Friday News And Views

HiRide fork: Image courtesy of HiRide

 What Is Old Is New Again:

Back in the days when mountain bike design was a hot stew with ever changing ingredients, there was a company known as ActionTec. They were the purveyor of an unusual suspension fork design called the "Pro Shock" which consisted of a coil sprung design based around an extended steer tube and encased within the head tube of a mountain bike. 

The design was somewhat well received and copied when Cannondale came out with a similar idea called a "HeadShok". This idea of a head tube based telescopic suspension fork design had a lot of promise for the gravel bike scene, but both ActionTec and Cannondale's HeadShok were gone before the gravel bike became a hot ticket item in the cycling industry. 

But good ideas never die, they just get re-imagined and turn up again. The case of the head tube based, telescopic suspension fork is just one example. Here we have a new take on the old design called HiRide. 

The HiRide fork uses a similar design but limits travel to a manageable 20mm. This should make it an appealing design with regard to aesthetics and from a geometry perspective where changing the fork axle to crown length/head tube angle/bottom bracket height via fork travel is not conducive to fast paced road/unpaved road riding. 

Comments: The desire to mitigate vibrations is a bit different than absorbing bumps and obstacles on a dirt trail. There is overlap here, to be sure, but tackling what a gravel rider/allroad cyclist needs for more smoothness and less vibration induced fatigue by way of mountain bike suspension philosophy is wrongheaded. Besides, despite the claims on HiRide's site, it shouldn't come as a surprise that if the design is tuned so it doesn't bottom out harshly, your last several milimeters of travel are not going to be effective over anything but harsher bumps. That means that you really have a lot less travel to deal with vibrations than you might think.

Add in the fact that this fork weighs about twice that of a good carbon rigid fork and now you are looking at a penalty that may not be worth the trouble. (The suspension component of the HiRide weighs a claimed 850 grams- That's without the fork) Again- a suspension stem like the Cane Creek or Redshift types is a better way to go here. You're adding maybe a 100 grams over a traditional stem, and getting the same amount of travel tuned for vibration reduction. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but this fork is pretty cool. 

Trek's New Checkpoint ALR driftless model (Image courtesy of Trek)

Trek's New Checkpoint ALR Driftless Shows What 3G Will Get You:

Since the pandemic hit we've heard a lot about this concept of "new-normal", or alternatively, you might think of the "Great Resignation". However you term the sudden change in.....well, about everything! It is apparent that, yes, things are not the same in the '20's as they were in the teens of the 21st Century.

To help illustrate this I present to you an interesting specimen of a gravel bike, the Trek Checkpoint ALR Driftless special edition bike. This bike runs at just shy of 2900 bucks. So, with tax you are looking at plus-3G and change. What do you get for that coin these days?

Well, the bike has GRX 800 bits sprinkled throughout, which is good. I noted that the brake rotors are pretty much bottom of the barrel Shimano ones though. You get a special paint scheme and a frame bag. Okay.... Looking deeper I see a Praxis T-47 bottom bracket, which might be okay, but Praxis stuff doesn't have a very consistent reputation for high quality bits. The wheels are run of the mill Bontrager branded hubs and rims, and the cockpit parts are as well. Then you have the frame. 

It's a highly formed aluminum piece mated to a carbon legged, aluminum steer tube fork. Nothing crazy here. Just pretty straightforward production level fare from a big bicycle brand. Paint notwithstanding, there is nothing really all that great here. So, 3g? 

Hmm, I guess that's where we are at now these days. That's quite a hike in price for what would have easily been 2G five years ago. I just know that I won't miss the guy that wants to have the shop keep the frame bag and knock off $200 bucks off the price and not charge him sales tax. 

Image courtesy of Wolf Tooth

Wolf Tooth Introduces "Espresso" Ano Parts:

Wolf Tooth has been on a color adding spree when it comes to their components that they offer. Recently they added an olive green, and now there is a brown anodized color they are calling "Espresso". 

You can get this option across their range. Take a look here if you are interested. 

Comments: So.....Is Wolf Tooth the new Chris King? With all these anodized color choices, a (mostly) made in the USA manufacturing process, and competitive pricing, I'd venture to say, "Yes". 

