Scott Cornish recently rode gravel in the french region of Vaucluse. Follow his trip.
Possibly a lost art with all the modern factory built wheels, but defiantly one of the most useful things you...
Rider, racer, coach and all round adventure beast Rich Rothwell takes us round the sharp end of the Dirty Reiver,...
If like us, you’re a total map geek then you’ll be excited to know that Ride with GPS have just...

Real World Experiences
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Gravel Vaucluse
Scott Cornish recently rode gravel in the french region of Vaucluse. Follow his trip.

Further East
Neil Phillips tells us about his recent ride/race – Further East.
Adventure Tested & Rated
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Guides for Gravelleurs
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“Did you build your wheels?” “No, my wife did.”
Possibly a lost art with all the modern factory built wheels, but defiantly one of the most useful things you can learn if you’re off out into the wild for adventures. We meet fellow Gravelleur Mark from The Tension is Building and learn a little about the art of wheel building. Highly recommended as both a place to visit and a jolly nice fellow.

“Did you build your wheels?” “No, my wife did.”
I know the last couple of years have been difficult for everyone, I haven’t suffered as much as some but I did have to entertain my wife for a month during the first lockdown! In an effort to try and avoid us slipping into the “drinking before lunch in our pyjamas” business model we tried to find things to pass our time in slightly more productive ways. I needed a new pair of wheels for my mountain bike so decided teaching her to build them would be a great distraction from the challenges of the times we were living in.
I should, at this point, mention that I’ve been building wheels professionally for 30 years. I learned my trade at York Cycleworks when I started work at 17 and remember vividly being shown how to build wheels. My training was basically “This is how you lace… quarter of a turn at a time, you’ll be right” and I was then pretty much left to my own devices. Wheels were built as an art rather than a science and you just developed a feel for building reliable wheels through repetition over time, although, as technology has changed I have started to build a little bit more scientifically with regards to tension. I thought I’d probably be able to equal if not exceed my initiation into the craft for my wife’s introduction to the art of wheel building.
So, our day wheel building went quite well. I explained the principles of how to lace wheels which she picked up fairly quickly and described it as “a bit like metallic crocheting”… “yes dear, just knitting with wire”. We then slowly moved through the truing, tensioning, dishing and de-stressing of them, working methodically they eventually turned into a really well built pair of wheels. The thing I enjoyed most was that I hadn’t had to touch them, she’d pretty much done them herself and had enjoyed doing it. And I had a new pair of wheels. Result.
This got me to thinking that anyone could build themselves some wheels, they’d love it, if you’ve been thinking about it my advice would be to go for it.
Probably the best way to start would be to book yourself onto a wheel building course. You’ll have the best learning experience and have the peace of mind that the wheels you’ve produced are safe and well built. *Insert shameless plug here. I have now started to offer wheel building courses in the Yorkshire Dales www.thetensionisbuilding.com (the moustachioed soigneur on the home page is my great great grandad) bet you’ve all gone and had a look! But search around and I’m sure you’ll find someone local offering courses.
Your second option would be to visit your ‘good’ local bike shop and tell them what you’re thinking about doing. Buy the parts from them, they’ll work out the spoke lengths, offer a bit of advice and might even cast an eye over them when you’ve finished. Buy a guide to wheel building and crack on. If you struggle, don’t worry, it will cost you two wheel trues but you’ll have a new pair of wheels. Remember though that bike mechanics spend their days in basements or lofts, don’t get a great deal of natural daylight, are poorly paid and often grumpy. Be nice to them, they often respond well to pastry based sweet treats.
The third option is the Internet route, good luck! There are some great wheel building resources online, I’ve seen lots of really good advice offered freely, it might still be worth paying a professional to check them over for you.
Wheel building is something I think everyone can master and ultimately take a great deal of pleasure from. It’s a brilliant feeling riding round on a pair of wheels that you (or you’re wife) have built and not bought. Go on, have a go, you will enjoy it. Just bear in mind that frustration is the first stage of learning.
How to escape after work
It’s all too easy to think that you always have to go and do something terribly epic to feel like you’ve escaped the day.
You don’t! Here’s our little film about getting some after work head space.
A guide to waxing chains
We won’t lie, we’re massive fans of Smoove Lube. Tried and tested over thousands and thousands of KM and in all kinds of weather.
We thought we’d make this short film about how to correctly prep your chain to maximise it’s life. All the more important in the great parts shortage.
HERE TO GUIDE THE WAY
We’re not pros by any stretch, but we’ve some advice to share and encourage you to just get out there!
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Bicycle Touring Documentary - Cycling USA 2 (Ep41) - BRIDGEPORT. More of Nebraska with a Broken Rim.
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I wake up in Hay Springs, Nebraska after a cool and peaceful night camping in their city park. Early on I get a flat tire with a puncture that started bulging out my rear rim. I end up in a bit of trouble with this continuing rim issue but make it to the city of Bridgeport where I camp in their recreational area. This wonderful day is filled with lots of train action. 🛤🚂
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An early crash means a ride destined for greatness. Am I right? ... See MoreSee Less

Specially crashing at 0.9miles into a ride. At least you made it outside :p
I hope you saved the star to stick on the repair for the Glove of Character(+2)
that's the trade off , speed on tarmak vs grip on gravel 🙂
Chunky gravelin' ... See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Omg ! One step at a time is all it takes. Great start 🙂
Take it steady- route looks lovely
Incredible ride yesterday with breathtaking views all the way from Squamish to Whistler and back. To reach Whistler it’s a bit over 50km and 1000m elevation gain through gravel, forest trails and steep rocky climbs (had to piggyback my bike on a few segments). A quick lunch in Whistler and a swift return still clocking in another 500m elevation gain over 50km, albeit on highway so much easier.
Next time I’ll definitely do this the other way around, rookie mistake 😅
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.