Unbound's Evolutionary Changes Further Distances Event From Its Roots

The routes and event details for this year's Unbound were announced Friday.

 Routes Announced Along With Other Details:

Life Time Events has announced its routes for the Unbound 200 and other satellite events which will occur the first weekend of June. 

Last year the event featured staggered start times for the Pro Men, Pro Women, and the "Amateur" participants. This year's events will also feature this with greater amounts of time between the Pro and Amateur classes.This year the splits will be Pro Women, or "Elites", as Unbound calls them, at five minutes past 6:00am when the Male "Elites" take off, but the Amateur class will leave at 6:30am. The extending of the cut-off time for the event was also done which is now 3:00am. 

Further separation of Pro (Elite) classes and the Amateurs will happen at the finish line as the Elites will have their own, separated "finishing chute" and the Amateurs their own "finishing chute". How that will look in practice is not yet known at this time. 

Finally, the event has a new director in Sean Thurman who takes the reins from Ben Sachs. Thurman will also oversee the Big Sugar event which Sachs was listed as race director of as well. There was no word on why the change was made. 

In a separate article posted on "Cycling Weekly" authored by Anne-Marije Rook, a subplot has developed that entails the Pro Women's field (or representatives of that field) who have asked Unbound to implement a no drafting rule for Elite riders, because the faster women most likely will intermingle with the slower Elite males. The fear is that an unfair advantage will be gained by some of the faster women latching on to drafting partners who are stronger athletes in the male field and pull away from the remaining females. This suggestion was rebuffed by the Unbound organizers for reasons of the drafting ban being unenforceable.

 NOTE: Large doses of "my opinion" will be handed out in gloppy dollops from this point onward. You've been forewarned.....

Comments: The event hasn't even been held yet and we have Pro Women disappointed and potential "gravel beef" within the Elite field. That's all I'll say concerning that for right now, but again - When big payouts and sponsorships are on the line, you are going to get this sort of complaint within the Pro field. This has to do with the females, but males wanting to be separated from the masses of amateur riders have now pretty much had their case addressed. So much for "lining up with the Pros" for being a reason to do Unbound.

The press release stated that this year's course will be only the third time the event has "ventured North". The presser stated that those previous North routes were done in 2019 and 2021. This could be construed as being correct under Life Time's ownership but it is definitely incorrect if Life Time is annexing the DK200's history, as they have done since they took over the event. 

In fact, we left going North in 2006. I remember Dan Hughes crashing out on Little Egypt Road back in the day, a road that is far North of Emporia in Western Wabaunsie County. In my memory, I want to say that Jim and Joel used to alternate going North or South every year. So the press release is either only referring to its history under Life Time, or it is incorrect information. UPDATE May21, 2024: I was made aware via a Facebook reply to a post about this that the reference to "North" in the press release refers to how the riders are facing and leaving the start line. So, this does not mean the event hasn't used a Northward course more than twice, although that is how the press release reads.

The change at the director's chair is curious. At the time of this writing, Ben Sach's Instagram still listed himself as the "Race Director" of Unbound and Big Sugar. What exactly caused the change is a curious mystery at this point. It is noteworthy that Sach's oversaw last year's highly controversial use of a stretch of muddy minimum maintenance road that had a workaround that was not utilized. This was highly criticized by Pro and amateur racers afterward. Whether this was a factor in the change at the race director's position is not known.

Further Separation: I have speculated all along that the Pro fields and the "amateur" fields would be separated and possibly end up having events on different days. This news of having more time gap between "Elites" and "Amateurs", (Don't you just get a feeling of "inclusiveness here?), gives the ideas I have written about concerning Pros vs Everyone Else more credence. No knock on Pro athletes, but all along I have stated that the goals of Pro Racing, both on the racer's part and the promoter's part, were at odds with grassroots gravel and where gravel sprouted up from and why gravel became the popular sport it has become. It surely did not reach the heights of popularity it has because we had Pro athletes vying for big money on a sanitized stage. It was quite the opposite of that, in fact. 

The fact that Unbound will now make "Amateurs" cross the finish line down a separate chute further shows how the organizers feel about what is more important. More stringent controls over traffic and pedestrian movements around the finish area will also be enforced to ensure a fair and safe atmosphere for the Pros. While this will undoubtedly benefit the amateurs as well, you can bet the Pro's concerns were the impetus for that change. 

Again, the evolution of this event has been front and center as the example why Pro and grassroots gravel are not compatible, or even the same thing. Should there be Pro racing on other than paved surfaces? Sure, why not? But that sort of event is not inclusive, it does not focus on stretching one's personal boundaries, nor is it a place where life-long friendships are forged through shared and equal challenges, courses, and all without any expectations for financial gain.  

Pro racing is not "gravel". Despite the surface the Pro's race on. Calling it such and trying to equate it with what gravel was all along is a false equivalency. I'll be interested in how Life Time further evolves Unbound and its other events, and also how traditional cycling media treats "grassroots gravel" going forward. My bet is that the picture will be the same as it ever was. Racing, in all its Pro glory, will be the only story they cover and grassroots gravel will appear to be invisible. 