While Wolf Tooth doesn't make hubs, they make a lot of other stuff, and in my experience, their product is pretty tough, long lasting, and performs at a high level. I've been very pleased with all the Wolf Tooth products I have either bought, or reviewed. (See Standard Disclaimer for my position on reviewed product)

Now brown ano? Yeah.... Not my thing, but on the right frame set? Could be a killer look. I like the brighter, shouty anodized bits like purple, gold, blue, and the like. But then again- I came up through the 90's MTB scene! That may be why I am about the brighter anodized colors. 

A meme which used an image from the 1st GTDRI

GTDRI Series Starts Sunday:

The 'Trans Iowa Stories" series finished up last Sunday, but have no fear! If you are wondering what you'll read instead of that series, well I have already been hard at work on the next thing.

It's going to be the tales, the behind the scenes stories, and historical significance to the gravel scene which is bound up in the "GTDRI Stories" series. 

Readers will also learn how Trans Iowa and this 'no-drop group ride' held every Summer from 2006 through 2019 are interconnected as well. So it is only fitting that this series follows on the heels of the Trans Iowa series. 

There is no other reason to tell these stories about the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational other than that it has significance to the early gravel scene, some connection to industry changes, and just the shenanigans behind this ride which many have never read about before. 

So, I hope that you enjoy this series which should appear every Sunday here for the foreseeable future. 

Rad Power bikes is being sued for a claim of wrongful death 

U.S. Electrified Bike Market May Be Affected By Litigation:

A wrongful death claim against Rad Power Bikes may affect the future of HPC/electrified bikes in the US dependent upon the outcome of the litigation which is taking place soon. 

An unfortunate fatality has led the parents of a 12 year old girl, who died as a passenger on a Rad Power bike, to file a wrongful death claim against Rad Power, according to this "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" article. 

 Apparently, as part of the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim that the Rad Power bike had poor geometry and features which were pushed by Rad Power regarding the bike's design that led to a death in this instance. One could see how the outcome of this suit might influence lawmakers to look a bit more closely at the way HPC/electrified bikes are sold and how they are not regulated at this point, despite the "three class" system we have in place now. It also would not be out of the question to see insurance companies start to push for more stringent legislation which would further codify these bicycles as "motor vehicles" with all the attendant safety regulations attached. 

Such insurance law was narrowly avoided in Europe recently, which had it been enacted, may have damped sales of electrified bikes to a detrimental degree, according to industry players. Of course, nothing like that may happen at all here in the U.S., but it doesn't take much of a leap to see how it could, since now we have a high-profile case with a child's death attached to it. Similar issues plagued the moped market in the 1980's leading to its demise. 

Time will tell, but this bears watching. 

Note: "HPC" is my term. It stands for "hybrid powered cycles" since these two-wheeled vehicles have a hybrid of human and electric motor power.

That's it for this week. Have a great weekend and get out and ride! Fall is coming!

Friday News And Views

HiRide fork: Image courtesy of HiRide

 What Is Old Is New Again:

Back in the days when mountain bike design was a hot stew with ever changing ingredients, there was a company known as ActionTec. They were the purveyor of an unusual suspension fork design called the "Pro Shock" which consisted of a coil sprung design based around an extended steer tube and encased within the head tube of a mountain bike. 

The design was somewhat well received and copied when Cannondale came out with a similar idea called a "HeadShok". This idea of a head tube based telescopic suspension fork design had a lot of promise for the gravel bike scene, but both ActionTec and Cannondale's HeadShok were gone before the gravel bike became a hot ticket item in the cycling industry. 

But good ideas never die, they just get re-imagined and turn up again. The case of the head tube based, telescopic suspension fork is just one example. Here we have a new take on the old design called HiRide. 

The HiRide fork uses a similar design but limits travel to a manageable 20mm. This should make it an appealing design with regard to aesthetics and from a geometry perspective where changing the fork axle to crown length/head tube angle/bottom bracket height via fork travel is not conducive to fast paced road/unpaved road riding. 

