for old places when I was a kid. My family's homestead on the paternal side is near to another forgotten place- Maple Leaf, Iowa- and I put that on the Trans Iowa Masters Program course last Summer because I thought that was cool. Anyway, if you are in T.I.v11, be prepared to see some more of "Forgotten Iowa" on the course!

Gravel Nonsense:

A couple things that I wanted to clear up that I see are tripping folks up unexpectedly. One has to do with April Fools Day. I'll tell ya- the cycling industry needs to just stop the juvenile false stories on every 4/1 that comes along. It's not clever, funny, or in good taste. It just leads to confusion and makes people stupid. That isn't funny, by the way.

First is the story published by a certain cyclo cross-centric site that stated the UCI was going to start a "gravel road racing series" with rules and also was going to state what was and what wasn't a "gravel road".

It's all FALSE people. Not true at all.

Even if that actually did occur, who really cares what the UCI says? I don't and a lot of other promoters and riders would just carry on- business as usual. That so many folks thought the story was real is sad and the folks that foisted that one on the unsuspecting public should be ashamed. In fact, the site that published that garbage had to publish a retraction the very next day. Hope that was worth all the clicks you got on that one.......

 Next up is another specious story that was originally put up on the web in June of last year, and keeps coming back up again and again in re-posts by the originating site and shares by manufacturers that apparently don't get that this is an "old story" and not at all accurate. It claims to list the "10 Best Gravel Races" around the country. First off, it is so poorly researched that it doesn't include the Almanzo 100, arguably one of the most popular grassroots races ever, and also included an event, which at the time of the original publishing had not ever been held yet.

There are over 230 events that I am aware of, and several of them could be argued to be "best" in several different categories. The criteria for choosing the ones listed on the site that published this goofy piece? Who knows. If you see this link anywhere on the web, just know that it is pretty much "click-bait" and nothing more.

And one more bit of gravel nonsense from yours truly. You can listen to THIS while you are traveling this weekend. 

Road bike suspension for the Spring Classics is nothing new. This Bianchi is from the early 90's

Rigid Road Bikes Might Not Be The Best Idea On Cobbles? 

Well, in the "What Comes Around- Goes Around" files, we have a new story about "new road bike technology" for the Spring Classics in Europe. (See the story here) The thing is, it is not new at all. Just another go at it, that's all.

Now don't get me wrong here- I love this stuff. I really do. It is harder with the Pro road bike crowd though, since they are so bound by traditions. Not that the UCI helps that, but traditional road bike style dictates that you just do not suspend anything on a road bike. Which is fine if you want to be a cycling version of an Amish person, but, ya know, there might be a better way to glide over the cobbles and heck, why not use it? Obviously bicycles are so light now that you could afford to add the weight of some suspension to the bike frame in a clever way. Is the Pinarello Dogma the way to do it, or does the Trek Domane do this better, or....? Maybe they just need to bite the bullet and slap on some really fat tubulars. Ya know.....like 35mm ones. 

 I guess the UCI seems to want the companies to provide "spec bikes" but not really say that overtly. Too bad, because I think there should be an "unlimited" category where manufacturers could innovate and produce radical new ideas for these races, which would make Pro Road cycling somewhat interesting again. Of course- there would be some limitations- but give these folks a little rope and let's see some cool new tech. And while we're at it, take away the team cars, and make these bikes live through a whole event self-sufficiently with no back up. That would be good for everyone- racers, the viewers, and for trickle down stuff for recreational cyclists that actually would be worth riding. Because if it lasts an entire event and can be repaired in the field, if necessary, it should be good for the general public. Ya know....not like some of this racing stuff is.

Anyway, that's my take. Have a great weekend and keep the rubber side down!

Friday News And Views

The new SRAM GX 2X11 group (minus cassette)

If you were cruising the web yesterday you probably saw that SRAM introduced a new suite of mtb components dubbed "GX". The new stuff supplants X-7 and X-9 parts and will fall into a price point similar to what those parts cost at retail.