I hope that more people become aware that this narrative is not the truth.

Two Things

Image courtesy of Wolf Tooth

Wolf Tooth Tubeless Valve Kits:

Does Wolf Tooth have something new to announce every week? It seems that way this year. This time it is tubeless valve kits in various anodized colors. 

The kits, which cost $31.95, come with two valve stems, two different styles of gaskets, valve caps in a matching color - one that is a core removal tool, extra gaskets, and two spare valve cores. The stems come in either 40mm or 60mm lengths to cover most wheels.

Sounds like a pretty good deal to dress out your rig in a pop of color on the wheels. There are nine different hues to choose from including "Oil Slick" which I rarely see in anything outside of drive train parts. 

Comments: These look a lot like Muc-Off's valve kits, which I have used before. Their kits have recently been upgraded and they have more color choices and are also foam insert compatible. they cost about $3.00 more though. 

I like Wolf Tooth's use of an oversized nut to secure the stem to the rim. Those are nicer to get a good seal and also nicer to get removed out in the field should you have to do that. That said, I haven't had a tubeless valve fail in quite a while, so that may not be such a big deal anymore.

State Bicycle Co. & Grassroots Gravel Partner For Ride Together Grant:

While I was attending Mid-South at the Expo day, I ran across a booth with a big banner that read "Grassroots Gravel". I figured I'd better investigate that! Anyone grabbing that name had better be "legit", in my opinion, or that might be seen as a pretty cheeky name for an organization or event bent on just being another "taker" in the gravel scene. 

Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the organizers of this event out in Pueblo, Colorado are, in fact, very much about grassroots gravel, as I understand the term. I hope to have one of the two RD's on the podcast at some point soon, but recently I have been made aware of an effort on their part in partnership with State Bicycle Co. to foster a program to bring in folks who otherwise could not afford to go to such an event. They are calling it the "Ride Together Grant", and it will be funded, in part, right out of Grassroots Gravel's budget. 

Here is a bit, provided by State Bicycle Co., describing how this will work:

"The Ride Together Grant will provide an opportunity for registration, travel & lodging expenses, and equipment support for riders facing financial barriers to participating. Ten free event entries will be awarded, five expense stipends to support lodging & travel, and State Bicycle Co will be providing a new gravel bike to five awardees. Additional in-kind support will be provided by event partners Flow Formulas, Twisted Spoke CBD, Squirt Cycling Products, and Pearl Izumi. The bikes will be assembled and tuned by The Great Divide bike shop of Pueblo, CO prior to being transferred to the awardees. "

I have been critical in the past concerning some of the "big-time events" alluding to being "inclusive" and then charging triple-digit entry fees, which besides travel and lodging expenses, pretty much puts the attending of that sort of an event beyond the reach of minorities and marginalized folks. I've said that these events should have a fully sponsored package to bring those sort of people to their event, put them up, and give them free entry. Well, there ya go, Grassroots Gravel, you done did it! 

This is very impressive from an event that, for all intents and purposes, is just getting off the ground, seeing as how they have only run one event. This should be an example to those bigger, higher budget events that push the inclusivity narrative but are not walking the walk like Grassroots Gravel is. 

Check out the event at THIS LINK if you want to learn more.

Gravel Grinder News: Gravel Worlds Achieves 1000 Women of Gravel Worlds Goal.

 Today it was announced that Gravel Worlds, whose presenting sponsor is Garmin, achieved a goal of signing up 1000 women to their event in August. This commendable effort was done in a certain way to be free from calls of "sponsored riders" or from any other untoward motives that might be laid up against the Gravel Worlds team. 

Instead of using the leverage of sponsors, media, or advertising, Gravel Worlds used their social media platforms to spread the word and - as organically as is possible these days- raised awareness to the point that the achieved the goal set for themselves. 

And furthermore; it wasn't like Gravel Worlds didn't already have a higher number of female identifying participants anyway. Check this quote out from the press release:

 "According to Garmin Gravel Worlds co-promoter, Jason Strohbehn, the movement started from conversations with sponsors, who said 28% women’s participation at Gravel Worlds 2021 was nearly double the industry average. 

“Initially, we were embarrassed by our women’s participation numbers, and it then became embarrassing to learn that it was double the industry average,” Strohbehn said. “We quickly set a monumental goal to triple the number of women we’ve ever had at Gravel Worlds and obtain more than 35% women. We wanted a goal that was not only going to push ourselves, but also be big enough to encourage an entire industry."

Comments: Well, I think Gravel Worlds has set a pretty high bar for other events to follow and they did it in a way which, in my opinion, was harder to do, but also- believable. In this day and age where riders appear who are "comped" in, and sponsorship dollars and company marketing can be leveraged, (Think what Garmin could have done to help this happen), and it becomes apparent that Gravel Worlds wants to keep things as grassroots as they can, yet be "big" as well. That may seem like two things which are at odds with each other, and in my opinion, it does cause Gravel Worlds some issues with how they put on their event. But this achievement should be seen as monumental in the gravel going niche. (Is gravel riding still a "niche"?) 

