Slowtwitch.com

3 days ago | slowtwitch.com | Ryan Rish

Last summer, I completed my first backpacking trip from Buffalo to New York City along the Empire State Trail. As a newcomer to bikepacking, I wanted to test out bags and gear that would work on my gravel Bike, TIME ADHX 45. My gravel bike doesn’t feature rack mounts anywhere on the frame. So, I started looking into soft bag systems. That search led me to Tailfin system of bags designed for accommodating race-oriented gravel and mountain bikes without mounts.

6 days ago | slowtwitch.com | Kevin Mackinnon

Philipp competes at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice. The anticipated showdown between current IRONMAN World Champion Laura Philipp and recent IRONMAN world record holder Kat Matthews proved to be one of the most exciting, tactical and bar-raising races to date.

6 days ago | slowtwitch.com | Kevin Mackinnon

Cameron Jones on his way to a huge win at Unbound Gravel’s 200 mile elite race. Photos: Kevin MackinnonThose who aren’t into the gravel scene will likely struggle to get their heads around “racing” 200 miles over gravel roads, but if you have the chance to get to the Mecca of for gravel enthusiasts – Unbound Gravel in Emporia, Kansas – you’ll start to understand that this is very much a race in addition to being a survival-fest for the mortals (read “regular” age-groupers) who compete.

1 week ago | slowtwitch.com | Kevin Mackinnon

Last year Hannah Otto finished eighth here at Unbound Gravel, part of a nine-woman sprint for the title. The 29-year-old is ready for another big day this year – we caught up with her shortly after a recce ride (hence the mud!) and managed to get some shots of her bike. Otto’s Scott Addict Gravel RC features Shimano’s GRX Di2 shifters, rear derailleur and brakes. The brake rotors are Dura Ace – 160 mm on the front and 140 mm on the rear.

1 week ago | slowtwitch.com | Kevin Mackinnon

British IRONMAN champ Ruth Astle has struggled with injuries over the last few years, but as she rounds into full triathlon fitness she’s jumped into the gravel scene to try her hand at a new challenge. After a sixth-place finish at the prestigious Traka 360 (that would be 360 km/ 225 miles) race in Girona, Spain at the beginning of May, Astle got an invite for this weekend’s Unbound pro event.