Show Notes: 

Sponsored By: Bike Rags https://www.bikeragsapparel.com

In this episode, your hosts,  N.Y. Roll and Guitar Ted, discuss all the hot topics currently in the gravel scene by a crackling fire in the Stone Castle Estates. First they tackle another edition of the Gravel Amplifier. This time they feature several rides. (Check below for all the links to the event sites) Then they delve into the claim seen recently that some gravel racers on the Pro level are supposedly pulling down big money doing the gravel event circuit. Then the conversation turns to a quote from the New York Times claiming that most gravel riders are subsidizing the Pro level racers.  They wonder what it is that really puts "more butts on bikes". Then the guys discuss the Great Plains Gravel Route, the cross-country, "Great Divide-like" challenge/route which was revealed recently. This brings up whether the next "big thing" in gravel will be touring/expedition type riding. The episode closes out with a tease for some upcoming review items which should show up on the site soon.  (Note: cover image for this episode taken by Morgan)

Riding Gravel: https://www.ridinggravel.com

Guitar Ted's Blog: https://www.g-tedproductions.blogspot.com

The Heywood: https://theheywoodride.com/

The Winston County Gravel Cup: https://winstoncountygc.com/

The Mississippi Gravel Cup Series: https://www.ordinaryepics.com/ms-gravel-cup-old

The Heck Epic (and other Heck of the North events) : https://www.heckofthenorth.com/

The Pedalshift Podcast: https://pedalshift.net/

unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley: https://gropromotions.com/unpaved/

Barry-Roubaix: https://barry-roubaix.com/

Episode #106: Lake McBride Fat Bike Event: Guitar Ted and N.Y. Roll host an interview with Nate Kullbom who is a mainstay in the production of the Lake McBride Fat Bike Race.  Nate describes the course, the atmosphere around the event, and a little bit about the course and the kind of weather you can expect for the event. Then we tease out a little bit from Nate regarding the CORE4 event, a multi-surface event which he not only helped produce, but rode in and ended up winning the 100 mile overall race. Finally, we get into a bit about the struggles and the rewards inherent to putting on bicycle events. 

Hey! We know it isn't necessarily a "gravel event", and this is an event in the heartland, not something a lot of folks elsewhere might relate to overall, but there are some good nuggets of wisdom in here, and hey! You've read the description this far, why not check out the podcast? 

Remember, we are still taking submissions for any gravel event you think is not represented well, or that people need to know about with our "Gravel Amplifier". Send us a website for the event you have in mind for us to give a shout out to here at this address: [email protected]. 

Show Notes:

Guitar Ted's Blog: https://www.g-tedproductions.blogspot.com 

Riding Gravel: https://www.ridinggravel.com

Lake McBride Fat Bike Race: https://www.sugarbottombikes.com/lakemacbrideclassic

CORE4: https://www.core4.bike/

This Episode is sponsored by Bike Rags apparel. https://www.bikeragsapparel.com

In this episode, hosts N.Y. Roll and Guitar Ted cover their thoughts on what makes a gravel bike a "gravel bike" and when that crosses over to a mountain bike. They also talk about the term "monstercross" and where that fits into modern gravel bike types. Then the guys take on the idea of choosing events based upon distance vs cost in their discussion on the "Dollar Per Mile" theory. Guitar Ted shares how a comment on his blog (link  below) prompted him to come up with the idea for The Gravel Amplifier. The guys follow this up with some thoughts on bigger volume tires for gravel bikes. 

Contact: Guitar Ted: [email protected]

Links:

Guitar Ted's Blog: https://www.g-tedproductions.blogspot.com

Riding Gravel: https://www.ridinggravel.com

Some Gravel Events To Check Out:

Starrucca Crossing: https://www.cliffviewproductions.com/general-1

Dusty Roadrunner Series:  https://dustyroadrunner.weebly.com/

Chinkapin Hollow Gravel Grinder: https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/AR/Fayetteville/ChinkapinHollowGravelGrinder

