Today we had a 40ish mile gravel ride for a local land conservation organization in my part of Massachusetts. If you did my cider donut ride, this was the opposite of that. Lots of beautiful and tame trails and farm roads. Route here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52991946

Just note that the short trail at mile 35 was special access for today and is usually equestrian only. It is bypassed by going left on Highland Street and right on Winthrop Street.

Stunning sunset if a bit cold 🥶

Friday evening was my first 20 mile ride, and I found several good spots to stop and take pics. I rode a trail that connects four local parks. Some of the trail is paved, some gravel.

20 miles isn’t that much by usual gravel biking standards, but for me it was a big milestone. At the beginning of this year, I was completely unhealthy, no physical activity at all. Now I’ve lost a bunch of weight and ride a bike three times a week at least.

Early Saturday I catch the first train of the day, arriving just 20 minutes before sunrise in Sant Celoni (50 minutes from Barcelona), where my gravel adventure for the day will start and finish. Nothing epic is planned in terms of distance, only 55 km but the loop has around 1350 m of elevation gain through some gnarly gravel sections. The ride goes clock-wise, first north into the lower parts of Montseny, then comes back south up to Montnegre to catch a glimpse of the Mediterranean.

My legs don’t feel fresh after a short night’s sleep and I’m grinding slowly through the town and out onto the main road. My body doesn’t understand what I’m asking of it waiting for the caffeine pill to kick in. By sunrise the first climb is done and we’re on gravel. It’s not joyous yet, as the Wahoo elevation chart ahead is full of red. I’d rate the terrain as Cat-1 and my Conti Terra Trail 45 mm tires hold their grip surprisingly well. 5k of uphill at an average of 8.5 km/h, leaving the valley below in moody fog. Too early for autumn foliage. The descent back is gentle and not very technical half of it is on gravel, with some sandy sections. I don’t know those trails, so I ride cautiously especially after a close call in a hairpin turn. The other half is on pavement on a perfectly laid fresh cover of asphalt. I have time to understand I spin out when I get close to 55km/h. In a blink of an eye I'm down back in the valley, crossing the railroad, the river and the highway into the other moody side.

And back on gravel. Still Cat-1 maybe Cat-2 with some deep sandy sections but OMG it is glorious. I'm past half way and I still have to climb a big straight up chunk to gain the final 500-600m. Felt a bit easier then the one before although at one point I had to hike for a few meters and it gets more and more gnarly into Cat-3. More than 3 hours and I haven't meet a soul yet. The downhill had to be again negotiated with extra care, sand on top of gravel sometimes on big slabs of rock is a recipe for sliding like on an ice rink. Finally back on pavement and into a small and hidden 3 houses village close to the bottom of the valley. The icing on the cake is an easy singletrack through the forest that closes out a glorious adventure.

Now I realize, last time my post didn't include photos of the bike. I'm fixing this now. I ride a Cube Nuroad C:62 EX 2026 as it came. Going to swap the tires and the handlebar band wrap next week as my first updates.

I'm not an influencer talking into a camera so here's a short video of the ride: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg7M_hNKYIA

Didnt see a lot of discussion online so decided to post here if you have any questions.

Bought this because it was affordable(160$) and i dont have a roof rack or a hitch to add a bike carrier.

Mounting was relatively simple, just kind of annoying to pick up the bike and place it on top of the car. I mounted the cups to the bike on the ground. I didnt tighthen the front fork too much so once i put it on the roof it can rotate a bit to settle in position. Then i tightened the fork on the car. They include a velcro strap to strap the crank arms to the frame too.
Another thing is that my roof is curved horizontally and the front mount is pretty straight so you have to apply some pressure for the outside cup to grip enough to start pumping it.

Bike used was cube nuroad pro (11kg) roughly. Bit less with front wheel removed.

Did 2 tests so far.

First test was i left the bike mounted on a parked car for 10 hours roughly to see if there are any leaks. The suction held up and i could rock the bike back and forth without it comming off.

Second test was a short drive to a town 40 min away and back. I was driving carefully at max 70-80km on local roads. While driving there i stopped every 10km roughly to check the suction pumps.

When ariving to my destination i was exiting a roundabout and the exit area had 3 nasty speed bump height bumps which i did not see and it shook up the bike pretty good. Bumps were only on one side so the car shook side to side a lot. I pilulled over in few minites and 2 of the 3 front pumps started losing air a bit. This was after roughly 40km of driving and hitting the bumps, i did not repump the cups while i was checking them on the drive. My car was a bit dirty and i kind of half assed the cleaning part before so that might have affected it.

On my way back i cleaned the surface with a microfiber properly and did not have any issues.

