Two Things

From the 2005 RAGBRAI

Cycling Season Is Over (Here)

In Iowa if you ride a bicycle you've probably been asked about RAGBRAI, the annual recreational, week-long ride across the state started in 1973. 

It's as if you don't ride a bicycle unless you are going on RAGBRAI. It gets annoying sometimes. I was asked this past Tuesday (while RAGBRAI was in progres), by a passing motorist if I was going on RAGBRAI. 

Ya know, people actually ride bicycles for more reasons than just RAGBRAI. But for the non-cycling public here, RAGBRAI is cycling. There is no other reason to ride a bicycle. That is fact, at least here it is. 

Another fact: Cycling season ends after RAGBRAI. Most roll their bikes into the garage after RAGBRAI and never look at those two wheels again until June of the following year. I know this as I was a retail bicycle mechanic for decades in Iowa. Other folks quit cycling as school openings approach, football season kicks into gear, and Fall yard work beckons. 

I see it every August. The precipitous fall off of cycling related activities, sales, and interest in the spot overall. The Collective just experienced one of its best months over the period I tracked from late June into July. This will be the pinnacle of our year. From here on out the business dwindles like the Sun in the horizon, with darkness coming sooner every day. 

I'll keep on riding all year, as I have, and as long as I can do that. But I'm a weirdo around these parts. 

Image courtesy of the Street Collective

Debate Rages On:

I've written a lot about conflicts between motorists and electrified vehicle users here already. I hate to have to continue this conversation,but this Summer the issue has reached a fever pitch here in Iowa. 

Local law enforcement departments across the state, local hospitals, and local cycling advocates are all voicing concerns over the sharp increase of wild, out of control use of electric scooters, e-Motos, and e-Bikes, mostly by under-aged folks who are not being safe in terms of themselves or others around them. 

Solutions voiced range from awareness/education to outright bans on cycling of any sort. The latter by ordinary citizens tired of dodging these vehicles.  

One hospital here in Waterloo had an emergency doctor advocating for motorcycle related helmets and full-coverage clothing for any two-wheeled electric device capable of going faster than 20mph. Some have advocated for users to have to obtain certificates by going through classes run by governments. Some are advocating for the licensing of the vehicles themselves, while others just want all of it to go away. 

 This issue has blown up this year to be a big-time problem and regular 100% human powered cyclists had best be aware of what is going on within their communities. If you ignore this issue you may find you are on the other side of the law when it comes to where you can ride and at what speeds you can ride at. 

I'm sure other parts of the USA are also wrestling with these issues. My gut tells me it won't be solved this year, at least here in Iowa, but when this all blows up again in 2027, and it will, something will have to give.  

Two Things

Nick at a recent ride support gig.

 Two things: The "Heroes" You Otherwise Won't Hear About.

Today's "Two Things" focuses on two cycling stories with some folks who you will never hear about anywhere else. But their stories deserve to be told, in my opinion, so here we go...

Nick Arendt: 

The Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective has a board made up of around seven or eight folks. One of these memebers is Nick Arendt. Nick was the volunteer for the most recent Bike Valet service the Collective provides at downtown Waterloo, Iowa events like "Fridayloo", which features a live band on the riverfront stage.

RAGBRAI is going on right now, and people come from all over the world to participate in this, the largest recreational bike ride in the world. The ride started this year in the Northwestern corner of the state of Iowa. Since Waterloo is on HWY 20, the fastest, most Northern route across Iowa, it would stand to reason that we may have a few travelers coming through the city on their way to RAGBRAI's start.

On Saturday we had a big complex of thunderstorms move through the area and everything was soaking wet. I was at the Collective by 7:30am to get the day rolling as we are open from 8:00am - noon on Saturdays. Not long after the doors opened in came Nick to bring back the Bike Valet supplies and gear we use for this service. But he had a wheel in his hands. And this was no ordinary wheel!

Image courtesy of Hunt Wheels

This was a carbon fiber rim with a nice 30mm road tire on it. A disc rim with a through axle, so whatever it went on must have been a fairly nice road bike. We surmised this wheel, which Nick found in the motel parking lot behind the shop, was probably left behind when a person was loading their bike onto a rack which required front wheel removal and then inadvertently left it behind.

We also guessed this was likely a RAGBRAI rider heading out to the start who had stayed the evening in Waterloo on their travels. So, I suggested to Nick he go to the two neighboring motels and put in a word at their front desks about him finding this wheel.

Nick left and not three minutes later a frenzied young man entered into the Collective asking breathlessly if anyone had brought in a wheel. I immediately connected this young man with the wheel Nick had in his possession, so I texted Nick. Nick was quick to return and the young man was overjoyed.

Claiming we had "saved his RAGBRAI, he exited and that was that. But this could have gone very wrong for that young man had Nick not shown up on the scene when he did, and not some other person who may have just figured it was a "bicycle wheel" and taken it as a prize they had found. Nick, you are a good man!

Charlie Farrow (Image from social media)

Charlie Farrow - An Upper-Mid-West Hero.

Not long ago here on these digital pages I wished Charlie Farrow a safe and successful ride on his Tour Divide attempt. Well, now news comes to me that on the 19th of July, Charlie finished his ride in Antelope Wells, New Mexico in 37 days and some change. 

I've lauded Charlie on his legendary status in Trans Iowa  before. However, what many may not know is Charlie has accomplished so much in his endurance cycling pursuits. Tour Divide is just another feather in Charlies very feathered helmet.

Trans Iowa saw some very outstanding performances from Charlie, but these are but a pittance in his palmares.  Charlie has attempted and finished the Iditarod in Alaska, the Arrowhead 135 winter ultra, the Almanzo 100, other gravel events, several 24hr MTB events, and probably more stuff I don't know about.

Those who know Charlie hold him in high regard. He is humble, erudite, and quick with a good word. It is hard not to like Charlie if you meet him. So, when you add his excellent character with his amazing cycling accomplishments, it is an example of one rare human being. I know I will always think of Charlie as a "hero" of cycling, especially in terms of the long-distance, ultra-cycling events held off-pavement.