There are two interesting things about this from my standpoint. Firstly, it brings a 1 X 11 possibility to a much lower price point which is affordable to far more people. This will see tons of spec on 2016 model bikes. But in a brilliant move, SRAM finally made a 2 X 11 option which utilizes the 10-42 cassette and will have a tremendously wide gearing range. Again- all at a price point far below elite level components. This will circumvent Shimano's entry to 11 speed componentry since they only have XTR at present, (unless they unleash an XT and SLX variant on XTR later this year), and will probably push the XD driver standard further down in price point on wheels as well.

From where I sit, I am pleased with this SRAM announcement as it slides perfectly into my schemes that I have in pursuit of my 29+ project. Hopefully we won't have to wait forever to see this stuff become available. At any rate, the derailleur and shifter are all I am really after, and when I get those parts, I will have all I need to complete the drive train. Then it will be on to tires......

Finally, all the media stories mentioned that these parts will be offered in a  Boost 142 compatible version. That tells all of us out here that you can pretty much look for 135mm QR rear hubs to start disappearing for most future mountain bike applications. And really, it's been far too long that the industry has held on to that standard for mtb. Don't worry though. Your old 135OLD disc hubs will work perfectly on new road bikes for quite awhile into the future.

Ira Iowa- T.I.v9 Checkpoint #1

Forgotten Iowa:

Okay, if you are a sucker for historical tidbits about Iowa, then beware of this next link, because it just may suck you in! It is a site about little hamlets, villages, towns, and forgotten places in Iowa. Here's the link. 

I love stuff like this, and I come across places like this all the time in my Trans Iowa wanderings setting up courses. When I peruse maps and see some spot listed that is near to where I want to go, has an interesting name, or a historical connection to someone or something, I'm all over that as a place to go through for Trans Iowa. I don't know that anyone else has caught on to that, or even cares as much as I do, but I love that sort of thing. It goes way back to one of my old self-supported tours I did in the mid-90's where we went through Wood, South Dakota. I just remember thinking that I might be one of only a few people that had ever gone through that village of 62 people on a bicycle. It just struck me as being cool and I have remarked to people bragging about having gone to some far flung places on the globe by saying, "Oh yeah? But have you ever been to Wood, South Dakota?".

I know.......I am sort of an oddball that way. 

In fact, I probably got the bug for old places when I was a kid. My family's homestead on the paternal side is near to another forgotten place- Maple Leaf, Iowa- and I put that on the Trans Iowa Masters Program course last Summer because I thought that was cool. Anyway, if you are in T.I.v11, be prepared to see some more of "Forgotten Iowa" on the course!

Gravel Nonsense:

A couple things that I wanted to clear up that I see are tripping folks up unexpectedly. One has to do with April Fools Day. I'll tell ya- the cycling industry needs to just stop the juvenile false stories on every 4/1 that comes along. It's not clever, funny, or in good taste. It just leads to confusion and makes people stupid. That isn't funny, by the way.

First is the story published by a certain cyclo cross-centric site that stated the UCI was going to start a "gravel road racing series" with rules and also was going to state what was and what wasn't a "gravel road".

It's all FALSE people. Not true at all.

Even if that actually did occur, who really cares what the UCI says? I don't and a lot of other promoters and riders would just carry on- business as usual. That so many folks thought the story was real is sad and the folks that foisted that one on the unsuspecting public should be ashamed. In fact, the site that published that garbage had to publish a retraction the very next day. Hope that was worth all the clicks you got on that one.......

 Next up is another specious story that was originally put up on the web in June of last year, and keeps coming back up again and again in re-posts by the originating site and shares by manufacturers that apparently don't get that this is an "old story" and not at all accurate. It claims to list the "10 Best Gravel Races" around the country. First off, it is so poorly researched that it doesn't include the Almanzo 100, arguably one of the most popular grassroots races ever, and also included an event, which at the time of the original publishing had not ever been held yet.