The Grindstone: http://www.grindstonegravel.com/

The Salida 76: https://www.salida76.com/

The Riding Gravel Radio Ranch Episode #104

Sponsored by Bike Rags: bikeragsapparel.com

In this episode Guitar Ted and N.Y. Roll discuss the ways that people see the gravel scene. A news article from the Arizona Republic sets up the early discussion here. The discussion starts out with how many people's perspective is more recent in terms of the gravel scene. We discover N.Y. Roll has a degree in history (!!) The term "Modern Gravel Era" is explained and where Guitar Ted came up with that.  Back to the Arizona thing, the guys talk about how "new folks to gravel" have a different perspective.  Guitar Ted tells a story about nomination to the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame. Then we move on to why historical accounts of the gravel scene are the main mission of the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame. Then the guys give their opinions on Specialized's new Diverge STR bike and Guitar Ted talks about a very expensive option for gravel bikes and why that is the wrong direction for the gravel market to move towards. The guys then discuss why they believe the early gravel events had it right when they set things up to "stretch people" a bit and how that differs from today's event styles. To close out this episode, Guitar Ted shares his thoughts on the Topeak items he reviewed recently and N.Y. Roll chimes in on one of the items as well. The PRO Smart Cage System. Then the guys discuss some of the things going on with the collective GT works at in the Cedar Valley. Guitar Ted ends the episode with a challenge to all gravel riders. 

Show Notes:

Article by Sarah Lapidus from the Arizona Republic: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/10/23/gravel-cycling-growing-across-rural-southern-arizona/10564469002/

Blog Post Concerning The Above Mentioned Article and The Gravel Cycling Hall Of Fame: https://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2022/10/another-case-for-existence-of-gchof.html

Blog Post Discussing The Specialized STR Bike (And a bit about gravel as well) https://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2022/10/two-things-for-today.html

Blog Post Concerning The Gravel Cycling Hall Of Fame Nominations: https://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2022/10/nominations-open.html

Topeak Products Review; https://www.ridinggravel.com/accessories/a-box-full-of-topeak-at-the-finish/

The PRO Smart Cage System: https://www.ridinggravel.com/accessories/pro-smart-cage-system-getting-rolling/

Guitar Ted can be reached at [email protected]

The Riding Gravel Radio Ranch Episode #103: Canadian Gravel Report

Guitar Ted and N.Y.Roll have the breakdown of the recently held UCI "Gravel Worlds". Was it a "world championship level" event? Does the UCI event even matter? The UCI event versus how North American gravel events evolved is examined. Parallels to how early mountain bike events evolved are brought up. The guys discuss it all here on this episode. Then Guitar Ted has a brain fart. Afterward the guys reveal a reason or two why you don't read or see anything about grassroots gravel in the endemic cycling media. (Hint: It has to do with $$$'s) Then the guys get into some of the current review items including N.Y. Roll's girlfriend's Christmas gift. The Topeak Backloader bags are discussed. Shimano GRX Carbon wheels on test are discussed. then N.Y. Roll gives his report on his trip to Quebec, Canada including having a butter tart. The episode wraps up with the news about Shimano's new RX8R and RX801 gravel shoes. (How about some RX Gravel Sandals, Shimano?) 

Thanks to Bike Rags for sponsoring the Riding Gravel Radio Ranch! 

Show Notes:

Bike Rags: https://bikeragsapparel.com/

RidingGravel.com

Guitar Ted Productions: https://www.g-tedproductions.blogspot.com

All-City Bikes: https://allcitycycles.com/

Snaggy Ridge 105: https://snaggyridge105.com/

unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley: https://www.bikereg.com/54054

Gravel Worlds (The Lincoln Nebraska Original) https://www.gravel-worlds.com/

A Report On The Arkansas High Country Race (Includes the bit about Jeff Kerkove's 180 mile win) :https://www.arkansasoutside.com/the-arkansas-high-country-race-new-options-new-records/

Sigma ROX 4.0 GPS Computer: https://sigmasport.com/product/rox-4-0/

Guitar Ted's Karoo 2 Experience: https://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2022/08/karoo-2-take-2-part-3.html

Topeak Backloader Bags: https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/969-BACKLOADER

Shimano GRX Carbon Wheels: https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/information/news/new-shimano-grx-carbon-gravel-wheels.html

NOTE: As of the posting of this episode, the Riding Gravel site was experiencing some issues and cannot be accessed. We are hoping this issue gets rectified soon. 

The Riding Gravel Radio Ranch is Sponsored by Bike Rags: Episode #102 - Guitar Ted and New York Roll discuss the UCI gravel World Championship series. Comments and thoughts about an article Yuri Hauswald wrote recently about the UCI's entrance into gravel racing are shared. (Link to that article is below) The guys discuss whether or not big events and series of gravel events bring in more riders, putting "more butts on bikes" and what exactly does that mean anyway? The discussion then moves on to what influences promoters of events and how the decisions based upon those motivations moves an event to go one way or the other. 