Congratulations Charlie on your latest long-distance triumph! 

Two Things: Pack Fodder

 The Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame announcement will happen at 9:00am CST today, January 27th. I usually have something up for my readers in the morning, and I have not forgotten about you. Thank you for reading this blog, by the way. 

So, to get you early-birds satisfied I have a "pack fodder" version of my ongoing "Two Things" posts for you to check out. And do come back to read my announcement/commentary on the GCHoF announcement. I've got a bit of a spicy take on it all. I think you might find it interesting. Thanks and enjoy! 

Weird. I'd never seen anything like it before.

Holey Bolt:

When I was a little shaver, maybe seven or eight years old, my parents would buy me these Converse basketball shoe knock-offs from K-Mart. They almost always blew out along the edges where my foot bent and sometimes in other places. I went through a pair or two every Summer. 

My Grandpa saw me wearing these once when I was with my folks visiting his farm. He looked at me and casually said, "So, those must be the shoes you wear to church, eh?" And I looked at him funny, thinking he was crazy to think this, and replied, "No! These have holes in them, Grandpa!". 

He would reply, "Right. They are "holey", so you wear them to church!"

Ahem.....Anyway. The bolts in the image here came off a Dura Ace crank from the early 1970's, and while you might never see it in a church, only one of this pair is "holey". I get it. Someone was trying to save weight. By the way, I don't know which side the one with the hole was on. I would guess the non-drive side. And no- It wasn't drilled after manufacturing. It was machined this way from the get-go, from what I can tell. The hole goes all the way through, by the way.

If you've ever seen a set of crank bolts like these, give me a shout out in the comments. I'd love to learn more about this. 

Image courtesy of RAGBRAI

The Hordes Of Cyclists Are Coming!

Word came out this past weekend that RAGBRAI is coming through Cedar Falls, Iowa on its 52nd annual ride. If you do not know about RAGBRAI (Where have you been hiding?), it is the world's largest recreational week long cycling ride. Tens of thousands will take to the county roads and village streets to cross the state of Iowa in seven days during the last full week of July. 

Cedar Falls is the adjacent and attached town to Waterloo, so I expect that this announcement will have some bearing on us at the Collective. I say that because in the past, whenever RAGBRAI came through here, people would be looking for cheap options to go for a day or two and hang with the RAGBRAI crowd. I'm ready as I have a lot of road bikes we can scarcely give away in the shop. I would love nothing more than to have RAGBRAI-curious folks wipe us out of that inventory. 

But I also know that things aren't too cheery or on the upswing economically, and although we have crazy low pricing on our bikes, even that may not convince those folks that are curious about this ride to jump in and buy a bike. That is if there even is a demand. We will see. 

I do know that since the Collective does not offer a retail repair service that I won't have to deal with last minute non-sense concerning this event like I used to. That's something I don't miss at all.

Remember to check back in today after 9:00am CST for the GCHoF announcement and commentary. 

Friday News And Views

The new Grade Carbon frame set in Camo (Image courtesy of GT Bicycles)

GT Bicycles Announces New Grade Range Of Gravel Bikes:

 Tuesday saw the release of the new GT Bicycles Grade range of gravel bikes. Totally redesigned, this range will feature good tire clearances, a rather different geometry from most gravel bikes, and 30mm of rear "travel". (!!) 

The bikes are offered in aluminum and carbon with SRAM or Shimano components. Obviously missing is any mention of 11 speed GRX in the press release. Wonder why that is..... (HA!) 

The geometry is interesting. 70° head tube angles across the board with 75mm of bottom bracket drop. Nice! 

Comments: Okay....thirty millimeters of rear compliance? Sounds too good to be true, but even if it is only 20mm in reality, that would be really noticeable. The bigger question, to my way of thinking, is how does this design keep the rear wheel from torquing the frame laterally? Look at those long seat stays. Great for "vertical compliance", but not so much for "lateral stiffness". Maybe GT has figured out a "secret sauce" to keep things in alignment. Of course, I don't know right now. 

I do know two other things though. One: There are no 11 speed GRX models offered and there are 10 speed GRX models offered. Hmm..... 12 speed GRX has been spotted in the wild. Could be there are more Grade models in the pipeline that will be sporting 12 speed GRX. I bet so. 

Secondly, that blue camo is HOT! Kinda like a blue version of a Holstein cow. That would be cool to get a hold of. By the way, if that is too much awesome for you, GT offers the Grade in plainer, more vanilla colors that shouldn't offend you. Me? Give me this and some pink anodized components! Ha ha!  

New Guitar Ted Podcast:

Episode #22 is up of The Guitar Ted Podcast here at THIS LINK. In this episode N.Y. Roll and I talk about that new GT above, go over reasons why the cycling industry is pricing itself out of reach of many cyclists, and there is even some talk about corn. Plus, I have a rant at the end that you might find interesting. 

So.... 22 episodes! That's just this year. We're cooking along fairly well, but we will be taking a break later this year and we will put Season 1 of this podcast to bed. My plan is to close up the season in November, take a month off and after the holidays we will see about cranking it all back up again for Season #2.

In the meantime I have an idea or two for people to interview and we will always be on the lookout for news and subject matter related to gravel riding to yak about. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, you can pop those into the comments and I would really appreciate any feedback you might have for us. 

From Twitter

Sending Healing Vibes To Allison:

Wednesday on social media Allison Tetrick revealed that she had been struck by a truck while riding her bike. This happened a couple of weeks ago now. 

Sounds like she is being well taken care of, but it also sounds as if she's pretty busted up. Sending healing vibes! I hope Allison recovers fully and can get back on her bicycles. 

I've been struck by a truck as well, and while my injuries were mild in comparison, it runs deeper than that in terms of the mental stuff you end up dealing with after an event like this. Healing is necessary both physically and mentally. 

