Gravel Union Talks
Carlo & Olly
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track... adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
All episodes
Best episodes
Seasons
Top 10 Gravel Union Talks Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Gravel Union Talks episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Gravel Union Talks for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Gravel Union Talks episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Gravelly "Fastest Known Times" (FKT) with Reese Ruland
Gravel Union Talks
10/26/22 • 51 min
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track... adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode Reese Ruland takes us to the realm of Cycling FKT's (the Fastest Know Time). She tells about the fun of riding, preparing FKT efforts, making routes and the real community sense of this gravel domain where you race the stopwatch on longer routes.
Guest:
- Reese Ruland, founder of https://www.cyclingfkt.com
- Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.
- GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.
Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! https://members.gravelunion.cc
Biggest news item of last month
- World gravel cycling championships 2022
- As long-term gravel addicts with one eye on race results and another on the development of gravel bikes and components, it feels slightly strange to be writing about the inaugural World Gravel Championship in 2022. It’s as though someone has come significantly late to the party. Emmie reports back from the inaugural World Gravel Championships.
Most popular stories on GravelUnion.cc last month
- Gravel bikepacking on the Veneto Trail - Claire Frecknall
- “Little tears of happiness pooled in my eyes and blurred my vision”. Claire Frecknall heads to north-east Italy in search of gravel ‘paradiso’ on the Veneto Trail.
- Remembering Sule Kanganki
- Over the weekend came the desperately sad news from the USA that Kenya’s top gravel rider and friend of Gravel Union, Sule Kangangi tragically died while taking part in a gravel event in Vermont. We look back at some of the achievements of this inspirational gravel rider.
Ultra Distance Scholarship with Alison & Taylor and Wild Wales
Gravel Union Talks
07/01/22 • 44 min
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track... adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode it’s all about making gravel riding more inclusive and welcoming to people who have typically felt excluded. We’ve got two special guests joining us in this episode - Alison Wood and Taylor Doyle, who are two of the founders of the Ultra Distance Scholarship - a scheme which they helped set up back in 2020 to support new riders from under-represented backgrounds who wanted to try ultra-distance riding.
Guests:
- Alison Wood and Taylor Doyle, founders of the Ultra Distance Scholarship
- Jon Heard from the Wild Wales Gravel Campout
- Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.
- GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.
Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! https://members.gravelunion.cc
Links and most popular articles on GravelUnion.cc
Tour Divide 2022 - the preview
How tough are you? Are you the type of rider that doesn’t just handle multi-day rides, but sets out to crush them? If so, you might see a bit of yourself in Sofiane Sehili and Josh Ibbett, two riders lining up for the legendary Tour Divide that are capable of feats of endurance that would see many of us crumble.
The Traka ride report - Ibai Fradejas
Ibai Fradejas headed off to Girona in search of some full-gas gravel racing and he wasn’t disappointed.
HotChillee - London to Paris gravel route reccie
Despite having led groups on the road London to Paris on thirteen occasions, Hotchillee Ride Captain Rachel Przybylski, is a fairly new convert to gravel. She joined a group of fellow Hotchillee Ride Captains and gravel enthusiasts for the second reccie ride of the two French days of the London to Paris by Tour de France gravel edition.
Iris Slappendel on the women's peloton, gravel riding, activism, clothing design, reporting and more
Gravel Union Talks
12/14/23 • 67 min
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track... adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode
- Iris Slappendel, designer, (former pro) rider, activist, entrepeneur, reporter
- Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend
Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc. | Insta: @gravel_union | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/ | Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now, it is free :-) www.gravelunion.cc/join
Links for the notes
Gravel events generally fall into one of two camps – either testosterone-fuelled pedal-to-the-metal races or more relaxed, welcome-everyone celebrations of gravelling. But there is a third way and apparently, it’s painted purple! Grinduro have just announced the launch of their 2024 world series and we got the inside scoop of what will be involved, from head honcho James Deane.
It seems to have rained in the north of England non-stop since the start of October. Each time you ride, your drivetrain and brake pads make the kind of noise that whispers “your bike hates you” repeatedly in your ears. Wouldn’t it just be best to wrap your gravel bike in a blanket and forget about riding it until the Spring? Never fear – we’re not going to let climatic conditions ruin our ride plans, we just have to be a little cleverer. Here’s Olly’s guide to not giving up when the weather gods aren’t smiling on you.