The episode ends with a few updates on review items for the Riding Gravel site. 

Links:

Contact: [email protected]

The Riding Gravel Radio Ranch Episode #101 is Sponsored by Bike Rags

Thanks to our sponsor Bike Rags. See them at https://bikeragsapparel.com/

In this Episode Guitar Ted and N.Y. Roll get into a variety of topics kicking off with some banter about avian problems at road races which is in the news. Then the Review Round-Up kicks off with some talk about our latest reviews. Guitar Ted talks about the new handle bar bag from Redshift Sports. New tires from WTB and Pirelli are discussed, along with our ongoing review of Topeak products. The new Shimano Carbon GRX wheels are touched upon, and there is some discussion about which tire size is optimal for gravel riding. Both width and diameter are discussed. 

The guys close out this episode with some Gravel Grinding History as Guitar Ted reminisces on his experience at the "Moonshine Metric" event a decade ago this month. All this and more on the latest Riding Gravel Radio Ranch podcast.

Show Notes:

CONTACT: Email: [email protected]

Social Media: Twitter: @guitarted1961 Instagram: g.ted.productions

Show Notes: The Riding Gravel Radio Ranch records its 100th episode. Special guest, Dan Roberts pops in to give us the lowdown on this year's Snaggy Ridge 105 gravel event in Cedar County, Iowa. Then N.Y. Roll and Guitar Ted cover some topics seen on social media of late including whether or not top tube bags are a silly idea, Ride With GPS terrain finder confusion, and what features riders want on their gravel bikes. 

 Links:

Bike Rags: https://bikeragsapparel.com/

Snaggy Ridge 105: https://snaggyridge105.com/

Riding Gravel.com https://wwww.ridinggravel.com

Guitar Ted Productions blog: https://www.g-tedproductions.blogspot.com

In this episode of the "Riding Gravel Radio Ranch" sponsored by Bike Rags, N.Y. Roll shares with Guitar Ted how the inaugural CORE4 event went down. The largest gathering for a "gravel" event in Iowa's history, the event was a tough one and a very unique take on the current gravel event format. N.Y. Roll rates it as a "Grade A" first attempt, but he has a few areas of concern.

N.Y. Roll then shares his story about how Tony from our sponsor Bike Rags saved his day. 

Then the guys turn their attention to a recent issue within the top tiers of Women's gravel events. That being how mixed fields are being leveraged to help some top women competitors gain an advantage and how that is not being seen as "fair play". Some riders at the top level are also abusing the "self-supported ethos" in gravel events to gain an advantage. N.Y. Roll takes the stance that nothing should be changed, it is how gravel events should be run. Don't like it? Don't come to the event. Guitar Ted feels like there is a way to make it all work for all parties involved, but that may mean separated races. 

Finally there is a bit of chit-chat concerning an upcoming review on a bag from Topeak and an update on access to this podcast and more. 

Show Notes:

CORE4 event site: https://www.core4.bike/

Paige Onweller Blog on Gravel Worlds: https://paigepowered.com/blogs/paige-powered-blog/gravel-worlds-race-recap

Gravel Worlds: https://www.gravel-worlds.com/

A Box Full Of Topeak: (Where the Backloader X is shown) https://www.ridinggravel.com/accessories/a-box-full-of-topeak-introduction/

Bike Rags: https://bikeragsapparel.com/

Riding Gravel Radio Ranch Episode #98 - (Referenced throughout this most recent episode) https://www.ridinggravel.com/podcast/episode-98/

Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water W/Lime: https://www.topochico.com/products/topochico-mineral-water-twist-of-lime

Guitar Ted Productions Blog: https://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/

Riding Gravel: https://www.ridinggravel.com/

Email Guitar Ted: [email protected]

Guitar Ted Productions Presents Episode #98 of the Riding Gravel radio ranch with special guest, Dave Pryor of unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley. In this episode, Dave shares his experiences with Mid-West gravel, which he rides for the first time in Iowa and Nebraska. Then Guitar Ted and Dave share their thoughts on Gravel Worlds' recent event efforts in the realms of social issues, inclusivity, and how Gravel Worlds raises the bar for what "gravel" can be. This episode is sponsored by Bike Rags. 

Send any questions or comments to [email protected]