Allison was just inducted into the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame this past June. She's a big advocate of gravel riding. I don't know if it is due to those things, or something that connects us because we've both been hit, but I shed a few tears when I heard about this Wednesday. 

Please remind your friends and family to be vigilant and aware when they are operating a motor vehicle. And all my best to Allison. I'll be praying for her....

Special RAGBRAI Edition Shimano Sandal (Image courtesy of Shimano)

The 50th One:

Good luck you RAGBRAI'ers! You're going to need it this year! It's the 50th anniversary of the ride, and I know the vibe is hype this year. Big time hype!

There will be more people on this RAGBRAI than ever. It'll break records. It will also have more biffs, injuries, accidents, crashes, and worse. Hate to say that, but let's face it. When you put tens of thousands of cyclists on one road who are not necessarily adept at riding with tens of thousands of other riders, well you are going to have mishaps. I hope they are to a minimum, but yeah..... If I were a betting man? Right....

Anyway, no...I am not going anywhere near this ride. I've been there, done that, and this won't be anything different than previous RAGBRAI's, it'll just be "more". When you've already had "enough", "more" is not the answer. 

The weather will be its typically hot, humid self for RAGBRAI with a day where they will probably have some thunderstorms as well. Shoulda been here this week. It was perfect weather! Ha ha! But at least it will be weather that is "on-point" for the ride. 

So, again- Good Luck RAGBRAI! I'll read about it all later.... 

That's it for this week! Have a great weekend and get out and ride! Summer is almost over!

Friday News And Views

The new Grade Carbon frame set in Camo (Image courtesy of GT Bicycles)

GT Bicycles Announces New Grade Range Of Gravel Bikes:

 Tuesday saw the release of the new GT Bicycles Grade range of gravel bikes. Totally redesigned, this range will feature good tire clearances, a rather different geometry from most gravel bikes, and 30mm of rear "travel". (!!) 

The bikes are offered in aluminum and carbon with SRAM or Shimano components. Obviously missing is any mention of 11 speed GRX in the press release. Wonder why that is..... (HA!) 

The geometry is interesting. 70° head tube angles across the board with 75mm of bottom bracket drop. Nice! 

Comments: Okay....thirty millimeters of rear compliance? Sounds too good to be true, but even if it is only 20mm in reality, that would be really noticeable. The bigger question, to my way of thinking, is how does this design keep the rear wheel from torquing the frame laterally? Look at those long seat stays. Great for "vertical compliance", but not so much for "lateral stiffness". Maybe GT has figured out a "secret sauce" to keep things in alignment. Of course, I don't know right now. 

I do know two other things though. One: There are no 11 speed GRX models offered and there are 10 speed GRX models offered. Hmm..... 12 speed GRX has been spotted in the wild. Could be there are more Grade models in the pipeline that will be sporting 12 speed GRX. I bet so. 

Secondly, that blue camo is HOT! Kinda like a blue version of a Holstein cow. That would be cool to get a hold of. By the way, if that is too much awesome for you, GT offers the Grade in plainer, more vanilla colors that shouldn't offend you. Me? Give me this and some pink anodized components! Ha ha!  

New Guitar Ted Podcast:

Episode #22 is up of The Guitar Ted Podcast here at THIS LINK. In this episode N.Y. Roll and I talk about that new GT above, go over reasons why the cycling industry is pricing itself out of reach of many cyclists, and there is even some talk about corn. Plus, I have a rant at the end that you might find interesting. 

So.... 22 episodes! That's just this year. We're cooking along fairly well, but we will be taking a break later this year and we will put Season 1 of this podcast to bed. My plan is to close up the season in November, take a month off and after the holidays we will see about cranking it all back up again for Season #2.

In the meantime I have an idea or two for people to interview and we will always be on the lookout for news and subject matter related to gravel riding to yak about. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, you can pop those into the comments and I would really appreciate any feedback you might have for us. 

From Twitter

Sending Healing Vibes To Allison:

Wednesday on social media Allison Tetrick revealed that she had been struck by a truck while riding her bike. This happened a couple of weeks ago now. 

Sounds like she is being well taken care of, but it also sounds as if she's pretty busted up. Sending healing vibes! I hope Allison recovers fully and can get back on her bicycles. 

I've been struck by a truck as well, and while my injuries were mild in comparison, it runs deeper than that in terms of the mental stuff you end up dealing with after an event like this. Healing is necessary both physically and mentally. 

Allison was just inducted into the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame this past June. She's a big advocate of gravel riding. I don't know if it is due to those things, or something that connects us because we've both been hit, but I shed a few tears when I heard about this Wednesday. 

Please remind your friends and family to be vigilant and aware when they are operating a motor vehicle. And all my best to Allison. I'll be praying for her....

Special RAGBRAI Edition Shimano Sandal (Image courtesy of Shimano)

The 50th One:

Good luck you RAGBRAI'ers! You're going to need it this year! It's the 50th anniversary of the ride, and I know the vibe is hype this year. Big time hype!

There will be more people on this RAGBRAI than ever. It'll break records. It will also have more biffs, injuries, accidents, crashes, and worse. Hate to say that, but let's face it. When you put tens of thousands of cyclists on one road who are not necessarily adept at riding with tens of thousands of other riders, well you are going to have mishaps. I hope they are to a minimum, but yeah..... If I were a betting man? Right....

Anyway, no...I am not going anywhere near this ride. I've been there, done that, and this won't be anything different than previous RAGBRAI's, it'll just be "more". When you've already had "enough", "more" is not the answer. 

The weather will be its typically hot, humid self for RAGBRAI with a day where they will probably have some thunderstorms as well. Shoulda been here this week. It was perfect weather! Ha ha! But at least it will be weather that is "on-point" for the ride. 

So, again- Good Luck RAGBRAI! I'll read about it all later.... 

That's it for this week! Have a great weekend and get out and ride! Summer is almost over!

