I just got turned back from a ride. 5k from the house I realized my bits were getting too cold not only for comfort (in which case, apply Rule #5 and move on) but safety (i’ll take my vasectomy in the hospital, thank you very much). It’s a lovely sunny day, the only problems being the minus 12C temp, biting headwind, and leg warmers that stop mid-thigh. Having to pull the plug on a ride is a bummer. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen all too often and I’ve still got the rollers set up in the house. But the silver lining here is that it was only my 4th or 5th training ride of the year for the Heck of the North which is still 7 months away.
Some would say gravel riding is here to stay. Others would say gravel riding has always been a part of cycling and all we’re doing now is applying intention to it. It’s undeniable though that the gravel scene has taken on a prominent role in cycling of late. From open-registration races all over the world to the Strade Bianche, graveling has ignited a passion in many of us. Riding dirt roads has a certain unique aesthetic, an aesthetic that is best described as taking place on the margins.
The tarmac, as we move further from the center of town, gives way increasingly to gravel. As the rider begins to stitch together longer gravel stretches of road he needs to go further out on the margin of the city until finally, any reminders of the city are gone. This is where the margin is blurred between “civilization” and “wilderness”. The Graveur’s bike is marginally a road bike. Road bikes can be fitted with wider tires but are limited by frame and fork design as well as clearance at the caliper. Cyclocross bikes can run with skinny tires which is usually preferred and then we’re left often with a higher BB, heavier bike, and a position that’s closer to sit up and beg. Only just recently have bicycle companies begun to manufacture equipment intended specifically for the booming gravel scene. But even still, the rider has to select a hodge-podge of gear from road, cross, and even MTB that will suit his needs and the particulars of the course.
This year, I’m experimenting with new bars. I’ve decided to give the Salsa Cowbell a spin. Maybe you’ve seen bars like this on Randoneur and drop-bar 29er’s common in the adventure bike and UltraCX scene. I’m trying to achieve a few things with these flared bars: flat hood-to-top area while maintaining horizontal drop, more upright position with a shallow drop, lot’s of drop for secure grip, and leverage provided by wider-than-Lampre-Man 46mm span. Gianni recently referred to the geographically curated bike as a “Terroir Bike”. I like this turn of phrase.
Toeing up to the start of a gravel race can result in sensory overload of Rule-breaking gauche. Riders operating on the margins of The Rules show up with frame bags and EPMS’s, Camelbaks, zero saddle/stem drop, facial hair, MTB shoes, and even aero bars. The list goes on of Rule violations. Be mindful though that Rules are often bent consciously and broken for geography, practicality and self-reliance. The most Rule compliant of Velominati on the road may seemingly be found out on the margins of decorum riding gravel. Don’t be too quick to judge.
It is the margins that attracted me to gravel riding and is partly what keeps me excited about it. For one, I have little choice in terms of the roads I have to ride. I live on a gravel road that mostly leads to other gravel roads. I’m closer to the margin of wilderness than civilization. Graveling is a necessity if I want more places to ride. Keeper status aside, I’ve always been one to eschew rules and authority and go against the grain. Gravel riding allows me a damn good reason to blur the Rules from time to time to see what works. Here are a few Rules worth breaking when it comes to gravel road riding:
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@marvellous
Super cool bike; I'm also considering a fat bike but would do drops on it - seems kind of like what you've got going there.
I'd even consider those crazy flared bars Marko is sporting on his Graveur.
SoCal gravel on a C-Dale Supersix
@frank Devil's advocate and all (Fred's advocate in this case?). Question withdrawn. There's a fair chance (re: highly likely) that was written after the mixing of multiple fermented beverages and little sleep (the frontal lobe shuts off in those circumstances - that just leads to trouble). 100 hill repeats as penance, sur la plaque, sans bidon.
@Marko
How is the 53x42 working out?
@scaler911
You and I are going to have a good summer.
@Marko
I was waiting for some discussion between you two about hydration on the Heck.
Can't wait to mount up for some gravel. Never imagined myself saying that, but I seem to say "never imagined myself saying that" a lot. I asked about the Iron Horse Trail because my VMH, who was traveling across the state this week and looking for a new ride, sent me an email with a link to the trail and the message, "if only we had gravel bikes." I am lucky lucky lucky lucky...
@frank
I done some more thinking on this (re: just had a beer). What is needed here is some guidance. Now I have a riding buddy who, save for garishly colored and inappropriately long brake cables, is rule compliant and 100% badass (he bought a snow bike just to match the insulated boots his wife got him for Christmas and routinely puts in 16k/year in New England). Last year on a ride he flatted and didn't have a repair kit (ours were neatly stowed in our back pockets). Rather than use ours, he phoned his son who in three minutes was on the scene with a replacement bike (100% true story). Now this bike was a complete freak show of rule violations. Because he is a badass and because both his behavior and appearance were rule complaint we continued to ride with him (although we offered profusely to repair his tire in some degree of despair). Had he also taken the opportunity to change into Daisy Dukes and a cut-off t-shirt, we would have bailed on him for sure. Were we wrong?
Imagine this as George Carlin's "would dat den be a sin Fahda?" routine.
Just talked to my cross ridin' pal - he won (one spot) the lottery for the Leadville 100 race. He'd already scheduled a trip to CO this year and was coming back to NC one week before the race. The organizers nicely allowed him to defer until next year. I told him a year of thinking about that ride would be agony for me. He said he's been wanting to ride it for years. Glad he's gotten his wish!
One of my favorite places to ride is Manitoulin Island (in central Ontario) and I try to get there every year for a 10 day mid-season camp. Empty gravel and chip/seal roads, friendly people and beautiful, bucolic countryside. However, no mobile phone coverage and a car going by every 30-45 minutes means you have to pack heavy. Spare tubes, usually a spare tire, tons of food and water. There's no one up there to see me break the rules though!
@baughnp I have a supersix also. Love it. Its about to be rideable but in the middle of some upgrades. What size tires are on yours?
@Marko
Problem with Camelbak's is the come from the mountain bike side and are designed for that position. Fin for that but when I used when commuting to work on the road bike would ride up and so on.
Got my hands on one of these and keeps everything nice and low.
http://www.wingnutgear.com/products-page/hydration-packs/hyper-2-5/
And did you see the tires they are releasing this hear in the 700c size? Believe the WTB Nano. Raptor is doing out in May in a 700x40.