There are over 230 events that I am aware of, and several of them could be argued to be "best" in several different categories. The criteria for choosing the ones listed on the site that published this goofy piece? Who knows. If you see this link anywhere on the web, just know that it is pretty much "click-bait" and nothing more.

And one more bit of gravel nonsense from yours truly. You can listen to THIS while you are traveling this weekend. 

Road bike suspension for the Spring Classics is nothing new. This Bianchi is from the early 90's

Rigid Road Bikes Might Not Be The Best Idea On Cobbles? 

Well, in the "What Comes Around- Goes Around" files, we have a new story about "new road bike technology" for the Spring Classics in Europe. (See the story here) The thing is, it is not new at all. Just another go at it, that's all.

Now don't get me wrong here- I love this stuff. I really do. It is harder with the Pro road bike crowd though, since they are so bound by traditions. Not that the UCI helps that, but traditional road bike style dictates that you just do not suspend anything on a road bike. Which is fine if you want to be a cycling version of an Amish person, but, ya know, there might be a better way to glide over the cobbles and heck, why not use it? Obviously bicycles are so light now that you could afford to add the weight of some suspension to the bike frame in a clever way. Is the Pinarello Dogma the way to do it, or does the Trek Domane do this better, or....? Maybe they just need to bite the bullet and slap on some really fat tubulars. Ya know.....like 35mm ones. 

 I guess the UCI seems to want the companies to provide "spec bikes" but not really say that overtly. Too bad, because I think there should be an "unlimited" category where manufacturers could innovate and produce radical new ideas for these races, which would make Pro Road cycling somewhat interesting again. Of course- there would be some limitations- but give these folks a little rope and let's see some cool new tech. And while we're at it, take away the team cars, and make these bikes live through a whole event self-sufficiently with no back up. That would be good for everyone- racers, the viewers, and for trickle down stuff for recreational cyclists that actually would be worth riding. Because if it lasts an entire event and can be repaired in the field, if necessary, it should be good for the general public. Ya know....not like some of this racing stuff is.

Anyway, that's my take. Have a great weekend and keep the rubber side down!

A Discussion on Suspension: Gravel Bikes

Hey there! Hope you all had a great weekend. Today I'm kicking off a two part series on suspension. Today's discussion will focus on suspension for the gravel road rider.

Suspension can be derived in two different ways for anyone on a bicycle. First is pneumatic- suspension from the tires. The other way is to use a mechanical means to absorb vibrations, either passively, by way of frame flex or component flex, or by an active, purposeful means involving some form of moving parts.

Either way, absorbing vibrations is the order of the day. Vibrations are important to consider, because if the energy causing the rider to feel vibrations is not absorbed by the tires, frame, or a passive/active mechanical means, then the rider has to absorb those vibrations which eventually can cause fatigue, numbness, and other issues.

It's not just about width, it's about volume.

Without getting overly technical here, I want to explore why a rider on gravel roads would want to consider suspension. Obviously- everybody is going to run tires, so let's start there.

Tires are essentially air springs. Whether you choose tubed, tubeless, or tubulars, your tires are springs that can be adjusted. Furthermore, the tire casing, tube, (if any), and tread pattern also affect the way the "spring" will work.

Springs can be stiff, soft, linear, or they can "ramp up" in spring rate quickly due to volume available and/or tire pressures used. You as a rider can greatly affect the ride quality of your bicycle in a number of ways by your tire choices and tire pressures that you choose.  Go to a higher pressure and you get a stiffer spring rate. Use a lower volume/narrower tire and you may also have to move pressures higher and the volume of that tire will affect the ramping up of the spring rate as well.

Typically, you would not want to run maximum pressures as rated on a tire on rough roads because this affects how your tires can absorb vibrations. Higher pressures in tires make vibrations that the tire could normally absorb go past the tires and into the frame/rider.Likewise, the narrower/lower volume your tires are also affects the way you can adjust your spring rate, (ie; tire pressure), and this may affect your ride quality. Finally, things like frame clearances, terrain demands, rider weight, tire construction, and more will start to narrow down choices.