In a sales meeting in 1909, renowned car maker and engineer Henry Ford is documented as saying “customers can have any colour they like so long as it's black”. The design team at Ass Savers have obviously been paying attention to their history of design lessons, as their newly launched Win Wing Mark 2, at first glance at least, follows the same ethos laid down by Henry Ford.
Ultra-distance gravel adventures with Sofiane Sehili and Annelore on the legendary Flanders Gravel Series
Gravel Union Talks
05/12/22 • 53 min
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track... adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Guests:
- Sofiane Sehili (http://www.instagram.com/sofianeshl), multi-event winning gravel and adventure racer
- Annelore Cleuren (www.flandersgravel.cc) of the Flanders Gravel event series
- Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.
- GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.
Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits!
https://members.gravelunion.cc
Links:
- Launch of Omar Di Felice’s Arctic World Tour
- Ultra-endurance rider Omar di Felice is currently riding solo around the top of the world on his Artic World Tour. Setting off in the middle of winter, he wanted to be the first ever cyclist to successfully traverse the fearsome Kamchatka region of Russia. We catch up with how his adventure has panned out so far.
Most popular stories on GravelUnion.cc last month
- Kona bikepacking video from the Verdon region of France
- It's another posting in our random "ooooh, look what we found" video series. This time we're off to the south of France on a bikepacking and pack rafting trip courtesy of Kona. Two minutes of stunning, peaceful entertainment for your viewing pleasure.
- Interview with Stayer Cycles
- "There’s been a long history of bike builders in this part of London - since around 1890, so we feel like we’re carrying on a tradition” said Sam. Olly heads down to the Big Smoke to spend an afternoon with Sam and Judith from Stayer Cycles.
- Sofiane Sehili https://sofianesehili.com/
- Flanders Gravel :
- Saturday 11 June 2022 Diksmuide (Flanders Fields)
- Weekend 1-2-3 July or Saturday only 2 July Koppenberg (Oudenaarde)
- Saturday 6 August 2022 Limburg (Bilsen)
03/07/22 • 50 min
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track... adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Guests:
- Katherine Moore, komoot editor and expert gravel route planner - www.instagram.com/katherinebikes and www.instagram.com/komoot
- Maarten Peteeuw - Nordic Gravel Series - www.instagram.com/nordicgravelseries
- Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.
- GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.
Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials: www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union / Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/ Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! https://members.gravelunion.cc
Links:
Doorstep Challenge: check out www.gravelunion.cc for all the latest info!
Komoot webinar for Gravel Union members
Rescheduled Monday 21st at 19.00 GMT/20.00 CET - Learn more about komoot and how it can benefit your gravel riding. Register for free. https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/gravel-union-members-komoot-webinar
Ultra Distance Scholarship
Gravel riding has some pretty high barriers to entry – everything is expensive, you need some decent skills and fitness to get the most out of it and perhaps most importantly, you need someone to help, inspire and motivate you to give it a try. If you’ve grown up in a community where for whatever reason, cycling wasn’t an option, then how are you going to get to experience the joy of gravel riding? https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/the-ultra-distance-scholarship
South-Africa: Far Not Far
You don’t always have to travel hours to find adventure. It is often just around the corner, it’s all about knowing where to look. That’s the ethos that Charl Dettmer, resident of South Africa and co-owner of ACME bikes, followed when he put together this fantastic sounding gravel bikepacking trip recently. https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/Far-not-far
Gravel Events Calendar
The Gravel Union events calendar offers a comprehensive, worldwide view of gravel riding events and races. https://www.gravelunion.cc/events
Inside GRX development with Shimano's Sander Kuik and Rwanda Beyond
Gravel Union Talks
02/08/22 • 48 min
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track... adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
- Gravel Union Talks hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend welcome:
- Sander Kuik, Digital Transformation Director at Shimano Europe on the development of GRX components and his favourite own titanium bike build
- Simon de Schutter, organiser of the Gorilla Gravel gravel event in Rwanda and the social programme he is supporting
Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review (it really helps us!), like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! https://members.gravelunion.cc
Links:
Back in May, we launched an occasional series of features called Gravel Gear, which was all about the gravel bikes that you’ve built and use. This time we’re featuring this fantastic looking build from Gravel Union reader Gideon Thomashttps://www.gravelunion.cc/article/gideon-thomas-genesis-croix-de-fer
