This fall, I outed myself as a UCI-gravel agnostic. I wasn’t pining for the UCI’s involvement in gravel. But I believed the rise of “purely pro” gravel racing might just create fresh opportunities for grassroots gravel to cut its own “purely amateur” path. I just had no idea how quickly (or how sharply) the two … More A Thousand to None: Grassroots and pro gravel keep different scores
You’ve already been told to wear your damn mask. You’ve been begged to wash your hands often and for 20 seconds a crack. Been implored to avoid crowds and keep six feet from folks outside your household. By now, you’re either doing all this stuff, or you’ve steeled yourself so far into asshole mode that … More A Friendly Gravel Public Health Announcement
K.P. from parts unknown writes: Hi folks, How does one go about joining the Dirt Tan Bike Club? Sincerely, K.P. After a quick Sally Field crying jag, I composed myself and responded with the following. We’re grateful you reached out to us about membership in Dirt Tan Bike Club. And I’m happy to report you’re … More Dirt Tan Bike Club presents: Tan Mail
In our last episode, we left our hero in a spot of bother. Mike Marchand had withstood a gruesome run-in with the back of a pickup and was recovering from four broken vertebrae in his neck. The fractures were healing, but a nerve issue was still sending dragon-fire, numbness and weakness down his left arm. … More Mike Marchand Has Good News
I talk a good game about how welcoming and fun and chill Lincoln’s gravel scene is. I’ll tell anybody who’ll listen that they need to get over here and see it for themselves. Ride Gravel Worlds. Or the Solstice. Or Sto Mil. Or the Cornhusker State Games. Just get here already. Don’t know anybody over … More Dirt Tan Road Trip
Forgive me, Mother, for I’m about to break one of the rules upon which you raised me: If you have nothing nice to say, then stuff it, son. Well, I can’t stuff this anymore. Momma said there’d be days like this. The Shirelles, 1961 What’s snagged me like a cocklebur to the chamois was this … More A Calendar Conflict
On what (I pray) is the coldest day of the year, it feels good to look ahead to spring and the gravel racing to come. It may be frigid, but races are around the corner. Now’s the time for health checks. How are our legs weathering the off-season? And what’s the broader state of health … More Gravel’s Upset Belly
Looking to get faster this winter? Well, gravel racers, you’ve come to the wrong place. Here at Dirt Tan Bike Club, we’re sticking to the B-roads to dish you up some alternative cycling advice. Forget your New Year’s resolutions about more fun on the bike. We’re here to teach you how to toss your cycling … More I’ve Already Told You More Than I Know: How to Hate Cycling in Six Easy Steps
What is it about Lincoln’s bike trails in November? Maybe it’s that we all understand an icy, windy kick to the crotch is coming. And every Lincolnite with tennis shoes hits the trails, determined to squeeze the last drops of joy out of whatever sun we have left. Soak up those last rays, people. (Photo, … More I’ve Already Told You More Than I Know: Bike Trail Survival Guide
Coming out of last winter, I wrote about the vacuum at the top of Lincoln’s gravel racing scene. I wondered out loud who might fill that spot as Lancaster County’s fastest gravel guy. Heading into this winter, it seems like I should be able to answer my own question by now. But so much has … More Changes in Speed
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