Randomonium: Catching Up

A look at my desk which is typically messy like this.

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

And: This particular version of the Randomonium is dedicated to catching you all up on what has been going on around here in the last ten days or so. The "End of Year" madness kind of takes over, and day-to-day stuff gets shuffled aside for that. Okay? Here we go... 

First, an update on my health. I finally overcame that nasty head cold by December 21st, I'd estimate, which was the first day I felt as though I had no further symptoms of whatever I had. So, good to go on that front for Christmas and beyond.

Of course, the big news was the pre-Christmas Winter storm we had.It's been awhile since we've experienced sub-zero temperatures for up to 48 hours, near blizzard conditions for three days, and a basic shut-down of things due to Winter's blast. But the old memories of hunkering down for a storm like this kept me hopeful for coming out of this one as well. Then we whip lashed into this. This mess above freezing and all that beautiful fat bike-able snow is junk already. Bah!

 

Pirate Cycling League's New Event:

A new Winter event was announced by the PCL/Gravel Worlds folks late in December which they billed as a "return to the grassroots" of events which they were known for once upon a time. 

The event will feature a metric century or a half-distance cycling course on gravel roads and a 10K running event as well. Registration is open now and the event is set to take place on February 18th, 2023 in Lincoln, NE. 

The event will use a small town as a checkpoint where you will be required to purchase a Nebraska Lottery ticket to prove that you had been there. This reflects how Gravel Worlds was run in its early days. 

Comments: Fun! My initial reaction is that this is the sort of madness the cycling world needs at this time when events are seemingly going toward more rules, bigger crowds, and the chase for a career in gravel means that those of us that are not capable or desiring of that are left behind. In my view, the "Winter Endurance" event reflects how we were thinking when we set up gravel road cycling challenges back in the day. 

The fact that the promoters say the following, " We’re going back to our roots on this one!", would indicate that they had left their roots at some point, for whatever reasons. I'm not going to read anymore into that than to say, "I agree with that". It's hard to stick to your roots, I get that, but some have managed to stay the course all along since those "good ol' days" of yore. There ya go.....

Snip showing Bixby State Preserve and how the North-South road is truncated.

Feedback On The GTDRI Route Redux: 

Last year I posted the GTDRI Stories bit on the 4rth route, a route I stated was one of those GTDRI's I would consider riding again. It is a spectacular route in terms of visuals and in its toughness. 

So, near the end of last week I floated the possibility that this route might be modified and then recorded with notes for a small fee making it available for anyone to ride. I didn't hear much about it on the blog, but after I posted the idea to Instagram, the response was quite noticeable. 

So, here's the deal: I have to do some mods to the route and verify them. There are a few places where things have changed and in one instance, a significant change will require a major rerouting. It isn't an easy decision to make either, as choices for other roads are scant to none. 

Specifically the problem lies in the fact that the former road through Bixby State Preserve is now truncated. Honestly, that's actually a good thing. The Northern section of that road was heinous. I mean, really steep, filled with ruts, it had huge embedded rocks sticking up out of the road, and it was a challenge even on a mountain bike. When we last used that road in 2015 I don't think you could even drive a car or 4X4 down it safely anymore. 

Now, no big deal if we were "on the grid", but this area is far from being on the grid and road choices are few. I also have the task of preserving the feel of the original route, not adding too much mileage, giving chances for a resupply in Edgewood, and keeping pavement miles to a bare minimum. And that's just that problem with this route. 

New Unit:

The Sigma ROX 4.0 GPS computer test is still ongoing. The last time I wrote about this, I mentioned that the navigation function was wonky and that I was to get another head unit to test since my contact felt that the one I had was dysfunctional for some reason.  I was assured that typically Sigma ROX units were pretty bomber. So, I waited....

Then about a day or two after Christmas I got a box with a new ROX 4.0 GPS computer in it. I quickly got it synced with my phone and updated, and this went rather well, so I am hopeful that when I get the weather to try a route I have in the Ride app, I will be able to tell you all if it works as advertised. 

Stay tuned.... 

(L-R) Mrs GT, Vince Goterra, and GT: Image courtesy of St. John;s Lutheran Church

Gigging:

Christmas Eve saw myself and Mrs. Guitar Ted doing a gig at St. John's Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It was a two set affair and we had a great time. It was a heck of a lot better than sitting in our house and wistfully looking out the window at negative 30+ degree winds and snow. 

I played my new Sully Conspiracy Series Stardust. I have bonded with that guitar pretty quickly, to be honest. It's really kind of odd when you consider that most every guitar is CNC'ed to exacting specifications, made from similar tone woods, and set up with quality hardware, in this case, identical hardware to my other Sully. However; I like the Stardust's feel and play-ability over that of my other one by a large margin. Weird.

Even weirder was playing out at a different venue. I haven't done that in a while. It was good to have that opportunity though. Oh! And I have a new amplifier too. Gotta get that up here on the blog soon.... 

Brief Fat Bike Blast:

I just mentioned the cold blast and snowy Christmas Eve we had, but it sure did not last long. We got another 3" of fluffy white snow on Monday and then it started getting warmer, and warmer, and warmer....

By Wednesday morning the snow was junk. It was around 30°F and was headed to the 40's. So.......so much for that!

I did get in a few short rides in bitterly cold temperatures, but busting drifted in snow and battling wind chills in the negative 20+ range was not a lot of fun. So, those fat bike rides were short. Really short! 

