In advance of the upcoming Handmade Bicycle Show Australia, Andy White stopped in at The Lost Workshop, one of the many framebuilders scheduled to display their craft at the event. Let’s take a look at more from the Lost Workshop below and, if you’re Down Under near Williamstown this weekend (June 2-4) be sure to check out the Handmade Show!
Events
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Reportage
Not a Race, More Than a Ride: The 2023 Rapha Yomp Rally
The inaugural Rapha Yomp Rally took place in early May and saw nearly 100 riders embark on a 390-mile mixed-surface route, from Santa Barbara to Santa Monica, through the remote Los Padres region. Hailey Moore rode the route and provides a from-the-saddle recap alongside photos from Rugile Kaladyte, Sean Greene, Anton Krupicka, and a few of her own. Read on for reflections on the Yomp and non-competitive bikepacking rallies.
Reportage
The Bikepacking Super Bowl: 2023 East Texas Showdown
Dennis Lastochkin walks, or rather rides, us through his win at the East Texas Showdown. Brainchild of Patrick Farnsworth from the Bikes or Death podcast, the early March event feels like a season opener of sorts for the multi-day endurance crowd and traverses 400 miles through southeastern Texas. Check out this from-the-saddle tale of bikepacking’s “Super Bowl.”
Reportage
FAIL 13: 2023 Border Bash Aragon Event Recap
In late April, Ryan le Garrec rode his bike from Madrid to the start of the Border Bash Aragon, a gravel camp in the Aragon region of Spain. The event is not a race but simply a way for riders interested in camaraderie and sharing big days to meet in a beautiful place. Along with stories about a few characters he met at the bash, Ryan shares words from the organizer on the event’s intent, and Ryan’s own perspective on these “non-race” events.
Radar
Radar Roundup: Cascade Components North Fork Caliper, State 4130 All-Road Updates, Pearl iZUMi Contours; Rahpa X Snow Peak, Handup Taco’d, POC Elcit Ti, Pinarello Dogma XC, Lowelifes and Robert Owens, New Forbidden Druid, and Days Well Wasted
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Reportage
It’s a Gathering, Not a Grinder: A Recap of Gosh Darn Gravel Gathering 6
For the sixth time, the Gosh Darn Gravel Gathering popped up in the hills and hollows of Hickman County, Tennessee. Each route was jam-packed with a variety of gravel and a multitude of creek crossings. Riders take their pick of the 19, 42, 63, and 100-mile routes. The goal is not to win, but to simply have a gosh darn good time.
Reportage
A Saturday Well Spent at the 2023 Southeastern Appalachian Bike Swap
Happenstance saw Hailey Moore traveling through Knoxville, Tennessee over the weekend of the second annual Southeastern Appalachian Bike Swap (SABS), hosted by the local shop, non-profit and community hub, Two Bikes. Scroll on for her photo-heavy recap of the gear swap, Goldsprint roller-bike race bracket, and bike show good times that went down last weekend at YeeHaw Brewing Co.—good things comin’ out of the Southeast right now!
Reportage
“Just Treat Us Like Humans” Interviews and Portraits of Para-Cyclists at the 2023 Sea Otter Classic
Last year at the 2022 Sea Otter Classic, as I was walking through a parking lot near the Expo I came across a pair of athletes with the most incredible bicycles I’d ever seen. They were rugged, heavily-built trikes with two mountain bike wheels in the front and a massive single fat mountain bike tire in the back, and an electric drivetrain was apparent on each. Both athletes were in wheelchairs. Later that weekend I’d see them, and other para-cyclists, compete in both the Downhill and Dual-Slalom events. It was the first time para-cyclists had been given their own separate classes in any Sea Otter event. I was flabbergasted and, honestly, in awe of not just the bikes but by the para-cyclists and how hard they were sending it on every single run. I came back to Sea Otter this year to talk with and document a few of these athletes.
Radar
Meet Your Maker Event Returns to Skyline XC in Napa, CA
Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa has a rich history of mountain bike racing, from the Grundig World Cup races of the 1990s to the Single Speed World Championship in 2008. These are classic chunky old-school XC trails that are a perfect match for your favorite hardtail. Come test your abilities in a fun and supportive community!
Meet Your Maker is an ongoing series of rides hosted by the Northern California bike-making community. It all started in 2011 and kinda faded out in 2016, but now it’s back! No stuffy convention halls, no dim fluorescent lighting, just a good time hanging out and talking shop while we partake in the activity that puts a big smile on all of our faces.
