The Last Best Ride could also be Sam Boardman’s last best haircut
If enough money is raised for the gravel race's scholarship program, the L39ION star will get a horrible haircut on stage.
Gravel
In just a few years, gravel cycling has gone from a fringe pursuit to the hot style of riding and racing, with current and former WorldTour professional jumping in the mix. Gravel cycling has many attractions: escaping traffic, noise, and congestion – whether rolling solo, riding with friends, or racing with competitors. At VeloNews, we cover all the major events and many of the small, quirky ones, bringing you the inside stories from the riders at the front and the back of the back. We also test a wide variety of gear, often in races like Unbound Gravel or The Mid South, and give you our unvarnished feedback here.
A pleasant surprise: The Spot Rallye is more than a mountain biker’s gravel bike
The Rallye is solid all-around, with exceptional steering and handling from the dirt to the tarmac.
The Velo Guide to Cycling Adventures
Let these stories and event recaps inspire you to have more fun on two wheels
Hunt 42 Limitless Gravel Adventure wheels: ultra-endurance race wheels
The Hunt 42 Limitless Gravel Adventure wheelset is an aero gravel wheel that is wide but also has a hooked bead. Hunt is doing it a bit different and targeting the fast endurance crowd, but they could be great for everyone.
Belgian Waffle Ride founder addresses new trans athlete policy
Michael Marckx says new rules will protect "integrity and parity." Promoters of other gravel races say they have no plans to change rules of inclusion.
Groad Trip: Crusher in the Tushar
Some recent personal and professional changes had me in good mental and physical condition for Saturday's showdown with Swenson.
The Tour de France vs. Tour Divide: Which is harder?
Alex Howes is the first person to complete both the Tour de France, which he did twice, and the Tour Divide bikepacking race.
Chapter2 KAHA gravel bike review: Versatility comes standard
A gravel race bike that can also get geared up for a long haul.
Sofia Gomez Villafañe soloes to the win at the Crusher in the Tushar
Lauren De Crescenzo and Flavia Oliveira Parks round out the podium, while Gomez Villafañe sets new course record.
Keegan Swenson wins Crusher in the Tushar, goes three for three in Life Time Grand Prix
Pete Stetina and Matt Beers are second and third.
Conflict with Life Time Grand Prix shrinks USAC cross-country nationals fields
Defending XCO national champ Keegan Swenson is racing gravel this weekend, as are a dozen other nationals contenders.
The Weekly Dirt: Lost and Found Gravel date change, women rule at the Tour Divide, and Gravel Earth update
A weekly roundup of what's happening in the off-road.
Haley Smith, Matt Beers win Truckee Tahoe Gravel
For some, the high altitude race was a tune up for next weekend's Crusher in the Tushar; some 625 riders competed over the race's three distances.
Lachlan Morton wins Evolution Gravel, but there’s more to it: ‘I want to have an experience that I’ll carry with me for life’
The EF Education Pro Cycling alt rider won the 850km gravel ultra in Tanzania this week and got exactly what he was looking for.
‘More bikes on the rack:’ Sarah Sturm brings Michaela Thompson onto the team
The pro gravel racer is showing the 20-year-old mountain biker what a career in off-road endurance might look like.
Evelyn Dong and Michael van den Ham take top honors at the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder
Gravel's five-stage summer camp wrapped up on Sunday in Bend.
Amity Rockwell and Lukas Baum win Migration Gravel Race
The third edition of the four-day stage race in Kenya saw the deepest field — and most East African participants — yet.
For Unbound and other big gravel races, ‘safety first’ starts at the finish
With bunch sprints increasingly common in the elite men's race, organizers are looking for ways to mitigate congestion with amateurs at the finish.
Ventum GS1 review: A bike ‘for the modern gravel rider who prioritizes stability at speed’
After a three-month test, I agree that this gravel bike goes fast in all conditions.
The evolution of road tubeless
How we got here and why you should probably ride tubeless road tires.
The Weekly Dirt: Safari Gravel, snow bike worlds, and a Tour Divide update
A weekly roundup of what's happening in the off-road.
Groad Trip: Dad Camp
Bike racing and family time at the Cascade Gravel Grinder in Bend, Oregon.
Telluride Gravel Race returns for a summery June edition
The event debuted last October; last weekend, Durango locals Sarah Sturm and Payson McElveen won the climbing-heavy race.
Tiffany Cromwell and Toms Skujiņš win inaugural FNLD GRVL
Cromwell is the co-producer of the Finland event, which was Skujiņš first gravel race ever.