Comments: The desire to mitigate vibrations is a bit different than absorbing bumps and obstacles on a dirt trail. There is overlap here, to be sure, but tackling what a gravel rider/allroad cyclist needs for more smoothness and less vibration induced fatigue by way of mountain bike suspension philosophy is wrongheaded. Besides, despite the claims on HiRide's site, it shouldn't come as a surprise that if the design is tuned so it doesn't bottom out harshly, your last several milimeters of travel are not going to be effective over anything but harsher bumps. That means that you really have a lot less travel to deal with vibrations than you might think.

Add in the fact that this fork weighs about twice that of a good carbon rigid fork and now you are looking at a penalty that may not be worth the trouble. (The suspension component of the HiRide weighs a claimed 850 grams- That's without the fork) Again- a suspension stem like the Cane Creek or Redshift types is a better way to go here. You're adding maybe a 100 grams over a traditional stem, and getting the same amount of travel tuned for vibration reduction. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but this fork is pretty cool. 

Trek's New Checkpoint ALR driftless model (Image courtesy of Trek)

Trek's New Checkpoint ALR Driftless Shows What 3G Will Get You:

Since the pandemic hit we've heard a lot about this concept of "new-normal", or alternatively, you might think of the "Great Resignation". However you term the sudden change in.....well, about everything! It is apparent that, yes, things are not the same in the '20's as they were in the teens of the 21st Century.

To help illustrate this I present to you an interesting specimen of a gravel bike, the Trek Checkpoint ALR Driftless special edition bike. This bike runs at just shy of 2900 bucks. So, with tax you are looking at plus-3G and change. What do you get for that coin these days?

Well, the bike has GRX 800 bits sprinkled throughout, which is good. I noted that the brake rotors are pretty much bottom of the barrel Shimano ones though. You get a special paint scheme and a frame bag. Okay.... Looking deeper I see a Praxis T-47 bottom bracket, which might be okay, but Praxis stuff doesn't have a very consistent reputation for high quality bits. The wheels are run of the mill Bontrager branded hubs and rims, and the cockpit parts are as well. Then you have the frame. 

It's a highly formed aluminum piece mated to a carbon legged, aluminum steer tube fork. Nothing crazy here. Just pretty straightforward production level fare from a big bicycle brand. Paint notwithstanding, there is nothing really all that great here. So, 3g? 

Hmm, I guess that's where we are at now these days. That's quite a hike in price for what would have easily been 2G five years ago. I just know that I won't miss the guy that wants to have the shop keep the frame bag and knock off $200 bucks off the price and not charge him sales tax. 

Image courtesy of Wolf Tooth

Wolf Tooth Introduces "Espresso" Ano Parts:

Wolf Tooth has been on a color adding spree when it comes to their components that they offer. Recently they added an olive green, and now there is a brown anodized color they are calling "Espresso". 

You can get this option across their range. Take a look here if you are interested. 

Comments: So.....Is Wolf Tooth the new Chris King? With all these anodized color choices, a (mostly) made in the USA manufacturing process, and competitive pricing, I'd venture to say, "Yes". 

While Wolf Tooth doesn't make hubs, they make a lot of other stuff, and in my experience, their product is pretty tough, long lasting, and performs at a high level. I've been very pleased with all the Wolf Tooth products I have either bought, or reviewed. (See Standard Disclaimer for my position on reviewed product)

Now brown ano? Yeah.... Not my thing, but on the right frame set? Could be a killer look. I like the brighter, shouty anodized bits like purple, gold, blue, and the like. But then again- I came up through the 90's MTB scene! That may be why I am about the brighter anodized colors. 

A meme which used an image from the 1st GTDRI

GTDRI Series Starts Sunday:

The 'Trans Iowa Stories" series finished up last Sunday, but have no fear! If you are wondering what you'll read instead of that series, well I have already been hard at work on the next thing.

It's going to be the tales, the behind the scenes stories, and historical significance to the gravel scene which is bound up in the "GTDRI Stories" series. 

Readers will also learn how Trans Iowa and this 'no-drop group ride' held every Summer from 2006 through 2019 are interconnected as well. So it is only fitting that this series follows on the heels of the Trans Iowa series. 

There is no other reason to tell these stories about the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational other than that it has significance to the early gravel scene, some connection to industry changes, and just the shenanigans behind this ride which many have never read about before. 

So, I hope that you enjoy this series which should appear every Sunday here for the foreseeable future. 

