Movement in community is powerful. Welcome to The Mid South. Mid South 2025 happens March 13-16th 2025. Registration opens Sat. September 21st at 8 am CST. www.midsouthgravel.com
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Radar
Crankbrothers Candy Lace Clipless Gravel XC Shoes
Crankbrothers new Candy Lace clipless shoes ($159) are tuned for all-day rides with a minimalist synthetic upper, vibration-absorbing EVA insole. The Match System optimizes engagement for Crankbrothers clipless pedals, while the extended 35mm cleat track retains compatibility with other common clipless pedals. Check out more at Crankbrothers.
Radar
SRAM RED XPLR AXS Review: 13-Speed, Lightweight, Durable, and Fast
Announced today, SRAM’s RED XPLR AXS groupset combines elements of its UDH-compatible mountain bike components with its high-end road group for an all-new gravel-specific product lineup. SRAM designed it to be light, fast, and durable for the needs of today’s gravel racers and riders wanting the highest performing upper echelon groupset.
To discover how RED XPLR AXS stacks up and who it’s best suited for, check out Josh’s review below.
Reportage
The Inaugural Bristol Rally: Best of the South West
Earlier in June Joe Sasada joined a group of 50 riders tackling the inaugural Bristol Rally, an unsupported 300km mainly off-road loop designed to celebrate some of the most iconic riding and historic sights in South West England. Read on for the ride report, whistlestop tour through 5000 years of history, and some musings on why the Rally format works so well for the broader cycling community.
Radar
New WTB Tires: Lighter, Faster, Stronger.
WTB announces the addition of four new tires to its already extensive portfolio of rubber, plus new casing tech that features in the lightest and fastest treads.
Reportage
Lu Lacka Wyco Hundo: Telling the True Story Through Photography
Do event photos tell the true story? Do they just remind us of a cool day on the bike that we can show off on social media? Or can they tell a different story, one we might not even know was taking place? Within the context of the Lu Lacka Wyco Hundo gravel cycling event, photographer Abe Landes wonders what role event photos play in telling the true story of the ride. Cyclist Brian Biggs has some thoughts…
Radar
Microshift Sword Black is Even More Adorable
Microshift Sword Black sounds expensive, but it’s actually a more affordable version of the original Sword gravel group. Microshift’s intent with Sword Black is to fill its product line and reach more riders by offering an even more attainable price point. Let’s check it out below…
Reportage
Redlands Strada Rossa: A Decade of Conservation
The Redlands Strada Rossa celebrated its tenth anniversary in the spring of 2024. While the ride has changed over the years, the spirit of the event has remained much the same. Below, Brandon Pfaff dives into the history of the ride, this year’s route, and what makes the Strada Rossa a distinctive cycling event.
Reportage
Sincio De Acero: A Shop Visit and Showcase at Santander, Spain’s La Pindia
When Tomi opened his shop, La Pindia, he decided to throw a one-day bike show with framebuilders from all over the Iberian Peninsula. Due to the shop’s focus on handcrafted bikes, over a dozen bikes from various makers were brought to show the state of the craft within the region. Learn about the framebuilding community of Northern Spain and what ties them all together, and don’t miss some amazing bespoke builds.
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!
Reportage
Blinders Off in the Borderlands: Patagonia, Arizona
While the quaint bordertown of Patagonia, Arizona has become one of the country’s most intriguing gravel riding destinations, the region’s rapidly expanding mining operations barely make mention. That’s going to change. As Patagonia local, cyclist and activist Loren Mason-Gere writes below, the changes are coming fast and the impacts can’t be ignored.
Reportage
Offroad to Unbound: What if We Rode There?
Pedaling 1,400 miles from the highlands of Arizona to the plains of Kansas for a gravel race might not seem like the ideal lead-up to a long event, but ultra-endurance bikepacker and regular Radavist contributor Kurt Refsnider was convinced that taking the long way to Unbound was a journey worth pursuing. Join Kurt and Kait Boyle on an off-road ride to the world’s premier gravel event in Emporia.
Reportage
DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 30 and 50 Wheelsets and US Factory Visit
DT Swiss recently invited Travis and Spencer to their US headquarters in Grand Junction, Colorado, to take a spin on the new GRC 1100 DICUT 30 and 50 carbon wheelsets. While at the facility, the pair were treated to a tour of the Swiss brand’s US operations, offering more than expected. Below, let’s take a look behind DT Swiss’ Colorado curtain, check out some eclectic employee bikes, and ogle their new top-end gravel wheelsets….
Radar
Visit Trinidad, Colorado Presents: A Santa Fe Trail Gravel Riding Outpost
Trinidad, Colorado, is a gravel riding destination and outpost you ought to visit.
As a testament to the growing popularity of gravel cycling and its ability to spur rural economic development, Trinidad, Colorado, has, in a short few years, established itself as one of the state’s most exciting gravel bike destinations. Before 2020, not many cyclists considered the southern Colorado Front Range corridor as a place to ride a bike. Now, this former outpost on the Santa Fe Trail offers year-round opportunities to ride some of Colorado’s best gravel road conditions…
Radar
The Mid South 2024 Full Race Recap Video
The Mid South 2024 race was the fastest on record! As US off road endurance racing continues to grow, we’re excited to share an up close look with these incredible athletes as they take the dirt roads of Stillwater Oklahoma. Enjoy the peek into the race dynamics from the 50k, Double and the 100 mile gravel race over Mid South 2024 weekend!
The Mid South happens in Stillwater OK, March 13-16, 2025
Registration opens September 2024.
Radar
Shimano Electrifies GRX 2×12 with RX825 Di2
Shimano GRX gets a new Di2 2×12 kit today with RX825 as well as some software updates. Let’s check out what this 2×12 electronic shifting gravel groupset looks like…
Reportage
A Custom Bike Journey with Caletti Cycles: Crafting the Ultimate Ride
In the heart of Santa Cruz, California, John Caletti has spent over two decades honing his craft as a master frame builder at Caletti Cycles. From his early days of building steel frames to his current reputation for creating exceptional custom titanium bicycles, John’s journey is a testament to his dedication to the art and science of frame building.
A visit to Caletti Cycles reveals not just a workshop, but also a place where passion and precision intersect, where each bike reflects John’s commitment to quality and innovation. Join us below as we explore the inception of a unique builder/photographer relationship between John Caletti and Chris Corona, delving into John’s background, his perspectives on the cycling industry, and the vibrant community of makers that defines Caletti Cycles.
Reportage
Rez Gravel 2024: Beautiful Dirt, No Dogs, A Lot of History
The inaugural Rez Gravel was held in February of 2024. Founded by tribal member Elisha Bishop, the event consisted of 68, 26, and 13-mile courses through O’Odham tribal land near Casa Grande, Arizona. The event weekend also included a pre-ride dinner, campfire, and sharing of culture and history by Akimel O’Odham leader, singer, artist, farmer, and teacher Robert “Bobby” Stone. Don’t miss Erik Mathy’s unique photos and background on this new event below…