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    Iron Heart - Coveted - The Wall Street Journal

    Gravel Bikes

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    • BrockB
      Brock
      Raw and Unwashed
      Joined:

      The last gravel tour I did was the Oregon Cascades Volcanic Arc (OCVA) the route was built by the guys at OMTM.
      It’s pretty epic! And we edited it in the start and tail end in order to end at or near home. I can’t believe I haven’t posted here about it… it’s an amazing route and one to have on your bucket list if you live in Oregon for sure!

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • BrockB
        Brock
        Raw and Unwashed
        Joined:

        IMG_5320.jpeg
        On the first day we also summited mt. Theilsen on foot https://www.google.com/search?q=mt+thielsen&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

        IMG_2619.jpeg IMG_5152.jpeg

        last edited by Brock 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 7
        • BrockB
          Brock
          Raw and Unwashed
          Joined:

          More pics from the trip

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          IMG_5190.jpegIMG_5223.jpeg IMG_4517.jpeg IMG_5235.jpeg IMG_4578.jpeg IMG_5352.jpeg IMG_5358.jpeg IMG_4656.jpeg

          last edited by Brock Denimhead 0D TylerT RobeOfTheMagiR 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 13
          • Denimhead 0D
            Denimhead 0
            Iron Heart Deity
            @Brock
            Joined:

            @Brock EPIC

            IG - gratefuldenimhead (jeans and boots), Norseamerican (bicycles)

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • scarfmaceS
              scarfmace
              Haraki san Expert
              Joined:

              @Brock Thats it right there! Freedom in nature. Love it

              "I hate a man that talks when he's got nothing to say." – Woodrow Call

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
              • BrockB
                Brock
                Raw and Unwashed
                Joined:

                Good times! 🤙🏻

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                • TylerT
                  Tyler
                  IHUK Crew
                  @Brock
                  Joined:

                  @Brock I've immediately added this to my bucket list... but I need to know the details, where is this? what route? - it looks incredible!

                  last edited by BrockB 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • BrockB
                    Brock
                    Raw and Unwashed
                    @Tyler
                    Joined:

                    @Tyler
                    It’s called the Oregon Cascade Volcanic Arc or (OCVA) I’ll add a link to the route

                    https://www.omtm.cc/ocva400

                    The OMTM guys did it pretty fast. We opted for a more enjoyable speed and completed it in 6 days. We stayed at two hotsprings and checked out a lot of off route water features and springs along the way.

                    last edited by Brock 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
                    • RobeOfTheMagiR
                      RobeOfTheMagi
                      Iron Heart Deity
                      Joined:

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                      Not really a gravel bike, it defies categories.

                      "Every day, once a day, give yourself a little present. Don't plan it. Don't wait for it. Just let it happen."
                      FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper

                      last edited by RobeOfTheMagi 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 4
                      • RobeOfTheMagiR
                        RobeOfTheMagi
                        Iron Heart Deity
                        @Brock
                        Joined:

                        @Brock You guys are really doing this bicycle thing right ♥️.

                        "Every day, once a day, give yourself a little present. Don't plan it. Don't wait for it. Just let it happen."
                        FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper

                        last edited by BrockB 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • BrockB
                          Brock
                          Raw and Unwashed
                          @RobeOfTheMagi
                          Joined:

                          @RobeOfTheMagi trying to at least! I wish I had more time to ride… your Riv looks sick! I bet it rips on gravel 🤘🏻

                          last edited by RobeOfTheMagiR 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • RobeOfTheMagiR
                            RobeOfTheMagi
                            Iron Heart Deity
                            @Brock
                            Joined:

                            @Brock with it’s velocity quill rims and RH Herse Oracle Ridge tyres it is really swift on many surfaces 💜.

                            "Every day, once a day, give yourself a little present. Don't plan it. Don't wait for it. Just let it happen."
                            FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper

                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                            • RobeOfTheMagiR
                              RobeOfTheMagi
                              Iron Heart Deity
                              Joined:

                              Happy trails:

                              7AA8B48C-AACA-4157-A8F0-486ECAEB471C.jpeg

                              "Every day, once a day, give yourself a little present. Don't plan it. Don't wait for it. Just let it happen."
                              FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 4
                              • scarfmaceS
                                scarfmace
                                Haraki san Expert
                                Joined:

                                IMG_20260428_201141_303-EDIT.jpg
                                short evening ride to clear my head

                                "I hate a man that talks when he's got nothing to say." – Woodrow Call

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
                                • BrockB
                                  Brock
                                  Raw and Unwashed
                                  Joined:

                                  Getting ready to head out on a 5 day adventure

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                                  Replacing jockey wheels and setting up racks and packs..

                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 4
                                  • Bobcat SigB
                                    Bobcat Sig
                                    Raw and Unwashed
                                    Joined:

                                    It’s timely that this thread popped up again. After jumping back into bicycles earlier this year with an acquisition of a GasGas ECC 5 eMTB, my attention had turned towards a gravel bike - something I can pedal from the house, functions as a city bike or sorts, and gets me out on all the gravel that abound here in the west when I’m not a motorcycle.

                                    I’ve been leaning towards a Specialized Diverge of some flavor, likely with a SRAM components set. I’m doing a bit of work with them this year, which is why they have me attention, but it begs the question - what should one look for in a gravel bike? I know, a wide-ranging question…

                                    Safety third

                                    last edited by BrockB 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • BrockB
                                      Brock
                                      Raw and Unwashed
                                      Joined:

                                      Heading out!

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                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                      • BrockB
                                        Brock
                                        Raw and Unwashed
                                        @Bobcat Sig
                                        Joined:

                                        @Bobcat-Sig

                                        Comfort and functionality over anything else.
                                        12 speed 1X drivetrain.
                                        Clearance for 48+ tires.
                                        I like 650b wheels because it keeps the CG lower.
                                        Dropper post is nice.
                                        It really depends on what you plan to do with the bike. I have different preferences for bikepacking vs. gravel riding vs. road

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
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