Welcome to RECON where you will find all of our latest stories including gear reviews, ride recaps and industry news.
Today, April 9, 2020, we have witnessed perhaps the biggest news for carbon wheel manufacturing in recent memory with ENVE launching the Foundation Collection. With three new wheelsets, the Utah-based ENVE hopes to get their most well-known products in the frames of more global consumers. With premium, made in the USA, road and mountain wheelsets typically costing well over $2000, the move could disrupt an already super competitive space.
Read MoreIn this episode of the COVID Bike Diaries we check in with cycling apparel brand Velocio on the launch of the 2020 Unity Project that aims to give aid to those who need it most in the wake of COVID-19.
Read MoreWith the infrastructure in place and some creative thinking, both Breadwinner Cycles in Portland, OR and Orucase in San Diego, CA have quickly transitioned their spaces to remain open. We heard from both of them and share their stories below.
Read MoreWe’re big fans of gravel and adventure cycling podcasts here and gathered up a few that have recently been released in this new world of social distancing and home isolation. We hope you are all safe and doing well wherever you may be. Here in California the restrictions have only increased. Originally on March 19, the governor gave a shelter in place order, requesting that all citizens stay at home with the exception of any essential activities. While the order was mostly followed, here in North County San Diego people continue to go outside and enjoy the local parks, trails and beaches. Unfortunately social distancing can be difficult on our narrow trails, sidewalks and beach breaks, forcing the county to and local governments to further restrict access by temporarily closing these public areas starting March 23 to help slow the spread of the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease. If you do go outside please be responsible and follow good pandemic practices. Now for your quarantine listening pleasure, here are 5 podcasts to check out.
Read MoreCA State residents to remain in place at their homes except for essential activities, essential business, and essential government functions. But what does this mean for outdoor activities like cycling, running or hiking? Is riding your bike an essential activity?
Read MoreInspired by the mud-laden conditions often observed at The Mid South gravel race in Stillwater, OK, Salsa Cycles has introduced the Stormchaser, an aluminum frame / carbon fork single speed gravel bike designed to withstand the worst conditions imaginable. Starting from the aluminum Warbird as a point of reference Salsa Engineers gave the Stormchaser a slacker head tube angle and longer wheelbase centers rider weight for more stability.
Read MoreJeff Kerkove of Team Topeak-Ergon took 1st place at the 2020 Stagecoach 400, a multi-day Southern California bikepacking adventure race that was organized by Brendan Collier and Meg Knobel. Starting from Idyllwild CA, Kerkove took an early lead on Friday, March 14 and stayed out front for the entire course only stopping for food and gear adjustments.
Read MoreAs the 2020 Stagecoach 400 rolled out of Idyllwild, CA this morning the rain had subsided for the 50 or so riders starting the Southern California bikepacking race. But while the air may have been dry at 8AM on Friday, March 13, the trails had little time to recover from the storm that came through for a few days before. The race organizers were told just hours before that some dirt sections were off-limits, forcing them to ask riders to ignore the previously supplied GPS route in some sections.
Read MoreThe Stagecoach 400 stands out among peer events for highlighting Southern California’s geographic and cultural diversity, with a 2020 course that features the area’s unique proximity to mountains, desert, and ocean. You can follow along on the adventure via our embedded SPOT Live Tracker below.
Read MoreEaston Cycling is has announced its 2020 Overland gravel race team. With an expanded roster for the new year, a few new faces will join an impressive lineup of race-winning athletes including Amity Rockwell.
Read MoreIn the process of writing up the Top 12 Most Influential Gravel Events of 2020, we came across so many other great rides and races from across the gravel universe. And while many of them are well established, for others this will be their first year. These yet to be experienced races have the potential to take our sport into new territory with innovative new formats and uncharted host locations. So as a follow up to our previous list, we bring you the Top 5 New Gravel Events we’re most excited about for 2020.
Read MoreWe call it Gravel Camp, but when you combine a few industry brands, cycling journalists, top athletes, and promoters from some of the most noteworthy gravel events, it really turns into a gravel party. After the deluge of rain at last year’s event in Calabasas, California, we decided to go with a location that guaranteed warm winter miles and copious amounts of buff singletrack; that spot was Scottsdale, Arizona.
Read MoreJust when you thought the TOC was dead, the powers that be have enlisted the support of the original gravel company to carry California cycling into the future. In partnership with their Development Team, Gravelstoke announced this week the 2020 Tour of Gravel California, an untold number of adventures that will explore parts unseen throughout the Golden State, with each stop featuring its own unique challenges.
Read MoreSierra Nevada Conservancy awards $360,525 planning grant linking 15 communities by 300 miles of new trail.
Read MoreIntroducing the Gravelstoke Cycling Kit 3.0. In collaboration with Eliel Cycling, we are now offering seven unique items for Presale through Wednesday, January 29.
Read MoreOn the evening of Wednesday Jan 22 we gathered at The Sanctuary in San Elijo Hills, California. In addition to a 2019 slideshow and connecting with friends, we revealed our Gravelstoke X Eliel cycling kit design.
Read MoreA 10-year-old triathlon brand that has built a huge following in triathlon on powerful design paired with high-quality American-made cycling and triathlon apparel is making a big splash this week, announcing its arrival onto the gravel scene.
Read MoreThere are still a couple of spots left for next weekend’s BWR Survival Camp, hosted by our friends at Source Endurance. This weekend long event is hands down the best training experience available for upcoming 2020 Belgian Waffle Ride, and a heck of a great time. We’ll be joined by some insanely talented coaches and riders including Adam Mills, Colin Strickland, Peter Stetina and the creator of the BWR, Michael Marckx.
Read MoreEntering into our second year, the Gravelstoke Development Team is an active community of cyclists with a passion for exploration, camaraderie and doing good. Created as our ambassador team, we set out to support the riders who uphold the values and ethos of our brand. We invite you to join us.
Read MoreThe Chamois Hagar defies classification and exudes stoke, taking what we knew gravel to be, and redefining it. 700 x 50c tire clearance, 430mm chainstays, a 66.67-degree headtube angle, 80mm of BB drop, real reach and wheelbase measurements, and a mind-numbing array of customizable configurations.
Read More
