Gravel Union Talks Carlo & Olly

Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing. 
In this episode:
Andrea Lodder who works in the marketing team at Merida Bikes, talks about her life as a "gravel influencer", vlogger and journalist and how she manages to balance her love of cycling when it's both her work and her hobby.Terre di Pisa Bike Trail - a new bikepacking route that has recently been launched in central Tuscany.Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at info@gravelunion.cc 
Check out our platform and socials www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Links:
Gravel Inspiration - Gravel riding with a legend
There are not many sports where you can even get close to a superstar and former world champion, let alone spend an entire day riding with them, but on his recent adventure to take part in the TransCordilleras bikepacking rally, that’s exactly what happened for Jorge Padrones. He got to spend a day racing with former road race world champion Annemiek Van Vleuten who, after retiring from racing on the road, has taken up gravel riding. Would he be able to keep up? Would he be too star-struck to communicate with her? Read on to find out how he got on.
Armchair Adventure - Classics Story
At this time of year, many gravel riding fans probably spend a good chunk of time watching the different races that form part of the Spring Classics season on the TV. Although there isn’t a direct link between a love of bikepacking or adventure riding and a love of pavé, a lot of the principles are the same – riding an inappropriate bike on a surface that it’s not really designed for and having a lot of fun in the process. There’s a big difference though between watching it on TV and actually doing it in real life though. And an even bigger difference between riding one of the Spring Classics events and riding all of them, non-stop, over the course of just over 80 hours. That’s exactly what Jesko von Werthern did back in 2022 and we caught up with him to get the inside story. 
News - Rebound 2024
Can you imagine a gravel event with 100,000 participants where the target for the combined total distance ridden is 10 million miles? That's what the organisers of Rebound 2024 hope to pull off this year and if they succeed, it will be the world's biggest gravel event. To find out how to join in the fun, 

Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing. 
In this episode:
Guests: 
Carly & Erwin Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at info@gravelunion.cc 
Check out our platform and socials www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now on gravelunion.cc (it's free!)
Links for the notes
News - Gravel Union Recommended Events 2024
Each year we try and showcase a small collection of events which we think are worthy of your attention. The Gravel Union Recommended events have been chosen by us to represent the full gamut of gravel and bikepacking events and festivals. This year’s collection features everything from a weeklong gravel festival on a sun-kissed Mediterranean island to “champagne’ gravel riding in Scandinavia to a winter exploration of little-known natural parks in Catalunya.


The Gear - Inspired by the landscape Part 2
Back in 2022, we published a great story about how the colours and forms of the landscape of his beloved Costa Brava, was the inspiration behind the design of Timo Rokitta's custom custom-painted gravel bike. He developed such a good relationship with the owner of the paint company, that there was only one destination for him when he wanted to get a different bike resprayed. Timo gave us the background to his latest amazing-looking bike build.e.


#filmfriday - Iron Gravel
Wednesday night in the UK was the coldest so far this winter and the temperature outside the Gravel Union HQ dropped to -10 C. So we're sitting here, a few hours later with everything still frozen solid outside, watching an event film where all the riders are boiling their brains out in the Spanish sunshine. Somehow it makes us feel slightly warmer and it definitely makes us wish for the arrival of summer. If you need a bit of gravelly warmth in your life, you'll love today's #filmfriday offering. 

Gravel Dad

Instead of bikes hanging on the wall, the living room is now characterised by kid's toys. For Shimano Gravel Alliance rider Erwin Sikkens, life changed the day he bumped into his smiling girlfriend, holding a positive pregnancy test in her hand. They say the rest is history, but what have the first 12 months actually been like?

Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing. 
In this episode:
Guest: 
James Deane head honcho of Grinduro GlobalGravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at info@gravelunion.cc 
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share! Don’t forget: join us now... It's absolutely FREE!
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Grinduro
Grinduro is not just a bike race. It’s a weekend-long celebration of cycling with as much emphasis on the fun as the ride. The magic happens when you add great food, an art & bike festival, high-quality music and camping in an epic location. Website for more info: www.grinduro.com
News - Win a dream gravel riding trip to Sri Lanka
Stunning scenery. A unique gravel riding experience. Mouth-watering food. Luxury accommodation. If that sounds like your idea of gravel riding heaven in 2024 and you'd like to win a free place, then read on....

Armchair Adventure - Bikepacking the Balkans
Bikepacking her way 1500 km across the Balkans with a riding partner she hardly knows could have been a recipe for disaster, but as Nora Battermann explains in her beautifully crafted story, it turns out to be the trip of a lifetime. Find a comfy seat and enjoy our latest Armchair Adventure.