If you don't remember anything else though, remember this- a tire with a reasonable amount of air, but still at a point where it can conform to road irregularities, will be faster and provide more rider comfort and control than a tire at maximum, or close to that, pressures. (I would only add that a higher volume tire provides the rider with a wider range of adjustability in this respect.) A tire at higher pressures has to bounce up and over trail/road irregularities instead of conforming to, and rolling over them. Those little bounces have to be absorbed, and don't forget- overcome by- the rider. Yes, higher pressures result in more rolling resistance on rough roads.

The smoothest line is less fatiguing

 Obviously, tires should be a component of your ride that you pay close attention to. Especially on the longer events. They are your first, (and in most cases- only), line of defense against vibrations that can steal away your energy, cause you to be slower, and possibly cause longer lasting side effects like numbness or other physical maladies. Not only that, but a wider, more voluminous tire can also ward off pinch flats that would otherwise cause a skinnier tire to flat. Spend less time fixing flats, or use a tire that is lighter, but may flat more often. Oh the decisions!

Mechanical Suspension: Oddly enough, mountain bikers would never think twice about accepting the benefits of suspension, yet gravel/back road/rough road riders almost never consider such things. Too heavy? Too complex? Not worth the trouble? At one time, the answer to these questions was no. The proving ground was the cobbles of Europe, specifically the course of Paris-Roubaix.

Early 90's road suspension bike

Many folks may remember Rock Shox foray into the realm of road bike suspension. The overgrown Mag 21 specimen was called the "Ruby", and was actually used to win Paris-Roubaix. Many say Greg LeMond was at the fore front of the use of a suspended road bike for these cobbled races.

Probably the most outlandish example of suspended road bike design has to be the Bianchi piloted by Johan Museeuw at Paris-Roubaix, which you can read all about here. Said to have cost $20,000.00 to produce, the bike did not reach the final desired result when a flat tire ended Museeuw's chances near the end of the course.

So much for road bike full suspension, right? Well, the idea has not gone away entirely. Just take a look at Trek's Domane bike which has already won events like Strade Bianchi, a stage in this year's Tour de France, and most recently won at Gravel Worlds in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Domane takes a subtler approach than the overtly suspended bikes from the early to mid-90's, and hides the suspended component for the most part at the junction of the seat tube and top tube. (Which are in fact, decoupled) The fork is made to flex more, and in so doing this, Trek has retained a traditional look to the road bike, at a fantastic light weight, without resorting to an offensive assault on the eyes and sensitivities to bicycle overall weight.

Is there a place for such a beast on the dusty gravel roads? Is it even necessary to go that far with suspension, or are voluminous tires enough? It'll be interesting to see if folks can even envision needing such a device, much less having the option.

Okay, tomorrow I will explore the opposite end of the spectrum regarding suspension with fat bikes.

A Discussion on Suspension: Gravel Bikes

Hey there! Hope you all had a great weekend. Today I'm kicking off a two part series on suspension. Today's discussion will focus on suspension for the gravel road rider.

Suspension can be derived in two different ways for anyone on a bicycle. First is pneumatic- suspension from the tires. The other way is to use a mechanical means to absorb vibrations, either passively, by way of frame flex or component flex, or by an active, purposeful means involving some form of moving parts.

Either way, absorbing vibrations is the order of the day. Vibrations are important to consider, because if the energy causing the rider to feel vibrations is not absorbed by the tires, frame, or a passive/active mechanical means, then the rider has to absorb those vibrations which eventually can cause fatigue, numbness, and other issues.

It's not just about width, it's about volume.

Without getting overly technical here, I want to explore why a rider on gravel roads would want to consider suspension. Obviously- everybody is going to run tires, so let's start there.

Tires are essentially air springs. Whether you choose tubed, tubeless, or tubulars, your tires are springs that can be adjusted. Furthermore, the tire casing, tube, (if any), and tread pattern also affect the way the "spring" will work.

