Afleveringen
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Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Guest Erik van Kooten, gravel category marketing manager at Shimano EuropeHosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend talk with Erik on the all new GRX Di2 12 speed launch GU’s editor-in-chief Olly discussing this month’s Gravel Union website highlightsWant to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials: www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now at gravelunion.cc
Shownotes
Gravel Inspiration – E's are good
For anyone who listened to pop music in the 1990s, the chorus of The Shamen’s Ebeneezer Good will bring a smile (or a grimace) to your face. Despite being banned from the BBC's airways in the UK at the time, this didn’t stop it being enormously successful and it ended up topping the UK’s music charts for 4 weeks in September 1992. While we’re not condoning taking drugs, the line “Though very much maligned and misunderstood, E’s vibe up the place like no other man could” fits so well with the rhetoric behind e-gravel bikes that it was too good not to use. Can the ‘E’s are good’ epithet be applied to e-gravel bikes? Olly takes one of Canyon’s new Grizl:ONs out in to the wilds of Yorkshire in search of gravelly adventure to find out.
News - Flat out, tongue out gravel racing at Gravel Fondo Limburg
The end of April saw nearly 1500 gravel racing fans line up on the startline at the 2024 Gravel Fondo Limburg. With coveted places for the UCI Gravel World Championships up for grabs for anyone who finished in the top 25% of their respective age categories, the racing was fast and furious. If you'd like to see what the event was like, check out our photo essay here.News - TransNepal event launched
Can you imagine traversing the whole of the most mountainous country on earth by gravel bike? If you sign up for the newly launched TransNepal gravel event, that is what you will be undertaking. Starting at an altitude of 4600m and finishing at just 100m altitude, riders will cover 400 km during the six stages of riding. Mind-blowing scenery, fantastic gravel trails and an incredibly warm welcome are just some of the highlights being offered. ome of the highlights being offered. -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Andrea Lodder who works in the marketing team at Merida Bikes, talks about her life as a "gravel influencer", vlogger and journalist and how she manages to balance her love of cycling when it's both her work and her hobby.Terre di Pisa Bike Trail - a new bikepacking route that has recently been launched in central Tuscany.Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Links:
Gravel Inspiration - Gravel riding with a legend
There are not many sports where you can even get close to a superstar and former world champion, let alone spend an entire day riding with them, but on his recent adventure to take part in the TransCordilleras bikepacking rally, that’s exactly what happened for Jorge Padrones. He got to spend a day racing with former road race world champion Annemiek Van Vleuten who, after retiring from racing on the road, has taken up gravel riding. Would he be able to keep up? Would he be too star-struck to communicate with her? Read on to find out how he got on.Armchair Adventure - Classics Story
At this time of year, many gravel riding fans probably spend a good chunk of time watching the different races that form part of the Spring Classics season on the TV. Although there isn’t a direct link between a love of bikepacking or adventure riding and a love of pavé, a lot of the principles are the same – riding an inappropriate bike on a surface that it’s not really designed for and having a lot of fun in the process. There’s a big difference though between watching it on TV and actually doing it in real life though. And an even bigger difference between riding one of the Spring Classics events and riding all of them, non-stop, over the course of just over 80 hours. That’s exactly what Jesko von Werthern did back in 2022 and we caught up with him to get the inside story.News - Rebound 2024
Can you imagine a gravel event with 100,000 participants where the target for the combined total distance ridden is 10 million miles? That's what the organisers of Rebound 2024 hope to pull off this year and if they succeed, it will be the world's biggest gravel event. To find out how to join in the fun, -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Guests:
Carly & Erwin Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now on gravelunion.cc (it's free!)Links for the notes
News - Gravel Union Recommended Events 2024
Each year we try and showcase a small collection of events which we think are worthy of your attention. The Gravel Union Recommended events have been chosen by us to represent the full gamut of gravel and bikepacking events and festivals. This year’s collection features everything from a weeklong gravel festival on a sun-kissed Mediterranean island to “champagne’ gravel riding in Scandinavia to a winter exploration of little-known natural parks in Catalunya.