And now? Who knows when, if ever, we will get any fat bike-able snow.  Chances are we'll make it through most of January without that happening, and then, if history is any indication, February will see a return to snow and cold enough to warrant fat tires again. 

And that's all I have to catch you all up on.

Randomonium: Catching Up

A look at my desk which is typically messy like this.

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

And: This particular version of the Randomonium is dedicated to catching you all up on what has been going on around here in the last ten days or so. The "End of Year" madness kind of takes over, and day-to-day stuff gets shuffled aside for that. Okay? Here we go... 

First, an update on my health. I finally overcame that nasty head cold by December 21st, I'd estimate, which was the first day I felt as though I had no further symptoms of whatever I had. So, good to go on that front for Christmas and beyond.

Of course, the big news was the pre-Christmas Winter storm we had.It's been awhile since we've experienced sub-zero temperatures for up to 48 hours, near blizzard conditions for three days, and a basic shut-down of things due to Winter's blast. But the old memories of hunkering down for a storm like this kept me hopeful for coming out of this one as well. Then we whip lashed into this. This mess above freezing and all that beautiful fat bike-able snow is junk already. Bah!

 

Pirate Cycling League's New Event:

A new Winter event was announced by the PCL/Gravel Worlds folks late in December which they billed as a "return to the grassroots" of events which they were known for once upon a time. 

The event will feature a metric century or a half-distance cycling course on gravel roads and a 10K running event as well. Registration is open now and the event is set to take place on February 18th, 2023 in Lincoln, NE. 

The event will use a small town as a checkpoint where you will be required to purchase a Nebraska Lottery ticket to prove that you had been there. This reflects how Gravel Worlds was run in its early days. 

Comments: Fun! My initial reaction is that this is the sort of madness the cycling world needs at this time when events are seemingly going toward more rules, bigger crowds, and the chase for a career in gravel means that those of us that are not capable or desiring of that are left behind. In my view, the "Winter Endurance" event reflects how we were thinking when we set up gravel road cycling challenges back in the day. 

The fact that the promoters say the following, " We’re going back to our roots on this one!", would indicate that they had left their roots at some point, for whatever reasons. I'm not going to read anymore into that than to say, "I agree with that". It's hard to stick to your roots, I get that, but some have managed to stay the course all along since those "good ol' days" of yore. There ya go.....

Snip showing Bixby State Preserve and how the North-South road is truncated.

Feedback On The GTDRI Route Redux: 

Last year I posted the GTDRI Stories bit on the 4rth route, a route I stated was one of those GTDRI's I would consider riding again. It is a spectacular route in terms of visuals and in its toughness. 

So, near the end of last week I floated the possibility that this route might be modified and then recorded with notes for a small fee making it available for anyone to ride. I didn't hear much about it on the blog, but after I posted the idea to Instagram, the response was quite noticeable. 

So, here's the deal: I have to do some mods to the route and verify them. There are a few places where things have changed and in one instance, a significant change will require a major rerouting. It isn't an easy decision to make either, as choices for other roads are scant to none. 

Specifically the problem lies in the fact that the former road through Bixby State Preserve is now truncated. Honestly, that's actually a good thing. The Northern section of that road was heinous. I mean, really steep, filled with ruts, it had huge embedded rocks sticking up out of the road, and it was a challenge even on a mountain bike. When we last used that road in 2015 I don't think you could even drive a car or 4X4 down it safely anymore. 

Now, no big deal if we were "on the grid", but this area is far from being on the grid and road choices are few. I also have the task of preserving the feel of the original route, not adding too much mileage, giving chances for a resupply in Edgewood, and keeping pavement miles to a bare minimum. And that's just that problem with this route. 

New Unit:

The Sigma ROX 4.0 GPS computer test is still ongoing. The last time I wrote about this, I mentioned that the navigation function was wonky and that I was to get another head unit to test since my contact felt that the one I had was dysfunctional for some reason.  I was assured that typically Sigma ROX units were pretty bomber. So, I waited....

Then about a day or two after Christmas I got a box with a new ROX 4.0 GPS computer in it. I quickly got it synced with my phone and updated, and this went rather well, so I am hopeful that when I get the weather to try a route I have in the Ride app, I will be able to tell you all if it works as advertised. 

Stay tuned.... 

(L-R) Mrs GT, Vince Goterra, and GT: Image courtesy of St. John;s Lutheran Church

Gigging:

Christmas Eve saw myself and Mrs. Guitar Ted doing a gig at St. John's Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It was a two set affair and we had a great time. It was a heck of a lot better than sitting in our house and wistfully looking out the window at negative 30+ degree winds and snow. 

I played my new Sully Conspiracy Series Stardust. I have bonded with that guitar pretty quickly, to be honest. It's really kind of odd when you consider that most every guitar is CNC'ed to exacting specifications, made from similar tone woods, and set up with quality hardware, in this case, identical hardware to my other Sully. However; I like the Stardust's feel and play-ability over that of my other one by a large margin. Weird.

Even weirder was playing out at a different venue. I haven't done that in a while. It was good to have that opportunity though. Oh! And I have a new amplifier too. Gotta get that up here on the blog soon.... 

Brief Fat Bike Blast:

I just mentioned the cold blast and snowy Christmas Eve we had, but it sure did not last long. We got another 3" of fluffy white snow on Monday and then it started getting warmer, and warmer, and warmer....

By Wednesday morning the snow was junk. It was around 30°F and was headed to the 40's. So.......so much for that!