Springs can be stiff, soft, linear, or they can "ramp up" in spring rate quickly due to volume available and/or tire pressures used. You as a rider can greatly affect the ride quality of your bicycle in a number of ways by your tire choices and tire pressures that you choose.  Go to a higher pressure and you get a stiffer spring rate. Use a lower volume/narrower tire and you may also have to move pressures higher and the volume of that tire will affect the ramping up of the spring rate as well.

Typically, you would not want to run maximum pressures as rated on a tire on rough roads because this affects how your tires can absorb vibrations. Higher pressures in tires make vibrations that the tire could normally absorb go past the tires and into the frame/rider.Likewise, the narrower/lower volume your tires are also affects the way you can adjust your spring rate, (ie; tire pressure), and this may affect your ride quality. Finally, things like frame clearances, terrain demands, rider weight, tire construction, and more will start to narrow down choices.

If you don't remember anything else though, remember this- a tire with a reasonable amount of air, but still at a point where it can conform to road irregularities, will be faster and provide more rider comfort and control than a tire at maximum, or close to that, pressures. (I would only add that a higher volume tire provides the rider with a wider range of adjustability in this respect.) A tire at higher pressures has to bounce up and over trail/road irregularities instead of conforming to, and rolling over them. Those little bounces have to be absorbed, and don't forget- overcome by- the rider. Yes, higher pressures result in more rolling resistance on rough roads.

The smoothest line is less fatiguing

 Obviously, tires should be a component of your ride that you pay close attention to. Especially on the longer events. They are your first, (and in most cases- only), line of defense against vibrations that can steal away your energy, cause you to be slower, and possibly cause longer lasting side effects like numbness or other physical maladies. Not only that, but a wider, more voluminous tire can also ward off pinch flats that would otherwise cause a skinnier tire to flat. Spend less time fixing flats, or use a tire that is lighter, but may flat more often. Oh the decisions!

Mechanical Suspension: Oddly enough, mountain bikers would never think twice about accepting the benefits of suspension, yet gravel/back road/rough road riders almost never consider such things. Too heavy? Too complex? Not worth the trouble? At one time, the answer to these questions was no. The proving ground was the cobbles of Europe, specifically the course of Paris-Roubaix.

Early 90's road suspension bike

Many folks may remember Rock Shox foray into the realm of road bike suspension. The overgrown Mag 21 specimen was called the "Ruby", and was actually used to win Paris-Roubaix. Many say Greg LeMond was at the fore front of the use of a suspended road bike for these cobbled races.

Probably the most outlandish example of suspended road bike design has to be the Bianchi piloted by Johan Museeuw at Paris-Roubaix, which you can read all about here. Said to have cost $20,000.00 to produce, the bike did not reach the final desired result when a flat tire ended Museeuw's chances near the end of the course.

So much for road bike full suspension, right? Well, the idea has not gone away entirely. Just take a look at Trek's Domane bike which has already won events like Strade Bianchi, a stage in this year's Tour de France, and most recently won at Gravel Worlds in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Domane takes a subtler approach than the overtly suspended bikes from the early to mid-90's, and hides the suspended component for the most part at the junction of the seat tube and top tube. (Which are in fact, decoupled) The fork is made to flex more, and in so doing this, Trek has retained a traditional look to the road bike, at a fantastic light weight, without resorting to an offensive assault on the eyes and sensitivities to bicycle overall weight.

Is there a place for such a beast on the dusty gravel roads? Is it even necessary to go that far with suspension, or are voluminous tires enough? It'll be interesting to see if folks can even envision needing such a device, much less having the option.

Okay, tomorrow I will explore the opposite end of the spectrum regarding suspension with fat bikes.

Wheels And Stones

 I'm not sure what they call this video of Paris-Roubaix, presumably filmed last weekend, but "Wheels and Stones" seems to be a fitting title. It is a great race, Paris-Roubaix, not only because of the brutal toughness of it, but also because it demands that road biking break from traditions of today to use technologies from the past.

