With the second generation of the Fairlight Faran being released in 2020, we were keen to take a look at this updated steel frameset and builds that cater to the do-it-all rider. Mounts for...
Tyre brand Vittoria recently released a gravel-specific rim, puncture and run flat protection in the form of the new foam insert named the Air-Liner. We sent a set to James Malone, our...
Ortlieb announced a second model in their Frame-Pack Toptube line up last year with an added rolltop closure (RC) option. Curious about the differences between these two options, ADVNTR...
As we covered in Part 1 (Are Gravel Bikes Just 80's Mountain Bikes?), although vintage mountain bikes are not the same as modern gravel bikes, I think that with a few tweaks they can be...
I’ve been putting the Schwalbe Tire Booster tubeless set up canister – an alternative to a tubeless track pump – to the test over the last six months or so to see if home...
Perhaps better known for his alternative cycling club ARAF, ‘advocating steady as fuck adventures‘, we chatted to Chris Hunter about his go-to rig. As a designer, Chris has an...
Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, with the gorgeous Pentland Hills on his doorstep, we asked serial bikepacker Andrew Cullen to see what he thought of the all new Bombtrack Cale AL. New for...
The Wild Country Zephyros Compact 2 is a bit of a mouthful, but what it lacks in snappy nomenclature it more than makes up for in a package that boasts pretty astounding value for money,...
From wet London to snowy Ontario, Taylor Doyle has been testing out the top-end Showers Pass Refuge Jacket as part of our winter waterproof group test. Showers Pass is a high performance...
As part of our winter waterproof jacket group test, gravel rider and professional photographer Dan Monaghan reviewed 7mesh’s newly released Copilot waterproof jacket. Based in...
As it was my final day staying in the Cairngorms it was time for a ride up to Ryvoan Bothy, via that weirdly green Lochan, can never remember the name!
Was super wet and I think I only saw one other rider. Had the place to myself.
Also it was a good chance to finally get my @straightcutdesign bags properly filthy 😂
Spending the week staying in Feshiebridge not far from Aviemore. This place is interlaced with amazing gravel tracks, single track, quiet roads and bog (for those that like that kind of thing).
After a day of heavy snow, sleet, hail and everything else a Scottish Spring day bring I finished it with my f with a sunny rise out to Loch an Eilein.
The new @fairlightcycles Holt XC frame has arrived. To say I've been excited for it's arrival would be putting it mildly.
Built last night for a wet first ride today (thanks to the @pedalsbikecare team for a last minute steerer cut yesterday!). Featuring 12spd SLX, XTR hubs on WTB rims with @vittoriauk_tyres Syerra tyres. PNW Rainier dropper and some Hope bits and my trusty @wearepinnd CS2 Ti pedals.
Special shout outs to @sqlab for sending some amazing inner bar ends which are perfect for this rider with ruined arms and @bentleycomponents for his craft!
There are some really great details you can read all about on the Fairlight site and I'll report in all summer as I get the miles in. First impressions are that it's been agonised over in designing it as it feels incredibly comfortable and the geo spot on.
(P.s. frame was bought not given just for clarity)....
Heck! I haven’t ridden this bike since Autumn last year. My winter season kind of fell apart for one reason or another but it’s so good to back riding this bike and to finally test out my awesome new @straightcutdesign bag set up. 👌🏻 this will take me to many happy places. We have plans again. . .
Its been around 3 months since I last ventured out on the bike 😯☹️. A mixture of illness, starting one new job, then another, more illness and a bit of Christmas mixed in.
So today was a blessing, I left everything and just rode a slow pace on my trusty old CdF on quiet roads, tracks, no strava, no computer, no drinks bottle either 😂 forgot it (#rusty).
Anyway, I’m feeling healthy for the first time in ages so I’m looking forward to lighter evenings and cold sunny morning rides. 👍🏻
Plus sorting out my bike packing plans for the year.
@tartangravel...
@tartangravel here -sat at home overdosing on coffee and looking back at my favourite moments from this year. I take thousands of photos, hundreds on each trip, so picking out ones that best reflect each trip is difficult! To many to select from! Maybe a blog is better to cover off each trip 🤔.
Anyway, I will spare you an explanation on each except for the last photo of my son riding his wee bike. When ever he’s out he goes off exploring, riding as far as he can even into the dark. Makes me proud to think he’s got that sense of adventure already in him, not yet 2 but with a massive appetite to explore.
Happy New Year to you all and here’s to another great year on two wheels. 🍻🚵
@sqlab very kindly sent some saddles to try out. Having ridden them in the past it's good to see the evolution of their kit with these new models. One is being used for Zwift and the other will actually go outside.
July and a quick morning ride out to Sandwood Bay. Such a fantastic place with a certain eeriness and feeling that is hard to pin down. The path is quick by bike from the main road, a little rocky in places and tyre choice being the determining factor in being able to ride it all. 650*BIG is the recommendation.
Continuing to look back on the year these pictures are from a trip in May to do the Cairngorms Loop. We failed, only completing the inner loop before heading off to ride more gravel bike friendly terrain. I had a friend with me on a gravel bike who thought I’d arranged a ride not a walk so I felt I owed him some miles in the saddle.
We started with the inner loop and the track down into a Glen Derry was a little rough for a fully laden gravel bike, especially if you fancied actually riding the thing 😂. I enjoyed it, I had a little more tyre so it was passible.
A camp by the Linn of Dee was lovely, beautiful sunshine at sunset and a few whiskies were had, it also is in the middle of a figure of eight route wise so you have options.
Day two, we took to Glen Feshie with lots of stream and river crossings, bog and more hike-a-bike but it’s a very pretty place to spend time in.
I think anybody tacking the Cairngorms loop, and they should as it’s spectacular, should consider using an MTB with front suspension, it’ll make a massive difference to your ride vs hike ratio. @tartangravel
It’s that time of year when you start looking back and reminiscing about memories made on two wheels.
I’m going to start sharing some pictures and memories over the next week or so starting with these, taken on the first over night of the year. It was close to home at a place called Hirendean Castle, a 16th century ruin which stands up on a hill with pretty spectacular views over the Pentlands and Gladhouse Reservoir on the fringes of the Scottish Borders.
The idea was to get the kit out and ride not too far from home, have a bite, a few beers share some whisky and head home in the morning. It was March and bloody freezing so my two season quilt wasn’t up to it. That said it was awesome to be out with a crew sipping whisky under the stars. Bacon rolls and coffee in Roslin the next morning worked a treat warming us back up nicely. Sometimes you don’t need to nail 60 mile days in the hills to find adventure, it can be found just down the road. @tartangravel...
Tell everyone what your GOTY is. Rather than the usual gear of the year thing, we want to know what you rate instead. Share in the comments what you've enjoyed using this year and recommend to other riders. If there are groups or events you want to recognise too, please fire them in as well.