I did get in a few short rides in bitterly cold temperatures, but busting drifted in snow and battling wind chills in the negative 20+ range was not a lot of fun. So, those fat bike rides were short. Really short! 

And now? Who knows when, if ever, we will get any fat bike-able snow.  Chances are we'll make it through most of January without that happening, and then, if history is any indication, February will see a return to snow and cold enough to warrant fat tires again. 

And that's all I have to catch you all up on.

The State Of The Gravel Scene: 2023

  In January 2018 I posted a five part series on what I thought was the "State Of The Gravel Grinding Scene". It really is a retrospective/editorial piece, I suppose, since it does present the historical background of what I term as "modern day gravel racing and riding", which I hold to have begun when Trans Iowa kicked off in 2004.

Now, a whole five years later, things have radically changed in the gravel scene. What is more, things are set to change even more in 2023 and beyond. This post seeks to lay out what I think will happen based upon my observations and from where we are now at the end of 2022. 

Remember- THIS IS MY OPINION. Your thoughts and views on the matter may be quite different. I welcome any reasoned and considered opinions which you can share with me at g.ted.productions@gmail.com. 

Gravel Family or Gravel Factory?

While I was contemplating the state of gravel and considering what I would write about, it struck me that an easy way to give my thoughts a simple definition would be to use the analogy of the "gravel family". Now days, you might think the term is the trade mark of one event called Gravel Worlds. They kind of co opted the term several years ago. However; they weren't the originators of that idea. The idea which defined all those folks who congregated at the earlier gravel events and who ended up becoming like family to each other. 

Early gravel events had smaller fields and there was a certain core group of riders that became well known on the circuit. They in turn welcomed others in, and it became much like a family reunion when these older events had pre-race meetings and social activities. Obviously, it was one of the main components for the gravel grinders early success and popularity. 

I've written about different aspects of this phenomenon in the gravel scene before. I tried searching my blog to see when "gravel family" was used earliest in my writings, but my search function does not recognize that concept,. Instead it kept giving me separate results for any post with those two words in it. Bah! Suffice it to say that the concept has been around about as long as the modern gravel riding scene has been around. 

DK200 pre-race meeting 2010. Back when it was more like a family reunion than a corporate affair.

Somewhere along the line it was decided, or maybe "accepted by default" is a better way to say this, that "bigger" meant "less intimate and personal". Events started behaving more like businesses and less like hosts inviting you over for coffee and cakes. Things got more "serious" and the concept of economic benefits started to attract those who had zero interest in, or any idea about, the way many of the gravel events got started and what it was that made them attractive in the first place.

I need to pause a moment here because this is a very complex, tangled web that needs to be carefully handled. I don't mean to say that the concept of making money is necessarily a bad thing. Event directors, volunteers, and venues need money to keep the wheels greased and to be able to put out a welcome mat that retains the good stuff about an event, but also one that has amenities that riders are looking for. This is not at all easy to do. 

However; it is my opinion that once the attendance for an event reaches a certain size, after that point the event becomes less about "everybody" and more about certain groups, and more about abstract ideas which may be popular at the time. People get left behind and slip trough the cracks. That "family" feeling doesn't exist anymore. It's kind of like the difference between seeing a band in a small venue and seeing a band in a stadium with 40,000 people. Both have their appeal, I suppose, but in the gravel scene, we didn't grow and have appeal because we were like the big concerts. We made hay with the more intimate concept. 

It's more difficult to not feel like "just a number" when crowds are so big now.

With many events reaching attendance figures into the thousands of riders, the unavoidable waiting in lines, jockeying for food, a place to stay, and the processing of entrants into the event becomes less like family and more like a "factory" assembly line. Get in, get out, wait here, line up. When its over, you are not only exhausted from the effort of the ride, but just as much from having to run that whole gauntlet of registration for the event, getting there, being run through all the lines to pick up schwag bags, and number plates, and then off to bed. 

Afterward you just want to get out of there and go home. Wait....what?!! That's so goofy to anyone that was around in the earlier days of these events. But then again- if you don't know- you don't know. A more factory approach may be how you think things should be, and well, how else could it be done? 

And now you've got the Pro riders with their set ups and special vehicles and training regimes that cannot be messed with because there is money and sponsorships on the line here. The average gravel riders line up over there, the serious ones, which are racing for prizes and monetary rewards? They get the front of the field to themselves. And listen- I get it. There is no way you'd want the Pros trying to blast their way through floundering seas of recreational riders and weekend warriors. I'm just illustrating the fact that there are two very different things going on here now. There are two classes of people being defined. While the efforts to try to mix those together have been admirable, it is time to separate these elements. 

An article in the "New Yorker" which was published late in 2022 was quoted on social media as saying the following: "...gravel racing, an American innovation, allowed an elite contest to be underwritten by the people who lose."

Provocative? Yes. Harsh? Maybe, but the author is not necessarily wrong about that. At least in terms of the bigger, more produced events, that is perhaps the case more than it is not. And listen, many people think that is fine. They are okay with that concept. These are people that want to hold up the elite and - well, worship them. They want to be "associated with greatness" even if it means that as part of their allegiance to the elite, they have to foot the bill for the elite to participate.They want "kings" and "queens" and are willing to ride their coattails. 

From Trans Iowa v13. Image by Ari Andonopoulous.