Friday News And Views

The new KS Suspension Ether Carbon Gravel Bar. (Image courtesy of KS)

 KS Gravel Ether Handlebar- A Mystery:

I saw last week a cycling news site pushing a post about a KS Suspension gravel handle bar. What?! KS Suspension?  The company that does dropper posts? Yes - Them! 

So, I tried to check this out and it seems that information is a bit all over the place as far as the details go, and even when the bar came out is somewhat in question. In fact, it may not even be available......yet!

Here's what I could find out: There are two widths- 42cm and 44cm. There is flare, but I cannot find where any site has that information as to the degree of flare. The riser section is 18mm, which comes off the 31.8mm clamp diameter and then takes up all of the tops section. The bar specs for reach are also not online that I could find, but the images seem to show a bit more than most gravel bars. 

Weight was listed in one place at 270 - 275 grams but at another site it was listed as 230 - 235 grams. ??? Price?? Seems like "Ether" was an apt name choice for this handle bar. 

A new version of the Getaway is out. (Image courtesy of Challenge Tire)

Challenge Tire Introduces New Getaway XP:

The Challenge Tire Getaway model, which I reviewed for Riding Gravel here, has now been upgraded with an extra puncture protected layer which runs sidewall to sidewall. It also is available in a 45mm or 40mm width. 

Sorry! No skin wall in this version. The cost is $94.99 for each tire. 

Comments: Seeing as how the Getaway with a single layer of puncture protection was about the most difficult tire to set up tubeless that I've tried, I cannot imagine this being any easier to set up. If you buy, get a bike shop wrench to do the mounting. Whatever they charge will be worth it. 

And how about the price?! Challenge tires are always pretty dear, but this is a bit surprising, especially with regard to surplus discounting on many items everywhere in the cycling world right now. That said, I really enjoyed the Getaway tire's ride, lightweight, and speed. I did not like that Challenge specifies their sealant, and they weren't wrong to do so, because when I tried something different it immediately started leaking through the sidewalls of the tire. So, that's a bit limiting and there are just too many great tires out there that are easier to mount, cheaper to buy, and can use many brands of sealant without issues. 

Maybe this one is different than the Getaway I tried? Hope so.....

Image courtesy of Gravel Worlds

 Gravel Worlds Athletes Promote Rainbow Bands On Their Jerseys:

Many of you may not know that in 2017 I received a cease and desist letter from the legal consul for the UCI. That's right. Me. Why?

Because the UCI thought I/Riding Gravel were the promoters of Gravel Worlds, (Another reason I quit doing the race calendar. It made people think I put on ALL those events!) and the UCI wasn't digging that Gravel Worlds used the rainbow stripes on winner's jerseys and in promotional material on their website, etc. They threatened me with legal action if I did not comply and take down those stripes. 

Well, my Riding Gravel business partner sent back a quick note explaining that we had nothing to do with that, and I took the opportunity to forward that to the Gravel Worlds team. Subsequently Gravel Worlds took the stripes off the website and jerseys. So, if you noticed, there are no stripes on the 2018-2022 jerseys. That's why.

Well, now a solution has been found which turns the stripes into "bands" and the former winners of several Gravel Worlds categories are now sporting their "bands" on their jerseys these days. The press release states the following:

 "The Pirate Cycling League, host of the annual Gravel Worlds gravel cycling event, announced today that current and former champions are leading a movement by choosing to wear the Gravel Worlds rainbow bands on their jerseys in 2023. This new initiative signifies the wearer's status as a past or present Gravel Worlds champion."

Comments: I love it! I'm not saying this is what the PCL/Gravel Worlds team thinks of the bands, but it is kind of an "in your face" gesture to the UCI after all these years since 2017 and for what the UCI is doing now with their "Gravel World Championship Series".

Spinergy Offers Wheel Trade-In Program:

I received a very interesting press release the other day from Spinergy. It is concerning their new wheel trade-in program where Spinergy will take off $200.00 from normal retail for the trade-in on an alloy wheel set or $400.00 on the trade-in on a carbon wheel set. 

The presser states the following:

" In these tough economic times, finding the
resources to upgrade your bike is challenging to say the least. With the unprecedented inventory levels the cycling industry is experiencing, selling off
your old equipment isn’t an option. Spinergy has decided to help out by offering to take your old wheels, and that means any old wheels, in trade for credit towards a new set of Spinergy Road, Gravel, MTB or E bike wheels."

Comments: Well, at least someone is saying the obvious part in the industry! I read that inventory levels are at unprecedented levels and this promotion pretty much confirms that to be the case. What is bad - beyond the obvious - is that this will only further entrench the idea that the cycling industry is "on the take" and everything has always been somewhat of a rip-off in terms of pricing. That couldn't be further from the truth, but I am betting that this will take years to overcome in the marketplace, if we ever get over it. 

As seen on social media. RAGBRAI sandals are back!

RAGBRAI Sandals Are Back:

Years ago now, maybe back around 2002/2003, a Shimano rep told me that Shimano only sold its SPD compatible sandals in Iowa and surrounding Mid-West states and only before RAGBRAI. So, when they said they were discontinuing them, it was because Shimano thought that they weren't popular anywhere else and the small amount that they did sell just was not worth the bother.

And then the hue and cry went up. Shimano reissued the model, but with several unpopular changes. They stuck with it for a bit, but then they went away again. 

A few years back, they did a limited edition run, and that must have lit a light bulb in Shimano headquarters because now they are purposely making a short run again with the RABRAI logo right there on the sandal. I mean, it only took them 20+ years to figure this out! 

I'm of the opinion that sandals went out with the Romans. I kid! But seriously, they are not my style at all. But hey- if you ever wanted sandals for gravel riding, there ya go!
 

That's a wrap for this week! Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions!

Friday News And Views

The new KS Suspension Ether Carbon Gravel Bar. (Image courtesy of KS)

 KS Gravel Ether Handlebar- A Mystery:

I saw last week a cycling news site pushing a post about a KS Suspension gravel handle bar. What?! KS Suspension?  The company that does dropper posts? Yes - Them! 