So, yeah- If you run a gravel event, and you want more women participating? Here's your example of not only how to do it, but that it is possible to do it. And when I think about gravel events and gravel riding in general, that's been one of the core elements of this sport- "You can do it!". Gravel Worlds is showing us another way that can be interpreted.

Gravel Grinder News: Gravel Worlds Achieves 1000 Women of Gravel Worlds Goal.

 Today it was announced that Gravel Worlds, whose presenting sponsor is Garmin, achieved a goal of signing up 1000 women to their event in August. This commendable effort was done in a certain way to be free from calls of "sponsored riders" or from any other untoward motives that might be laid up against the Gravel Worlds team. 

Instead of using the leverage of sponsors, media, or advertising, Gravel Worlds used their social media platforms to spread the word and - as organically as is possible these days- raised awareness to the point that the achieved the goal set for themselves. 

And furthermore; it wasn't like Gravel Worlds didn't already have a higher number of female identifying participants anyway. Check this quote out from the press release:

 "According to Garmin Gravel Worlds co-promoter, Jason Strohbehn, the movement started from conversations with sponsors, who said 28% women’s participation at Gravel Worlds 2021 was nearly double the industry average. 

“Initially, we were embarrassed by our women’s participation numbers, and it then became embarrassing to learn that it was double the industry average,” Strohbehn said. “We quickly set a monumental goal to triple the number of women we’ve ever had at Gravel Worlds and obtain more than 35% women. We wanted a goal that was not only going to push ourselves, but also be big enough to encourage an entire industry."

Comments: Well, I think Gravel Worlds has set a pretty high bar for other events to follow and they did it in a way which, in my opinion, was harder to do, but also- believable. In this day and age where riders appear who are "comped" in, and sponsorship dollars and company marketing can be leveraged, (Think what Garmin could have done to help this happen), and it becomes apparent that Gravel Worlds wants to keep things as grassroots as they can, yet be "big" as well. That may seem like two things which are at odds with each other, and in my opinion, it does cause Gravel Worlds some issues with how they put on their event. But this achievement should be seen as monumental in the gravel going niche. (Is gravel riding still a "niche"?) 

So, yeah- If you run a gravel event, and you want more women participating? Here's your example of not only how to do it, but that it is possible to do it. And when I think about gravel events and gravel riding in general, that's been one of the core elements of this sport- "You can do it!". Gravel Worlds is showing us another way that can be interpreted.

Growing Pains In Gravel?

Are mass start events with women and men mixed in being gamed?

NOTE: Large doses of "my opinion" will be handed out in gloppy dollops today. You've been forewarned.....

  Wednesday I came across a Tweet by 44 year old Canadian Geoff Kabush, who is a former Olympic level mountain biker and World Cup winning Pro MTB racer who now dabbles in gravel events. 

This Tweet was concerning what he thinks is an unfair situation in mass start gravel events. (Read "the one he just attended last weekend", most likely, which was the SBT GRVL event in Steamboat, Colorado. Kabush finished 24th, according to official results.) The Tweet describes how the use of e-bikes, (HPC's around here), and how the sheer numbers of them, disrupted the entire field of racers and is descriptive of "women's gravel events". Pretty hot take there. Well.....here- Read it for yourself:

I find some of the statement pretty incredible. For instance: "hundreds of e-bikes"? Whoa! (There were over 1400 riders in the two longest distances in the event) And how about insinuating that these electrified rigs are essentially motor-pacing certan racers. (He doesn't specifically say these are women racers, but the final statement insinuates as much) And not throwing any male riders under the bus? Weird. But perhaps the most perplexing responses to these statements followed as such: 

Okay, here we have a few odd things to wade through. And I realize that the contextual meanings of some of these statements can be seen in a few different ways, but here is how I read all of this:

When "Neil" responds, he says "big money" in reference to Kabush's Tweet which used the same term. I don't think it can be taken as anything else but to mean "big prize money". SBT GRVL posted on their site that they were paying both Men and Women 144 mile course top finishers 'five deep' with each Male and Female winner overall getting 5G. 2nd - $2500.00, 3rd- $2000.00, 4th - $1000.00 and Fifth placers got 500 a piece. That's not chump-change. 

Okay, so when Mr. McElveen chimes in he says "The marketability of these events is the real driver of incentive, not the prize money.", he is talking about how riders parlay these results into financial and product gains. That's my reading of this, at any rate. It's been the same game since the mid 'twenty-teens' and was the real driver of things at the top for the former Dirty Kanza 200. You became King or Queen of Kanza and you could get sponsors, product, and perhaps a little financial boost from that. McElveen goes on to pretty much point that all out for today's big events as well. 