On the other hand, a smaller group is more capable of experiencing an event as a shared experience. This typically forges life-long connections, and fosters equity. There are no "kings" or "queens". There is just 'The Group" and everyone is valued, more or less, in the same view. 

Everyone's experience is valued, and all are welcome without being judged. This is a hard thing to foster with an event with big attendance numbers where the focus is a lot less on the rider's experience with each other. The rider experience in a personal sense is also important, but that has overridden the community aspects of the gravel scene. With the economic and social needs of the elite riders earning a living at riding gravel at stake, many events have decided to cater to their needs as this group brings notoriety and that brings sponsorship money to the events. 

That's when 'making coin' trumps 'making relationships' at some events, at least in some senses. That's when things begin to feel more corporate and less "fun". Again- the corporate, athlete worship, large group dynamic, "big deal" effect is an attractive type of event for a lot of people. Obviously, or people wouldn't go to attend these events. But that's not how this gravel thing got started, and in the end, people will return to something more like "family" - be that traditional gravel riding, community walking, playing pickle ball..... I don't know what it will be - but this cycle will be repeated and "big time gravel" will collapse under its own weight. 

When will THAT happen? Is it happening NOW? I don't think you'll see a line where the tide turns on the gravel scene. One day people will notice that there is something "else" that is more akin to a small community and a family like atmosphere and whatever THAT is will take over. Slowly. But I think we're getting to that point for many, and for some we've already passed that point. 

Meanwhile, enjoy the gravel scene while you can, because it ain't gonna get any better than it is now, in my opinion.

The State Of The Gravel Scene: 2023

  In January 2018 I posted a five part series on what I thought was the "State Of The Gravel Grinding Scene". It really is a retrospective/editorial piece, I suppose, since it does present the historical background of what I term as "modern day gravel racing and riding", which I hold to have begun when Trans Iowa kicked off in 2004.

Now, a whole five years later, things have radically changed in the gravel scene. What is more, things are set to change even more in 2023 and beyond. This post seeks to lay out what I think will happen based upon my observations and from where we are now at the end of 2022. 

Remember- THIS IS MY OPINION. Your thoughts and views on the matter may be quite different. I welcome any reasoned and considered opinions which you can share with me at g.ted.productions@gmail.com. 

Gravel Family or Gravel Factory?

While I was contemplating the state of gravel and considering what I would write about, it struck me that an easy way to give my thoughts a simple definition would be to use the analogy of the "gravel family". Now days, you might think the term is the trade mark of one event called Gravel Worlds. They kind of co opted the term several years ago. However; they weren't the originators of that idea. The idea which defined all those folks who congregated at the earlier gravel events and who ended up becoming like family to each other. 

Early gravel events had smaller fields and there was a certain core group of riders that became well known on the circuit. They in turn welcomed others in, and it became much like a family reunion when these older events had pre-race meetings and social activities. Obviously, it was one of the main components for the gravel grinders early success and popularity. 

I've written about different aspects of this phenomenon in the gravel scene before. I tried searching my blog to see when "gravel family" was used earliest in my writings, but my search function does not recognize that concept,. Instead it kept giving me separate results for any post with those two words in it. Bah! Suffice it to say that the concept has been around about as long as the modern gravel riding scene has been around. 

DK200 pre-race meeting 2010. Back when it was more like a family reunion than a corporate affair.

Somewhere along the line it was decided, or maybe "accepted by default" is a better way to say this, that "bigger" meant "less intimate and personal". Events started behaving more like businesses and less like hosts inviting you over for coffee and cakes. Things got more "serious" and the concept of economic benefits started to attract those who had zero interest in, or any idea about, the way many of the gravel events got started and what it was that made them attractive in the first place.

I need to pause a moment here because this is a very complex, tangled web that needs to be carefully handled. I don't mean to say that the concept of making money is necessarily a bad thing. Event directors, volunteers, and venues need money to keep the wheels greased and to be able to put out a welcome mat that retains the good stuff about an event, but also one that has amenities that riders are looking for. This is not at all easy to do. 

However; it is my opinion that once the attendance for an event reaches a certain size, after that point the event becomes less about "everybody" and more about certain groups, and more about abstract ideas which may be popular at the time. People get left behind and slip trough the cracks. That "family" feeling doesn't exist anymore. It's kind of like the difference between seeing a band in a small venue and seeing a band in a stadium with 40,000 people. Both have their appeal, I suppose, but in the gravel scene, we didn't grow and have appeal because we were like the big concerts. We made hay with the more intimate concept. 

It's more difficult to not feel like "just a number" when crowds are so big now.

With many events reaching attendance figures into the thousands of riders, the unavoidable waiting in lines, jockeying for food, a place to stay, and the processing of entrants into the event becomes less like family and more like a "factory" assembly line. Get in, get out, wait here, line up. When its over, you are not only exhausted from the effort of the ride, but just as much from having to run that whole gauntlet of registration for the event, getting there, being run through all the lines to pick up schwag bags, and number plates, and then off to bed. 

Afterward you just want to get out of there and go home. Wait....what?!! That's so goofy to anyone that was around in the earlier days of these events. But then again- if you don't know- you don't know. A more factory approach may be how you think things should be, and well, how else could it be done? 

