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On the Up

“It’s such a solo endeavor, but you have to have other people to be successful. You cannot do this alone.” – Ellen Campbell A meditation on sacrifice, ambition and unity, On the Up follows pro cyclists Sarah Sturm, Alexis Skarda and Ellen Campbell as they prepare for the 2024 Leadville Trail 100 MTB race in Colorado, one of the most formidable off-road events in the world.

Leadville – known as the Race Across the Sky – was established in 1983 and is ridden at extreme altitude. 2024 is the first year Leadville has had a separate women’s start, a historical moment captured by the film.

A candid insight into the unique worlds of Sturm, Skarda and Campbell, this short documentary explores the myriad emotional and physical oscillations of pro bike racing and the collective growth they’ve experienced.

2024 North South Colorado Recap – A Long, Solo Win

Radar

2024 North South Colorado Recap – A Long, Solo Win

The North South Colorado Bikepacking Race, a 610-mile adventure from Fort Collins to Trinidad, Colorado, is known for its challenging and scenic route over some of Colorado’s iconic (and lesser-known) passes. This year’s event saw around 60 riders toe the line, ready to tackle the diabolical journey. The course, notorious for its demanding 50,000 feet of elevation gain, offers a diverse mix of terrain, including smooth and blown-out gravel roads, trails, and even an abandoned train trestle precariously perched on the side of a mountain.

After a scratch on Day 2 of last year’s race Zack Allison returned this year with renewed confidence and a well-thought-out strategy. Zack, who spends most of his time racing gravel bikes and co-promoting the FoCo Fondo with his wife Whitney, provides a thorough recap of his North South Colorado win. His account delves into the highs and [mostly] the solitary lows of his journey to take the win at one of the toughest bikepacking races in the USA.

Radar

Mega Mid South Route Episode 02

Here’s the second episode in the behind-the-scenes look at District Bicycles‘ MEGA Mid South ultra route. Starting and ending at the shop in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the 300-mile loop is comprised of the outer perimeter of every MID-SOUTH course over the past 13 years.

The route traverses the tribal land of the Quapaw, Kiowa, Osage, Kickapoo, Pawnee, Iowa and Wichita Nations. The first ever grand depart of the Mega Mid South will happen Wednesday, September 18th at 8am.

The event is free and 100% self-supported. Anyone who completes the Mega Mid South on this first grand depart will earn guaranteed entry into The Mid South 2025.

The Mid South 2025 happens March 13th-16th in Stillwater OK more details at www.midsouthgravel.com

Radar

Relive the 2023 unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley

unPAved gravel celebrates the beautiful, hilly, sometimes wet but always glorious, forest and farm roads of the Bald Eagle State Forest and Susquehanna River Valley — and the fabulous riders that come to experience them during peak foliage in October.

Over 1,000 people took to the hills in 2023 riding the Burly-30, Proper-50, Plenty-90 or the Full-120 mile route which Adam Roberge & Laura Van Gilder won the Race for the Whoopie Pies (actually, everyone wins a whoopie pie). Some even went out for a slumberPArty on Saturday, riding to a campsite and then finishing the route on Sunday.

Join the celebration of Pennsylvania gravel this October 10-13! Registration is now open at BikeReg!

Radar

VIDEO: The Rock Cobbler 2024

Check out this recap video from the 11th edition of The Rock Cobbler gravel event. Despite looming mud threats, riders experienced near-perfect conditions for one of the toughest editions yet. Check out what it’s like, along the Pebbler route, spanning 60 miles with over 5,000 feet of climbs through Bakersfield’s rolling hills…

Road to Desolation: Gravel Racing Across the Karoo

Reportage

Road to Desolation: Gravel Racing Across the Karoo

The Karoo is not flat, both in personality and profile. The Road to Desolation gravel race seeks to capture the essence of the Karoo—the idiosyncratic small towns, the solitude of its expanse, and the way the bicycle represents the ideal vehicle for navigating the internal and external challenges of the terrain. Simon Pocock photographed the inaugural edition of the event in 2023 and writes about the Karoo’s imposing appeal.

The 2024 Downieville Classic Registration is Open!

Radar

The 2024 Downieville Classic Registration is Open!

You don’t have to race to enjoy the weekend at the Downieville Classic, but you will be missing out on one of the most stunning MTB races in the Lower 48. Registration is now open at Bike Reg, so get on it! Want to see what the Downieville Classic is all about? Check out our Reportage below!

Leave it All on the Trail and Go Baroque: the 2019 Downieville Classic

Gold Amidst the Dust: A Hardtail Gallery from the 2019 Downieville Classic

Practice Makes Perfection at the 2018 Downieville Classic

A Weekend and Then Some at the 2017 Downieville Classic

Athens Divide: A Micro Adventure Race

Reportage

Athens Divide: A Micro Adventure Race

The Athens Divide is proof that you don’t have to lose a night of sleep to experience the full range of adventure racing. Billed as a “micro adventure,” this point-to-point race hosted by Donhou Bicycles takes riders over Athens’ urban ridgelines where, no matter the bike, everyone’s hiking somewhere. Read on for Tom Donhou’s recap of the first Athens Divide, with photos from Maliakos Nikos.

Devil’s Cardigan: The 2023 Australian Gravel National Championships

Reportage

Devil’s Cardigan: The 2023 Australian Gravel National Championships

Picture an island 42 degrees south of the equator deep in the middle of winter. Surrounded by great oceans, it is battered by cold rain, snow, and wind. The Roaring Forties haunt the island like the growls of a Devil. Born out of these challenging conditions, The Devils Cardigan seemed the only name fit to describe the Australian Gravel National Championships. 

Read on for Scott Mattern’s recap of Tasmania’s annual off-road rite of passage and how he made it devilishly difficult by combing both the 50km and 100km distances…