The Gravel Stack
@thegravelstack.substack.com
Gravel Dad (©HSOG)
🎙️ Talking gravel racing on the Gracing podcast.
✍️ Author of the (meme-)award-winning The Gravel Stack newsletter.
🔗 https://linktr.ee/thegravelstack
🎙️ Talking gravel racing on the Gracing podcast.
✍️ Author of the (meme-)award-winning The Gravel Stack newsletter.
🔗 https://linktr.ee/thegravelstack
Pinned
My All Gravel Awards Ballot: Most Valuable Rider. .
And some other updates.
substack.com
Who are the most valuable riders of the 2025 gravel season? I thought about it in-depth as I filled out my All Gravel Awards ballot.
It was a tough one, particularly on the women's side. Where did I land?
Find out in the latest The Gravel Stack edition:
It was a tough one, particularly on the women's side. Where did I land?
Find out in the latest The Gravel Stack edition:
"Even with Grand Tours and Monuments in his pocket, Pellaud says training for the Life Time season pushed him into unfamiliar territory. 'The fitness is totally different to road racing.'"
Great profile of Simon by Alex Hunt on EC. Incl. some clues re his new setup next season.
Great profile of Simon by Alex Hunt on EC. Incl. some clues re his new setup next season.
From WorldTour nomad to gravel podiums: The reinvention of Simon Pellaud
He arrived in the US with no gravel racing experience, no expectations, no plan, and left as one of the most consistent riders of the season.
escapecollective.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:40 PM
"Even with Grand Tours and Monuments in his pocket, Pellaud says training for the Life Time season pushed him into unfamiliar territory. 'The fitness is totally different to road racing.'"
Great profile of Simon by Alex Hunt on EC. Incl. some clues re his new setup next season.
Great profile of Simon by Alex Hunt on EC. Incl. some clues re his new setup next season.
Suvi Loponen sat down with Roman Arnold to talk about his return to Canyon's CEO seat and his future plans for the brand.
Good stuff. Even though I hope Roman sees gravel as more than a pathway to buying MTBs 😅
Good stuff. Even though I hope Roman sees gravel as more than a pathway to buying MTBs 😅
'We’re not a discount brand' – Roman Arnold on taking back the reins at Canyon
The newly returned brand founder talks about the current state of the brand, the bike industry and its future.
escapecollective.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Suvi Loponen sat down with Roman Arnold to talk about his return to Canyon's CEO seat and his future plans for the brand.
Good stuff. Even though I hope Roman sees gravel as more than a pathway to buying MTBs 😅
Good stuff. Even though I hope Roman sees gravel as more than a pathway to buying MTBs 😅
Whenever I see John Collins, it takes me a moment to realize I'm not watching J.R. Smith.
November 27, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Whenever I see John Collins, it takes me a moment to realize I'm not watching J.R. Smith.
Aaaand we made it. My All Gravel Awards ballot frenzy comes to a close. But not before I tell you who I voted for as Best Gravel Team and Most Interesting Setup.
Was a proper marathon 🤪
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/best-grave...
Was a proper marathon 🤪
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/best-grave...
Best Gravel Team, Most Interesting Setup | My 2025 All Gravel Awards Ballot Pt. 4
How I voted on the Best Gravel Team and Most Interesting Setup awards. Chase Wark vs ? Trek Driftless vs PAS Racing. And who's the Rose Racing Circle?!
thegravelstack.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Aaaand we made it. My All Gravel Awards ballot frenzy comes to a close. But not before I tell you who I voted for as Best Gravel Team and Most Interesting Setup.
Was a proper marathon 🤪
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/best-grave...
Was a proper marathon 🤪
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/best-grave...
The All Gravel Awards craze continues.
In today's edition: Most Impressive Performance, Gravel Race of the Year, and the Best (Live) Coverage awards.
Including my 1st flip-flop since talking to JP.
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/all-gravel...
In today's edition: Most Impressive Performance, Gravel Race of the Year, and the Best (Live) Coverage awards.