And now you've got the Pro riders with their set ups and special vehicles and training regimes that cannot be messed with because there is money and sponsorships on the line here. The average gravel riders line up over there, the serious ones, which are racing for prizes and monetary rewards? They get the front of the field to themselves. And listen- I get it. There is no way you'd want the Pros trying to blast their way through floundering seas of recreational riders and weekend warriors. I'm just illustrating the fact that there are two very different things going on here now. There are two classes of people being defined. While the efforts to try to mix those together have been admirable, it is time to separate these elements. 

An article in the "New Yorker" which was published late in 2022 was quoted on social media as saying the following: "...gravel racing, an American innovation, allowed an elite contest to be underwritten by the people who lose."

Provocative? Yes. Harsh? Maybe, but the author is not necessarily wrong about that. At least in terms of the bigger, more produced events, that is perhaps the case more than it is not. And listen, many people think that is fine. They are okay with that concept. These are people that want to hold up the elite and - well, worship them. They want to be "associated with greatness" even if it means that as part of their allegiance to the elite, they have to foot the bill for the elite to participate.They want "kings" and "queens" and are willing to ride their coattails. 

From Trans Iowa v13. Image by Ari Andonopoulous.

On the other hand, a smaller group is more capable of experiencing an event as a shared experience. This typically forges life-long connections, and fosters equity. There are no "kings" or "queens". There is just 'The Group" and everyone is valued, more or less, in the same view. 

Everyone's experience is valued, and all are welcome without being judged. This is a hard thing to foster with an event with big attendance numbers where the focus is a lot less on the rider's experience with each other. The rider experience in a personal sense is also important, but that has overridden the community aspects of the gravel scene. With the economic and social needs of the elite riders earning a living at riding gravel at stake, many events have decided to cater to their needs as this group brings notoriety and that brings sponsorship money to the events. 

That's when 'making coin' trumps 'making relationships' at some events, at least in some senses. That's when things begin to feel more corporate and less "fun". Again- the corporate, athlete worship, large group dynamic, "big deal" effect is an attractive type of event for a lot of people. Obviously, or people wouldn't go to attend these events. But that's not how this gravel thing got started, and in the end, people will return to something more like "family" - be that traditional gravel riding, community walking, playing pickle ball..... I don't know what it will be - but this cycle will be repeated and "big time gravel" will collapse under its own weight. 

When will THAT happen? Is it happening NOW? I don't think you'll see a line where the tide turns on the gravel scene. One day people will notice that there is something "else" that is more akin to a small community and a family like atmosphere and whatever THAT is will take over. Slowly. But I think we're getting to that point for many, and for some we've already passed that point. 

Meanwhile, enjoy the gravel scene while you can, because it ain't gonna get any better than it is now, in my opinion.

The State Of The Gravel Scene: 2023

 In January 2018 I posted a five part series on what I thought was the "State Of The Gravel Grinding Scene". It really is a retrospective/editorial piece, I suppose, since it does present the historical background of what I term as "modern day gravel racing and riding", which I hold to have begun when Trans Iowa kicked off in 2004.

Now, a whole five years later, things have radically changed in the gravel scene. What is more, things are set to change even more in 2023 and beyond. This post seeks to lay out what I think will happen based upon my observations and from where we are now at the end of 2022. 

Remember- THIS IS MY OPINION. Your thoughts and views on the matter may be quite different. I welcome any reasoned and considered opinions which you can share with me at g.ted.productions@gmail.com. 

Thanks for reading this opinion piece and for reading Guitar Ted Productions. 

Too Much Of A Good Thing 

Last year I stated that the gravel scene was most likely at its peak and that we had entered a "baroque period"  which now has progressed quickly toward a situation which has us all overly-stimulated with all of this "gravel this" and "gravel that". At the end of 2022, where do we sit? I think it seems pretty obvious that things are quickly changing. What we know as "gravel" in terms of the culture and the competitive side of things is now at the point where it no longer resembles what it was just five years ago in 2018. 

The event originally known by the simple name "DKXL" is now this.

Some things haven't changed much, or at all. The UCI is still threatening to jump in on the gravel scene. There are still several grassroots gravel events being born all the time as well. But "corporate gravel" has a strong foothold in the scene and, of course, every manufacturer of anything cycling related has something or another in its range that is "made for gravel". 

It's actually pretty insane when you stop to think about that. But there is nothing new about any of this. It's just that I feel like people are tired, or getting there really fast, of all of the hoopla surrounding "Gravel™" and how it pervades every thread of cycling. 

The biggest competitive cycling event in Iowa was not really a gravel race.

There are new ideas percolating up that indicate to me that things are about to change dramatically. Things that will be "the next thing" in cycling, just like gravel was in 2005. 

One of those things that has increasingly been more popular is touring. Call it "bikepacking" or whatever you want, but this is classic cyclo-touring with modern day gear. At first it was about the ultra-distance stuff like Tour Divide, but as this segment of cycling has grown, it has started to spill over into gravel, and in my opinion, sub-24's, short weekend tours, and week long jaunts across the countryside will become more and more common. These activities combine the spirit of adventure, the self-discovery aspects, and the self-reliance aspects that the early gravel scene was founded upon. 

Then in terms of events, we are starting to see more "multi-surface" events emerge. Things like "Rule of Three" and "CORE4" are events that include gravel in their courses, but also have healthy doses of single track, pavement, and perhaps grass or bike path in addition to the gravel. In my early days as a compiler of gravel events, these sorts of multi-surface events would not have been categorized as "gravel events", and I still do not think that is what they are. The intent and vision for these events may have a lot in common with early gravel events, but they are their own genre. 