Holy Schiff! Meet the woman who won Unbound
Carolin Schiff is on a tear in the gravel world right now, and she's only just beginning.
Free bike support from Velo x Feedback Sports, coming to a gravel race near you
Velo Support will be at gravel races across the country this year complete with a pro mechanic to get your bike primed for a great day of riding.
How to train and prepare for your next gravel race
Whether you have 4 hours per week to train or 20, we’ll help you roll up to the start line with confidence.
An unofficial Unbound XL finish proves that the spirit of gravel is strong in Emporia
Peter Rajcani finished his Unbound XL course in just over 47 hours and couldn't be happier.
Hei! FNLD GRVL is underway in Lahti
The inaugural gravel race in F1 driver Valtteri Bottas' hometown features lakes, forests, and Finnish pastries.
The Weekly Dirt: New GAFG, qualify for UCI gravel worlds, and win a cool bike from Revel
A weekly roundup of what's happening in the off-road.
Amy Charity on American gravel moving to Finland: FNLD GRVL, Valtteri Bottas, and the future of gravel
The SBT GRVL founder sits down to talk about moving success from America to Finland, their partnership with Valtteri Bottas, and the future of gravel races in Europe.
Texting while riding: Marginal gain or no big deal?
Doesn't matter, Keegan Swenson still won Unbound.
Carolin Schiff soloes to win at Unbound Gravel
The German bests reigning champ Sofia Gomez Villafañe by 15 minutes, while Sturm, Shrosbree, and Lange celebrate break-out performances.
Keegan Swenson sprints to redemption at Unbound Gravel
Petr Vakoc and Lachlan Morton were the second and third to cross the line.
Amity’s Unbound
After Moriah Wilson's death, Rockwell took a season-long hiatus from racing. She's finding her own way back.
From the Giro to Emporia: Larry Warbasse is racing Unbound Gravel
The AG2R-Citroën WorldTour pro is lining up for his first gravel race ever on Saturday.
Unbound tech roundtable: The best gravel tire and the gear we’d bring
Our editors weigh in the best gravel tire for Unbound Gravel, gear to bring, and how to stay prepared during the event.
Unbound roundtable: Gravel beef, the women’s race, and contenders
Our editors weigh in on the biggest storylines in the Flint Hills.
Unbound Gravel 2023: Elite start lists
New in 2023, riders in the elite category will have their own start in the 200-mile race.
For Ella Bloor, the Life Time Grand Prix is a real-life adventure
Between 'a really crappy Jeep' and not knowing where she's going live for six months, 'the racing feels like the easy part,' says the Aussie rider.
Event preview: 2023 Unbound Gravel
Details about the 2023 Unbound gravel routes, shakeout rides, and more.
Canadians triumph at Belgian Waffle Ride BC
Haley Smith and Rob Britton win the inaugural gravel race.
Weekend gravel recap: Ro3, Grinduro, Gravel Locos, Paydirt, and Wild Horse Gravel
May 20 was a busy day for gravel racing, with many riders putting in a last effort before Unbound Gravel.
Merchant Cycles comes home to Emporia, Kansas
The Mid South's Bobby Wintle and GU's Yuri Hauswald join Tim and Kristi Mohn in ownership of the rebranded bike shop.
Ride for Mo: ‘We want this day to be about joy’
Scenes from an intimate gathering in Vermont to celebrate the life of Moriah Wilson.
Groad Trip: The Dirty 130 FKT
Pete Stetina and Heather Jackson head to Tennessee to explore new-to-them gravel and reinvigorate the concept of an FKT.
The Weekly Dirt: Getting Yomp’ed, women’s paydirt, and XC MTB movies
A weekly roundup of what's happening in the off-road.
First Look: Shimano Flint Hills Edition RX8 and RX6 Gravel Shoes
Shimano introduces limited-edition RX8 and RX6 Flint Hills gravel shoes to celebrate the early mornings and late nights that riders undertake while pushing their limits in Kansas each summer.
Gravel is global: Observations from the Traka
After a week in Girona, Spain for Europe's biggest gravel race, this is what I learned.
Grinduro California adds a new course
The update to the venerable event is said to "no longer have any snow on the course," with event registration extended to May 15th.
New gravel tire spotted with speed at the center of its design
Kenda is testing a new gravel tire that looks to be all about speed.
UCI Gravel World Series underway with four races completed
13 races remain for riders hoping to qualify for October's UCI Gravel World Championship.
Maghalie Rochette on doing the things that excite her
The 30-year-old Canadian has signed with the Canyon CLLCTV and will race a variety of events and disciplines before the upcoming 'cross season.