But McElveen doesn't seem to quite understand the other meaning of 'big money' here, which is ALL of what he is pointing out here in his Tweeted response to "Neil". It is a metaphor for everything that is pushing the goofiness in the top ranks of gravel racing now. (And in the past, I'll get to that) It is what people mean about how the gravel scene is going to die when they say things like, "when the Pros come in, they will ruin all this". Electrified bikes running interference for female racers at the top levels, you say? Hmm.... (Ya gotta believe this is happening with male racers as well, or are we being sexist here?)

 Former DK200 winner, Amanda Nauman points out in a response to the Kabush Tweet that this isn't anything new. She's correct. Several years ago- at the DK200- which was pretty much the only event worth cheating at back then, there was a big kerfuffle concerning a male who basically was a domestique for a top female racer by pacing her and allowing her to draft him most of the 200 miles. 

To my way of thinking, this is an event promoter's job. Get in there and start DQ'ing folks or, ya know- it becomes a free-for-all. I don't think you have to have separate courses or starting times or anything like that, but.... That means you cannot jam 1400+ riders on your two longest distance courses. You cannot allow situations where electrified bikes can be used to gain an advantage with allowing drafting, or whatever. (Basically gaming the system) It is up to that promoter to clean up and clear out the mess. But....bigger is better, (More money in the door, more prestige with sponsors, and more media attention)

Anyway, the solution is- for those who do not want to support anything like this- to not go do SBT GRVL, or anything like that where there are chances to win 'big money', (Yes, five thousand bucks is 'big money' to the average gravel racing participant), and don't support events where the winners are showing up afterward in cycling industry adds and cycling brand's social media where it says, "Recent Champion of the _______ event" (Fill in the blank with the name of any of several "Big Time" gravel events) If you go do those events? Well, you are helping to feed the monster. And maybe you think that is fine- or you do not care. 

I get it.

But separating classes and having different start times with more rules and regulations? Welcome to the "Rabbit Hole" which swallowed Pro Road and MTB in the U.S.A. That is not grassroots gravel, and it won't end well. 

It's odd, isn't it? We Americans, (at any rate- the rest of the World may not fall into these things), we tend to like fun, and we like friendliness, and we like being accepted. Yet we end up in huge crowds where we end up becoming just another number, there are no chances to be accepted because it is all about 'competition', and we worry about what the other person is doing so much we lose sight of what attracted us to the activity in the first place. Where's the 'fun' in any of that? But we cannot seem to help ourselves. "Bigger", "More", "Spectacle!", and "Fame" are added to the pot and with money at stake? Yeah.... Then the final nail in the coffin is when people need to make a living off of said recreational "fun" activities. 

We cannot seem to keep the lid on it. Holding to a standard of what made the scene what it became before the claims of e-bikes messing up Women's gravel racing, and how 'big money' makes people do weird things is seemingly impossible. Or is it? 

I'm glad to know that there are hundreds of grassroots gravel events yet, and that I can create my own- if I have to- and that I can avoid the nonsense "at the top" of gravel racing. 

NOTE: This blog approves comments through Guitar Ted. Since he is busy at a gravel event today, approval of comments will be delayed. Please be patient and allow about a day for your comments to be approved/responded to. Thank you for your patience.

Growing Pains In Gravel?

Are mass start events with women and men mixed in being gamed?

NOTE: Large doses of "my opinion" will be handed out in gloppy dollops today. You've been forewarned.....

  Wednesday I came across a Tweet by 44 year old Canadian Geoff Kabush, who is a former Olympic level mountain biker and World Cup winning Pro MTB racer who now dabbles in gravel events. 

This Tweet was concerning what he thinks is an unfair situation in mass start gravel events. (Read "the one he just attended last weekend", most likely, which was the SBT GRVL event in Steamboat, Colorado. Kabush finished 24th, according to official results.) The Tweet describes how the use of e-bikes, (HPC's around here), and how the sheer numbers of them, disrupted the entire field of racers and is descriptive of "women's gravel events". Pretty hot take there. Well.....here- Read it for yourself:

I find some of the statement pretty incredible. For instance: "hundreds of e-bikes"? Whoa! (There were over 1400 riders in the two longest distances in the event) And how about insinuating that these electrified rigs are essentially motor-pacing certan racers. (He doesn't specifically say these are women racers, but the final statement insinuates as much) And not throwing any male riders under the bus? Weird. But perhaps the most perplexing responses to these statements followed as such: 

Okay, here we have a few odd things to wade through. And I realize that the contextual meanings of some of these statements can be seen in a few different ways, but here is how I read all of this:

When "Neil" responds, he says "big money" in reference to Kabush's Tweet which used the same term. I don't think it can be taken as anything else but to mean "big prize money". SBT GRVL posted on their site that they were paying both Men and Women 144 mile course top finishers 'five deep' with each Male and Female winner overall getting 5G. 2nd - $2500.00, 3rd- $2000.00, 4th - $1000.00 and Fifth placers got 500 a piece. That's not chump-change. 