The Gear - Inspired by the landscape Part 2
Back in 2022, we published a great story about how the colours and forms of the landscape of his beloved Costa Brava, was the inspiration behind the design of Timo Rokitta's custom custom-painted gravel bike. He developed such a good relationship with the owner of the paint company, that there was only one destination for him when he wanted to get a different bike resprayed. Timo gave us the background to his latest amazing-looking bike build.e.
#filmfriday - Iron Gravel
Wednesday night in the UK was the coldest so far this winter and the temperature outside the Gravel Union HQ dropped to -10 C. So we're sitting here, a few hours later with everything still frozen solid outside, watching an event film where all the riders are boiling their brains out in the Spanish sunshine. Somehow it makes us feel slightly warmer and it definitely makes us wish for the arrival of summer. If you need a bit of gravelly warmth in your life, you'll love today's #filmfriday offering.
Gravel Dad
Instead of bikes hanging on the wall, the living room is now characterised by kid's toys. For Shimano Gravel Alliance rider Erwin Sikkens, life changed the day he bumped into his smiling girlfriend, holding a positive pregnancy test in her hand. They say the rest is history, but what have the first 12 months actually been like? -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Guest:
James Deane head honcho of Grinduro GlobalGravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at [email protected]Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share! Don’t forget: join us now... It's absolutely FREE!
Links:
Grinduro
Grinduro is not just a bike race. It’s a weekend-long celebration of cycling with as much emphasis on the fun as the ride. The magic happens when you add great food, an art & bike festival, high-quality music and camping in an epic location. Website for more info: www.grinduro.comNews - Win a dream gravel riding trip to Sri Lanka
Stunning scenery. A unique gravel riding experience. Mouth-watering food. Luxury accommodation. If that sounds like your idea of gravel riding heaven in 2024 and you'd like to win a free place, then read on....
Armchair Adventure - Bikepacking the Balkans
Bikepacking her way 1500 km across the Balkans with a riding partner she hardly knows could have been a recipe for disaster, but as Nora Battermann explains in her beautifully crafted story, it turns out to be the trip of a lifetime. Find a comfy seat and enjoy our latest Armchair Adventure.
Gravel Inspiration - Gravel Dad
Instead of bikes hanging on the wall, the living room is now characterised by kid's toys. For Shimano Gravel Alliance rider Erwin Sikkens, life changed the day he bumped into his smiling girlfriend, holding a positive pregnancy test in her hand. They say the rest is history, but what have the first 12 months actually been like? -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode
Iris Slappendel, designer, (former pro) rider, activist, entrepeneur, reporterGravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly TownsendWant to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc. | Insta: @gravel_union | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/ | Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now, it is free :-) www.gravelunion.cc/join
Links for the notes
News - Launch of the Grinduro global event series for 2024Gravel events generally fall into one of two camps – either testosterone-fuelled pedal-to-the-metal races or more relaxed, welcome-everyone celebrations of gravelling. But there is a third way and apparently, it’s painted purple! Grinduro have just announced the launch of their 2024 world series and we got the inside scoop of what will be involved, from head honcho James Deane.
Gravel Inspiration – Taking On The Weather Gods And WinningIt seems to have rained in the north of England non-stop since the start of October. Each time you ride, your drivetrain and brake pads make the kind of noise that whispers “your bike hates you” repeatedly in your ears. Wouldn’t it just be best to wrap your gravel bike in a blanket and forget about riding it until the Spring? Never fear – we’re not going to let climatic conditions ruin our ride plans, we just have to be a little cleverer. Here’s Olly’s guide to not giving up when the weather gods aren’t smiling on you.
The Gear – Ass Savers Win Wing Mk 2In a sales meeting in 1909, renowned car maker and engineer Henry Ford is documented as saying “customers can have any colour they like so long as it's black”. The design team at Ass Savers have obviously been paying attention to their history of design lessons, as their newly launched Win Wing Mark 2, at first glance at least, follows the same ethos laid down by Henry Ford.
