Friday News And Views

 Job Anniversary: 

This past week I observed my third anniversary of starting work at the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective. In case you are unfamiliar with this organization, they are a non-profit organization which benefits the community by recycling used bicycles either back into service or by being responsibly recycled via a local recycling/scrap company. 

We benefit local veterans who need transportation by providing free bicycles and accessories, as well as providing bicycles for other individuals in need. We support various area children's bicycling programs such as bicycle rodeos, Summer programs, and childrens benefit organizations. We also provide safety checks and educational opportunities as well as supporting local events via our Bike Valet program. 

There is more to it than that, but as you might be able to see by now, this is no "bike shop" gig. I get to turn wrenches, do mechanical repairs, and solve problems like I always have done for years, but added into the mix is a genuinely rewarding experience in helping others and making a difference in the community. Things I did not really get out of being a bike shop rat. 

So, I remember this week with gratitude and I don't take this opportunity lightly. It has been an amazing three years, and I cannot believe it has been three years already. But it has and I hope to add more years to that total going forward. If you have a bicycle cooperative/collective/non-profit in your community, I urge you to support that organization in some way this year. Either by volunteering or by donation. These organizations really impact the environment and the people who need bicycles for transportation and recreation.

A Light & Motion bike light on a handlebar (Image courtesy of Grannygear)

Light & Motion Ceases Business Activities:

On January 14th news hit the web concerning the bicycle, scuba, video, and photography lighting company, Light & Motion, who published an announcement that they were ceasing operations immediately. 

A story from "Bikemag" with some comments from the CEO of Light & Motion can be seen by clicking HERE. 

Comments: While many brands have ceased operations after the exit from COVID, this is one of the more well-known brands to close its doors. While Rocky Mountain and GT Bikes have "paused operations", which might leave the door open for some sort of "unpausing", I would assume, this announcement has a bit more of an air of finality to it. 

Citing "political winds" as one of the reasons for the closure, Light & Motion ends with an over 35 year run of manufacturing its products in the USA. It is no secret that the LED lighting segment for cycling is a super-competitive market and that many companies offer excellent lights for very competitive price points. So, by sticking to its guns with regard to doing things stateside, and by having product that was priced at a more premium level, it is not hard to understand how that and the downturn in sales for cycling overall has perhaps forced this action by Light & Motion. 

Snow Dog Update:

Since I rolled out the old Snow Dog again to test those BIKETUBES TPU fat bike tubes, I had to do some updating. I was using an old Archer electronic shifting box deal which could shift incompatible parts, and well, that was no longer an option here. Archer is done as a company and I didn't want to try using the app anymore to set up the thing since it isn't being supported as far as I could tell. 

So I fished out a roll of 4mm derailleur housing in silver and an old SRAM 9 speed shifter. I already had a SRAM rear derailleur mounted, so I figured that would work.

Except this was a SRAM shifter compatible with Shimano. Doh! Okay..... Back to the bins. I fished around and found an 11 speed Ultegra long cage derailleur. Probably the one that came on my Tamland Two? Maybe.... Well, that went on there and with a few adjustments, bingo! I had a working rear derailleur and shifter. 

You may be thinking, "Wait! That's an 11 speed rear derailleur running with a 9 speed chain and shifter? Isn't that forbidden?" And I say, "Don't try this at home, folks!" It's another instance of a mechanic doing what "they say" cannot be done. That's all. I would never tell anyone else this would work. Why? Because, well.....for you it probably wouldn't, and then it would be my fault for saying it does work. That's why. So, I'm saying "this doesn't work", but I'm going with it anyway. 

Remember, it is all fun and games until it breaks. Then if that describes you, and you end up with a failure, or worse, it is because you tried this. It will be your fault. I said it does not work. So there. 

And I will have an update on the tubes soon. 

Image from the Jan. 15th social media post.