Okay, so when Mr. McElveen chimes in he says "The marketability of these events is the real driver of incentive, not the prize money.", he is talking about how riders parlay these results into financial and product gains. That's my reading of this, at any rate. It's been the same game since the mid 'twenty-teens' and was the real driver of things at the top for the former Dirty Kanza 200. You became King or Queen of Kanza and you could get sponsors, product, and perhaps a little financial boost from that. McElveen goes on to pretty much point that all out for today's big events as well. 

But McElveen doesn't seem to quite understand the other meaning of 'big money' here, which is ALL of what he is pointing out here in his Tweeted response to "Neil". It is a metaphor for everything that is pushing the goofiness in the top ranks of gravel racing now. (And in the past, I'll get to that) It is what people mean about how the gravel scene is going to die when they say things like, "when the Pros come in, they will ruin all this". Electrified bikes running interference for female racers at the top levels, you say? Hmm.... (Ya gotta believe this is happening with male racers as well, or are we being sexist here?)

 Former DK200 winner, Amanda Nauman points out in a response to the Kabush Tweet that this isn't anything new. She's correct. Several years ago- at the DK200- which was pretty much the only event worth cheating at back then, there was a big kerfuffle concerning a male who basically was a domestique for a top female racer by pacing her and allowing her to draft him most of the 200 miles. 

To my way of thinking, this is an event promoter's job. Get in there and start DQ'ing folks or, ya know- it becomes a free-for-all. I don't think you have to have separate courses or starting times or anything like that, but.... That means you cannot jam 1400+ riders on your two longest distance courses. You cannot allow situations where electrified bikes can be used to gain an advantage with allowing drafting, or whatever. (Basically gaming the system) It is up to that promoter to clean up and clear out the mess. But....bigger is better, (More money in the door, more prestige with sponsors, and more media attention)

Anyway, the solution is- for those who do not want to support anything like this- to not go do SBT GRVL, or anything like that where there are chances to win 'big money', (Yes, five thousand bucks is 'big money' to the average gravel racing participant), and don't support events where the winners are showing up afterward in cycling industry adds and cycling brand's social media where it says, "Recent Champion of the _______ event" (Fill in the blank with the name of any of several "Big Time" gravel events) If you go do those events? Well, you are helping to feed the monster. And maybe you think that is fine- or you do not care. 

I get it.

But separating classes and having different start times with more rules and regulations? Welcome to the "Rabbit Hole" which swallowed Pro Road and MTB in the U.S.A. That is not grassroots gravel, and it won't end well. 

It's odd, isn't it? We Americans, (at any rate- the rest of the World may not fall into these things), we tend to like fun, and we like friendliness, and we like being accepted. Yet we end up in huge crowds where we end up becoming just another number, there are no chances to be accepted because it is all about 'competition', and we worry about what the other person is doing so much we lose sight of what attracted us to the activity in the first place. Where's the 'fun' in any of that? But we cannot seem to help ourselves. "Bigger", "More", "Spectacle!", and "Fame" are added to the pot and with money at stake? Yeah.... Then the final nail in the coffin is when people need to make a living off of said recreational "fun" activities. 

We cannot seem to keep the lid on it. Holding to a standard of what made the scene what it became before the claims of e-bikes messing up Women's gravel racing, and how 'big money' makes people do weird things is seemingly impossible. Or is it? 

I'm glad to know that there are hundreds of grassroots gravel events yet, and that I can create my own- if I have to- and that I can avoid the nonsense "at the top" of gravel racing. 

NOTE: This blog approves comments through Guitar Ted. Since he is busy at a gravel event today, approval of comments will be delayed. Please be patient and allow about a day for your comments to be approved/responded to. Thank you for your patience.

A Follow-Up Regarding That Gravel Symposium Thing

My favorite place to have a 'gravel summit'.

Last Saturday I posted a mid-year update on the "State of the Gravel Scene" and given some of the feedback I saw, I wanted to make a few comments.

I saw one commenter say that the term 'gravel summit' made him cringe. Yeah, I get that too, but the reality is that there is a small, very vocal, very influential group of people that will take control of the narrative and drive it to where anyone that has no grounding in the past decade, decade and a half in the gravel riding scene will just flat out believe that narrative at face value. They will hear this narrative and accept it because the 'big influencers and Pros say so'.

And keep in mind, this is the third one of these summits so far this year. Some of the attendants have been at at least two of the three. Yes....they have a complete right to speak out and they have their place. However; the narrative they drive fits such a small piece of the riding pie that it is a misconception to think that all gravel races are like this. And I am 100% sure most all of the so-called 'gravel summit attendees' would agree. But the problem is they are the only ones getting a seat at the loudest table, so ......you know, perceptions will dictate that every gravel event is a Dirty Kanza 200, as a for instance. Or that the coolest event is the SBT-GRVL, or the "Most Premier Thing On Gravel" is whatever race the moderators at the summit say it is.

Well, it isn't, and we all know that, but many folks that are just coming into the scene don't know the history. They will not remember anything, or even know about, what we take for granted (if you've been around a while) and they will need to be reminded, or told, that the gravel scene is what it is because of diversity and abundance of choices. There is no "greatest, most premier gravel event". They all are great in their own way.