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Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Francis King, professional gravel cycling guideGravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share! Don’t forget: join us now
Links:Travel Gravel - Bamboo Bikepacking
As Gravel Alliance rider Saoirse Pottie writes this article, she’s staring at a beautiful view of Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town from the window of her B&B. In a couple of days, Saoirse and her friend, Abby Popplestone, will cycle out of the city and begin a 10,000km cycle that winds its way across the African continent, eventually finishing in Nairobi, Kenya.--
Gravel Inspiration - Five things I learned as a guide at a women’s-only gravel camp
It’s no secret that there’s a profound impact that comes through doing any sort of outdoor sport – especially when you do it as part of a community. Fresh from guiding a women’s gravel camp in central Italy, Shimano Gravel Alliance rider Claudia Gerosa looks back on how riding in an all-women’s environment can be so inspiring.--
#filmfriday - Seven Serpents 2023 recap
Back in June, we ran a fantastic story from Claire Frecknall about the trials and tribulations of taking part in the 2023 Seven Serpents bikepacking event. Beset by horrendous weather conditions, the already demanding event turned into something even more challenging. The event organisers have now published the official event recap film and it's brilliant. -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Guest:
John Timmermans. Gravel rider and fan of Land van Grind en Zand... the North and middle part of the Dutch province of LimburgGravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now
SHOWNOTES:
Land van Grind en Zand (Land of Gravel and Sand)
(Dutch) Platform on riding offroad in the beautiful and diverse area of North and Middle Limburg (NL). With komoot routes, stories and info that will inspire you to visit this area and ride off road. John Timmermans, our guest of this episode is a ambassador for this region.
The Gear - Searching for the gravel Holy GrailIf you were about to launch a brand new (and highly anticipated) gravel bike aimed squarely at racers and then one of your sponsored riders wins the UCI World Gravel Championships on a prototype of the new bike just a few days before the official unveiling, you would be pretty happy, wouldn’t you? In the search for the gravel Holy Grail of fast, light, stiff, comfortable and adaptable, we suspect the addition of some world champion stripes to their new bike led to quite a few celebrations at Canyon this week.
Launch of the 2023 Gravel Union member survey and the chance to win a Cube C:62 Pro gravel bike
Love gravel riding? Love Gravel Union? Want to help make it even better? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we suggest you fill in our member survey. It will only take 10-15 minutes of your time and you could win a Cube Nuroad C:62 Pro gravel bike for your trouble.
UCI Gravel World Championships photo story
Gravel racing is somewhat of a polarising topic. For every gravel rider that loves the combination of speed, endorphins and do-or-die attitudes, there are riders who aren’t interested one bit. But for anyone with even a passing interest in competitive gravel riding, the recent UCI Gravel World Championships was the highlight of the year. Emmie Collinge and Phil Gale sent in an incredible photo gallery from a very dusty and unseasonably hot Veneto region of Italy.