Including my 1st flip-flop since talking to JP.
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/all-gravel...
All Gravel Awards Ballot: Most Impressive Performance and Race Awards (Pt. 3)
Most Impressive Rider, Gravel Race of the Year, Best (Live) Coverage. We're getting further on my 2025 All Gravel Awards ballot.
thegravelstack.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The All Gravel Awards craze continues.
In today's edition: Most Impressive Performance, Gravel Race of the Year, and the Best (Live) Coverage awards.
Including my 1st flip-flop since talking to JP.
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/all-gravel...
In today's edition: Most Impressive Performance, Gravel Race of the Year, and the Best (Live) Coverage awards.
Including my 1st flip-flop since talking to JP.
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/all-gravel...
I looked at the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix rosters and all the fresh faces joining the party.
From being star-struck on the women's side to discovering a new men's field that has all the ingredients to surprise us, it's all in my new piece over @escapecollective.bsky.social
From being star-struck on the women's side to discovering a new men's field that has all the ingredients to surprise us, it's all in my new piece over @escapecollective.bsky.social
Who is racing the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix?
A rundown of the rosters with a closer look at the newcomers to the series.
escapecollective.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I looked at the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix rosters and all the fresh faces joining the party.
From being star-struck on the women's side to discovering a new men's field that has all the ingredients to surprise us, it's all in my new piece over @escapecollective.bsky.social
From being star-struck on the women's side to discovering a new men's field that has all the ingredients to surprise us, it's all in my new piece over @escapecollective.bsky.social
You can also hear me not, for the life of me, remembering Jeff and Stan van Gundy's names "live" on air. 😅
But in general, sneaking in a bit of NBA talk in a gravel podcast never hurts, does it?!
But in general, sneaking in a bit of NBA talk in a gravel podcast never hurts, does it?!
Who is the 2025 Gravel MVP?
I had JP aka The Stable Cyclist on the pod to discuss our (preliminary) All Gravel Awards ballots.
From Most Valuable Riders to Best Teams, from Most Exciting Newcomers to Best Live Coverage, we had a lot to hash out.
zencastr.com/z/D0XtP_4L
I had JP aka The Stable Cyclist on the pod to discuss our (preliminary) All Gravel Awards ballots.
From Most Valuable Riders to Best Teams, from Most Exciting Newcomers to Best Live Coverage, we had a lot to hash out.
zencastr.com/z/D0XtP_4L
Gracing Podcast: All Gravel Awards Ballots with The Stable Cyclist John Peter by @Paul Voss
John Peter aka The Stable Cyclist joins Thomas to discuss their All Gravel Awards ballots! With the newly formed expert voting panel assembled for the All Gravel Awards 2025, Thomas and JP put their…
zencastr.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:18 PM
You can also hear me not, for the life of me, remembering Jeff and Stan van Gundy's names "live" on air. 😅
But in general, sneaking in a bit of NBA talk in a gravel podcast never hurts, does it?!
But in general, sneaking in a bit of NBA talk in a gravel podcast never hurts, does it?!
Who is the 2025 Gravel MVP?
I had JP aka The Stable Cyclist on the pod to discuss our (preliminary) All Gravel Awards ballots.
From Most Valuable Riders to Best Teams, from Most Exciting Newcomers to Best Live Coverage, we had a lot to hash out.
zencastr.com/z/D0XtP_4L
I had JP aka The Stable Cyclist on the pod to discuss our (preliminary) All Gravel Awards ballots.
From Most Valuable Riders to Best Teams, from Most Exciting Newcomers to Best Live Coverage, we had a lot to hash out.
zencastr.com/z/D0XtP_4L
Gracing Podcast: All Gravel Awards Ballots with The Stable Cyclist John Peter by @Paul Voss
John Peter aka The Stable Cyclist joins Thomas to discuss their All Gravel Awards ballots! With the newly formed expert voting panel assembled for the All Gravel Awards 2025, Thomas and JP put their…
zencastr.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Who is the 2025 Gravel MVP?