And that's why I think it is important to remember that some of the folks really do have their hearts in the right place. Folks like Rebecca Rusch and Bobby Wintle, despite their "big-time" events, they do seem to believe in the virtues of other sorts of pursuits to gravel fun. My beef is really with the folks promoting these so-called 'summits' and how the info gets disseminated. It seems a bit much like, well........marketing. Maybe that's because two of the three summits I am aware of have been put on by media marketing firms. I didn't realize how out of touch these folks could be until I watched the last summit on video.

Some nice flowers to off set the nonsense today. Enjoy!

You see, there was a bit during that summit where the moderator, who happened to be the owner of the marketing firm putting on the summit, or symposium, or whatever, where he asked if there were any media questions. Dead silence. Of course, we don't really know if any media were or were not online, because no one was recognized from the media while all the panelists were recognized up front. So, there is that question. This made me raise my eyebrows a bit. But then with ten minutes left, the moderator turned to the Pro and semi-Pro riders online and wanted to know what event made them suffer the most and what their power numbers were.

Excuse me! What does that have to do with anything that might affect the gravel scene? Well, of course, you know it has zero affect on the future of the gravel scene, but the moderator thought it was important enough to waste fully 1/6th of the time we had on the subject. Take away the blah-blah time in the introductions and you had maybe 40 minutes of content. No wonder media questions weren't entertained.

And what about the tone-deafness to what was already going on socially at the time of the symposium? I thought that was an oversight, and very much like "business as usual" when it comes to some of the elite cycling folk in charge of many brands and media marketing firms these days.

Getting back to some comments on my post. I was heartened to see many agree that it is high time to look for ways to improve diversity in the gravel scene. I did see where some were saying,"Well, where I live we have some folks from ________ communities." I don't see where diversity is an issue." This made me sad, because 'some diversity' doesn't let you off the hook. And diversity in one area doesn't mean it is everywhere. That's the sort of comment that is a bit short-sighted. But by and large I was glad to see the reactions were mostly positive.

Now, let's not let up. Actions speak louder than words. And I am in need of the kick in the pants as much as anyone.

A Follow-Up Regarding That Gravel Symposium Thing

My favorite place to have a 'gravel summit'.

Last Saturday I posted a mid-year update on the "State of the Gravel Scene" and given some of the feedback I saw, I wanted to make a few comments.

I saw one commenter say that the term 'gravel summit' made him cringe. Yeah, I get that too, but the reality is that there is a small, very vocal, very influential group of people that will take control of the narrative and drive it to where anyone that has no grounding in the past decade, decade and a half in the gravel riding scene will just flat out believe that narrative at face value. They will hear this narrative and accept it because the 'big influencers and Pros say so'.

And keep in mind, this is the third one of these summits so far this year. Some of the attendants have been at at least two of the three. Yes....they have a complete right to speak out and they have their place. However; the narrative they drive fits such a small piece of the riding pie that it is a misconception to think that all gravel races are like this. And I am 100% sure most all of the so-called 'gravel summit attendees' would agree. But the problem is they are the only ones getting a seat at the loudest table, so ......you know, perceptions will dictate that every gravel event is a Dirty Kanza 200, as a for instance. Or that the coolest event is the SBT-GRVL, or the "Most Premier Thing On Gravel" is whatever race the moderators at the summit say it is.

Well, it isn't, and we all know that, but many folks that are just coming into the scene don't know the history. They will not remember anything, or even know about, what we take for granted (if you've been around a while) and they will need to be reminded, or told, that the gravel scene is what it is because of diversity and abundance of choices. There is no "greatest, most premier gravel event". They all are great in their own way.

And that's why I think it is important to remember that some of the folks really do have their hearts in the right place. Folks like Rebecca Rusch and Bobby Wintle, despite their "big-time" events, they do seem to believe in the virtues of other sorts of pursuits to gravel fun. My beef is really with the folks promoting these so-called 'summits' and how the info gets disseminated. It seems a bit much like, well........marketing. Maybe that's because two of the three summits I am aware of have been put on by media marketing firms. I didn't realize how out of touch these folks could be until I watched the last summit on video.

Some nice flowers to off set the nonsense today. Enjoy!

You see, there was a bit during that summit where the moderator, who happened to be the owner of the marketing firm putting on the summit, or symposium, or whatever, where he asked if there were any media questions. Dead silence. Of course, we don't really know if any media were or were not online, because no one was recognized from the media while all the panelists were recognized up front. So, there is that question. This made me raise my eyebrows a bit. But then with ten minutes left, the moderator turned to the Pro and semi-Pro riders online and wanted to know what event made them suffer the most and what their power numbers were.

Excuse me! What does that have to do with anything that might affect the gravel scene? Well, of course, you know it has zero affect on the future of the gravel scene, but the moderator thought it was important enough to waste fully 1/6th of the time we had on the subject. Take away the blah-blah time in the introductions and you had maybe 40 minutes of content. No wonder media questions weren't entertained.