So, I tried to check this out and it seems that information is a bit all over the place as far as the details go, and even when the bar came out is somewhat in question. In fact, it may not even be available......yet!

Here's what I could find out: There are two widths- 42cm and 44cm. There is flare, but I cannot find where any site has that information as to the degree of flare. The riser section is 18mm, which comes off the 31.8mm clamp diameter and then takes up all of the tops section. The bar specs for reach are also not online that I could find, but the images seem to show a bit more than most gravel bars. 

Weight was listed in one place at 270 - 275 grams but at another site it was listed as 230 - 235 grams. ??? Price?? Seems like "Ether" was an apt name choice for this handle bar. 

A new version of the Getaway is out. (Image courtesy of Challenge Tire)

Challenge Tire Introduces New Getaway XP:

The Challenge Tire Getaway model, which I reviewed for Riding Gravel here, has now been upgraded with an extra puncture protected layer which runs sidewall to sidewall. It also is available in a 45mm or 40mm width. 

Sorry! No skin wall in this version. The cost is $94.99 for each tire. 

Comments: Seeing as how the Getaway with a single layer of puncture protection was about the most difficult tire to set up tubeless that I've tried, I cannot imagine this being any easier to set up. If you buy, get a bike shop wrench to do the mounting. Whatever they charge will be worth it. 

And how about the price?! Challenge tires are always pretty dear, but this is a bit surprising, especially with regard to surplus discounting on many items everywhere in the cycling world right now. That said, I really enjoyed the Getaway tire's ride, lightweight, and speed. I did not like that Challenge specifies their sealant, and they weren't wrong to do so, because when I tried something different it immediately started leaking through the sidewalls of the tire. So, that's a bit limiting and there are just too many great tires out there that are easier to mount, cheaper to buy, and can use many brands of sealant without issues. 

Maybe this one is different than the Getaway I tried? Hope so.....

Image courtesy of Gravel Worlds

 Gravel Worlds Athletes Promote Rainbow Bands On Their Jerseys:

Many of you may not know that in 2017 I received a cease and desist letter from the legal consul for the UCI. That's right. Me. Why?

Because the UCI thought I/Riding Gravel were the promoters of Gravel Worlds, (Another reason I quit doing the race calendar. It made people think I put on ALL those events!) and the UCI wasn't digging that Gravel Worlds used the rainbow stripes on winner's jerseys and in promotional material on their website, etc. They threatened me with legal action if I did not comply and take down those stripes. 

Well, my Riding Gravel business partner sent back a quick note explaining that we had nothing to do with that, and I took the opportunity to forward that to the Gravel Worlds team. Subsequently Gravel Worlds took the stripes off the website and jerseys. So, if you noticed, there are no stripes on the 2018-2022 jerseys. That's why.

Well, now a solution has been found which turns the stripes into "bands" and the former winners of several Gravel Worlds categories are now sporting their "bands" on their jerseys these days. The press release states the following:

 "The Pirate Cycling League, host of the annual Gravel Worlds gravel cycling event, announced today that current and former champions are leading a movement by choosing to wear the Gravel Worlds rainbow bands on their jerseys in 2023. This new initiative signifies the wearer's status as a past or present Gravel Worlds champion."

Comments: I love it! I'm not saying this is what the PCL/Gravel Worlds team thinks of the bands, but it is kind of an "in your face" gesture to the UCI after all these years since 2017 and for what the UCI is doing now with their "Gravel World Championship Series".

Spinergy Offers Wheel Trade-In Program:

I received a very interesting press release the other day from Spinergy. It is concerning their new wheel trade-in program where Spinergy will take off $200.00 from normal retail for the trade-in on an alloy wheel set or $400.00 on the trade-in on a carbon wheel set. 

The presser states the following:

" In these tough economic times, finding the
resources to upgrade your bike is challenging to say the least. With the unprecedented inventory levels the cycling industry is experiencing, selling off
your old equipment isn’t an option. Spinergy has decided to help out by offering to take your old wheels, and that means any old wheels, in trade for credit towards a new set of Spinergy Road, Gravel, MTB or E bike wheels."

Comments: Well, at least someone is saying the obvious part in the industry! I read that inventory levels are at unprecedented levels and this promotion pretty much confirms that to be the case. What is bad - beyond the obvious - is that this will only further entrench the idea that the cycling industry is "on the take" and everything has always been somewhat of a rip-off in terms of pricing. That couldn't be further from the truth, but I am betting that this will take years to overcome in the marketplace, if we ever get over it. 

As seen on social media. RAGBRAI sandals are back!

RAGBRAI Sandals Are Back:

Years ago now, maybe back around 2002/2003, a Shimano rep told me that Shimano only sold its SPD compatible sandals in Iowa and surrounding Mid-West states and only before RAGBRAI. So, when they said they were discontinuing them, it was because Shimano thought that they weren't popular anywhere else and the small amount that they did sell just was not worth the bother.

And then the hue and cry went up. Shimano reissued the model, but with several unpopular changes. They stuck with it for a bit, but then they went away again. 

A few years back, they did a limited edition run, and that must have lit a light bulb in Shimano headquarters because now they are purposely making a short run again with the RABRAI logo right there on the sandal. I mean, it only took them 20+ years to figure this out! 

I'm of the opinion that sandals went out with the Romans. I kid! But seriously, they are not my style at all. But hey- if you ever wanted sandals for gravel riding, there ya go!
 

That's a wrap for this week! Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions!

Randomonium

 New Riding Gravel Radio Ranch Podcast #104:

Just a reminder that I have another Riding Gravel Radio Ranch Podcast up now if you are so inclined to listen in. N.Y. Roll is my co-host and we discuss a wide range of topics concerning the Gravel Cycling Hall of fame, gravel history, and more. Here is the link to the podcast.

