The Spirit of Gravel

Gravel… It’s here, and if you’re anything like us, you’re glad it isn't going anywhere. While it may just look like a road bike with oversized tires on a dirt road—and no, you’re not far off—it is more than that. It’s your ticket to explore the world. It captures the spirit of the wanderer, the adventurer looking to leave behind the road well-traveled and forge a path of their own.

Sure, there are some deviants—we’re lookin’ ‘atcha—who have been taking rigid bikes to places they shouldn't go for as long as they've been around. But with the recent rise in popularity, the purpose-built gravel bike has brought us to a point where it... well... it doesn't hurt so much. With that freedom, a new lifestyle was born: a culture that pushes self-expression, takes risks, and lives wildly. A community that only needs things like a sweet ‘stache, a pair of jorts, or a steezy shaka to belong*

*party shirts required

There is a less chill side, though. Gravel cycling has boomed in popularity among the competitive circuit, bringing with it a plethora of events. From pro to weekend warrior, cyclists have the opportunity to ride, numbers adorned, in races and rallies all over the world. When you ponder the type of person who cruises along, thinks “why not,” hucks it over the curb, and peels into the woods, you might find they’re inclined toward a little competition. Whether it’s with themselves or the person next to them, they see every grinding climb, every breakneck descent, and every heart-stopping finish as a victory or defeat. It doesn't matter if it's for the podium or the “PR”—drive and performance are alive and well in the spirit of gravel.

The religion of this unhinged type of cycling has become a mixture of both philosophies. At its core, it’s a departure from the routes the roadies use and the demand and inaccessibility of mountain biking. It lets you go the distance and still feel like a kid doing it. Zebra-print frame bags and bars wrapped in neon pink are just as at home in this sport as peeling on some Lycra and pushing for KOM and QOMs. Heck, there's even room for something in between for those “lookin’ pro and goin’ slow”—the ones who enjoy the journey just as much as getting to the destination.

With this newer class of riding comes an entire vernacular to learn as well. From the unique gear to the types of terrain, climbing your first “berg,” or quickly learning what getting “scroogled” is (Google Maps deciding to take you to the middle of some farmer’s cow pasture—we recommend GPS), there’s a lot to absorb. The good thing is, as you ride with more people in more places, you’ll learn it as you go, just like we did! So get out on that groad, start exploring, and let that spirit guide you!

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