And what about the tone-deafness to what was already going on socially at the time of the symposium? I thought that was an oversight, and very much like "business as usual" when it comes to some of the elite cycling folk in charge of many brands and media marketing firms these days.

Getting back to some comments on my post. I was heartened to see many agree that it is high time to look for ways to improve diversity in the gravel scene. I did see where some were saying,"Well, where I live we have some folks from ________ communities." I don't see where diversity is an issue." This made me sad, because 'some diversity' doesn't let you off the hook. And diversity in one area doesn't mean it is everywhere. That's the sort of comment that is a bit short-sighted. But by and large I was glad to see the reactions were mostly positive.

Now, let's not let up. Actions speak louder than words. And I am in need of the kick in the pants as much as anyone.

Friday News And Views-Black Friday Edition!

USAC Gets A New Director Of Membership

I came across an interesting podcast the other day with USAC's new Director Of Membership, Lindsay Goldman. She used to run a professional women's road squad up until recently. So, why should I- or anyone else- care? 

I have stated here several times how gravel events have helped to erode the base of membership for USAC here in the US. It is no secret that USAC has lost thousands of dollars- perhaps millions- in membership/licensing monies over the past three to five years as the rise of gravel events, the fear of riding the road, and ambivalence toward USAC has grown.  Lindsay Goldman has been tasked by USAC to revert this trend. In fact, she states on the podcast (linked above) that her mandate is to grow USAC membership by 50%. (!!)

That's a stout figure and a big mountain to climb. I was hooked into skimming over the podcast to hear if anything gravel related would be mentioned beyond the typical roadie affairs. There were a few mentions, and from these, I think we can draw a couple of vague conclusions. Goldman wasn't overtly pointing toward gravel riders and events as a means to gain that heady goal set before her, but I think gravel events are definitely on her radar, and thus, USAC's as well.

A question about NICA, the highschool MTB league association, and whether a road or gravel equivalent might be started by USAC, led to this comment from Goldman, "...don't know what the plans are for that. I know people (within USAC) are talking about that."

When Goldman spoke about how she would transform USAC through membership drives it was clear that she was detailing how USAC wants to shed the perceptions that it is a "road cycling/racing based organization only" and move perceptions towards USAC being the "community leader" when it comes to all cycling issues- transportation, recreational, and participation in cycling by minorities and women. She summed this up by saying, "If we (USAC) can be not just the national governing body, but the primary highest level community in America for uniting cyclists, and encouraging participation, and looking after the interests of cyclists, I think that's where the organization (USAC) wants to go."

Obviously, this includes gravel cycling. In fact, as an aside, Goldman mentioned she had signed up for "several" gravel events in 2020. She mentioned that she wouldn't be "racing" but enjoying "just being out there", again enforcing the idea that USAC wants to shed the "roadie/racing only" perceptions it has outside of road racing.  You can bet that she, and USAC in general, will be eying what makes gravel events tic and how USAC can get involved.

I think I've also mentioned that I have heard that in January USAC has a meeting planned where they want to talk with event promoters and riders involved in gravel events. You can bet that if this is true, the "big" events and "influencer" type riders will be the ones called to the table. But what about the grassroots event directors and folk? I'd be really surprised if that type of promoter or rider was invited. I'd be very surprised if that were the case.but, however it goes, this USAC thing bears watching. Stay tuned........

Iowa's Ride Route Announced:

In case you missed it, RAGBRAI isn't the only game in town anymore when it comes to Iowa based, week-long recreational rides. That bomb was dropped when in October the entire RAGBRAI staff quit and announced "Iowa's Ride", a mirror image of what RAGBRAI is, and in more ways than one. The route, announced this past Wednesday, will be an East to West route, not the traditional RAGBRAI West to East.

Originally the Iowa's Ride was going to occur at the same time as RAGBRAI, but when RAGBRAI didn't fold up and blow away, the dates were changed so that Iowa's Ride will occur the week before RAGBRAI. Of course, this sets up the possibility for the "IR-RAG Double", where you start Iowa's Ride, go West to the end, find the start of RAGBRAI, and go back.

Whomever has tags from both rides in the same year will have the upper hand in Iowa cycling bragging rights at bars and on Facebook forever. Think of the possibilities!

Honestly, they should just fold both rides into one, make it a true competition/fondo, and call it The Tour Of Iowa, and be done with this duality mess.

I Hear You!

Tuesday's post dubbed "End Of The Year Scheduling" elicited several responses from readers saying that they didn't mind my going over my bikes here during my retrospective December postings. One reader even suggested that I write about my guitars like I have before (just search the title "The Six String Side" and you'll find all those), but there is a problem there. I've already covered all the guitars I have. In order to do more there, well, you know........I'd have to buy more guitars! I'm not sure Mrs. Guitar Ted would be down for that. Maybe I'll have a look at her guitar. It's pretty nice......