Reportage
A Love Letter from Berlin: The Rad Race Last Wo/Man Standing Fixie Crit and Custom Framebuilder Highlights from Kolektif
Back in March, as part of the Kolektif Bike Fair in Berlin, the team behind Rad Race put on the 9th annual Last Wo/Man Standing fixed gear race at the winding indoor Mobikart go-kart circuit track. Additionally, the bike fair featured a handful of stunning custom builds on display from an array of framebuilders including Drust, Omnium, Rossman, Morassi, Trout, ten:07, and Vetra. Petor Georgallou was there for it all and shares a full report and massive image gallery below.
Radar
Come to TPC’s Great Spring Breakaway This Weekend and See The Radavist Edition Sklar Super Something Early!
If you live in the Front Range, or happen to be visiting this weekend, make sure you roll through TPC’s headquarters for the Great Spring Breakaway event. The event is going down on April 29-30th at TPC’s Louisville, Colorado headquarters and will feature a number of vendors and events.
Take a factory tour, visit TPC’s retail store and vendor expo, to earn your chance to win a grand prize: “The Ride of a Lifetime” A Certified Pre-Owned Bike for Life!
Additional prizes include a limited edition Sklar x The Radavist collab gravel bike, ENVE wheelsets, and bike services at TPC.
John will be talking about our new collaboration: the Radavist Edtion Sklar Super Something on Saturday, at 11 am and 1 pm, so don’t miss out on this early look at the bikes. Yes, we will have some for sale as well!
When and Where
Saturday, Apr. 29, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Apr. 30, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
1900 Taylor Avenue Louisville CO 80027
(866) 401-9636 (Headquarters)
(720) 295-9642 (Retail)
See more info at the Great Spring Breakaway.
Reportage
Bikes, Products, and People from Sea Otter Classic 2023: Part Three and Mega Photo Gallery
Travis and Josh are back today with their third and final report from the 2023 Sea Otter Classic. Continue reading below for another installment of interesting bikes, products, and people from the show, in addition to a mega gallery of images from the three days of sun, fog, rides, and wild times at Laguna Seca Raceway. Did they save the best for last? Read on to find out!
Reportage
Bikes, Products, and People from Sea Otter Classic 2023: Part Two
We’re back with our second eclectic mix of findings from the 2023 Sea Otter Classic. Yesterday’s post just wasn’t enough to tell you about all the new bikes, old bikes, products, and people Josh and Travis encountered this year. In fact, we reckon even two posts won’t be enough. There’s a lot to cover, so settle in with your morning coffee and enjoy.
Reportage
Bikes, Products, and People from Sea Otter Classic 2023: Part One
Sea Otter Classic is one of the largest annual cycling festivals in the world. Each April since 1991, cyclists of all persuasions have descended on Laguna Seca Raceway outside of Monterey, CA to cheer on professional and amateur racers, as well as check out the latest and greatest in cycling technology at the massive vendor expo.
And this year, that tech happened to be especially late and great, and there was more to talk about than usual. Maybe it’s because there were more exhibitors in attendance than normal. Maybe it’s the easing of strains on the supply chain. Whatever it was, Josh Weinberg and Travis Engel were on the ground all weekend and, over the next few days, will be sharing their findings and observations from the massive event. So, let’s get into it below!
Reportage
Seeing in 3D Violet at the 2023 Chris King Guest House
This past week, in the lead-up to the annual Sea Otter Classic event in Monterey, CA, Chris King Components held their second Guest House event across Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz. The festive event showcased a variety of unique builds – all featuring Chris King components – many of which were the recently re-released vibrant 3D Violet color. Below, let’s take a look at this eclectic mix of bikes that spans categories across road, gravel, touring, and MTB!
Radar
Radar Roundup: Revel Ranger Fits Bigger Rubber, Ritchey Ascent New Color and Corralitos Bar, Garmin Edge Solar 540/840 , Velo Orange Neutrino Pre-Order, and Vermejo Charcoal Burner
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Reportage
The Tragic Kingdom: Mud and Mayhem at Florideah’s Swampfest
“THE MOST ASS KICKING EVENT IN BMX,” is the Florideah Swampfest‘s self-described moniker. And, after seeing Bob Crolin‘s photoset from the raucous ramp-and-rail-junkyard extravaganza, we’re not going to argue with that (or the all caps). Scope this rowdy photoset to see what happens when 2,000 of the country’s wildest BMX riders are unleashed in Florida’s tragic kingdom.
Warning, there are some butts in this gallery, so it’s probably NSFW depending on where you work!
Radar
The Races Will Go On: No Date Changes in Store for the 2023 Downieville Classic or Lost and Found Gravel
It may still look like winter in the High Sierra, but the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship has summer on the mind and is counting down the days until the Downieville Classic and the Lost and Found Gravel Festival, presented by Cervélo, one of the nonprofit’s biggest fundraisers of the year. Lost and Found will still take place on June 3 in Portola, despite the exceptionally snowy winter and late arrival of spring in the Lost Sierra…