What is very interesting about CORE4 is that it drew more cyclists in its first year than any other Iowa based gravel event has ever. Think about that for a moment. 

I still plan on amplifying the smaller, grassroots events in 2023

Does this mean that the traditional gravel event is dying? I don't think it is dying, but I do think that things have reached a saturation point, as I described above, and the message is getting tiring. 

Events will happen, and as long as they are fun, , meaningful, and as long as they don't cost a ton of money, I think you'll see those events thrive still. But big, corporate driven, lottery based events may see a dip in participation due to a message that is getting worn out and due to inflationary pressures. 

 When "Gravel" Is "Serious" (read: It's About Pure Competition and Money. Nothing Else Matters)

And what of all of this Pro/UCI/USAC nonsense? When is USAC actually going to do anything meaningful in the space called "gravel"? Well, if what I have been reading comes true, this coming year we may finally see a USAC sanctioned National Championship of gravel, (despite there having been one run by the USE  for years called "Gravel Grinder Nationals"), and a junior development series on gravel. In other words, it is going to be the same ol' roadie program transferred to the gravel scene. 

In the "Velo News" article I linked at the beginning of this piece, USAC's CEO, Brendan Quirk, was saying that there will be a split in the gravel scene. On one hand you'll have what is essentially the gravel scene as it has been. Then on the other hand, Quirk says things will be a lot more "serious". Here's what the article quoted him as saying." The other side is hardcore racing. These athletes that want to win and are going to be doing everything possible to win. They’re not there for the afterparty, they’re there to win the bike race. Ultimately, that’s how I see this bifurcation.” 

So, what he is saying, besides insulting everyone that ever rode in a gravel event not sanctioned by USAC, (You were not "hardcore racing" apparently), is what I was saying should happen last Summer. The Pros, (and Cat-type racers) need to be separated from the gravel scene as it stands. (Here you can read my take on that) Essentially all USAC is going to do is transfer their surface that they compete on from that of a paved surface to a gravel one. Nothing else about this will be "Gravel". It is plain to see this from Quirk's statement. 

So, all of this talk about USAC "getting into the gravel thing" is empty talk. (Besides being about 10 years too late) USAC is not at all interested in being a part of the gravel scene. Not as it was formed over the years. If USAC participants are lucky, the men and women will race equal distances on the same course and get equal prizing. But don't hold yer breath. Again, this is all a ruse to increase USAC's numbers, monetary intake, and influence on American competitive racing. They lost the money when all their support (read lower category riders) went gravel racing a decade ago or more. Then they lost their competitive clout when Pros started flocking to the gravel scene domestically and things like Life Time Gran Prix, the Belgian Waffle Ride Series, and others have popped up providing a means for some in the gravel scene to make well over six-figure incomes, if what I read is to be believed. 

Riders on the UNBOUND course in 2022: Big events like this have taken the wind out of the sails of USAC.

USAC could negotiate partnerships with some of the more important events, and Quirk intimates that this is what is going on in the "Velo News" piece. It remains to be seen whether or not big paying events like SBT GRVL, UNBOUND, or any of the series events that are under Life Time's umbrella or that are in the Belgian Waffle Ride franchise will be willing to hold USAC's hand. In the past, they have said, "No thank you!" in no uncertain terms, and as things have not really changed, and seeing as how USAC brings little clout to the table, you have to wonder what it is that USAC has to offer. 

Meanwhile, inflationary pressures, an over-supply of gear and accessories, and a saturation of events is making life very difficult for many. I think times are changing and changing faster than ever. How it all will shake out will remain to be seen, but I don't wonder when we will see the gravel scene stop growing anymore. I think we may be there now, but I could be wrong about that. 

We'll see.  

Stay tuned for more tomorrow.

The State Of The Gravel Scene: 2023

 In January 2018 I posted a five part series on what I thought was the "State Of The Gravel Grinding Scene". It really is a retrospective/editorial piece, I suppose, since it does present the historical background of what I term as "modern day gravel racing and riding", which I hold to have begun when Trans Iowa kicked off in 2004.

Now, a whole five years later, things have radically changed in the gravel scene. What is more, things are set to change even more in 2023 and beyond. This post seeks to lay out what I think will happen based upon my observations and from where we are now at the end of 2022. 

Remember- THIS IS MY OPINION. Your thoughts and views on the matter may be quite different. I welcome any reasoned and considered opinions which you can share with me at g.ted.productions@gmail.com. 

Thanks for reading this opinion piece and for reading Guitar Ted Productions. 

Too Much Of A Good Thing 

Last year I stated that the gravel scene was most likely at its peak and that we had entered a "baroque period"  which now has progressed quickly toward a situation which has us all overly-stimulated with all of this "gravel this" and "gravel that". At the end of 2022, where do we sit? I think it seems pretty obvious that things are quickly changing. What we know as "gravel" in terms of the culture and the competitive side of things is now at the point where it no longer resembles what it was just five years ago in 2018. 

The event originally known by the simple name "DKXL" is now this.

Some things haven't changed much, or at all. The UCI is still threatening to jump in on the gravel scene. There are still several grassroots gravel events being born all the time as well. But "corporate gravel" has a strong foothold in the scene and, of course, every manufacturer of anything cycling related has something or another in its range that is "made for gravel". 

It's actually pretty insane when you stop to think about that. But there is nothing new about any of this. It's just that I feel like people are tired, or getting there really fast, of all of the hoopla surrounding "Gravel™" and how it pervades every thread of cycling. 