I had JP aka The Stable Cyclist on the pod to discuss our (preliminary) All Gravel Awards ballots.
From Most Valuable Riders to Best Teams, from Most Exciting Newcomers to Best Live Coverage, we had a lot to hash out.
zencastr.com/z/D0XtP_4L
I had JP aka The Stable Cyclist on the pod to discuss our (preliminary) All Gravel Awards ballots.
From Most Valuable Riders to Best Teams, from Most Exciting Newcomers to Best Live Coverage, we had a lot to hash out.
zencastr.com/z/D0XtP_4L
Next part of my All Gravel Awards ballot series.
Today, we'll figure out my Most Improved Riders & Most Exciting Newcomers.
Some close match-ups in there!
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/all-gravel...
Today, we'll figure out my Most Improved Riders & Most Exciting Newcomers.
Some close match-ups in there!
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/all-gravel...
All Gravel Awards: Most Improved Riders & Most Exciting Newcomers
Today, we’ll progress on my All Gravel Awards ballot. We will find out who I have as my Most Improved Riders and Most Exciting Newcomers.
substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Next part of my All Gravel Awards ballot series.
Today, we'll figure out my Most Improved Riders & Most Exciting Newcomers.
Some close match-ups in there!
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/all-gravel...
Today, we'll figure out my Most Improved Riders & Most Exciting Newcomers.
Some close match-ups in there!
thegravelstack.substack.com/p/all-gravel...
I started writing about gravel racing on Escape Collective and will do so regularly going forward.
As a fan of their work, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to bring gravel racing to a bigger platform, and one of cycling's best one's at that.
In case you missed the first things I wrote 👇
As a fan of their work, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to bring gravel racing to a bigger platform, and one of cycling's best one's at that.
In case you missed the first things I wrote 👇
November 22, 2025 at 9:21 AM
I started writing about gravel racing on Escape Collective and will do so regularly going forward.
As a fan of their work, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to bring gravel racing to a bigger platform, and one of cycling's best one's at that.
In case you missed the first things I wrote 👇
As a fan of their work, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to bring gravel racing to a bigger platform, and one of cycling's best one's at that.
In case you missed the first things I wrote 👇
Who are the most valuable riders of the 2025 gravel season? I thought about it in-depth as I filled out my All Gravel Awards ballot.
It was a tough one, particularly on the women's side. Where did I land?
Find out in the latest The Gravel Stack edition:
It was a tough one, particularly on the women's side. Where did I land?
Find out in the latest The Gravel Stack edition:
My All Gravel Awards Ballot: Most Valuable Rider. .
And some other updates.
substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Who are the most valuable riders of the 2025 gravel season? I thought about it in-depth as I filled out my All Gravel Awards ballot.
It was a tough one, particularly on the women's side. Where did I land?
Find out in the latest The Gravel Stack edition:
It was a tough one, particularly on the women's side. Where did I land?
Find out in the latest The Gravel Stack edition:
Tiffany Cromwell on hosting gravel races, the upcoming UCI World Champs in Australia, safety, and creating our own gravel "rulebook".
Road veteran, gravel pioneer: Tiff Cromwell wants gravel racing to keep evolving
'Love it or hate it, the UCI coming in definitely helped grow' gravel racing, says the multidiscipline star.
escapecollective.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Tiffany Cromwell on hosting gravel races, the upcoming UCI World Champs in Australia, safety, and creating our own gravel "rulebook".
Apparently you can now ride (segments of) the Life Time Grand Prix races indoors. At least if you use Rouvy, that is.
If anyone of you does, lmk if riding Little Egypt on the trainer is any good. (Shd nxt gen trainers simulate bumpy gravel?)
If anyone of you does, lmk if riding Little Egypt on the trainer is any good. (Shd nxt gen trainers simulate bumpy gravel?)