I was reading some coverage of the event, and in particular, the tech coverage. Stories of box section aluminum rims, cantilever brakes, and big, fat tubular tires. Lengthened chassis and extended fork rakes. Double padded bars, and special saddle and handlebar choices.

Man! They should make every road race go over stuff like this! It's what people are drawn to more than, say, the super-smooth tarmac used in the big Tours. If it wasn't for the brutal mountain stages and the time trial machine "geek-out", the Tour de France would be nothing. That's right folks, a race that is playing second fiddle to things like Paris-Roubaix, as far as I'm concerned.

I have noticed something since putting Gravel Grinder News up on the "inner-webs", and it has to do with what folks are naming their events. If you take a minute to look at the ride calendar their, you'll notice a lot of references to Paris-Roubaix. Not too many for other events like the Tour.

Of course, "gravel grinding" and cobbles have a little bit in common in that you are dealing with rough stones, but the similarities end there. Heck, Trans Iowa garnered a comparison early on, not for the gravel roads, but for the completely dirt "B" Maintenance roads we inadvertently found and left in during our initial recon missions. Why? Dirt and cobbles have zero in common, right?  Well, it isn't so much the roads, but the challenges they engender that make the comparisons work, I think.

Trans Iowa, or any other gravel grinder, is harder because of the roads, and demands a different approach than a road racer on a road racing bike would take. In fact, a road racing bike isn't a real good choice at all, and the self-sufficiency standard most of these gravel events employ hearkens back to an earlier era in cycling, or at least our feeble, romanticizing would like to think so.

At any rate, their is a connection to the European roots of cycling, and especially the Northern European Classics that cover the cobbles and run through the rural countryside.We may not have the classy film, orchestral soundtrack, or throngs of Belgian beer swilling fans roadside, but we have something good going on here out on the gravel just the same.

Snow Dog Down: 48 Days and counting...

Wheels And Stones

 I'm not sure what they call this video of Paris-Roubaix, presumably filmed last weekend, but "Wheels and Stones" seems to be a fitting title. It is a great race, Paris-Roubaix, not only because of the brutal toughness of it, but also because it demands that road biking break from traditions of today to use technologies from the past.

I was reading some coverage of the event, and in particular, the tech coverage. Stories of box section aluminum rims, cantilever brakes, and big, fat tubular tires. Lengthened chassis and extended fork rakes. Double padded bars, and special saddle and handlebar choices.

Man! They should make every road race go over stuff like this! It's what people are drawn to more than, say, the super-smooth tarmac used in the big Tours. If it wasn't for the brutal mountain stages and the time trial machine "geek-out", the Tour de France would be nothing. That's right folks, a race that is playing second fiddle to things like Paris-Roubaix, as far as I'm concerned.

I have noticed something since putting Gravel Grinder News up on the "inner-webs", and it has to do with what folks are naming their events. If you take a minute to look at the ride calendar their, you'll notice a lot of references to Paris-Roubaix. Not too many for other events like the Tour.

Of course, "gravel grinding" and cobbles have a little bit in common in that you are dealing with rough stones, but the similarities end there. Heck, Trans Iowa garnered a comparison early on, not for the gravel roads, but for the completely dirt "B" Maintenance roads we inadvertently found and left in during our initial recon missions. Why? Dirt and cobbles have zero in common, right?  Well, it isn't so much the roads, but the challenges they engender that make the comparisons work, I think.

Trans Iowa, or any other gravel grinder, is harder because of the roads, and demands a different approach than a road racer on a road racing bike would take. In fact, a road racing bike isn't a real good choice at all, and the self-sufficiency standard most of these gravel events employ hearkens back to an earlier era in cycling, or at least our feeble, romanticizing would like to think so.

At any rate, their is a connection to the European roots of cycling, and especially the Northern European Classics that cover the cobbles and run through the rural countryside.We may not have the classy film, orchestral soundtrack, or throngs of Belgian beer swilling fans roadside, but we have something good going on here out on the gravel just the same.

Snow Dog Down: 48 Days and counting...