The Latest Thing To RUIN Gravel Racing Is... | GCN Show Ep. 595

Has gravel biking changed for the better? Or is it starting to become too technical? From the tech to the innovative clothing, Si & Dan delve into what unfolded at the Unbound Gravel 2024 and more this week's GCN Show!

00:00 Welcome to the GCN Show
00:37 The leading stories
01:31 Lachlan Morton - Winner of Men’s Unbound 2024
04:30 PhD Student wins Women’s Unbound 2024
05:14 Who is ruining Gravel Biking?
10:05 New AGU x GCN Cycling Kit
10:47 New MET helmets to go with it
11:19 Cycling shorts
17:17 New cycling media releases
19:16 Hack/Bodge of the week
25:54 Caption Competition
29:22 Comment of the week

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What are your thoughts on the changes in gravel racing? Do you think it is changing for the better? Let us know in the comments💬

Watch more on GCN...

🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Afternoon Swing - Five Dime Fellas
December Batch - Discovery

#gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #gravel #unbound #gravelbike #worldseries #peloton #cyclingnews

📸 Photos - © @unboundgravel © Taylor Chase © @coldcollaborative
© Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sirotti Images

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[gcn]

Do you think gravel is being ruined? 👀

[abalm]

The “spirit” of gravel may be long dead for the pros. But for us amateurs it feels alive and well. I had a blast doing Unbound 200 this year. I’ve met so many awesome people mid-race from around the US and the world the last three times I’ve done it. It’s so awesome sharing such a challenging, emotional rollercoaster of experience with random strangers with a similar mindset and goal. And honestly the best part is just seeing people finish regardless of their times. 202 miles with 11, 000 of climbing through some of the gnarliest terrain seems like such a daunting task for any amateur. But to see people of all ages, athletic abilities, and different walks of life follow through with such a challenge is truly inspirational.

[michaelnewman]

I wasn't watching Unbound. I was riding it. Thank you for selecting my "Welcome to the GCN Show" intro! My shameless ploy worked.

[KelvinSuddith]

Had no clue Bill Walton’s passing would be mentioned here. Not only did Walton love bikes and promote riding them, he spent a fair chunk of time and money promoting better resources for riding and bike routes

[radeviq]

Valteri Bottas getting second in his age group at Unbound I think was worth mentioning 🎉

[juliesmiley]

One of the best stories from Unbound was the 3 guys from RodeoLabs that completed the 200 mile race on beach cruiser bikes from WalMart. They looked like they were having a blast.

[barryluck]

Having better competition at Unbound was great. It makes watching way more exciting. There were still 4, 000 amateurs riding multiple rides/races so I’m not sure how having a pro race at the front is hurting anything

[Pratalax]

Mohoric continuing to demonstrate that he's an absolute top bloke. Love that guy.

[rbonn]

Lachlan Morton is the kind of cyclist we all aspire to be. Let's not forget he rode the entire TDF route last year as well as the transfer mileage.

[davehause]

Bicycle racing / fast group riding attracts obsessive people. It's only a matter of time before the casual becomes hyper competitive.

[Elucidated_Imp]

I'm a London bus driver and I can't tell you the number of times a week some colleagues have trouble with cyclists for close calls or misunderstandings. And yet, myself and other regular cycling colleagues will only have similar incidents perhaps only a few times a year. I'd encourage anything that allows different road users a perspective of each others headspace.

[pklaurenz]

follow up comment about the top tube portable speaker. That was my bike. I am thrilled to be on your'all's radar! Last year, as a 61 year old guy, I rode over 3, 000 miles, and on pace for 4, 000 this year. I live out in the country, and ride 98% of my rides solo. I also do not like hearing other people's music. I never even carry it if I am riding with somebody else. Also, I would never wear earbuds on the road. I also never turn it on until the back 50% of my ride. Anyway, it is what *I* like to do, and how I like to do it. No mold for me.

[joemiller]

The gummy bear dispenser is absolutely a hack. Plus, that top lid has to come off for the bento box screw mount. If the guy who sent this into GCN reads this, please let me know where I can get the 3D printer files or where you're selling them. I'd eat way more gummy bears and eat less gels. Absolutely genius idea.

[jordanperformance]

Lachy may have put in some big weeks with some intervals sprinkled in but I'd be willing to bet he's one of, if not the only person in the top 25 who didn't use a HR strap or a power meter.. Talk about riding on feel and feel alone and that is just a massive W for the spirit of gravel (whatever the hell that even means anymore) Gotta hand it to him and his effort and say chapeau to such a classy legend of the sport

[NorthernCyclist]

What ruins cycling generally are snobs, and snobs are everywhere in races.

[cleatwalters]

The area Morton was training in (one of the areas I train in), is remote and full of adventure. It's all old ghost towns and old roads used in gold mining, and it is an amazing adventure. You can't really understand what it is, unless you ride it. That he may have done intervals out there, doesn't belie his suggestion that he was primarily riding for fun. That area is made for long, fun (as long as steep elevation is fun for you) rides.

[alikabok-essx]

As long as Si and Dan are in GCN, GCN is in safe hands.
Never get tired watching these two pioneers.
Thanks!!

[ChristianAlkjr]

I remember when David Zabriskie turned up to a Vuelta a España etape, wearing a skinsuit, planning to go in the break of the day. This was very unusual at the time, and he was roasted by his colleagues at the start line. None the less, he ended up winning after a solo break, lasting the entire stage. To the best of my recollection, a very young Valverde crashed during the stage, and because Valverde was wearing the leader jersey (golden?), the peloton slowed down, thus making Zabriskie's madnees project actually pan out!

So I guess you can say, David Zabriskie ruined gravel 20 years ago?

[ChrisGuarraia]

13:32 When I coached high school tennis (bear with me here; this will make sense), our athletic director told the coaches that “bigs take care of the littles” meaning that the coaches look out for the more senior tennis players and the more senior tennis players look out for the younger players, both in sport and socially at school. I do apply that when I’m driving, that the “bigs” (e.g., motor vehicle drivers) look out for the “littles” (e.g., pedestrians, cyclists). A vehicle is a tool that can become a weapon (intentional or not) that can inflict incredible harm, including death, to those literally smaller than them and that when you’re behind the wheel, you have a responsibility and an obligation to look out for anyone that you share the road with. Period. Everyone has someone to go home to, someone who would miss them dearly if something were to happen to them.

[markguerin]

I feel like this is the same thing that happened to the mountain bike vibe in the 80's. People talked about how social and welcoming people were at first, then it got "organized" with national cycling bodies and the UCI and that just led to its downfall as a fun get together and race event.