Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame 2023; Photo Dump

Your Corporate Overlords drive an SUV.

I took a bunch of images while on my trip to the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame ceremonies and I thought I might go ahead and share those with you all today. 

These do not all have a direct connection to the GCHoF thing, but as you all know, UNBOUND week has several satellite events attached to it now and the GCHoF thing is one of those. 

In this photo dump I may or may not have some commentary for each image. There was a lot to take in and what impresses me more than anything else about UNBOUND is how large and overwhelming it has become. 

No longer is it a place to "meet your gravel family" because, truthfully, you could easily never see someone that is there due to the vast amount of people coming into the area for the week. Yes, I said the week. 

That's the other thing. This event is not a Friday-Saturday thing anymore. I saw more people on bicycles and wandering around that were out-of-towners than I ever have on a Wednesday before an event. Even Tuesday, when we arrived, you could easily find out-of-towners on bicycles cruising around. So, this event has major impact, not only economically, but in terms of the local residents as well. I'll have more to say about that in my final take on UNBOUND coming soon. For now, the images.....

There is something about the Flint Hills that hits differently.

Mrs. Guitar Ted and I ate at Casa Rojas on Tuesday evening. While the service was its usual top-tier and beyond reproach, the quality of the food wasn't up to snuff. This was a big disappointment for us. I remember this place having excellent Mexican cuisine in the past, but now it is just average fare. 

Some women's wind jackets that looked like something a rock star would wear. As seen in Merchant Cycles.

The Shimano vans were easy to spot. This is one of two that were there plus they had a "team car" as well.

I'm on the right just ahead of the rider in the foreground. Image by Jeff Kerkove.

Image by Jeff Kerkove

The efforts put forth to document every sweat bead shed at UNBOUND is amazing.

Image by Phyllis Stevenson

I ended my time in Emporia with my appearance for a recording of the "Gravel Family Podcast" in front of Merchant Cycles on Thursday morning. Normally I do not EVER get interviewed, so this was a fun change of pace. 

Sofia Gibson and Jason Strobehn do a great job of putting the show together and had some great questions lined up for me. I'll try to make sure I get a link thrown up here whenever that show is ready to go. I think they had six guests planned for recording so it may take a bit for this to show up. But I'll try to share it here when it does. 

I'll have an essay about the whole Emporia scene at Unbound coming out soon. Stay tuned.....

Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame 2023; Photo Dump

Your Corporate Overlords drive an SUV.

I took a bunch of images while on my trip to the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame ceremonies and I thought I might go ahead and share those with you all today. 

These do not all have a direct connection to the GCHoF thing, but as you all know, UNBOUND week has several satellite events attached to it now and the GCHoF thing is one of those. 

In this photo dump I may or may not have some commentary for each image. There was a lot to take in and what impresses me more than anything else about UNBOUND is how large and overwhelming it has become. 

No longer is it a place to "meet your gravel family" because, truthfully, you could easily never see someone that is there due to the vast amount of people coming into the area for the week. Yes, I said the week. 

That's the other thing. This event is not a Friday-Saturday thing anymore. I saw more people on bicycles and wandering around that were out-of-towners than I ever have on a Wednesday before an event. Even Tuesday, when we arrived, you could easily find out-of-towners on bicycles cruising around. So, this event has major impact, not only economically, but in terms of the local residents as well. I'll have more to say about that in my final take on UNBOUND coming soon. For now, the images.....

There is something about the Flint Hills that hits differently.

Mrs. Guitar Ted and I ate at Casa Rojas on Tuesday evening. While the service was its usual top-tier and beyond reproach, the quality of the food wasn't up to snuff. This was a big disappointment for us. I remember this place having excellent Mexican cuisine in the past, but now it is just average fare. 

Some women's wind jackets that looked like something a rock star would wear. As seen in Merchant Cycles.

The Shimano vans were easy to spot. This is one of two that were there plus they had a "team car" as well.

I'm on the right just ahead of the rider in the foreground. Image by Jeff Kerkove.

Image by Jeff Kerkove

The efforts put forth to document every sweat bead shed at UNBOUND is amazing.

Image by Phyllis Stevenson

I ended my time in Emporia with my appearance for a recording of the "Gravel Family Podcast" in front of Merchant Cycles on Thursday morning. Normally I do not EVER get interviewed, so this was a fun change of pace. 