Rad Power bikes is being sued for a claim of wrongful death 

U.S. Electrified Bike Market May Be Affected By Litigation:

A wrongful death claim against Rad Power Bikes may affect the future of HPC/electrified bikes in the US dependent upon the outcome of the litigation which is taking place soon. 

An unfortunate fatality has led the parents of a 12 year old girl, who died as a passenger on a Rad Power bike, to file a wrongful death claim against Rad Power, according to this "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" article. 

 Apparently, as part of the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim that the Rad Power bike had poor geometry and features which were pushed by Rad Power regarding the bike's design that led to a death in this instance. One could see how the outcome of this suit might influence lawmakers to look a bit more closely at the way HPC/electrified bikes are sold and how they are not regulated at this point, despite the "three class" system we have in place now. It also would not be out of the question to see insurance companies start to push for more stringent legislation which would further codify these bicycles as "motor vehicles" with all the attendant safety regulations attached. 

Such insurance law was narrowly avoided in Europe recently, which had it been enacted, may have damped sales of electrified bikes to a detrimental degree, according to industry players. Of course, nothing like that may happen at all here in the U.S., but it doesn't take much of a leap to see how it could, since now we have a high-profile case with a child's death attached to it. Similar issues plagued the moped market in the 1980's leading to its demise. 

Time will tell, but this bears watching. 

Note: "HPC" is my term. It stands for "hybrid powered cycles" since these two-wheeled vehicles have a hybrid of human and electric motor power.

That's it for this week. Have a great weekend and get out and ride! Fall is coming!

Friday News And Views

Gravel Events Leveraged For Social Change Issues:

If you hadn't noticed, there is a big issue regarding the proposed World Cup level event for cyclo cross in Arkansas this Fall and how that state has passed some anti-transgender legislation. Social issues are being leveraged against the organizer, USAC, to influence that organization to pull the event from the state of Arkansas. Many athletes who planned on attending the event have cancelled their plans in light of the new legislation and their support for LGBTQ+ issues. 

A "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" article has more details and links for further reading here. 

There have also been calls to boycott Arkansas based cycling companies and I even saw a lob at the Unbound Gravel event, since Kansas is also considering similar anti-transgender legislation. So, this is where the big gravel events are getting drug into this conversation, and why when I got an e-mail from the Arkansas based event, Big Sugar NWA, that the image posted here was front and center in that e-mail. 

Comments: I expect that if Kansas does pass this sort of legislation, we can expect to see more leverage brought to bear upon the Unbound Gravel event, as well as any other 'big' gravel events with corporate backing. Let's face it, if you are after social change and want to make an impact you are not going after the little events. The aim that I see is that the events that stand a chance to be hurt economically, if they are tagged with the 'boycott', are the events that will be used to bring a light to what the people behind these issues want. 

I took a look at the Arkansas laws and I feel they are really dumb and based out of fear. There shouldn't be anything like them on the books. I also think 'boycotting'  events is not all that effective in making change in this area either. But this does shine a light, for sure. I mean look- I'm writing about it, as are many others, so it is effective in that, at least. So, corporate gravel events, and obviously cyclo cross events, can be credited with engendering at least that much activity in this socially charged issue. Plus there are the things listed in the image, which Big Sugar NWA is undertaking for their event. So, I guess there is that..... But the average citizens who vote in Arkansas? Hmm...... I dunno about that. 

Cracking Down On Speed:

It looks as though Iowa may be limiting any HPC rig to 20mph speed limits. The amendment to the law was recently passed by the Iowa Senate and is going back to the House of Representatives for approval. This hasn't taken effect yet, but there are no indications that it will not be passed into law.

So? Is this a big deal? Maybe...... Many so-called "Class 3 e-bikes" are pedal assisted up to 28mph. Other classes of HPC rigs are limited to 20mph already, excepting the "Class 4" category, which can go faster than 28mph and requires a license and registration. All is 'good in the hood', right? Just follow the laws and we'll all get along just fine. Except when people don't follow the laws, and they don't.......a lot! 

Example: Just the other day at Andy's Bike Shop, where I work, a customer was in telling of a friend's electrified Schwinn Sierra which could hit top speeds in excess of 30mph. Not pedal assisted, of course, because what would be the point in that? (And yes- there may have been a bit of a 'fish story' element to that, but still...)