The biggest competitive cycling event in Iowa was not really a gravel race.

There are new ideas percolating up that indicate to me that things are about to change dramatically. Things that will be "the next thing" in cycling, just like gravel was in 2005. 

One of those things that has increasingly been more popular is touring. Call it "bikepacking" or whatever you want, but this is classic cyclo-touring with modern day gear. At first it was about the ultra-distance stuff like Tour Divide, but as this segment of cycling has grown, it has started to spill over into gravel, and in my opinion, sub-24's, short weekend tours, and week long jaunts across the countryside will become more and more common. These activities combine the spirit of adventure, the self-discovery aspects, and the self-reliance aspects that the early gravel scene was founded upon. 

Then in terms of events, we are starting to see more "multi-surface" events emerge. Things like "Rule of Three" and "CORE4" are events that include gravel in their courses, but also have healthy doses of single track, pavement, and perhaps grass or bike path in addition to the gravel. In my early days as a compiler of gravel events, these sorts of multi-surface events would not have been categorized as "gravel events", and I still do not think that is what they are. The intent and vision for these events may have a lot in common with early gravel events, but they are their own genre. 

What is very interesting about CORE4 is that it drew more cyclists in its first year than any other Iowa based gravel event has ever. Think about that for a moment. 

I still plan on amplifying the smaller, grassroots events in 2023

Does this mean that the traditional gravel event is dying? I don't think it is dying, but I do think that things have reached a saturation point, as I described above, and the message is getting tiring. 

Events will happen, and as long as they are fun, , meaningful, and as long as they don't cost a ton of money, I think you'll see those events thrive still. But big, corporate driven, lottery based events may see a dip in participation due to a message that is getting worn out and due to inflationary pressures. 

 When "Gravel" Is "Serious" (read: It's About Pure Competition and Money. Nothing Else Matters)

And what of all of this Pro/UCI/USAC nonsense? When is USAC actually going to do anything meaningful in the space called "gravel"? Well, if what I have been reading comes true, this coming year we may finally see a USAC sanctioned National Championship of gravel, (despite there having been one run by the USE  for years called "Gravel Grinder Nationals"), and a junior development series on gravel. In other words, it is going to be the same ol' roadie program transferred to the gravel scene. 

In the "Velo News" article I linked at the beginning of this piece, USAC's CEO, Brendan Quirk, was saying that there will be a split in the gravel scene. On one hand you'll have what is essentially the gravel scene as it has been. Then on the other hand, Quirk says things will be a lot more "serious". Here's what the article quoted him as saying." The other side is hardcore racing. These athletes that want to win and are going to be doing everything possible to win. They’re not there for the afterparty, they’re there to win the bike race. Ultimately, that’s how I see this bifurcation.” 

So, what he is saying, besides insulting everyone that ever rode in a gravel event not sanctioned by USAC, (You were not "hardcore racing" apparently), is what I was saying should happen last Summer. The Pros, (and Cat-type racers) need to be separated from the gravel scene as it stands. (Here you can read my take on that) Essentially all USAC is going to do is transfer their surface that they compete on from that of a paved surface to a gravel one. Nothing else about this will be "Gravel". It is plain to see this from Quirk's statement. 

So, all of this talk about USAC "getting into the gravel thing" is empty talk. (Besides being about 10 years too late) USAC is not at all interested in being a part of the gravel scene. Not as it was formed over the years. If USAC participants are lucky, the men and women will race equal distances on the same course and get equal prizing. But don't hold yer breath. Again, this is all a ruse to increase USAC's numbers, monetary intake, and influence on American competitive racing. They lost the money when all their support (read lower category riders) went gravel racing a decade ago or more. Then they lost their competitive clout when Pros started flocking to the gravel scene domestically and things like Life Time Gran Prix, the Belgian Waffle Ride Series, and others have popped up providing a means for some in the gravel scene to make well over six-figure incomes, if what I read is to be believed. 

Riders on the UNBOUND course in 2022: Big events like this have taken the wind out of the sails of USAC.

USAC could negotiate partnerships with some of the more important events, and Quirk intimates that this is what is going on in the "Velo News" piece. It remains to be seen whether or not big paying events like SBT GRVL, UNBOUND, or any of the series events that are under Life Time's umbrella or that are in the Belgian Waffle Ride franchise will be willing to hold USAC's hand. In the past, they have said, "No thank you!" in no uncertain terms, and as things have not really changed, and seeing as how USAC brings little clout to the table, you have to wonder what it is that USAC has to offer. 

Meanwhile, inflationary pressures, an over-supply of gear and accessories, and a saturation of events is making life very difficult for many. I think times are changing and changing faster than ever. How it all will shake out will remain to be seen, but I don't wonder when we will see the gravel scene stop growing anymore. I think we may be there now, but I could be wrong about that. 

We'll see.  

Stay tuned for more tomorrow.

GTDRI Stories: For The Love Of Gravel Riding

The course as I saw it at the DK200 2010.

 "The GTDRI Stories" is a series telling the history, untold tales, and showing the sights from the run of Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitationals. This series will run on Sundays. Thanks for reading!

I mentioned in an earlier post in this series that I was trying to get away from the MTB stuff and dig further into the gravel scene. As I researched this time period, I found that I had dove headlong into all sorts of gravel events, and I did exactly ZERO mountain biking events. And my event calendar was stuffed with events. 

