Gravel: more than cycling, a philosophy of life
Photo of: @brazodehierro
There's a word that is being used very often among cycling enthusiasts for some time now: "gravel". In other languages they use the English word as a reference to surfaces which aren't paved, but covered by any other sort of material. Therefore, gravel cycling is the kind which gets off roads and goes beyond them through all kind of paths.
This way of understanding the two wheel world comes from the USA but is getting stronger in Europe in general and in Spain in particular. Some people would think this is a passing fad. But reality is completely different: it is actually a return to the origins of cycling, escaping any limits and categories. A gravel cyclist dares to venture into any type of ground, without any restriction, and with the only aim of having fun.
A gravel bicycle can be considered a hybrid between road and mountain bikes, with all the advantages of both modalities and no need to choose among them. It is versatile enough to resist the unevenness of field tracks and fast enough to ride in the asphalt; that's why they're getting more and more popular. They look like road bikes but their wheels, wider than usual, ensure stability in more difficult courses.
A gravel is a single bike to take everywhere. Ibai Fradejas, organiser of the Deiadar Gravel by The Draft held in the woods in Biscay province last September, insists on that concept. "Gravel is freedom, is cycling without limits. It is getting out of the establishment and marketing campaigns. It's not only about riding, but about philosophy: enjoy nature, ride how and where we want to.
Photos of: @brazodehierro
"A gravel rider doesn't care about being the fastest, but about happiness", Ibai insists. "There is competitive gravel, there are races, but that's not the important part. We're different. It can happen, indeed it happens often, that if you're in a breakaway and one of your mates suffers a puncture, you don't leave him behind: you stay and help him".
This approach to life may explain one of the most remarkable aspects for those who see this from outside: aesthetics. It isn't strange to see riders who, instead of high tech maillots, wear a colourful Hawaiian shirt. "It's our way of saying that all this is about being happy. You don't need ultralight lycra garments or unaffordable products to do gravel. Anyone can. Anyone who wants to have fun is welcome.
Comet Eater: la gravel de The Draft
Of course, a good bike makes the experience in the tracks much more pleasant. That's why The Draft has added to its range a gravel model: Comet Eater. It has a handcrafted steel frame in Arregui Velázquez workshop in Madrid, with custom paint design and advice on selecting the most appropriate component for each cyclist style. Everything is specifically conceived in order to be sure that the only concern in the rider's mind is to enjoy in places such as the stunning natural Basque landscapes where Deiadar Gravel by The Draft goes through.