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Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Guest:
Rob Busser, Product Coordinator at Shimano EuropeGravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at [email protected]Check out our platform and socials www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now at www.gravelunion.cc. It is free!Shownotes
News - Shimano GRX turns up the volume to 12It’s perhaps not been the best-kept secret in the gravel cycling world, but today Shimano announced the launch of their latest GRX gravel groupset and it’s been updated to 12-speed.Gravel Inspiration - #UnderbikingBig volume tyres. Plush suspension. Huge disk brake rotors. Dropper posts. These are just some of the things that most gravel bikes don’t come fitted with. To most gravel riders, the simple, paired-back functionality of a gravel bike is part of the appeal. Less to go wrong. A more visceral riding experience. A bigger buzz. The question is, where does this desire for a simpler way of riding become #underbiking? Armchair Adventure - A rookie first attempt at ultra-cyclingFor many gravel and adventure riders, the decision to enter a 720km long bikepacking event which contains a mighty 19,000m of climbing would be one that was taken after a lot of careful consideration and only with the right preparation in place. For Valerio Stuart though, the decision was made on the spur of the moment after some holiday plans fell through. With barely any time for preparation and a mountain of untested kit, would he survive or would he end up scratching? -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Lee Craigie, storyteller and adventurer. Lee’s book, Other ways to win, comes out in September and is available to order hereGravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/user/1080024447202Shownotes:
The Gear - Altangle ConnectSometimes you see a new product launched into the world of gravel riding and your brain instantly comes up with two thoughts a) Ooooh that’s super clever and b) I wonder why no one has thought of it before? Altangle’s new Hanger Connect portable workstand fits precisely into that category. Armchair Adventure - #grannygravellingAre you ever too old to try out gravel riding for the first time? How tough is too tough? What time is too early to stop for coffee and cake? When your 76 year old mother-in-law decides that her perfect birthday present would be a couple of days of riding in an area chock-full of great gravel trails, it would be rude not to include some in the route, wouldn’t it? Olly sets off to discover whether #grannygravelling is a thing.Gravel Inspiration - Bikes Bees and Trees Rally“Adrenaline and purity of purpose are addictive bedfellows when escaping our everyday responsibilities, but I found equal satisfaction in a weekend of volunteering and social riding”, so writes Ed Wolstenholme in his piece about literally putting something back into the gravel riding world. Ed travelled north with the Bikes, Bees and Trees Rally earlier this year and sent in this thought-provoking story. -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Regularly (mostly every month :-) hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing. In this episode:
Guest:
Heather Jackson, professional gravel racer. Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at [email protected]Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.ccInsta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
News – Kickstart your day with some gravel-inspired coffee?Coffee and cycling are practically synonymous, whether it’s a pre-ride aperitive, a mid-morning pick-me-up or a post-ride digestive. But if you are a dedicated gravel-loving coffee monster, then you obviously need the perfect gravelly coffee bean to create your brew. Luckily the lovely people at GRVL have got just the thing….Ride Report - FNLD GRVL Photojournalist Phil Gale headed to Lahti, Finland for the recent FNLD GRVL event. By bringing an American-style ethos to a mixed Scandi and European audience, it sounds like the organisers of FNLD GRVL will have done a lot to shake up the status quo among existing gravel events.Armchair Adventure - Seven Serpents - Schnapps, storms and survivalWith mechanical gremlins putting a large spanner in the works practically before they had left the startline and cataclysmic weather conditions threatening to make a bad situation even worse, Claire Frecknall and Jo Burt did the sensible thing and engaged Gravel Holiday mode instead. With language barriers, 18km climbs and an excess of schnapps to deal with, it sounds like quite a challenge even without the racing aspect.
Shownotes:Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us, free membership on www.gravelunion.cc -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Saoirse Pottie from Bikepacking Buds Hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.ccInsta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now
Links:
The Gear - Kinesis FernwehNot many people get to design a bikepacking überbike tailored to their every need and with even the most minute of details perfectly executed. But then most people aren’t Emma Osenton. Kinesis Bikes brand ambassador and one of the most passionate and enthusiastic away-from-the-road riders you will ever meet, we suspect Emma wore down the team at Kinesis just by her sheer energy alone.Gravel Inspiration - Gravelling with your paintbrushFor many of us, when we take on a physically demanding multi-day gravel ride, trying to capture a smartphone snapshot of the different scenes that we witness along the way is the best we can hope to achieve. But for Nuri Galbe, gravel riding and sketching have become indelibly intertwined and is her way of bringing home some physical memories of what she encounters on her journeys. We chatted with Nuri after she took part in the recent GranGuanche komoot Women’s Rally in the Canary Islands.Travel Gravel - Mount Kenya by gravel bikeWas it possible to ride a gravel bike to the 5000m summit of Africa’s second highest mountain, Mt Kenya? That was the question that was keeping elite-gravel rider and event organiser Janosch Wintermantel awake at night. With the help of two local Kenyan riders he was determined to try and find out the answer.Bikepacking BudsA non-competitive, supportive space where people live more adventurously. We connect people of all different levels and experiences that want to go on bikepacking adventures. -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Carla Playà from the Gravel Earth Series GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at [email protected]Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202SHOWNOTE LINKS:
Sideway Bikes custom carbon frame builder“Did you know there’s a custom carbon fibre frame builder in North Shields and she won an award at this year’s Bespoked” said my friend Barry. The custom carbon fibre bike frame building world is extremely small to say the least, so to find one located 20 minutes’ drive from the Gravel Union UK office was too good to be true. Olly heads over to the coast to spend a day with Viola from Sideways Bikes.Travel Gravel - The Magic Gravel EscapeCoffee and cake. Blue sky and sunshine. Beer and gravel riding. Some things are just destined to go together. Sure, you can do one without the other, but they’re always better together. Olly heads to Huddersfield, West Yorkshire to see whether the combination of Magic Rock Brewery and the local gravel riding trails are a match made in heaven.The Gear - The behind-the-scenes story of Canyon’s VCLS seatpost.Product manufacturers, understandably perhaps in a competitive and price-sensitive marketplace, aren’t often that keen to talk about the design process behind their latest technological marvel. But we persuaded Canyon’s head engineer to give us a little behind-the-scenes insight into their VCLS seatpost.Gravel Earth Series -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Erwin Vervecken from the UCIGU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at [email protected]Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! https://members.gravelunion.cc
Links for the notes
2023 Gravel Union Recommended events launchThe Gravel Union events calendar is one of the most popular sections of the website and each year we try and showcase a wide range of destinations and styles of events. For 2023 we’re back with another selection of hand-picked Gravel Union Recommended events.Armchair Adventure - North Downs Way Rider’s RouteTesting out a 250km/150mile gravel bikepacking route in the middle of winter sounded like it could be quite miserable. But then the cosy cottage with log-fired hot tub as overnight accommodation was mentioned and suddenly it sounds quite a lot more appealing. Claire Frecknall heads out on the newly launched North Downs Way Riders' Route.The Gear - Inspired by the landscapeInspired by the colours of the landscape of his childhood, Timo Rokitta commissions a custom paint job for his über-lightweight gravel race bike.Website UCI Gravel World SeriesWebsite with all info and backgrounds on the UCI Gravel World Series and the UCI World Championships in 2023.Calender 2023 UCI Gravel World Series Events -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Loek Luijbregts from FatPigeon.cc Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at [email protected]Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! https://members.gravelunion.cc
More info on FatPigeon Video an Photography:
In an ideal world we’d all have endless time, energy and finances in place to allow us to ride our gravel bikes as far as we wanted whenever we wanted. But in real life, we’re more likely to only have a small window to get our fix of gravelly fun. But if you want to do bigger rides in the future, how should you go about it? We asked for 24hour solo MTB champion Rachel Sokal to give us her top tips.
https://www.fatpigeon.cc/
Stories on Gravel Union mentioned in the podcast:
Gravel Inspiration - How to prepare for a long rideTravel Gravel - Finding out the hard way
The tourist board version of cycling in Tuscany is all strade bianche, Cyprus trees silhouetted on the skyline and Fiat 500s puttering through ancient villages. But as James Flynn finds out, the glossy tourist version doesn’t quite match the reality.Gravel Inspiration - Riding the Rebellion Way
The flatlands of Norfolk might not be somewhere you would instantly think of as a gravel riding mecca, but UK-based charity CyclingUK are hoping to change people’s perceptions with the launch of a bikepacking new route, The Rebellion Way. Claire Frecknall headed over for the launch and sent back this great report. -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode Reese Ruland takes us to the realm of Cycling FKT's (the Fastest Know Time). She tells about the fun of riding, preparing FKT efforts, making routes and the real community sense of this gravel domain where you race the stopwatch on longer routes.