Rouvy brings Life Time’s elite gravel courses indoors - BikeBiz
Rouvy is bringing spring and summer gravel riding indoors this winter, offering riders specific trai
bikebiz.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Apparently you can now ride (segments of) the Life Time Grand Prix races indoors. At least if you use Rouvy, that is.
If anyone of you does, lmk if riding Little Egypt on the trainer is any good. (Shd nxt gen trainers simulate bumpy gravel?)
If anyone of you does, lmk if riding Little Egypt on the trainer is any good. (Shd nxt gen trainers simulate bumpy gravel?)
I had Joe Laverick on the pod. We talked about the beginning of gravel's "team era", why he's working on his own team and how he's going about it, and we went deep on the current state of the Gravel Pie 🥧
Gracing Podcast: Building a Gravel Team with Joe Laverick
open.spotify.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I had Joe Laverick on the pod. We talked about the beginning of gravel's "team era", why he's working on his own team and how he's going about it, and we went deep on the current state of the Gravel Pie 🥧
I'm glad to see that gravel bikes in the most important segment, entry level, are taken seriously and capable.
I'd still love to see more releases in the 999-1,499€ range—which Cues enables—but there's plenty of bike to be had for less than €2k.
I'd still love to see more releases in the 999-1,499€ range—which Cues enables—but there's plenty of bike to be had for less than €2k.
Why 2026 will be the year of the affordable gravel bike – whatever kind of rider you are | BikeRadar
Finally, it appears the bike industry is giving this huge affordable end of the gravel market the respect it deserves.
www.bikeradar.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:03 AM
I'm glad to see that gravel bikes in the most important segment, entry level, are taken seriously and capable.
I'd still love to see more releases in the 999-1,499€ range—which Cues enables—but there's plenty of bike to be had for less than €2k.
I'd still love to see more releases in the 999-1,499€ range—which Cues enables—but there's plenty of bike to be had for less than €2k.
An update on the situation around The Rift and the Gravel Earth Series:
The Rift gets a cuckoo's egg from the Gravel Earth Series. escapecollective.com/the-rift-get...
The Rift gets a cuckoo's egg from the Gravel Earth Series. escapecollective.com/the-rift-get...
The Rift gets a cuckoo's egg from the Gravel Earth Series
The Rift and the Gravel Earth Series are parting ways, and a new race in Iceland has taken The Rift's place in the series.
escapecollective.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:31 AM
An update on the situation around The Rift and the Gravel Earth Series:
The Rift gets a cuckoo's egg from the Gravel Earth Series. escapecollective.com/the-rift-get...
The Rift gets a cuckoo's egg from the Gravel Earth Series. escapecollective.com/the-rift-get...
Does this qualify as a gravel bike in 2026?
40 mm tire clearance is where road bikes are headed. That bike _may_ have its purpose for sponsored pros who can pick race-specific bikes. But for normie riders it makes little sense, imho.
40 mm tire clearance is where road bikes are headed. That bike _may_ have its purpose for sponsored pros who can pick race-specific bikes. But for normie riders it makes little sense, imho.
MERIDA MISSION 10K 2026 on Test – Gravel Racer or All-Road on Steroids?
The new MERIDA MISSION 10K 2026 aims to blur the lines between all-road and gravel racing – but can it really strike the perfect balance between off-road grit and on-road speed?
granfondo-cycling.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Does this qualify as a gravel bike in 2026?
40 mm tire clearance is where road bikes are headed. That bike _may_ have its purpose for sponsored pros who can pick race-specific bikes. But for normie riders it makes little sense, imho.
40 mm tire clearance is where road bikes are headed. That bike _may_ have its purpose for sponsored pros who can pick race-specific bikes. But for normie riders it makes little sense, imho.
Good piece on the adventure of AliExpress bicycle shopping by Iain Treloar. (An activity I haven't yet engaged in myself, but we'll get there.)
I bought a frame from AliExpress. It didn’t go very well.
