The subject is all the rage these days, but we’ve been here for a while – riding our thick mountain bike tires on rigid drop bar bikes for years. Nevertheless, we are intrigued by a lot of what is coming to the discourse, especially some of the quantitative testing we are seeing from certain corners of the internet. Most notably, John Karrasch, a.k.a @flexfitbyjohn on Instagram.
The Gravel World Championships still feel like a dot on the horizon — that ultimate goal out there. But the road toward it — the figurative one — might matter just as much. Not just the training miles, but everything that comes with it: gear choices, perseverance, and the inevitable bumps along the way.
It has been six months since I participated in Pinyons and Pines, a 350 mile bikepacking race through the arid mountains of Arizona. Time heals all wounds, but the fingertips of my right hands are still ever so slightly numb from the experience. Perhaps time heals only some wounds.
When Dave Pryor started UnPAved of the Susquehanna in 2018, gravel cycling was crystallizing into a discipline in cycling. It was reserved for the real hipsters, early movers, and the dreamers. Since then, gravel has changed, as has UnPAved. Now, the race is part of Pryor’s full-time job, an institution in Pennsylvania cycling, and also unique in the landscape of gravel cycling.
In our most recent mini-episode on our Rodeo riders, we spoke to Pryor to learn more about a few things. Mostly, we chatted about the power of Pennsylvania’s vast gravel goods, the strange place gravel racing holds on the East Coast, and what gravel means to him and his Flaanimal.
Being a mechanic feels like the most natural thing for me. Not only do I get to be surrounded by bikes all day, but I am able to tackle projects and problem solve while constantly learning. I am also acutely aware that I am almost always the only woman in this space. While everyone I have ever worked with or for has been extremely welcoming and inclusive to all, there is often an unintentional divide. As a woman, you feel like this in so many spaces and the cycling world is not an exception.
The Rodeo Labs Podcast is back in a big way with a new season of the podcast this fall. We are three episodes in, with three very different types of conversations, to explore a wide range of topics. It’s all been taking place in a very exciting time in the cycling world and for Rodeo. You can tell in these conversations that things are changing, and deciphering what all this means for the everyday cyclist has become a passion point for the podcast.
We’ve linked all of the podcasts below, starting from the most recent episode on suspension on gravel, Rodeo travel, and then our summer news round-up. Thanks for listening, expect more to come, and let us know what you want us to examine in the future.
Exhaustion in the primary sensation that stands out as I sit here, on Delta flight 0239, en route from Venice, Italy to New York’s JFK airport. I’m continuing on from there to Denver, Colorado, and am returning from the first ever Rodeo Labs Summer Camp, which we hosted with a tremendous group of people, in the Dolomite mountains of Italy. My body feels the exhaustion, and my mind feels something else, more accurately an intense mixture of things, but I can’t quite decide what that something else is.
When we talk about cycling, the first thing that comes to mind is usually the victories: that triumphant photo crossing the finish line, the Strava log with epic routes, or the pride of completing a Brevet. But there’s another side to cycling that’s experienced in silence, without flashes or applause: the defeats. Those that leave your legs burning, but hurt even more in your head and heart.
As a fixed-gear cyclist, both in ultra-distance and tracklocross, I’ve lived those defeats up close, and I know you’ve felt them too. Failing in a brevet, abandoning halfway through a non-stop attempt, or not finishing a race. Each stumble makes you doubt yourself, but it also teaches you that in cycling, defeat isn’t the end of the road… it’s a guide that helps you grow.
In ultra-distance with fixed-gear, there’s no room for comforts. You don’t have gears to “relax” on a climb or freewheel on a descent. Every pedal stroke is a total commitment, and every kilometer tests your physical strength and mental resilience. That’s where defeat hits hard; it can show up as cramps, hunger, dehydration, a nutrition miscalculation, or simply because your body gives out before your mind does. It’s happened to me more than once, having to stop, admit you won’t make it, and deal with that inner emptiness that leaves you wondering what went wrong.
In tracklocross, defeats are different, but just as intense. The gravel terrain, mud, tight turns, and technical challenges demand you’re at 100% every moment. A slip, a poorly chosen line, or a mechanical issue can end everything in an instant. The lesson here is humility, no matter how much you train or how confident you feel at the start, the bike and the terrain always have the last word. It reminds you that total control is an illusion, and it’s okay to accept that.
The mental side: when your head fails more than your legs
Defeats in cycling aren’t limited to the body. Afterward comes the toughest part: self-criticism. Questions assault you like “Am I really cut out for this?” or “Why do I keep trying if I always come up short?” Those doubts weigh more than any steep climb.
I’ve learned that in those moments, the key is to shift your perspective: 1 . Don’t see it as a total failure, but as data that helps you know yourself better. 2 . Accept the frustration without ignoring it, because denying it only makes it last longer. 3 . Remember that true value isn’t in always winning, but in having the courage to try again and again.
Tips that have helped me deal with defeats.
1 . Analyze what happened without beating yourself up: after every abandonment or fail, calmly review what went wrong. Was it the food, preparation, rest, weather? That review turns defeat into a learning opportunity, instead of a definitive end.
2 . Always have a plan B: in long tests, bring extra options for food, clothing, or alternative routes. Sometimes, failing boils down to practical details you can anticipate.
3 . Listen to your body: some defeats can be avoided if you learn to distinguish between pain you can push through and pain that could really injure you. Knowing when to stop is also an act of bravery.
4. Train your mind just like your body: ultra-distance and tracklocross don’t just demand strong legs. Visualization, patience, and staying calm amid chaos are just as crucial as any physical workout.
5 . Surround yourself with supportive people: this is the most valuable thing of all. Defeat feels less heavy when someone reminds you why you started. It could be your family, friends, or even inspiring figures in cycling. In my experience, the support from Stephen and all the people behind Rodeo Labs has been key: not just for the sponsorship, but because you feel like someone believes in you, even in the worst moments. That kind of support turns every fail into a new beginning.
After a defeat, there are always two options: throw in the towel or get back on the bike. The second is harder, but also the one that enriches you the most. It’s not about collecting medals or impressing others, but about growing with every attempt. In my case, defeats have built more character in me than victories. They’ve taught me to be patient, to plan better, and above all, to understand that this kind of cycling isn’t just about reaching the finish line, but about discovering what you learn along the way.
In conclution, I’ve failed a ton of times in my challenges, and I’m sure I’ll keep failing. But each defeat reminds me of something essential, the bike is like a mirror of life. You don’t always win, you don’t always finish, and that’s okay. What really matters isn’t the photo at the finish line, but your ability to get up, learn, and keep pedaling. With humility, an open mind, and the certainty that there will always be someone by your side to remind you that the important thing is to keep rolling!!!
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