Guest:
Reese Ruland, founder of https://www.cyclingfkt.com Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at [email protected]Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! https://members.gravelunion.cc
Biggest news item of last month
World gravel cycling championships 2022As long-term gravel addicts with one eye on race results and another on the development of gravel bikes and components, it feels slightly strange to be writing about the inaugural World Gravel Championship in 2022. It’s as though someone has come significantly late to the party. Emmie reports back from the inaugural World Gravel Championships.Most popular stories on GravelUnion.cc last month
Gravel bikepacking on the Veneto Trail - Claire Frecknall“Little tears of happiness pooled in my eyes and blurred my vision”. Claire Frecknall heads to north-east Italy in search of gravel ‘paradiso’ on the Veneto Trail.Remembering Sule Kanganki Over the weekend came the desperately sad news from the USA that Kenya’s top gravel rider and friend of Gravel Union, Sule Kangangi tragically died while taking part in a gravel event in Vermont. We look back at some of the achievements of this inspirational gravel rider. -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode it’s all about making gravel riding more inclusive and welcoming to people who have typically felt excluded. We’ve got two special guests joining us in this episode - Alison Wood and Taylor Doyle, who are two of the founders of the Ultra Distance Scholarship - a scheme which they helped set up back in 2020 to support new riders from under-represented backgrounds who wanted to try ultra-distance riding.
Guests:
Alison Wood and Taylor Doyle, founders of the Ultra Distance Scholarship Jon Heard from the Wild Wales Gravel Campout Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at [email protected]Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! https://members.gravelunion.cc
Links and most popular articles on GravelUnion.cc
Tour Divide 2022 - the preview
How tough are you? Are you the type of rider that doesn’t just handle multi-day rides, but sets out to crush them? If so, you might see a bit of yourself in Sofiane Sehili and Josh Ibbett, two riders lining up for the legendary Tour Divide that are capable of feats of endurance that would see many of us crumble.The Traka ride report - Ibai Fradejas
Ibai Fradejas headed off to Girona in search of some full-gas gravel racing and he wasn’t disappointed.
HotChillee - London to Paris gravel route reccieDespite having led groups on the road London to Paris on thirteen occasions, Hotchillee Ride Captain Rachel Przybylski, is a fairly new convert to gravel. She joined a group of fellow Hotchillee Ride Captains and gravel enthusiasts for the second reccie ride of the two French days of the London to Paris by Tour de France gravel edition.
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Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Guests:
Sofiane Sehili (http://www.instagram.com/sofianeshl), multi-event winning gravel and adventure racerAnnelore Cleuren (www.flandersgravel.cc) of the Flanders Gravel event series Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits!
https://members.gravelunion.ccLinks:
Launch of Omar Di Felice’s Arctic World TourUltra-endurance rider Omar di Felice is currently riding solo around the top of the world on his Artic World Tour. Setting off in the middle of winter, he wanted to be the first ever cyclist to successfully traverse the fearsome Kamchatka region of Russia. We catch up with how his adventure has panned out so far.Most popular stories on GravelUnion.cc last month
Kona bikepacking video from the Verdon region of FranceIt's another posting in our random "ooooh, look what we found" video series. This time we're off to the south of France on a bikepacking and pack rafting trip courtesy of Kona. Two minutes of stunning, peaceful entertainment for your viewing pleasure.Interview with Stayer Cycles"There’s been a long history of bike builders in this part of London - since around 1890, so we feel like we’re carrying on a tradition” said Sam. Olly heads down to the Big Smoke to spend an afternoon with Sam and Judith from Stayer Cycles.Sofiane Sehili https://sofianesehili.com/
Flanders Gravel : Saturday 11 June 2022 Diksmuide (Flanders Fields) Weekend 1-2-3 July or Saturday only 2 July Koppenberg (Oudenaarde)Saturday 6 August 2022 Limburg (Bilsen) -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Guests:
Katherine Moore, komoot editor and expert gravel route planner - www.instagram.com/katherinebikes and www.instagram.com/komootMaarten Peteeuw - Nordic Gravel Series - www.instagram.com/nordicgravelseriesGravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials: www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union / Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/ Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! https://members.gravelunion.ccLinks:
Doorstep Challenge: check out www.gravelunion.cc for all the latest info!