So, at any rate, I'll squeeze in a couple detailed posts about the bikes here. Likely I won't do all of them that I used in 2019, but the significant ones- yes. I'll try to squeeze those in. As I stated on Tuesday, I will be doing a little extra this December as it is the end of the decade and I wanted to touch upon that as the year closes out.

That's all I have for this week. I hope that y'all get some "Turkey Burn" rides in, and that y'all have safe travels from wherever you are to wherever it is you are going.

Friday News And Views-Black Friday Edition!

USAC Gets A New Director Of Membership

I came across an interesting podcast the other day with USAC's new Director Of Membership, Lindsay Goldman. She used to run a professional women's road squad up until recently. So, why should I- or anyone else- care? 

I have stated here several times how gravel events have helped to erode the base of membership for USAC here in the US. It is no secret that USAC has lost thousands of dollars- perhaps millions- in membership/licensing monies over the past three to five years as the rise of gravel events, the fear of riding the road, and ambivalence toward USAC has grown.  Lindsay Goldman has been tasked by USAC to revert this trend. In fact, she states on the podcast (linked above) that her mandate is to grow USAC membership by 50%. (!!)

That's a stout figure and a big mountain to climb. I was hooked into skimming over the podcast to hear if anything gravel related would be mentioned beyond the typical roadie affairs. There were a few mentions, and from these, I think we can draw a couple of vague conclusions. Goldman wasn't overtly pointing toward gravel riders and events as a means to gain that heady goal set before her, but I think gravel events are definitely on her radar, and thus, USAC's as well.

A question about NICA, the highschool MTB league association, and whether a road or gravel equivalent might be started by USAC, led to this comment from Goldman, "...don't know what the plans are for that. I know people (within USAC) are talking about that."

When Goldman spoke about how she would transform USAC through membership drives it was clear that she was detailing how USAC wants to shed the perceptions that it is a "road cycling/racing based organization only" and move perceptions towards USAC being the "community leader" when it comes to all cycling issues- transportation, recreational, and participation in cycling by minorities and women. She summed this up by saying, "If we (USAC) can be not just the national governing body, but the primary highest level community in America for uniting cyclists, and encouraging participation, and looking after the interests of cyclists, I think that's where the organization (USAC) wants to go."

Obviously, this includes gravel cycling. In fact, as an aside, Goldman mentioned she had signed up for "several" gravel events in 2020. She mentioned that she wouldn't be "racing" but enjoying "just being out there", again enforcing the idea that USAC wants to shed the "roadie/racing only" perceptions it has outside of road racing.  You can bet that she, and USAC in general, will be eying what makes gravel events tic and how USAC can get involved.

I think I've also mentioned that I have heard that in January USAC has a meeting planned where they want to talk with event promoters and riders involved in gravel events. You can bet that if this is true, the "big" events and "influencer" type riders will be the ones called to the table. But what about the grassroots event directors and folk? I'd be really surprised if that type of promoter or rider was invited. I'd be very surprised if that were the case.but, however it goes, this USAC thing bears watching. Stay tuned........

Iowa's Ride Route Announced:

In case you missed it, RAGBRAI isn't the only game in town anymore when it comes to Iowa based, week-long recreational rides. That bomb was dropped when in October the entire RAGBRAI staff quit and announced "Iowa's Ride", a mirror image of what RAGBRAI is, and in more ways than one. The route, announced this past Wednesday, will be an East to West route, not the traditional RAGBRAI West to East.

Originally the Iowa's Ride was going to occur at the same time as RAGBRAI, but when RAGBRAI didn't fold up and blow away, the dates were changed so that Iowa's Ride will occur the week before RAGBRAI. Of course, this sets up the possibility for the "IR-RAG Double", where you start Iowa's Ride, go West to the end, find the start of RAGBRAI, and go back.

Whomever has tags from both rides in the same year will have the upper hand in Iowa cycling bragging rights at bars and on Facebook forever. Think of the possibilities!

Honestly, they should just fold both rides into one, make it a true competition/fondo, and call it The Tour Of Iowa, and be done with this duality mess.

I Hear You!

Tuesday's post dubbed "End Of The Year Scheduling" elicited several responses from readers saying that they didn't mind my going over my bikes here during my retrospective December postings. One reader even suggested that I write about my guitars like I have before (just search the title "The Six String Side" and you'll find all those), but there is a problem there. I've already covered all the guitars I have. In order to do more there, well, you know........I'd have to buy more guitars! I'm not sure Mrs. Guitar Ted would be down for that. Maybe I'll have a look at her guitar. It's pretty nice......

So, at any rate, I'll squeeze in a couple detailed posts about the bikes here. Likely I won't do all of them that I used in 2019, but the significant ones- yes. I'll try to squeeze those in. As I stated on Tuesday, I will be doing a little extra this December as it is the end of the decade and I wanted to touch upon that as the year closes out.

That's all I have for this week. I hope that y'all get some "Turkey Burn" rides in, and that y'all have safe travels from wherever you are to wherever it is you are going.