A haven for the bargain-hunter or a disaster waiting to happen? Time to investigate.
escapecollective.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Good piece on the adventure of AliExpress bicycle shopping by Iain Treloar. (An activity I haven't yet engaged in myself, but we'll get there.)
Bike racing as a means of integration? Why not?! (The very talented) Cecile Lejeune shares her story of discovering the vastness and variety of the USA by racing the Life Time Grand Prix. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Americanization through racing
Racing all over the country has been tremendously valuable to me for developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of the US.
substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Bike racing as a means of integration? Why not?! (The very talented) Cecile Lejeune shares her story of discovering the vastness and variety of the USA by racing the Life Time Grand Prix. substack.com/home/post/p-...
That's a sick bike. I wonder if Chase Wark would cut off the drops for a 372 km ride, but besides that, it's pretty much an aero dork's gravel bike wet dream, I guess?!
Dan Bigham and REAP combine on wild aero gravel time trial bike mashup
Dan Bigham and REAP combine on wild aero gravel time trial bike mashup
Dan Bigham and REAP combine on wild aero gravel time trial bike mashup
A 'celebration of British Engineering' sees aerodynamics expert collaborate with Reap and Detail Bike Tech to come up with an FKT-focused aero gravel machine
www.cyclingnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:38 PM
That's a sick bike. I wonder if Chase Wark would cut off the drops for a 372 km ride, but besides that, it's pretty much an aero dork's gravel bike wet dream, I guess?!
Dan Bigham and REAP combine on wild aero gravel time trial bike mashup
Dan Bigham and REAP combine on wild aero gravel time trial bike mashup
As sports in general, and cycling in particular, become platforms for nation states and political actors, sports writing has to venture into new realms, too.
This is a prime example of how to do it well:
This is a prime example of how to do it well:
Israel grew toxic in pro cycling; will the UAE?
A growing humanitarian disaster with ties to cycling raises questions almost identical to those the sport faced about Gaza.
escapecollective.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM
As sports in general, and cycling in particular, become platforms for nation states and political actors, sports writing has to venture into new realms, too.
This is a prime example of how to do it well:
This is a prime example of how to do it well:
Lael Wilcox will attempt the ride around the world faster than anyone (including any man) has ever done.
The current, fully supported, record is at 78 days and 14 hours. She'll have to ride upwards of 230 miles/370km per day to break it. Pretty badass.
The current, fully supported, record is at 78 days and 14 hours. She'll have to ride upwards of 230 miles/370km per day to break it. Pretty badass.
'Physically, I can do this' - Lael Wilcox to attempt the ride around the world outright record in 2026
American ultra-endurance cyclist aims to beat Mark Beaumont's supported record of 78 days, 14 hours, and 40 minutes set in 2017
www.cyclingnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Lael Wilcox will attempt the ride around the world faster than anyone (including any man) has ever done.
The current, fully supported, record is at 78 days and 14 hours. She'll have to ride upwards of 230 miles/370km per day to break it. Pretty badass.
The current, fully supported, record is at 78 days and 14 hours. She'll have to ride upwards of 230 miles/370km per day to break it. Pretty badass.
Just filed a solid 4,500 words on the new faces in next season's Life Time Grand Prix rosters.
Who are you most excited to see next year?
Who are you most excited to see next year?
November 13, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Just filed a solid 4,500 words on the new faces in next season's Life Time Grand Prix rosters.
Who are you most excited to see next year?
Who are you most excited to see next year?
Thank you, Lifetime, for selecting so many new riders to the Life Time Grand Prix. 6 new ladies, 9 new guys. That means writing my "new grand prix faces" pieces is actually quite a lot of work. Did somebody say off-season? Not on the content side at least 😅
November 13, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Thank you, Lifetime, for selecting so many new riders to the Life Time Grand Prix. 6 new ladies, 9 new guys. That means writing my "new grand prix faces" pieces is actually quite a lot of work. Did somebody say off-season? Not on the content side at least 😅