Robidoux Roubaix Is Back:

Last August the race director of the Robidoux Roubaix, a gravel race in Western Nebraska, announced that the event was on "indefinite pause" status. 

Specifying a lack of concern by riders for safety and other safety related concerns for race directors of gravel events, the event was taken off the calendar. Now in an Instagram post dated January 15th, the event posted the following quote pulled from a longer statement. 

"It turns out that a little four month break, escaping an unfulfilling 9 to 5, and starting to ride bikes again was enough of a mental boost to remember why I’ve always loved hosting Robidoux!"

Comments: The statement directed readers to register now and that more details would be released about the new routes and more soon.

No mention of the concern about rider safety and conduct at gravel races. This, on one hand, seems odd, but it all may get addressed in future communications, so as of this time, I cannot really comment on this point other than to say the question is there to be answered. What about the previous safety concerns? 

I like that this event came back, however, if just for selfish reasons. I think the area would be a spectacular place to ride, and so I've always had a soft spot in my heart for doing the event. Not that it will ever happen. Especially now with a carless Guitar Ted! 

That's it for this time. Have a great weekend and ride those bicycles!

Gravel Grinder News: Robideaux Rendezvous On "Indefinite Pause"

 On Wednesday this past week, on an Instagram post on the Robidoux Rendezvous account, a statement was released which said that the Robidoux Rendezvous would be on "indefinite pause" going forward. 

In the statement, there was the indication that the event had reached a size that was unmanageable as a hobby, but still not "big enough" to warrant a full-time status as a job for the race director. Then there was this paragraph:

"From a wider perspective, I believe gravel cycling is about to face its next great reckoning regarding rider safety. Riders and promoters alike seem to be shirking this responsibility in favor of the spirit of gravel or an age group podium and it's not going to last. I don't want that hammer to drop at one of my events."

Comments: The last line of that quoted paragraph resonates with me in particular. Of course, that is not to say that anyone would welcome a tragedy at their event, because no one wants that. However; that weight of responsibility is real, and due to how the author phrased that, I feel it is safe to say I have some relative knowledge of where he his coming from there. 

Beyond the obvious in the statement, I find their to be a bit of a veiled swipe at gravel road events as a whole that seem to be less cognizant of potential issues regarding safety and also the responsibilities that riders share in that which are sometimes shown to be ignored or denied by participants. 

I've heard tales of riders taking daring crossings of high-speed paved roads. I've heard about riders not giving way to local traffic and emergency vehicles. I've heard about instances where riders were reckless around other riders, causing crashes, and potentially worse. 

Gravel cycling has always had an independent, free nature to it since the Modern Era of gravel kicked off in 2005. My stance has always been that race and event organizers are to be the caretakers of their parts in the scene. This means that strict guidelines for rider conduct must be in place and enforced. Kicking people out should be a semi-regular part of gravel events, because people will push the boundaries, or willfully ignore them, all for "glory", whatever that may mean to the rider. 

Every effort must be made to ensure that safety and rules are communicated to riders, and every effort must be made to communicate to the riders that locals take precedence over what is happening in the event, because almost all gravel events are held in public spaces. We are guests and we should act as such at all times. This extends to keeping roads clean, keeping decency in regard to public urination, or other bodily acts, and adhering to public rules of decency, whether or not you agree to them. Any interaction that reflects poorly on an event must be addressed immediately with immediate consequences to the offending rider. 

I think it bears mentioning as well that curating a specific event feel that is manageable is something that has gotten lost in the mix. Having "more", be that attendance, prizing, or accoutrements for an event is not always "good". Sometimes managing an event means NOT growing it. 

I could go on, but I think it is apparent that many have let their guard down and are ignorant to consequences of unsafe and ill-advised behavior on the part of gravel riders. If we don't take care of these things and more, someone else will. It is likely that governments, insurers, and lawyers may become involved, and when THAT happens, that will likely be the end of the heyday of gravel. 

It's all up to you gravel riders and organizers out there. Every single one of you.