Another example; We had a guy in last year who owns an old klunker 26"er with a gas engine conversion which he claims can go 55mph and he pretty much rides it wherever he wants, bike paths included. I've seen another one like it around as well. (Note- I do not distinguish between motor types- gas, electric, whatever. If they have pedals and a motor, they qualify. They all are HPC's which is Hybrid Powered Cycles if you are wondering) There are more examples which are not modified that are all over the internet for sale and can go in excess of the so-called 28 mph limits.

So, 20mph limit? Sounds fine to me, but no one is cracking down on what is already out there AND is illegal, so what makes anyone think that a speed limit law is enforceable? It is not enforceable. The manpower required to enforce such speed limits doesn't exist, and you know, we do such a great job cracking down on speeding cars too. Yeah..........

So this 'law' is malarkey. Doesn't mean anything, just like those "class" regulations of HPC's are meaningless. It's the Wild, Wild, West out there when it comes to these things, and I am afraid nothing is going to happen until people start getting hurt, suing, and/or dying. 

Studies are finding that moderate exercise helps with COVID survival

Exercise Helps- So Why Aren't We Pushing The Message?

I think many of us that are fans of cycling kind of 'get this' already, but more studies are being undertaken which are pointing to physical inactivity as being associated with a much higher risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. 

At RidingGravel.com, we were honored to have a contribution from 80 year old gravel rider (!) John Ingham with a message and references given which also pointed to similar conclusions. (Read that here) So, seeing that consistency in data, I am thinking that if you are pedaling, or exercising on a regular basis, you are doing 'it' right, in terms of disease prevention and minimizing risks with respect to diseases and mental health issues. 

So, it baffles me, and it saddens me as to why our government and why our policy makers are not prioritizing some simple measures by enabling folks to - you know - exercise regularly in safe places where being mowed down by motorists piloting plastic, steel, and rubber cages at ridiculous speeds is not a fear and an issue. Not to mention making exercise a priority to help fight the ever growing healthcare issues this country faces. 

I dunno.......maybe I'm the crazy one here. But it seems to me that this is so easy to understand that it flies right over most people's heads. Am I wrong? With what I see going on around me, I have to wonder if I'm not from another planet. The disconnect I see surrounding the issues of health seem astounding to me. 

Iowa Wind And Rock Happens This Weekend:

The ultra-distance gravel event that took its cues from the event I used to put on, Trans Iowa, happens this weekend out of the Winterset, Iowa area. Iowa Wind And Rock is a 300+ mile, cue sheet navigated, time limited event that takes in some of the gnarliest roads in South Central Iowa. 

This would make the third edition of this event. Last year's COVID-modified and postponed event happened in October, and was run in conjunction with the Spotted Horse event, which I volunteered for. This date is the 'traditional' date for such an event in Iowa though. 

I just wanted to take a moment here and wish all the riders, volunteers, and organizers of Iowa Wind And Rock a safe, fun, and successful event. I hope all travel associated with the event is safe, and that nothing is left afterward but epic memories and stories that will be told. 

SRAM AXS Rival

SRAM Finally Reveals AXS Rival:

Lots of people knew it was going to happen, but yesterday SRAM finally let everyone know- and see - the new Rival version of its wireless AXS shifting group. You've probably already have seen this blasted around the internet yesterday, so I won't bore you with all the fine details. 

Comments: My first impressions were that this is the BEST looking SRAM road group ever. The shift levers look almost Shimano-like. (Probably not a mistake there) The crank looks a lot less like a department store level bike crankset  than some of their other offerings. Okay, so aesthetically, good. Very good. 

I did get the press release yesterday which was on the day it was released for public consumption. So, I have only had a brief moment or two to browse the 34 page FAQ (!) besides the other marketing hoo-ha that came along with it. I found that the reason the levers look so good is because SRAM deleted the 'contact feature' (I assume pad contact adjustment) and the remote shifter capabilities. This FAQ also stated that no- Force and Red will not have these sleeker, nicer looking levers. There are no plans to do that with Red or Force levers at this time.You Red and Force users are stuck with those ugly, clunky levers for the near future, at least. 