Sofia Gibson and Jason Strobehn do a great job of putting the show together and had some great questions lined up for me. I'll try to make sure I get a link thrown up here whenever that show is ready to go. I think they had six guests planned for recording so it may take a bit for this to show up. But I'll try to share it here when it does. 

I'll have an essay about the whole Emporia scene at Unbound coming out soon. Stay tuned.....

Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame: Photo Essay

 My time with Erik Mathy was, quite simply, the best part of the entire trip. Yeah....I got inducted into the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame and all. That's big, don't get me wrong, but it may take me years to fully understand the gravitas of that honor. Meanwhile, adventures, especially off-the-cuff ones, are my favorite thing. Total spontaneous goodness is something I just really love to experience. And hanging out with Erik was totally spontaneous, unplanned, and so much fun!

Erik was really diving into this mission for his work, but really having no issues engaging with me at all times. Meanwhile, as he took shots, reloaded that antique camera, and looked for new ways to see his subject, I decided hey! What a great time to work on my image-craft as well. I mean, I am never going to be an Erik Mathy level talent, but I can still learn a thing or two from watching a master work and by using my little Oly TG Tough, such as it is. 

So, here are my favorite shots I got with Erik. No particular order and I may have a comment on some, but I may not. I hope that you enjoy the imagery and please- feel free to ask about anything you want regarding these images. Thanks! Here we go.....

There are a few pithy comments I could make.... Some beautiful animals here.

Longtime readers know I love flowers. Not the best shot, but hey!

We spotted this small tortoise and saved it from certain destruction.

Erik spotted this truck about 50 yards off the road and, well....You know what happened next!

The chromed light bezel looks alien to the rest of the truck.

One of my favorite shots from the day.

I liked the juxtaposition of flora and twisted, rusty metal.

This sign made me chuckle. I guess you had to be there!

Gateway to the 'really good stuff' just beyond this hill....

Now, that's a good climb!

Another grinder of a climb on the 200 course.

Open range land in the Flint Hills on the 200 course.

A gnarly old, dead tree still stands at the site of a former homestead on the open prairie.

'mur'ca!

Any questions?

Okay, that's all I got that is worth showing. I am sure that when Erik's work gets published by Shimano and "The Radavist" that it will blow you away and make my shots look like child's play. 

Next: The End Of Adventures And The Trip Home

Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame: Photo Essay

 My time with Erik Mathy was, quite simply, the best part of the entire trip. Yeah....I got inducted into the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame and all. That's big, don't get me wrong, but it may take me years to fully understand the gravitas of that honor. Meanwhile, adventures, especially off-the-cuff ones, are my favorite thing. Total spontaneous goodness is something I just really love to experience. And hanging out with Erik was totally spontaneous, unplanned, and so much fun!

Erik was really diving into this mission for his work, but really having no issues engaging with me at all times. Meanwhile, as he took shots, reloaded that antique camera, and looked for new ways to see his subject, I decided hey! What a great time to work on my image-craft as well. I mean, I am never going to be an Erik Mathy level talent, but I can still learn a thing or two from watching a master work and by using my little Oly TG Tough, such as it is. 

So, here are my favorite shots I got with Erik. No particular order and I may have a comment on some, but I may not. I hope that you enjoy the imagery and please- feel free to ask about anything you want regarding these images. Thanks! Here we go.....

There are a few pithy comments I could make.... Some beautiful animals here.

Longtime readers know I love flowers. Not the best shot, but hey!

We spotted this small tortoise and saved it from certain destruction.

Erik spotted this truck about 50 yards off the road and, well....You know what happened next!

The chromed light bezel looks alien to the rest of the truck.

One of my favorite shots from the day.

I liked the juxtaposition of flora and twisted, rusty metal.

This sign made me chuckle. I guess you had to be there!

Gateway to the 'really good stuff' just beyond this hill....

Now, that's a good climb!

Another grinder of a climb on the 200 course.

Open range land in the Flint Hills on the 200 course.

A gnarly old, dead tree still stands at the site of a former homestead on the open prairie.

'mur'ca!

Any questions?

Okay, that's all I got that is worth showing. I am sure that when Erik's work gets published by Shimano and "The Radavist" that it will blow you away and make my shots look like child's play. 

Next: The End Of Adventures And The Trip Home