Gravel Inspiration - Gravel Dad
Instead of bikes hanging on the wall, the living room is now characterised by kid's toys. For Shimano Gravel Alliance rider Erwin Sikkens, life changed the day he bumped into his smiling girlfriend, holding a positive pregnancy test in her hand. They say the rest is history, but what have the first 12 months actually been like?​​​​​​​

Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing. 
In this episode
Iris Slappendel, designer, (former pro) rider, activist, entrepeneur, reporterGravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly TownsendWant to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at info@gravelunion.cc 
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc. | Insta: @gravel_union | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/ | Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202


Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!


Don’t forget: join us now, it is free :-) www.gravelunion.cc/join 
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News - Launch of the Grinduro global event series for 2024Gravel events generally fall into one of two camps – either testosterone-fuelled pedal-to-the-metal races or more relaxed, welcome-everyone celebrations of gravelling. But there is a third way and apparently, it’s painted purple! Grinduro have just announced the launch of their 2024 world series and we got the inside scoop of what will be involved, from head honcho James Deane.
Gravel Inspiration – Taking On The Weather Gods And WinningIt seems to have rained in the north of England non-stop since the start of October. Each time you ride, your drivetrain and brake pads make the kind of noise that whispers “your bike hates you” repeatedly in your ears. Wouldn’t it just be best to wrap your gravel bike in a blanket and forget about riding it until the Spring? Never fear – we’re not going to let climatic conditions ruin our ride plans, we just have to be a little cleverer. Here’s Olly’s guide to not giving up when the weather gods aren’t smiling on you. 
The Gear – Ass Savers Win Wing Mk 2In a sales meeting in 1909, renowned car maker and engineer Henry Ford is documented as saying “customers can have any colour they like so long as it's black”. The design team at Ass Savers have obviously been paying attention to their history of design lessons, as their newly launched Win Wing Mark 2, at first glance at least, follows the same ethos laid down by Henry Ford.

Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing. 
In this episode: 
Francis King, professional gravel cycling guideGravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at info@gravelunion.cc 
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202 
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share! Don’t forget: join us now


Links:
Travel Gravel - Bamboo Bikepacking
As Gravel Alliance rider Saoirse Pottie writes this article, she’s staring at a beautiful view of Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town from the window of her B&B. In a couple of days, Saoirse and her friend, Abby Popplestone, will cycle out of the city and begin a 10,000km cycle that winds its way across the African continent, eventually finishing in Nairobi, Kenya. 
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Gravel Inspiration - Five things I learned as a guide at a women’s-only gravel camp
It’s no secret that there’s a profound impact that comes through doing any sort of outdoor sport – especially when you do it as part of a community. Fresh from guiding a women’s gravel camp in central Italy, Shimano Gravel Alliance rider Claudia Gerosa looks back on how riding in an all-women’s environment can be so inspiring.
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#filmfriday - Seven Serpents 2023 recap
Back in June, we ran a fantastic story from Claire Frecknall about the trials and tribulations of taking part in the 2023 Seven Serpents bikepacking event. Beset by horrendous weather conditions, the already demanding event turned into something even more challenging. The event organisers have now published the official event recap film and it's brilliant. 

Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing. 
In this episode:
Guest: 
John Timmermans.  Gravel rider and fan of Land van Grind en Zand... the North and middle part of the Dutch province of LimburgGravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at info@gravelunion.cc 
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now


SHOWNOTES:
Land van Grind en Zand (Land of Gravel and Sand)
(Dutch) Platform on riding offroad in the beautiful and diverse area of North and Middle Limburg (NL). With komoot routes, stories and info that will inspire you to visit this area and ride off road. John Timmermans, our guest of this episode is a ambassador for this region. 

The Gear - Searching for the gravel Holy Grail 
If you were about to launch a brand new (and highly anticipated) gravel bike aimed squarely at racers and then one of your sponsored riders wins the UCI World Gravel Championships on a prototype of the new bike just a few days before the official unveiling, you would be pretty happy, wouldn’t you? In the search for the gravel Holy Grail of fast, light, stiff, comfortable and adaptable, we suspect the addition of some world champion stripes to their new bike led to quite a few celebrations at Canyon this week. 


Launch of the 2023 Gravel Union member survey and the chance to win a Cube C:62 Pro gravel bike
Love gravel riding? Love Gravel Union? Want to help make it even better? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we suggest you fill in our member survey. It will only take 10-15 minutes of your time and you could win a Cube Nuroad C:62 Pro gravel bike for your trouble.


UCI Gravel World Championships photo story 
Gravel racing is somewhat of a polarising topic. For every gravel rider that loves the combination of speed, endorphins and do-or-die attitudes, there are riders who aren’t interested one bit. But for anyone with even a passing interest in competitive gravel riding, the recent UCI Gravel World Championships was the highlight of the year. Emmie Collinge and Phil Gale sent in an incredible photo gallery from a very dusty and unseasonably hot Veneto region of Italy.