I moved the distribution and production aspects of the podcast in order to ensure a timely release of episodes. Unfortunately that meant that I had to start from zero, in terms of access to the podcast, so it really helps out if you not only listen, but share the link as well.

Thanks for checking the podcast out. 

Cold Weather Clinic: 

I am putting my 20+ years of cold weather riding experiences and know-how into an hour long clinic on November 3rd, at 6:30pm at the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective in downtown Waterloo. 

While it is obviously impossible to cover everything in an hour or so, I am going to download a significant amount of tips and there is going to be a PDF, (I think) of my clinic available to CVBC members. 

Perhaps I will also pull that and a bit more into a mini-series here on the blog afterward. It might prove useful to you readers out there. At least those who are not busy "zwifting", or whatever it is that you call doing that is. (All I know is that ain't fer me!) 

So, if you have any great cold weather tips you'd like me to pass on, just share them in the comments. I'll take those and what I have, share at the clinic, and then I'll post up a series here on what I have as well later in November. 

Header for the Save RAGBRAI Facebook page.

Is The End Nigh For RAGBRAI?:

This week I found out that there was some drama brewing concerning RAGBRAI again. (Remember all the hullabaloo when "Iowa's Ride" split off?) 

It isn't news to hear that the newspaper business is floundering. No one really reads physical newspapers anymore and digital renderings of newspapers don't seem to attract the advertising revenues that the old print newspapers once did. Large corporate news behemoths, like Gannett, who own the Des Moines Register and the sub-corporation, Ventures Endurance, which runs RAGBRAI now, are experiencing deep financial turmoil. So bad are things looking in from the outside that the former director of RAGBRAI, who just left his post recently, has started a "Save RAGRAI" Facebook page to air his concerns. His perspective could be questioned, seeing as he may have an axe to grind, or he could very well be raising red flags which should be acknowledged. I don't know. 

Comments: Claims of overnight towns from the 2022 route not getting paid, claims that RAGBRAI has not upheld contractual obligations, and claims of non-communication from Venture Endurance don't sound great here, but let's be honest- RAGBRAI isn't going to "die" anytime soon. Here are the facts: With upwards of 20.000 registered riders (claimed by Dieter Drake for 2022 ridership numbers), at $175.00 a pop to register, and considering all the business that can be generated out of those numbers in concessions, souvenirs, etc, the economics of RAGBRAI are just too big to ignore. 

The ride isn't going away but it is looking more and more like it may change. It may change a LOT. Think about the whole "Iowa's Ride" fiasco. Had the pandemic not interfered with that, I can totally imagine how that ride may have eventually taken over the spot in July which RAGBRAI has held. It was certainly apparent that a potential was there, and that potential is still there today.

My belief is that despite what may happen to Gannett, RAGBRAI will survive in some form. And even IF it doesn't, something will arise to take its place on the calendar. There is just too much money and tradition on the table for something like RAGBRAI to just disappear now. In the future? Maybe whatever is left over won't be done in a manner that people find attractive and things will fizzle out. That's an outcome I could see happening also. 

But change seems imminent. There has been a lot of upheaval surrounding RAGBRAI in the past five years and I don't think we've seen what the outcome of those forces on that event will be just yet.

Randomonium

 New Riding Gravel Radio Ranch Podcast #104:

Just a reminder that I have another Riding Gravel Radio Ranch Podcast up now if you are so inclined to listen in. N.Y. Roll is my co-host and we discuss a wide range of topics concerning the Gravel Cycling Hall of fame, gravel history, and more. Here is the link to the podcast.

I moved the distribution and production aspects of the podcast in order to ensure a timely release of episodes. Unfortunately that meant that I had to start from zero, in terms of access to the podcast, so it really helps out if you not only listen, but share the link as well.

Thanks for checking the podcast out. 

Cold Weather Clinic: 

I am putting my 20+ years of cold weather riding experiences and know-how into an hour long clinic on November 3rd, at 6:30pm at the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective in downtown Waterloo. 

While it is obviously impossible to cover everything in an hour or so, I am going to download a significant amount of tips and there is going to be a PDF, (I think) of my clinic available to CVBC members. 

Perhaps I will also pull that and a bit more into a mini-series here on the blog afterward. It might prove useful to you readers out there. At least those who are not busy "zwifting", or whatever it is that you call doing that is. (All I know is that ain't fer me!) 

So, if you have any great cold weather tips you'd like me to pass on, just share them in the comments. I'll take those and what I have, share at the clinic, and then I'll post up a series here on what I have as well later in November. 

Header for the Save RAGBRAI Facebook page.

Is The End Nigh For RAGBRAI?:

This week I found out that there was some drama brewing concerning RAGBRAI again. (Remember all the hullabaloo when "Iowa's Ride" split off?) 

It isn't news to hear that the newspaper business is floundering. No one really reads physical newspapers anymore and digital renderings of newspapers don't seem to attract the advertising revenues that the old print newspapers once did. Large corporate news behemoths, like Gannett, who own the Des Moines Register and the sub-corporation, Ventures Endurance, which runs RAGBRAI now, are experiencing deep financial turmoil. So bad are things looking in from the outside that the former director of RAGBRAI, who just left his post recently, has started a "Save RAGRAI" Facebook page to air his concerns. His perspective could be questioned, seeing as he may have an axe to grind, or he could very well be raising red flags which should be acknowledged. I don't know. 

Comments: Claims of overnight towns from the 2022 route not getting paid, claims that RAGBRAI has not upheld contractual obligations, and claims of non-communication from Venture Endurance don't sound great here, but let's be honest- RAGBRAI isn't going to "die" anytime soon. Here are the facts: With upwards of 20.000 registered riders (claimed by Dieter Drake for 2022 ridership numbers), at $175.00 a pop to register, and considering all the business that can be generated out of those numbers in concessions, souvenirs, etc, the economics of RAGBRAI are just too big to ignore. 