Komoot webinar for Gravel Union members
Rescheduled Monday 21st at 19.00 GMT/20.00 CET - Learn more about komoot and how it can benefit your gravel riding. Register for free. https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/gravel-union-members-komoot-webinarUltra Distance Scholarship
Gravel riding has some pretty high barriers to entry – everything is expensive, you need some decent skills and fitness to get the most out of it and perhaps most importantly, you need someone to help, inspire and motivate you to give it a try. If you’ve grown up in a community where for whatever reason, cycling wasn’t an option, then how are you going to get to experience the joy of gravel riding? https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/the-ultra-distance-scholarshipSouth-Africa: Far Not Far
You don’t always have to travel hours to find adventure. It is often just around the corner, it’s all about knowing where to look. That’s the ethos that Charl Dettmer, resident of South Africa and co-owner of ACME bikes, followed when he put together this fantastic sounding gravel bikepacking trip recently. https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/Far-not-farGravel Events Calendar
The Gravel Union events calendar offers a comprehensive, worldwide view of gravel riding events and races. https://www.gravelunion.cc/events -
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Gravel Union Talks hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend welcome:Sander Kuik, Digital Transformation Director at Shimano Europe on the development of GRX components and his favourite own titanium bike buildSimon de Schutter, organiser of the Gorilla Gravel gravel event in Rwanda and the social programme he is supporting
Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review (it really helps us!), like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! https://members.gravelunion.cc
Links:
Back in May, we launched an occasional series of features called Gravel Gear, which was all about the gravel bikes that you’ve built and use. This time we’re featuring this fantastic looking build from Gravel Union reader Gideon Thomas
https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/gideon-thomas-genesis-croix-de-ferHow do you fancy racing over a 200km gravel circuit, taking in more than 8500m of climbing through the stunning scenery close to Mont Blanc? If you do, then we have just the thing – the 2022 Gravel Tour du Mont Blanc
https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/gravel-tour-du-mont-blanc-2022Sander Kuik made his dream come true. With the help of T-Lab Bikes he built his own titanium gravel bike. Follow the whole journey; from idea to reality:
https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/the-custom-built-dream-gravel-bike-part-1
https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/the-custom-built-dream-gravel-bike-part-2Sander Kuik talks about his job at Shimano. You can also land your dream job. Check out the current opportunities https://shimano.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Shimano
Simon De Schutter pitches Gorilla Gravel (https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/Gorilla%20Gravel%202022) in the podcast and tells us more on the Rwanda Beyond project; a great example of joint growth. We also did a long read on it with great photograpy: https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/rwanda-beyond-project
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In this episode:
Henna Palosaari (@hennapalosaari), on gravel riding in winter time with top tips and great stories from Finland. Henna is the most northerly based of all of the Shimano Gravel Alliance riders. Stu Thomson (@stu_thomson) puts forward his elevator pitch for the 2022 edition of Dukes Weekender and waxes lyrical about his local community of Aberfoyle (Scotland).Co-host Olly Townsend (@gravel_union) talks about the new website and his favorite articles on www.GravelUnion.ccCheck out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc / Insta: @gravel_union / Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/ / Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! www.gravelunion.cc/join-us
Links:
For anyone currently sitting in the northern hemisphere, it’s probably winter outside your window, which means cold temperatures and wet trails. We thought that for this week’s #filmfriday extravaganza we should offer up some sunshine and some inspiration. https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/badlands-filmfridayBack in August, world record breaking expedition cyclist Mark Beaumont took on the GBDuro – a 2000km bikepacking race up the length of the UK. The film of his race, with all the drama, excitement and stunning scenery is now ready for its launch to the world. https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/maiden-race-film-launch
Serbia Upside Down is the story of eight adventurers from Serbia and Germany who traversed by gravel bike over the most stunning mountain ranges of Western Serbia.
https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/serbia-upside-down-into-the-unknownWe sent James The Intrepid out into the cold to try and figure out the best way to make winter riding fun. https://www.gravelunion.cc/how-to-make-winter-gravel-riding-fun
If, like Andrew Terker and his wife, you are fortunate enough to call Switzerland your home, then gravel riding from your door looks absolutely stunning. https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/gravel-riding-in-switzerland
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