The Weekly Dirt: Swenson and Gomez Villafañe strike again, the Traka 360, and spring cycling challenges
A weekly roundup of what's happening in the off-road.
F1’s Alfa Romeo Team KICK partners with FNLD GRVL for inaugural gravel race
Race co-promoter Valtteri Bottas brings his F1 team into the gravel world.
From Iceland to America—Lauf Cycles opens assembly plant in USA and reduces prices
Improved efficiency brings lower pricing.
Spain’s white wine country and where the world was split into two halves
The gravel roads of northern Spain serve up over-sized portions of great riding, food, and history.
Why haven’t you heard of La Gravilla at the Sea Otter Classic? Because it’s not a gravel race at all
I had a blast underbiking on singletrack, but not everyone felt the same.
Life Time Grand Prix gets underway at Sea Otter Classic
LTGP athletes will race the Fuego XL cross-country mountain bike race; Life Time announces Season 2 of 'Call of a Life Time' docuseries.
Russell Finsterwald scores huge career win at BWR California
Dutch rider Jasper Ockeloen and last year's BWR champ Alexey Vermeulen finished second and third.
Heather Jackson soloes to huge win at Belgian Waffle Ride California
The former pro triathlete was joined on the podium by Flavia Oliveira Parks and Paige Onweller.
Ergon Allroad collection review: Consider vibrations damped
The Allroad saddle, flexy carbon seatpost, and handlebar tape promise additional comfort on mixed surfaces without the bulk and weight of suspension.
Preview: Belgian Waffle Ride California
A new course with '85km of Cali-cobbles' and a deep pro field will race under sunny SoCal skies on Sunday.
Who wants to rally? Spot Bikes’ new gravel bike is down
The Rallye isn't quite a mountain bike with drop bars, but clearance for big tires and sendy geo make it nimble and fast handling.
The Weekly Dirt: Fun at the Denver airport, the Humboldt Hopper, and Ombraz’ millionth mangrove
A weekly roundup of what's happening in the off-road.
The Weekly Dirt: US Pro Cup, more jorts, bikepacking, and BWR
A weekly roundup of what's happening in the off-road.
Alejandro Valverde to head up Movistar Team Gravel Squad
Movistar road racer Iván García Cortina and Movistar eTeam racers Ana Dillana and Hayley Simmonds will join the retired WorldTour pro on the dirt.
Outdoor Ambassador Collective launched to ‘support and empower ambassadors while navigating their relationships with brand partners’
The project seeks to serve as a resource for outdoor industry ambassadors, influencers, and content creators.
The Weekly Dirt: An ultra in the UP, women’s gravel clinics, and the return of the chaise lounge
A weekly roundup of what's happening in the off-road.
Salsa Cycles’ chaise lounge is back in gravel’s living room
After a three-year retirement, the iconic and irreverent chaise lounge made an appearance at the Mid South. What is the future of gravel's favorite furniture?
The Weekly Dirt: Durango Derby, GCHOF, and Moab Rocks
A weekly roundup of what's happening in the off-road.
Is USAC on track? Top gravel pros react to nationals news
Cycling's most passionate subset weighs in on USAC in gravel, prize money, the women's race, and worlds.
A deep dive into the details of the USA Cycling Gravel National Championship with USAC CEO Brendan Quirk
'Gravel is the most appealing entry point into the sport of bike racing. Naturally, more racers on the local level results in a bigger talent pool for producing the American world champions of tomorrow.'
First Ride: Udog’s Distanza Shoe
The gravel shoe has laces and a breathable upper; a carbon sole and tensioner wrap system keep it snug on the the foot.
I’m riding in a 280 mile bikepacking event. Here’s what I’m bringing
East Texas Showdown promises plenty of beauty and likely even more rain, and I'm going to try to ride it without sleeping.
Inaugural USA Cycling Gravel National Championship will debut in Nebraska on September 9
The event is putting up a $60,000 prize purse, and the top three elite men and women will qualify for the UCI Gravel World Championships.
The Weekly Dirt: Marley’s first century, Factor Bikes x Team Amani, KowTown Gravel
A weekly roundup of what's happening in the off-road.
Specialized S-Works Recon shoe review: hidden features included
The new S-Works Recon is more than just an update.
Specialized Recon ADV shoe review: gravel shoes with laces
Specialized calls it a gravel shoe, but a multi-surface shoe that's happy both on and off the bike might be a better description.
‘Gravel organizers are beyond a community. We are family’
Heidi Myers, co-founder of the Rasputitsa Spring Classic, reflects on her time volunteering at the Mid South.