Until the 70’s it was common to race on gravel roads, but the Paving of the Planet has led to nearly every road being graced by smooth, black tarmac. As is the case with most things, once we are shown the easy path, it is difficult to return to more arduous ways. So it is with gravel roads; we take measures to avoid unpaved roads and in doing so, we eliminate some of the most rewarding experiences.
Marko has been at the leading edge of the Minnesota Gravé Scene (which has been at the leading edge of the American Gravé Scene), going so far as to build a custom carbon gravel racer called Le Graveur tuned not for CX but for fast racing on gravel roads and snow machine trails. Limited paved roads has lead race organizers to look for alternatives and the result has been several great rides cropping up in the Midwest, East Coast, and in Montana. Challenge has even developed a tire named after one of Minnesota’s most popular gravel races, the Almanzo. Its exciting stuff, and I’ve caught the bug myself; I’ll be planning several big Gravé rides this summer with the boys at Veloforma in Portland as well as some up in Northern Washington near Mazama. What could be better than riding a road bike on gravel roads in the quiet of the wilderness? Not much.
I digress; riding gravel is nothing new, and until the last 30 or so years, most races featured some manner of gravels roads, especially once races hit the mountains. The Italian race l’Eroica, is a throwback to those days, sending the riders over the glorious white gravel roads known as the Strade Bianche. It may not be pavé, but with steep climbs and long sections of gravel racing, this is one of the most unique and best races of the year. And the lack of cobblestones won’t stop me from praying for rain. On a side note, stay tuned for a Keepers Tour coming to this area in the coming years.
Enough of the chatter, lets get onto the Naming of the Picks for the 2013 L’Eroica/Strade Biache. As usual, enter your picks by 5am Pacific time on Saturday. If you can’t do Time Zone Math, just watch the countdown timer in the banner and put your picks in before it goes to zero. Points go towards the season-long Velominati Super-Prestige competition; the winner will receive a personalized shop apron. Check the start list and try to pick riders who are actually going to be there; I know that’s a stretch. Good luck.
Gratuitous Photos of @Marko’s Le Graveur
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@Pedale.Forchetta
Beautiful work, per usual, my friend!
@Deakus
They close at 5am Pacific, so this early in the season it doesn't sync with the start of the races as well. I'm not that worried about it, though, as the Piti Principle would yield such a high penalty it would render a season useless for anyone trying to take advantage.
Thanks for letting us know, though; I hadn't expected them to be open that late in the race. Might move it back a few more hours, just because.
Apart from Jens and Tony G, poor Faboo has no mates to help him now - time for a new team and let the whole sorry Leotard Schleck project wither on the vine - what a shame - can't see Spartacus winning anything with that crew this year
@Pedale.Forchetta
Stunning....you are bidding early this year for the V photo competition....just be sure you don't peak too early!!
Took my Delgado cherry yesterday. Note to self, get picks in early.
@eenies nice job.
Yeah, Faboo is hooped with Retard-Schleck as a squad this year. Jens to do the work of entire teams. At least he has Jens
@Dan_R Faboo may need more than Jens to win a classic this spring. He had this to say to cyclingnews after the race: "I don't have the solution to how beat Sagan at the moment but I'm getting close to where I want to be. There's still time to improve and there's still some margin for improvement. We'll see what happens in a few weeks time."
Would Faboo know what to do with a classics team if he had one?
@Nate
He looked pretty convincing with Bennati up the road in last year's edition of the Strade Bianche. Basically, it might mean that he could let the breakaway go if he had a teammate in it rather than the onus being on him to pull it back and then attack from the front. I'm worried we're going to see a repetition of 2011: everybody watches/marks Cancellara and desperately tries to jump on his wheel when he makes a move. And then he throws his hands up in exasperation. I appreciate the strategy, but it doesn't make for the best viewing and it's a shame not to see the strongest man in the race get to demonstrate his power.
@Steampunk
Bennati's gone; who does he have this year, Monfort and Stijn Devolder?