There are also a few other surprises that I came across. Did you know that you have to use 12 speed compatible chain tools and chain checkers with SRAM flat top chains? (Yes- SRAM says don't try any other tools or else!) Also, Eagle and AXS flat top chains? Not cross compatible. 12 speed quick links? One time use only. And don't you ever spray your AXS equipped bike with water to clean it. Says so right in the FAQ. (But of course, people will do this)

It's a lot of reading, but I'll get through it soon. Oh, and if you want this group they say it'll be available this month. Complete set ups are around $1600.00. Good luck getting your hands on a group. My guess is that these will go like hotcakes and be on back order for a long while. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but maybe not......

More soon after I've digested all this techno-babble......
 

That's all for this edition of the FN&V. Have a fantastic weekend.

Friday News And Views

Gravel Events Leveraged For Social Change Issues:

If you hadn't noticed, there is a big issue regarding the proposed World Cup level event for cyclo cross in Arkansas this Fall and how that state has passed some anti-transgender legislation. Social issues are being leveraged against the organizer, USAC, to influence that organization to pull the event from the state of Arkansas. Many athletes who planned on attending the event have cancelled their plans in light of the new legislation and their support for LGBTQ+ issues. 

A "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" article has more details and links for further reading here. 

There have also been calls to boycott Arkansas based cycling companies and I even saw a lob at the Unbound Gravel event, since Kansas is also considering similar anti-transgender legislation. So, this is where the big gravel events are getting drug into this conversation, and why when I got an e-mail from the Arkansas based event, Big Sugar NWA, that the image posted here was front and center in that e-mail. 

Comments: I expect that if Kansas does pass this sort of legislation, we can expect to see more leverage brought to bear upon the Unbound Gravel event, as well as any other 'big' gravel events with corporate backing. Let's face it, if you are after social change and want to make an impact you are not going after the little events. The aim that I see is that the events that stand a chance to be hurt economically, if they are tagged with the 'boycott', are the events that will be used to bring a light to what the people behind these issues want. 

I took a look at the Arkansas laws and I feel they are really dumb and based out of fear. There shouldn't be anything like them on the books. I also think 'boycotting'  events is not all that effective in making change in this area either. But this does shine a light, for sure. I mean look- I'm writing about it, as are many others, so it is effective in that, at least. So, corporate gravel events, and obviously cyclo cross events, can be credited with engendering at least that much activity in this socially charged issue. Plus there are the things listed in the image, which Big Sugar NWA is undertaking for their event. So, I guess there is that..... But the average citizens who vote in Arkansas? Hmm...... I dunno about that. 

Cracking Down On Speed:

It looks as though Iowa may be limiting any HPC rig to 20mph speed limits. The amendment to the law was recently passed by the Iowa Senate and is going back to the House of Representatives for approval. This hasn't taken effect yet, but there are no indications that it will not be passed into law.

So? Is this a big deal? Maybe...... Many so-called "Class 3 e-bikes" are pedal assisted up to 28mph. Other classes of HPC rigs are limited to 20mph already, excepting the "Class 4" category, which can go faster than 28mph and requires a license and registration. All is 'good in the hood', right? Just follow the laws and we'll all get along just fine. Except when people don't follow the laws, and they don't.......a lot! 

Example: Just the other day at Andy's Bike Shop, where I work, a customer was in telling of a friend's electrified Schwinn Sierra which could hit top speeds in excess of 30mph. Not pedal assisted, of course, because what would be the point in that? (And yes- there may have been a bit of a 'fish story' element to that, but still...)

Another example; We had a guy in last year who owns an old klunker 26"er with a gas engine conversion which he claims can go 55mph and he pretty much rides it wherever he wants, bike paths included. I've seen another one like it around as well. (Note- I do not distinguish between motor types- gas, electric, whatever. If they have pedals and a motor, they qualify. They all are HPC's which is Hybrid Powered Cycles if you are wondering) There are more examples which are not modified that are all over the internet for sale and can go in excess of the so-called 28 mph limits.

So, 20mph limit? Sounds fine to me, but no one is cracking down on what is already out there AND is illegal, so what makes anyone think that a speed limit law is enforceable? It is not enforceable. The manpower required to enforce such speed limits doesn't exist, and you know, we do such a great job cracking down on speeding cars too. Yeah..........