The ride isn't going away but it is looking more and more like it may change. It may change a LOT. Think about the whole "Iowa's Ride" fiasco. Had the pandemic not interfered with that, I can totally imagine how that ride may have eventually taken over the spot in July which RAGBRAI has held. It was certainly apparent that a potential was there, and that potential is still there today.

My belief is that despite what may happen to Gannett, RAGBRAI will survive in some form. And even IF it doesn't, something will arise to take its place on the calendar. There is just too much money and tradition on the table for something like RAGBRAI to just disappear now. In the future? Maybe whatever is left over won't be done in a manner that people find attractive and things will fizzle out. That's an outcome I could see happening also. 

But change seems imminent. There has been a lot of upheaval surrounding RAGBRAI in the past five years and I don't think we've seen what the outcome of those forces on that event will be just yet.

An Unpopular Opinion

From the last day I rode RAGBRAI ever. July 2005

Well, it's THAT time of the year again. And it is THAT time again after two years of really nothing going on. RAGBRAI is back full tilt, and my social media feeds are full of the goings on. 

I've escaped having to answer this question now for two whole years, and now that this certain question has come back into play again, I realize how nice it was to NOT have to answer it.

The question? "Why aren't you on RAGBRAI?" followed closely with the follow-up question, "Have you ever done RAGBRAI before?"

Well, about that...........

Yes:  I have ridden RAGBRAI before. The entire route twice in 1996 and 2002. I've ridden parts of other RAGBRAI's in 2000, 2001, and 2003-2005. I have also been a mechanic on two RAGBRAI's- 2002-2003. So, this opinion doesn't come from someone who doesn't know what they are talking about. I've been there, done that, and the answers to "The Questions" come from experience. 

Why don't I do RAGBRAI? Well, there is a very good reason for that. It isn't for me. That's why.
 

Long lines for you name it: Food, drink, toilets, everything. (Image from 2005)

Long Lines: Waiting....... You will do a lot of that at RAGBRAI. Long lines of sweaty people waiting. Waiting for food, drink, to use a Kybo (Porta-jon, or whatever you call them in your part of the world) Waiting is NOT fun. Especially under a hot Sun. You can have it. 

Pipped from the Des Moines Register's reporter, Kyle Munson's social media 2022

Traffic: Look, I love riding bicycles. I do not like traffic jams. I don't like living on the edge wondering if so-and-so ahead of me is going to suddenly swerve into my line or not. I don't like picking my way around riders who suddenly decide, You know what? This climb sucks! I'm getting off right here!. Which usually is right in front of you while you are climbing at 12mph. Brilliant! I LIVE for that! Why don't I go on RAGBRAI? (sarcasm alert)

A mechanic on location during RAGBRAI 2005.

Exorbitant Pricing & Regulations: RAGBRAI is not a bargain. In fact, it is very expensive. Try getting anything done on your bicycle, for instance. The licensed repair shops charge boosted fees, because, let's face it- they have to make hay while it is time to bale. I get it. I benefited from it, but that doesn't mean I would like being on the other end of that as a consumer. And of course, food and beverage is no different. 

True- you can score some sweet accommodation pricing during RAGBRAI, and it can be "free" if you are willing to compromise a bit on things, but otherwise, this isn't a budget friendly deal. I'm better off doing my own tour than doing a RAGBRAI. 

And while I am not affected by the authorities shutting down businesses and chasing riders up the road, that rubs me totally the wrong way. I do not like it, and I wouldn't support that activity by doing RAGBRAI.

Again, all of the above is MY OPINION. Your mileage probably varies. I am just putting this out there because I get asked a lot about RAGBRAI and my lack of participation in it. 

Let it also be known that I always tell people they should do it at least once. To me it is like going to Las Vegas. You should do that at least once as well. Then decide if it is for you or not. 

So, there you go. RAGBRAI has been tried. More than once. I don't get on with it. I've listed the reasons why that is. You? You do you. (You probably aren't reading this if you are a RAGBRAI fan anyway, since it is RAGBRAI week)

Oh, and one more thing. People used to get on me for criticizing RAGBRAI because "I benefited from it".  Well, I used to. Not anymore. So, that's not a valid criticism of my take now. And honestly, I am happy to be out of that rat-race of repairs for that ride. That had its own set of negatives. But that doesn't matter since I've left that sort of work behind.

An Unpopular Opinion

From the last day I rode RAGBRAI ever. July 2005

Well, it's THAT time of the year again. And it is THAT time again after two years of really nothing going on. RAGBRAI is back full tilt, and my social media feeds are full of the goings on. 

I've escaped having to answer this question now for two whole years, and now that this certain question has come back into play again, I realize how nice it was to NOT have to answer it.

The question? "Why aren't you on RAGBRAI?" followed closely with the follow-up question, "Have you ever done RAGBRAI before?"

Well, about that...........

Yes:  I have ridden RAGBRAI before. The entire route twice in 1996 and 2002. I've ridden parts of other RAGBRAI's in 2000, 2001, and 2003-2005. I have also been a mechanic on two RAGBRAI's- 2002-2003. So, this opinion doesn't come from someone who doesn't know what they are talking about. I've been there, done that, and the answers to "The Questions" come from experience. 

Why don't I do RAGBRAI? Well, there is a very good reason for that. It isn't for me. That's why.
 

Long lines for you name it: Food, drink, toilets, everything. (Image from 2005)

Long Lines: Waiting....... You will do a lot of that at RAGBRAI. Long lines of sweaty people waiting. Waiting for food, drink, to use a Kybo (Porta-jon, or whatever you call them in your part of the world) Waiting is NOT fun. Especially under a hot Sun. You can have it. 

Pipped from the Des Moines Register's reporter, Kyle Munson's social media 2022

Traffic: Look, I love riding bicycles. I do not like traffic jams. I don't like living on the edge wondering if so-and-so ahead of me is going to suddenly swerve into my line or not. I don't like picking my way around riders who suddenly decide, You know what? This climb sucks! I'm getting off right here!. Which usually is right in front of you while you are climbing at 12mph. Brilliant! I LIVE for that! Why don't I go on RAGBRAI? (sarcasm alert)

A mechanic on location during RAGBRAI 2005.