How I managed to get to so many gravel events.....in 2010, mind you....is pretty crazy when I think about how busy I was and how small the gravel scene was back then. But there were events all throughout the year on gravel as I was busy from Spring until Fall and if you count CIRREM, which was going on by then, you could ride gravel events 10 out of 12 months in the Mid-West easily. 

I thought I'd just show a sampling of the gravel travel I did in 2010 as a way to further cement that I was all in on gravel and why that is the reason that the GTDRI continued along with Trans Iowa. It was really all the MTB stuff and responsibilities associated with that which was hindering me from becoming all-gravel all the time back then. 

Somewhere in Southeastern Minnesota on the Fargo Adventure Ride during June of 2010.

I was busy with the shop and with 29"er stuff, but I was really branching off into the gravel end of things with my attendance to another Fargo Adventure Ride in June and starting in late June, my night rides with then Trans Iowa co-director, David Pals on gravel in Tama and Benton Counties. 

Trans Iowa v7 recon by bicycle in Benton County during the Summer of 2010

August saw my participation in the first Gravel Worlds around Lincoln, Nebraska.

I first rode Petrie Road's Level B section in 2010.

I not only did a lot of gravel events, but I explored the local gravel in the area. Heretofore I had mostly been doing one or two roads only and then only "out and backs", never getting off those main roads to explore. I finally heard about a dirt road section from a fellow local rider and I had to check it out. It turned out to be Petrie Road's Level B Maintenance section. A favorite stretch of road for me these days. 

There also was another Level B section of dirt listed way up in the Northeastern part of Black Hawk County that I had seen on a map. However; when I went to search for that, it had reverted back to the local landowners, so that trip was a bit of a bust at that time. 

The Rawland Fall Tour: Look how many people were on this ride! This is 2010!

The gravel scene was really taking off in 2010. One sign was that Gravel Worlds had seen a big increase in attendance, and so had the Dirty Kanza. A veritable group ride idea, dubbed the Rawland Fall Tour, drew a ton of riders, just to tool around the Southeastern Minnesota gravel on a nice Fall day. 

It wasn't just myself that had been bitten by the gravel bug. A LOT of people were catching on, and this was well before anything was marketed as "gravel specific". This was a fun and exciting time to be involved in gravel riding and I am proud to have dipped my toes into it when I did. 

It all kept my spark high to keep on doing the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational, and Trans Iowa, of course. 

Next: The Three Amigos of The Fifth GTDRI - oh! and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

GTDRI Stories: For The Love Of Gravel Riding

The course as I saw it at the DK200 2010.

 "The GTDRI Stories" is a series telling the history, untold tales, and showing the sights from the run of Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitationals. This series will run on Sundays. Thanks for reading!

I mentioned in an earlier post in this series that I was trying to get away from the MTB stuff and dig further into the gravel scene. As I researched this time period, I found that I had dove headlong into all sorts of gravel events, and I did exactly ZERO mountain biking events. And my event calendar was stuffed with events. 

How I managed to get to so many gravel events.....in 2010, mind you....is pretty crazy when I think about how busy I was and how small the gravel scene was back then. But there were events all throughout the year on gravel as I was busy from Spring until Fall and if you count CIRREM, which was going on by then, you could ride gravel events 10 out of 12 months in the Mid-West easily. 

I thought I'd just show a sampling of the gravel travel I did in 2010 as a way to further cement that I was all in on gravel and why that is the reason that the GTDRI continued along with Trans Iowa. It was really all the MTB stuff and responsibilities associated with that which was hindering me from becoming all-gravel all the time back then. 

Somewhere in Southeastern Minnesota on the Fargo Adventure Ride during June of 2010.

I was busy with the shop and with 29"er stuff, but I was really branching off into the gravel end of things with my attendance to another Fargo Adventure Ride in June and starting in late June, my night rides with then Trans Iowa co-director, David Pals on gravel in Tama and Benton Counties. 

Trans Iowa v7 recon by bicycle in Benton County during the Summer of 2010

August saw my participation in the first Gravel Worlds around Lincoln, Nebraska.

I first rode Petrie Road's Level B section in 2010.

I not only did a lot of gravel events, but I explored the local gravel in the area. Heretofore I had mostly been doing one or two roads only and then only "out and backs", never getting off those main roads to explore. I finally heard about a dirt road section from a fellow local rider and I had to check it out. It turned out to be Petrie Road's Level B Maintenance section. A favorite stretch of road for me these days. 

There also was another Level B section of dirt listed way up in the Northeastern part of Black Hawk County that I had seen on a map. However; when I went to search for that, it had reverted back to the local landowners, so that trip was a bit of a bust at that time. 

The Rawland Fall Tour: Look how many people were on this ride! This is 2010!

The gravel scene was really taking off in 2010. One sign was that Gravel Worlds had seen a big increase in attendance, and so had the Dirty Kanza. A veritable group ride idea, dubbed the Rawland Fall Tour, drew a ton of riders, just to tool around the Southeastern Minnesota gravel on a nice Fall day. 

It wasn't just myself that had been bitten by the gravel bug. A LOT of people were catching on, and this was well before anything was marketed as "gravel specific". This was a fun and exciting time to be involved in gravel riding and I am proud to have dipped my toes into it when I did. 

It all kept my spark high to keep on doing the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational, and Trans Iowa, of course. 

Next: The Three Amigos of The Fifth GTDRI - oh! and HAPPY NEW YEAR!