Also on the way back i stopped 3 times to check the pumps, they were fine but i gave them few pumps just in case.

Overall seems to be working fine but its kind of anxiety inducing, i assume once i get used to it i wont be paranoid about it.

If someone finds this post 6 months later feel free to ask for updates.

Hi Folks, after 3 months of search and understanding my needs and not wants (i realise i need a gravel touring bike with good climbing and outstanding brakes :)) As i am not aftering speed i may pull the plug on a SCOTT Bike Speedster Gravel 20 Disc with the following specs. My ask is Alu vs Carbon, does it really make that much of a difference?

FRAME

Speedster Gravel Disc / D.Butted 6061 Alloy
SCOTT Gravel geometry / Replaceable Derailleur Hanger
Internal cable routing
Syncros fender kit ready 

FORK

Speedster Gravel HMF Flatmount Disc
1 1/4″-1 1/2″ Eccentric Carbon steerer 

REAR DERAILLEUR

Shimano GRX RD-RX810
22 Speed

FRONT DERAILLEUR

Shimano GRX FD-RX810-F

SHIFTERS

Shimano GRX ST-RX600 Disc
22 Speed

CRANKSET

Shimano GRX FC-RX600-11
46x30T

BB-SET

Shimano BB-RS500 PB

CHAIN

KMC X11

CASSETTE

Shimano CS-HG700
11-34

BRAKES

Shimano BR-RX400 Hyd. Disc

ROTOR

Shimano SM-RT70 CL rotor 160/F and 160/R

HANDLEBAR

Syncros Creston 2.0 X
Alloy 31.8mm

STEM

Syncros RR2.5 1 1/4″ / four Bolt 31.8mm

SEATPOST

Syncros RR2.5 27.2/350mm

SEAT

Syncros Tofino Regular 2.5

HEADSET

Acros AIF-1133

HUB (FRONT)

Formula Team II CL Disc 28 H

HUB (REAR)

Formula Team II CL Disc 28 H

SPOKES

Black 2mm

RIMS

Syncros Race X25 Disc
28 Front / 28 Rear

FRONT TIRE

Schwalbe G-One Bite Performance
700x45C

REAR TIRE

Schwalbe G-One Bite Performance
700x45C 

I often do this beautiful loop from Haarlem (the Netherlands), over the big locks at IJmuiden, then through rolling dunes and forests all the way to Bergen and Schoorl. I come back via Alkmaar, cross the North Sea Canal again - but this time using the ferry - and through quaint little Spaarndam on the way back home.

Almost no cars to deal with for probably 90% of the route, all 112km of it.

And then you get to enjoy moments like the one in the video. Almost precisely halfway on this route, up in the forests near Schoorl. It had been raining off and on throughout the day. I was wet and the bike had gotten filthy (brakes were starting to make some funny noises). I had already replaced an inner tube after a puncture at 16km, and had almost given up and turned back home.

But if I had turned back early, I wouldn't have enjoyed the moment of absolute peace here, listening to the rain and the wind in the pine trees. Turn up the volume on this clip!

For me, at least, these are the reasons I love to ride my bike.

I’m trying to decide between Dubnitals and Silca RCG3 for the 3 day event in Prescott AZ. Both in 50mm (max I can fit on my mog). Any advice on which would be better?

I have the 55 RCG-3 in 55 but I don’t think they’ll fit on the mog. Anyone try those and make it work?

https://www.roughridergravel.com/

got it one week ago. odo already ~250 km. can´t get enough of it. Topstone CF 2 GRX

It’s been 2 years already and still enjoying this frame!

Throwing 50mm Panaracer ZX’s on my 25mm rim. Rolling on my Topstone. Anyone have experience with the ZXs? Will be my first time with a slick center.

Hi, I'm searching a top tube bag for my trek checkpoint gravelbike. I want to store my phone, keys and some small stuff in it, for short rides. I really like the look of the trek adventure bag, but I'm not sure if my phone will fit? Any experience with this top tube bag, or other recommondations? I live in switzerland, so it would be nice if it would be available here.

Little 37mile ride first time touching dirt on the new unit
Poseidon X Gen 3 just put together yesterday
Feels amazing on the gravel

I recently find myself attracted to riding my all road bike alot. On roads of course.

And train on it too.

The goal is weight loss and better fitness. And just go places I like.

But I don't wish to be that person who rides 100km every other day or even week.

Nor do I wish to. Nor do I have that sort of time.

But everybody I see on Instagram. Or rather every cyclist I know from my mountain biking days is doing that. And every other road cyclist too.

Which means. I can't find company of serious cyclists to ride/train with. Nor can I feel motivated or feel good about myself everytime I compare myself to others.