Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

Swapped out to Terreno Dry summer(lol) tyres on the cross bikes over the weekend and fitted two rear Vittoria Air-liner inserts. They were easy to fit and putting the tyres on wasn't really any harder. I've had good experiences with Rimpact inserts on my MTBs so will report back on these after a gravel honeymoon in Crete next week.

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Strong slipper game

waiting for some SPD versions

Congratulations @leggy_blonde :)

Thanks, I'm looking forward to it!

"gravel honeymoon" is actually a honeymoon or is it some kind of time period where you think gravel is great but the novelty is wearing off and you're starting to realise you actually much prefer XC or CX riding... ?

Congrats if former.

Was hoping for something in the "affordable" category!

'tis the former. I get bored very quickly on holiday without bikes or boards so we'll be bringing the 'cross bikes to explore a bit and probably have our first married argument!

Never been to Crete but we hired bikes when we were on Santorini for a friend's wedding and had some awesome rides on cheap MTBs.

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stunning

Yeah, I really like Greece. Apart from this wedding trip I've only really seen bits of it during TCRs but even those were memorable. One day I'll get back over there. I see Nelson has a new race in Greece - it clashes with 7 Serpents this year but maybe one for 2024?

@leggy_blonde (congrats buddy) and @SasenFrAsen

Only explored the West part of Crete, and loved it, it's really great. We were by car and only did some hiking, so can't quite help with gravel routes, but keep in mind the orography of the island, particularly on the Westen half, where a lot of valleys run N-S and are generally only connected by road on the north (this is quite evident on a map). So if you are taking a gamble on a route going E-W and find out it's not rideable, it could lead to either a very steep and long hike or a long detour.

Also, dogs.

Congratulations and maybe a gravel tandem could be your bike de jour?

Hmmm, what tyres for dog avoidance?!

I would suggest you stay away from the Schwalbe range of Bite, Ultrabite, etc...

Maybe try their Kojak.

My best tactic for avoiding aggressive animals is to ride with someone who is slower than you.

Might not be the best approach on honeymoon though…

Percentage wise I think she stood on more podiums than me over the CX season so maybe I have to come up with something else....

Was going to make the same joke.. This makes me think

One (not quite) CX/dog avoidance bike prior to packing last night:

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@leggy_blonde did an MTB route from Analipsi in the summer, which in truth was more of a gravel ride... and even then a good 40% was road... this was under recommendation from the bike shop, so cant really advise a route, but the main thing I'd highlight is, as per above... dogs... there was one loose that barreled out of his garden to come after me, was a huge thing and I was climbing a very steep hill at the time.. genuinely prepared myself to get bitten, but thankfully the owner called him back at the last second... was the size of a bloody bear.

https://strava.app.link/8lOQAr0xhzb

^^ Other people's clean bikes disgust me. No mud, no zip ties, no electrical tape. It's like you're not even trying.

Very nice. Can you fit a 45?

Really really love this.

This is ultimately what bike I am trying to conjure up...

@rob_g_clarkson Thanks! We are staying in Rethymno and then directly south but that is an option for the last day by the aiport.

@snoops 40 in the front and 38 rear like that. Wouldn't go any wider in the rear but the front may squeeze in a 42, especially with lower profile side knobs.

I prefer them in CX race mode but they are very versatile!

(yes I know CX thread is over there - > etc etc)

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