Exorbitant Pricing & Regulations: RAGBRAI is not a bargain. In fact, it is very expensive. Try getting anything done on your bicycle, for instance. The licensed repair shops charge boosted fees, because, let's face it- they have to make hay while it is time to bale. I get it. I benefited from it, but that doesn't mean I would like being on the other end of that as a consumer. And of course, food and beverage is no different. 

True- you can score some sweet accommodation pricing during RAGBRAI, and it can be "free" if you are willing to compromise a bit on things, but otherwise, this isn't a budget friendly deal. I'm better off doing my own tour than doing a RAGBRAI. 

And while I am not affected by the authorities shutting down businesses and chasing riders up the road, that rubs me totally the wrong way. I do not like it, and I wouldn't support that activity by doing RAGBRAI.

Again, all of the above is MY OPINION. Your mileage probably varies. I am just putting this out there because I get asked a lot about RAGBRAI and my lack of participation in it. 

Let it also be known that I always tell people they should do it at least once. To me it is like going to Las Vegas. You should do that at least once as well. Then decide if it is for you or not. 

So, there you go. RAGBRAI has been tried. More than once. I don't get on with it. I've listed the reasons why that is. You? You do you. (You probably aren't reading this if you are a RAGBRAI fan anyway, since it is RAGBRAI week)

Oh, and one more thing. People used to get on me for criticizing RAGBRAI because "I benefited from it".  Well, I used to. Not anymore. So, that's not a valid criticism of my take now. And honestly, I am happy to be out of that rat-race of repairs for that ride. That had its own set of negatives. But that doesn't matter since I've left that sort of work behind.

Randomonium (Saturday Edition)

 NOTE: Okay folks, if you haven't been around long enough here to know what a "Randomonium" post is, then here is the deal. I ramble, rant, and randomly moan about all things cycling in one, incohesive, bizarre post. "Randomonium", okay?

More Dire Predictions Come To Light:

Last Saturday I ran a piece about the supply chain issues and how that will affect 2022. I also hinted that many in the industry were thinking that 'the bubble will bust' when supply levels come back in the amounts that have been ordered, while the predicted demand for this stuff is agreed by most experts to be less than expectations are. 

An article published recently in "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" authored by analyst Rick Vosper seems to be saying that even if retail demand goes back to pre-pandemic levels, those levels were on the decrease, for the most part, and 2019 in particular was a very poor year for bicycle imports. 

Most experts seem to agree that a tsunami of high end imports will hit retailers at the end of this year with 2022/2023 orders stacking up against one another in a short timeline for dealers, forcing deep discounts. Standard fare will also be in overstock levels as well due to a similar situation, but......

There always is an exception. 

The other thing the experts seem to agree upon is that this will force a big pull-back in the industry in orders. This whiplash effect in the supply chain will leave vendors, and most vulnerable of all- bike shops- out in the cold. While the experts didn't go as far as to say that there would be business failures as a result, they did say that a lot of bike shops are in a highly leveraged situation now financially. That could spell disaster if the supply chain hiccups that experts are saying will be coming in '22 and '23 happen. 

When the 2022 route is announced it will be under a new leader.

RAGBRAI Gets A New Director:

Gannet/Des Moines Register/RAGBRAI announced last week that it will have a new leader for this year's RAGBRAI and future editions of this event. Former director, Dieter Drake, was promoted upward in the Gannet organization to be "events operations director" for the cycling division of  "Ventures Endurance", a subsidiary of Gannet Corporation. 

The new director is Matt Phippen, formerly a sales director at the Iowa City Scheels location. Phippen takes over effective immediately. I'm sure RAGBRAI won't see too much in the way of changes from this, at least in the near term. My interest comes from the somewhat unknown "The Great Iowa Fall Ride" event, which was a project that Dieter Drake was exploring pre-pandemic. (I wrote a bit about this last year here)

Originally that ride was to be set in Iowa Falls and be a three day, gravel road oriented affair. The idea being that it could be a way for RAGBRAI to extend its revenue stream. My question is, what will become of that idea? And if it comes back as a gravel ride, does that then influence Dieter Drake, as the head of the cycling division arm of Gannett , to produce more events like this in other locales in the future? 

Gravel riding is a big deal now, and 'getting in on the action' is one event promotion corporation's agendas now. We see Life Time Fitness cashing in, USA Cycling is wedging itself into the scene from a competitive side, and it only makes sense that communities and regions would be willing to work with big corporate entities to bring in the promise of tourism dollars and the economic benefits thereof. 

In fact, I was called by a person doing consulting/coaching with teams and cities concerning bicycle trails this week regarding the gravel scene. So, this is on many people's radar now. I look for more to happen in this regard in the near future.

More Reactions To The Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame Announcement:

Okay, first of all- yes, I've been nominated. So, I wanted you all to know that up front.

Second of all: Whoa! People sure got their chamois' in a wad over this deal, that's for sure! Ya know, I did see someone on Twitter say that if a Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame celebrates cycling, then why would any cyclists be against that? 

And I guess that's my favorite reaction, and my adopted response from this point forward. I  mean, if you don't like it, just move along. What harm is it going to bring to cyclists? If you think it is stupid, just forget about it. Giving it space, rent free, in your emotions and mind is, well.......dumb. Just don't bother with it. 

Finally: Many people are saying very flattering things about me and my work in the gravel scene. This is an example. So, that's very humbling and I so appreciate all the sentiments being expressed now. It's kind of hard to process this, for me, and I'm sure it probably always will be. Anyway, even if I never were to get into any hall of fame, I'd be proud of this moment in time because so many folks are coming out and putting my name out there as "belonging" in a hall of fame of gravel cycling. 

Weird.It's all so very weird to me.