Gravel-Itis Training

"Gravel-Itis" route we rode today

I've been researching out "gravel bikes" for a year now. It comes down to several models which meet my requirements, all which are hard to find and try out. 1x11 gearing, wide tires, buried cables, carbon or steel frame and of course price were my main parameters.
- Salsa Cutthroat
- NORCO Search XR
- Specialized Diverge Expert
- Ibis Hakka
These bikes meet most of my requirements.

Rando Sam Thomas has a NORCO Search XR on order.
Rando Jim Robinson is building up a Specialized Crux for gravel.
Bruce Phillips just got a Salso Cutthroat for bikepacking.

I always enjoyed doing dirt recon rides. Do some research online... you know, search RWGPS, Strave and any local blogs for new and interesting routes. Late 2016 and early this year, I did have the opportunity to do several road tests/reviews of the latest "gravel bikes". A mix of road and dirt technology with comfy long distance frames & wider tires. Do to price constraints, I did change my SCOTT Scale + 3" MTB hardtail over to a carbon fork and smoother tires. A little slower on the roads sections, but it has the gearing, traction and minimal comfort with the Al frame. Lots of interest lately in "gravel" riding, so I had been putting together several mixed surface routes. Doing the recon rides and making up the routes on RWGPS takes loads of time, but gravel riders seemed to enjoy it and it makes for excellent training.

Today we rode the Rando Gravel-Itis Training ride. It was around 65 miles with about 1/2 gravel/dirt and the rest made up of road and bike paths. John Mestemacher, Jim Robinson and Mac Imacseng joined in for the ride. Weather was warmish for this time of year and the route was much tougher than it looked on RWGPS. Fortunately, I knew all the dirt/gravel sections having ridden them before, so it knew where I was going. I tried to hang back to catch the riders in the GoPro shots, but that didn't always happen.

We all had a good time, getting back to the finish just as the sun was dropping in the west. At the Ralph's parking lot, rando Bill Stevenson just happen to drive in to get groceries as we were finishing up. Nice time to chat with him on the days events... namely a young skateboarder taking a header on the Discovery Lake bridge. Looks like he broke his arm. Of course, I happened to catch it all on video!

Next Saturday, we'll be doing another "gravel route" in the area. Riders interest looks good, but the weather is supposed to turn much cooler. That means mid-30's at the 0800 start time! Brrrr. I hope to do another video of that advenutre.

Gravel-Itis Training Video

- randorides