How do you fancy racing over a 200km gravel circuit, taking in more than 8500m of climbing through the stunning scenery close to Mont Blanc? If you do, then we have just the thing – the 2022 Gravel Tour du Mont Blanchttps://www.gravelunion.cc/article/gravel-tour-du-mont-blanc-2022
Sander Kuik made his dream come true. With the help of T-Lab Bikes he built his own titanium gravel bike. Follow the whole journey; from idea to reality:
https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/the-custom-built-dream-gravel-bike-part-1
https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/the-custom-built-dream-gravel-bike-part-2
Sander Kuik talks about his job at Shimano. You can also land your dream job. Check out the current opportunities https://shimano.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Shimano
Simon De Schutter pitches Gorilla Gravel (https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/Gorilla%20Gravel%202022) in the podcast and tells us more on the Rwanda Beyond project; a great example of joint growth. We also did a long read on it with great photograpy: https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/rwanda-beyond-project
Henna's Winter Gravel Top Tips and Scotland's Pride Dukes Weekender
Gravel Union Talks
01/06/22 • 41 min
In this episode:
- Henna Palosaari (@hennapalosaari), on gravel riding in winter time with top tips and great stories from Finland. Henna is the most northerly based of all of the Shimano Gravel Alliance riders.
- Stu Thomson (@stu_thomson) puts forward his elevator pitch for the 2022 edition of Dukes Weekender and waxes lyrical about his local community of Aberfoyle (Scotland).
- Co-host Olly Townsend (@gravel_union) talks about the new website and his favorite articles on www.GravelUnion.cc
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc / Insta: @gravel_union / Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/ / Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits! www.gravelunion.cc/join-us
Links:
For anyone currently sitting in the northern hemisphere, it’s probably winter outside your window, which means cold temperatures and wet trails. We thought that for this week’s #filmfriday extravaganza we should offer up some sunshine and some inspiration. https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/badlands-filmfriday
Back in August, world record breaking expedition cyclist Mark Beaumont took on the GBDuro – a 2000km bikepacking race up the length of the UK. The film of his race, with all the drama, excitement and stunning scenery is now ready for its launch to the world. https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/maiden-race-film-launch
Serbia Upside Down is the story of eight adventurers from Serbia and Germany who traversed by gravel bike over the most stunning mountain ranges of Western Serbia.
https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/serbia-upside-down-into-the-unknown
We sent James The Intrepid out into the cold to try and figure out the best way to make winter riding fun. https://www.gravelunion.cc/how-to-make-winter-gravel-riding-fun
If, like Andrew Terker and his wife, you are fortunate enough to call Switzerland your home, then gravel riding from your door looks absolutely stunning. https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/gravel-riding-in-switzerland
Gravel racing - UCI World Gravel Series, LtD, gravel rainbow jersey and the North London Dirt
Gravel Union Talks
12/24/21 • 49 min
In this episode:
- Erwin Vervecken (@erwinvervecken), former world CX champion and currently the sports technical manager at Golazo. He tells us about the future of gravel racing, the UCI World Series and gravel rainbow jersey...
- Laurens ten Dam aka LtD (@laurens_ten_dam), Live Slow Ride Fast podcaster and gravel professional, makes a quick appearance and throws in a question for Erwin
- Andrew Diprose (@northlondondirt), together with his brother Philip, they are the event organisers of the North London Dirt urban gravel event. Andrew elevator pitches their event.
- Olly Townsend (@gravel_union) talks about the new website and his favorite articles on www.GravelUnion.cc
Check out our platform and socials
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now for a free membership with loads of benefits!
Links:
After a long season of riding, racing and organising gravel events, Timo Rokitta headed to Spain for one last adventure before he wound down into winter mode. https://www.gravelunion.cc/ruta-de-la-plata
Serbia Upside Down is the story of eight adventurers from Serbia and Germany who traversed by gravel bike over the most stunning mountain ranges of Western Serbia. https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/serbia-upside-down-into-the-unknown
UCI anounces to join the gravel community with the UCI Gravel World Series of Gran Fondos https://www.uci.org/pressrelease/the-uci-innovates-in-the-off-road-disciplines/269FNQQIXzxRQGY5eaGbd6
North-London Dirt, 2021 edition on Gravel Union
https://www.gravelunion.cc/north-london-dirt-ride-report
John Timmermans on Land van Grind en Zand (Northern Limburg), Scotland and gravelling social media
Gravel Union Talks
10/26/23 • 47 min
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track... adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Guest:
- John Timmermans. Gravel rider and fan of Land van Grind en Zand... the North and middle part of the Dutch province of Limburg
- Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.
- GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.
Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!
Don’t forget: join us now
SHOWNOTES:
Land van Grind en Zand (Land of Gravel and Sand)
(Dutch) Platform on riding offroad in the beautiful and diverse area of North and Middle Limburg (NL). With komoot routes, stories and info that will inspire you to visit this area and ride off road. John Timmermans, our guest of this episode is a ambassador for this region.
The Gear - Searching for the gravel Holy Grail
If you were about to launch a brand new (and highly anticipated) gravel bike aimed squarely at racers and then one of your sponsored riders wins the UCI World Gravel Championships on a prototype of the new bike just a few days before the official unveiling, you would be pretty happy, wouldn’t you? In the search for the gravel Holy Grail of fast, light, stiff, comfortable and adaptable, we suspect the addition of some world champion stripes to their new bike led to quite a few celebrations at Canyon this week.
Launch of the 2023 Gravel Union member survey and the chance to win a Cube C:62 Pro gravel bike
Love gravel riding? Love Gravel Union? Want to help make it even better? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we suggest you fill in our member survey. It will only take 10-15 minutes of your time and you could win a Cube Nuroad C:62 Pro gravel bike for your trouble.
UCI Gravel World Championships photo story
Gravel racing is somewhat of a polarising topic. For every gravel rider that loves the combination of speed, endorphins and do-or-die attitudes, there are riders who aren’t interested one bit. But for anyone with even a passing interest in competitive gravel riding, the recent UCI Gravel World Championships was the highlight of the year. Emmie Collinge and Phil Gale sent in an incredible photo gallery from a very dusty and unseasonably hot Veneto region of Italy.
Grinduro - putting the purple into gravel events
Gravel Union Talks
01/11/24 • 50 min
Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track... adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.
In this episode:
Guest:
- James Deane head honcho of Grinduro Global
- Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.
- GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.
Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests?
Mail Olly at [email protected]
Check out our platform and socials
www.gravelunion.cc
Insta: @gravel_union
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/
Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202
Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share! Don’t forget: join us now... It's absolutely FREE!
Links:
Grinduro
Grinduro is not just a bike race. It’s a weekend-long celebration of cycling with as much emphasis on the fun as the ride. The magic happens when you add great food, an art & bike festival, high-quality music and camping in an epic location. Website for more info: www.grinduro.com
News - Win a dream gravel riding trip to Sri Lanka
Stunning scenery. A unique gravel riding experience. Mouth-watering food. Luxury accommodation. If that sounds like your idea of gravel riding heaven in 2024 and you'd like to win a free place, then read on....
Armchair Adventure - Bikepacking the Balkans
Bikepacking her way 1500 km across the Balkans with a riding partner she hardly knows could have been a recipe for disaster, but as Nora Battermann explains in her beautifully crafted story, it turns out to be the trip of a lifetime. Find a comfy seat and enjoy our latest Armchair Adventure.
Gravel Inspiration - Gravel Dad
Instead of bikes hanging on the wall, the living room is now characterised by kid's toys. For Shimano Gravel Alliance rider Erwin Sikkens, life changed the day he bumped into his smiling girlfriend, holding a positive pregnancy test in her hand. They say the rest is history, but what have the first 12 months actually been like?
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does Gravel Union Talks have?
Gravel Union Talks currently has 28 episodes available.
What topics does Gravel Union Talks cover?
The podcast is about Outdoor, Bicycle, Bike, Podcasts and Sports.
What is the most popular episode on Gravel Union Talks?
The episode title 'Ultra Distance Scholarship with Alison & Taylor and Wild Wales' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Gravel Union Talks?
The average episode length on Gravel Union Talks is 52 minutes.
How often are episodes of Gravel Union Talks released?
Episodes of Gravel Union Talks are typically released every 34 days, 16 hours.
When was the first episode of Gravel Union Talks?
The first episode of Gravel Union Talks was released on Nov 17, 2021.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