So this 'law' is malarkey. Doesn't mean anything, just like those "class" regulations of HPC's are meaningless. It's the Wild, Wild, West out there when it comes to these things, and I am afraid nothing is going to happen until people start getting hurt, suing, and/or dying. 

Studies are finding that moderate exercise helps with COVID survival

Exercise Helps- So Why Aren't We Pushing The Message?

I think many of us that are fans of cycling kind of 'get this' already, but more studies are being undertaken which are pointing to physical inactivity as being associated with a much higher risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. 

At RidingGravel.com, we were honored to have a contribution from 80 year old gravel rider (!) John Ingham with a message and references given which also pointed to similar conclusions. (Read that here) So, seeing that consistency in data, I am thinking that if you are pedaling, or exercising on a regular basis, you are doing 'it' right, in terms of disease prevention and minimizing risks with respect to diseases and mental health issues. 

So, it baffles me, and it saddens me as to why our government and why our policy makers are not prioritizing some simple measures by enabling folks to - you know - exercise regularly in safe places where being mowed down by motorists piloting plastic, steel, and rubber cages at ridiculous speeds is not a fear and an issue. Not to mention making exercise a priority to help fight the ever growing healthcare issues this country faces. 

I dunno.......maybe I'm the crazy one here. But it seems to me that this is so easy to understand that it flies right over most people's heads. Am I wrong? With what I see going on around me, I have to wonder if I'm not from another planet. The disconnect I see surrounding the issues of health seem astounding to me. 

Iowa Wind And Rock Happens This Weekend:

The ultra-distance gravel event that took its cues from the event I used to put on, Trans Iowa, happens this weekend out of the Winterset, Iowa area. Iowa Wind And Rock is a 300+ mile, cue sheet navigated, time limited event that takes in some of the gnarliest roads in South Central Iowa. 

This would make the third edition of this event. Last year's COVID-modified and postponed event happened in October, and was run in conjunction with the Spotted Horse event, which I volunteered for. This date is the 'traditional' date for such an event in Iowa though. 

I just wanted to take a moment here and wish all the riders, volunteers, and organizers of Iowa Wind And Rock a safe, fun, and successful event. I hope all travel associated with the event is safe, and that nothing is left afterward but epic memories and stories that will be told. 

SRAM AXS Rival

SRAM Finally Reveals AXS Rival:

Lots of people knew it was going to happen, but yesterday SRAM finally let everyone know- and see - the new Rival version of its wireless AXS shifting group. You've probably already have seen this blasted around the internet yesterday, so I won't bore you with all the fine details. 

Comments: My first impressions were that this is the BEST looking SRAM road group ever. The shift levers look almost Shimano-like. (Probably not a mistake there) The crank looks a lot less like a department store level bike crankset  than some of their other offerings. Okay, so aesthetically, good. Very good. 

I did get the press release yesterday which was on the day it was released for public consumption. So, I have only had a brief moment or two to browse the 34 page FAQ (!) besides the other marketing hoo-ha that came along with it. I found that the reason the levers look so good is because SRAM deleted the 'contact feature' (I assume pad contact adjustment) and the remote shifter capabilities. This FAQ also stated that no- Force and Red will not have these sleeker, nicer looking levers. There are no plans to do that with Red or Force levers at this time.You Red and Force users are stuck with those ugly, clunky levers for the near future, at least. 

There are also a few other surprises that I came across. Did you know that you have to use 12 speed compatible chain tools and chain checkers with SRAM flat top chains? (Yes- SRAM says don't try any other tools or else!) Also, Eagle and AXS flat top chains? Not cross compatible. 12 speed quick links? One time use only. And don't you ever spray your AXS equipped bike with water to clean it. Says so right in the FAQ. (But of course, people will do this)

It's a lot of reading, but I'll get through it soon. Oh, and if you want this group they say it'll be available this month. Complete set ups are around $1600.00. Good luck getting your hands on a group. My guess is that these will go like hotcakes and be on back order for a long while. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but maybe not......

More soon after I've digested all this techno-babble......
 

That's all for this edition of the FN&V. Have a fantastic weekend.