Survey Results Part Two: How do you Roll on Gravel?

In the final installment of our “How do you Roll on Gravel?”, we present answers to the following questions:

• What is your favourite ride or event?
• What is your favourite beverage, alcoholic or otherwise?
• Comments?

Part One of the Survey results can be found HERE. Without further ado…

Favourite Ride or Event – Dirty Kanza 200 is the clear winner. Respondents provided a huge list of events, but we only listed those that recorded at least two comments.

[table id=SurveyPart2-2016-1 /]

Favourite Beverage – People love beer, especially if its cold… or if it’s an IPA… or anything really. Coffee, water, chocolate milk and whiskey were well represented.

[table id=SurveyPart2-2016-2/]

With over 400 comments left by respondents, we couldn’t post them all. JOM went through the list and posted at least a quarter of them.

[table id=SurveyPart2-2016-3/]

Things we learned from the comments:

• We need to provide more product reviews. Good news! We have a bunch of tyres that will be reviewed soon and if you missed it, JOM is working on  a long-term review of Parlee’s Chebacco gravel bike. There will be more bikes and parts reviewed in the future, along with tinkering projects… in video format.

• Totally missed the single speeder, 29+ and fat bike crowd. JOM has been crushed multiple times by single speed lads, no disrespect was intended by leaving you out of the survey – he simply forgot. All of these bikes are a part of the scene, and we’ll be including them in future surveys. We’d love to receive some single speeder ride and race reports, and hope to feature some of those bikes soon. Reader submissions are always welcomed.

• The gravel community rules. People love the positive vibe – this extends not only to riders, but promoters of events whether they be rides or races.

• USA Cycling isn’t popular in the gravel community.

• People want more gravel events! D.C. area and surrounds (there is killer gravel riding west in VA), SE USA, etc. One can only imagine how much potential there is in Europe.

• For those who wrote about help promoting a gravel event, please use the contact page to reach out. JOM isn’t a proper event promoter, but he has run an event or two and can give you some pointers… perhaps he’ll write an article about putting on your own gravel event?

• “Vintage” gravel. Several commented about L’Eroica type events. If we stick to plan, JOM, K-Dogg and Mrs K-Dogg will be at the 2016 L’Eroica in Italy. In the meantime, read K-Dogg’s 2014 tale… and ride video.

• Prizes shouldn’t be a factor in gravel events. Not everyone agrees with this sentiment, but blokes like JOM and Dr. Pain ride for the fun of it. We never place or podium but we don’t care. For us, it is entirely about the experience and atmosphere of gravel cycling.

• Forum? This was requested several times…

• We need to visit some events in the Midwest of the USA. JOM is expected to appear at Dirty Kanza 200 (along with K-Dogg and Mrs K-Dogg) and Gravel Worlds… and possibly elsewhere. There will be stories, video and photos!

• To the bloke from JOM’s home town of Adelaide offering up copious Coopers Ale and pies. JOM would be happy to consult, but would be happier again to consult in person. JOM may be visiting the homeland again in 2017…

• Most of our readers appreciate what we do, and that means a lot. Gravel Cyclist is a one-man show (JOM), along with contributions from his teammates (K-Dogg and Dr. Pain), and Midwest folks such as Bob Cummings. For JOM, the site is a labour of love, a very demanding but rewarding side-project in addition to his regular gig. At some point JOM would love to be full-time on Gravel Cyclist and related media work, but until that happens, he will do his best to share his gravel cycling experiences.

• Finally, we welcome contributions to Gravel Cyclist. Whether that be ride or race reports or photos of your gravel machine, send us a message and we’ll get back to you.

Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to tell your cycling friends about GravelCyclist.com!

JOM ~ Founder, Gravel Cyclist.