Riding through a landscape gives you a deeper appreciation for that place. It’s sensory. You breathe the air and you feel the sun and the wind and the weather. You muscle over the hills and your tires surf through the sand and over the rocks. You learn why roads exist and where they lead and who lives among them and what grows there. Sometimes you meet the people and the animals. Sometimes you share the space with fellow travelers and sometimes you ride alone. The farther you pedal, the more your mind becomes part of that space– the space between your body and your bike and the earth. Your mind is in the sky and the tall golden grass. When your body and mind relinquish control over expectations and judgments and find connection to your surroundings, you enter the spirit world, a place of truth and acceptance.
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Radar
EF Gone Racing at the Japan Cup
The Japan Cup was the last race in the EF Gone Racing calendar year and the team celebrated in the best way…
Radar
Bombtrack at the NRW Cross-Cup
Bombtrack takes us on the trip to the NRW Cross-Cup.
Radar
Cannondale’s Grinduro Recap Video
This one really captures the event nicely! Well done, y’all!
Radar
Old Growth Classic Recap Video
If you liked our recap from the Old Growth Classic, then check out the MBOSC’s awesome recap video here and read their own story at their website!
Reportage
Uncertainty During the 2019 Grinduro in Quincy, California
Going into the 5th year of Grinduro California coverage on this website, I really wanted to do something different and boy, did I get just that. In addition to covering Team Brooks‘ debut at Grinduro, a series of events made this otherwise familiar race a little more unpredictable. Things weren’t looking so great the week leading up to this incredible event…
Radar
We’re Here at Grinduro!
It’s that time of year again! We’re in Quincy once again for Grinduro as autumn settles over the Lost Sierra. While the forecast doesn’t look so great for tomorrow, with rain and cold temperatures, today has been bright and sunny.
Stay tuned for our coverage, which will include Team Brooks’ effort at the event.
Reportage
Grinduro 2019: Patrick’s Ultradynamico Rosé OPEN UP Gravel Race Bike
With yesterday’s post, we looked at the Ultradynamico Rosé and prototype Cava tires on Benedict’s Crust Lightning Bolt randoneé bike and today, we’re looking at Patrick, the other half of the fledgling tire company’s bike, an OPEN UP.
Radar
Register Now for the 2019 Surf City CX Race
This just in from the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz:
“Big things are happening with Surf City CX this year. With MBOSC coming on to manage the race, the 2019 event is shaping up to be one nobody will soon forget. The race will be held at a brand new venue right here on the Westside of Santa Cruz at Antonelli Pond! The best part about this venue is that it’s easy access from anywhere in Santa Cruz, so we expect this to be a great community event. With a FREE Kids Race, Costume Race, food trucks, live music, and a beer garden, there is a lot of fun to be had for the whole family. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclocross pro or racing for the first time, this will be a race to remember. Claim your spot to race at this brand new venue and register NOW!”
Surf City Cyclocross Race
Sunday, October 27
Antonelli Pond, Westside of Santa Cruz
Radar
Common Ground: Win a Megatower and Support Trans-Cascadia
Trans-Cascadia is a backcountry stage MTB race that takes place in some of the most remote places in the Pacific Northwest. This year, they’ve teamed up with Santa Cruz to raffle off a new Megatower with all the fixin’s. Head on over to throw down $10 for your chance to win!
Radar
PEdALED Atlas Mountain Race Teaser
The Atlas Mountain Race in an unsupported bikepacking endurance race that starts in Marrakesh and finishes in Agadir with views to spare! If you’re looking for a challenge, consider this 1145 kilometre event that boasts 20,000m of climbing… See more at Atlas Mountain Race.
Reportage
Rugged Hills and Mingling with Redwoods: the 2019 Old Growth Classic
The redwoods hit me with that kind of awe those quixotic transcendentalists describe as, well, awe. It was like this – the trance state incurred by the tree-lined road was jostled by the excitement of entering an amalgam of friends, acquaintances, and randos held together by the common love for the physical-meets-mental journey of a bike race.
Radar
Race to the Rock Trailer
Race to the Rock touts itself as one of the most difficult ultra-endurance races in the world. This documentary looks to showcase the event’s beautiful landscapes while focusing on the struggles faced by the contestants.
Reportage
You Can’t Win a 1,700km Race in a Day: Lael Wilcox’s Silk Road Mountain Race 2019 – Part I
Through the earbuds plugged into my brain, I hear their vodka-soaked throats call out.
“Hey! Heyyyyy! Hey!”
I turn and look. They wave me over to the yurt. I wave back and smile. They keep calling me in.
It’s not a reason to stop nor a reason to be concerned. I continue on my way. I’m riding in sandals, letting my feet get wet in the twenty or so stream crossings along the way up the valley and keeping my cycling shoes dry. It’ll be near freezing at the 3,800 meters (12,500′) summit and I’ll need those dry feet for the 2,200 meter (7,200′) descent to Lake Issyk-Kul.
Radar
A Fun Grinduro Scotland Video!
Brady Lawrence from Seattle was in attendance for Grinduro Scotland, where he made this recap video that really captures the vibes at these races. Who’s going to Japan and California?
Radar
Tour of Ara
The Tour of Ara was a truly unique race, out of South Africa:
“The Tour of Ara, named for the Southern Hemisphere constellation of Ara, was a prestige race ridden mostly on South African-built steel racing bicycles in the proud tradition of the early Italian multi-day stage races. For it’s five year duration, the Tour followed a tough dirt-road route over six days through the beautiful but harsh semi-desert South African Karoo each year. It was as much a race as it was an exploration and celebration of this unique landscape and the people that live there. This 34 minute documentary follows 40 racers as they experience life-changing situations, meet locals, and face some serious race challenges – soft sand, corrugated roads, loose stones, sharp tyre-shredding rocks, rain and mud.”
Reportage
Silk Road Mountain Race 2019: Race Report 2
A lot can happen in 48 hours. At 4 am on Tuesday morning (local time) James Mark Hayden was the first rider to reach CP2. After suffering from altitude sickness in the first stage of the race, the two-time Transcontinental Race winner has made a remarkable recovery and is currently leading the race. While the main contenders were taking a much-needed rest in the deep hours of the night, James pushed through to be the first to get his brevet card stamped.
Reportage
Gold Amidst the Dust: A Hardtail Gallery from the 2019 Downieville Classic
Hardtails. Antiquated examples of mountain bike technology to some but to others, they’re liberated and simplified machines. Each year, I plan on riding a full suspension in Downieville, yet I always end up bringing my hardtail for one reason or another so this year, I took a look at just some of the bikes that were rolling around this Gold Rush town.