If your New Year’s resolution is to tackle the “world’s premier gravel race,” listen up: the 2024 Garmin UNBOUND Gravel presented by Craft Sportswear lottery for the 200, 100, 50 and 25 mile events opens tomorrow.

As usual, the event expects far more entrants than they can accommodate, so the fairest way to decide who gets to race seems to be by lottery. While the lottery for the UNBOUND XL has already come and gone, the lottery for the slightly more approachable versions opens tomorrow.

Once the lottery opens, you’ll have until January 20th to enter, with the final results announced on January 25th.

How much are the entry fees for the 2024 UNBOUND Gravel Race?

If you get accepted to the lottery, pricing for the event is as follows:

• 200 mile – $295
• 100 – $200
• 50 – $90
• 25 – $55

When is the 2024 UNBOUND Gravel Race?

The full schedule for the 2024 UNBOUND Gravel race is in the works, with the races scheduled for June 1st.

You can register for the lottery through the link below.

unboundgravel.com

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Ride with GPS has always been a great tool for planning & tracking your rides. Recently, they’ve been on a mission to improve the functionality of the app & website with new features such as QuickNav. Those improvements have made a Ride with GPS subscription more useful than ever – and now those subscriptions are on sale.

We’re told that this is the only discount they run during the year, which means if you plan on paying for a Premium RwGPS account, now is the time. Available until December 31st, RwGPS is offering 15 months of premium for the price of 12. That means you’re paying $79.99 for 15 months, which works out to a 25% discount. As a bonus, if you’re an existing basic subscriber, your remaining Basic balance will be automatically upgraded to Premium before the new subscription kicks in.

You could purchase the plan for yourself, or give it as a gift. The subscription can be redeemed any time in the future, and if you choose to gift the subscription, you can choose the delivery date when it will be delivered via email.

Time to start planning those rides in the new year!

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Ride & Seek puts on a global assortment of epically themed cycling tours, from the Caesar (London to Rome), the Iron Curtain (Berlin to Budapest), and the Hannibal (Barcelona to Rome), to more exotic and natural escapes like the Appalachian (Maine to North Carolina) and Maori (Auckland to Queenstown).

Now, they’ve acquired Cycle Japan and added the Samurai Tour, a two-parter that can be combined into one mega-epic. It’s offered in May and October and includes Honsho and Shikoku Islands routes, with a bonus Mt. Fuji stage.

The Honshu stage (15 days) rides north to south across the mainland through the Japanese Alps and Noto Peninsula, visiting landmarks like the Black Crow Castle in Matsumoto, Japan’s oldest original castle. The landscape hasn’t changed much in 400 years, offering a glimpse into the past while riding lightly trafficked yet modern roads.

After a rest day in Kyoto, the Shikoku tour (11 days) picks up by riding across many of small islands nestled between Shikoku and the mainland. You’ll ride across the Shimanami Kaido suspension bridges, through gorges, and climb Western Japan’s highest peak, Mt. Ishizuchi while passing ancient mountainside villages. Throughout, you’ll follow parts of the pilgrimage of Buddhist priest Kuka’s (aka Kobo-Daishi) 88 temples.

The bonus stage lets you cycle around Mt. Fuji for incredible views of the iconic Japanese mountain from the Fuji 5 Lakes, with the option of riding up the volcano. Explore the Izu Peninsula, pass through fishing villages, and ride past the site where the famous American Black Ships landed, a catalyst for ending feudalism and starting Japan’s rapid modernization during the samurai era.

Accomodations include a mix of traditional Ryokan and western-style hotels. Those and all meals (Ramen!!! Sashimi!!!) are included in the tour, focusing on traditional regional and local foods and preparation, plus natural hot springs baths at many of the stops. Sake and beer are on you, though, so bring some cash.

Word is the October tours sell out quickly, and May spots move a little more slowly but also fill up. Group sizes are limited to ensure good rider to guide ratios. More details and pricing on their website.

RideAndSeek.com

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Most of us have probably spent some amount of time poring over the Ride with GPS website, painstakingly planning the perfect route. But what about those times when you need faster direction straight from your phone?

To find the safest, most bike-friendly route possible, Ride with GPS has just rolled out their QuickNav feature. Available in both the iOS and Android RwGPS app, QuickNav gives you multiple ways to get directions. If you know the name of the destination, simply tap it into the search bar and it will generate a route including the estimated time to the destination.

Not sure of the name but know where you want to go? You can long-press on the map and get the same result. If you venture off route, the navigation will automatically update your route in real-time. And if you change your mind, you can open the app and input a new destination at any time, with the route and ETA adjusting accordingly. QuickNav also allows you to set a home location so you can quickly pull up the most cycling-friendly route home at any time.

Currently, the feature is available for free to all users, regardless of subscription level. To try out QuickNav, make sure you’re running the latest app versions, version 3.4.2 (iOS) and 3.4.3 (Android).

ridewithgps.com

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Have you always wanted to experience the amazingly diverse landscapes of Oregon on a bicycle? Not sure where to start? That’s where Summit Cycling Adventures comes in, as they’ve added four new, fully supported, professionally guided bike tours in Oregon. So, now you can just show up with your bike and let Summit lead the way through Oregon’s forests, high deserts, mountains, and coasts.

When using Summit Cycling Adventures, you’ll be able to take advantage of tapping into local knowledge while discovering backroads, nature reserves, and local “secret spots”, while soaking in the natural environment on road and gravel rides.

“I wanted to share my home state in a way that feels like exploring,” says founder and ride leader Marc McConnell. “Epic rides are mixed with gorgeous sights and fun side trips that offer a more memorable experience, challenging your body and refreshing your spirit.”

Summit Cycling Adventures says that they’ve intentionally integrated side excursions into the day’s ride. The objective is to not get stuck into just riding from point A to point B, but exploring the points in between. On the tours, you’ll be seeing hot springs, and waterfalls, taking short hikes through Redwoods, lava field lakes, and even stopping for coffee and beers.

“I created Summit Cycling Adventures to help adventurous riders enjoy that same experience without having to figure out all the logistics, routing, meals, and gear transport for themselves. Now you can just show up and have fun!” – Marc McConnel

Visiting Famous Landmarks

• Carter Lake National Park
• Cascade Mountains
• Grove of the Titans
• Steen’s Summit
• Alvord Desert Hot Springs
• North Umpqua River
• Many more…

“The tours ranging from 4-5 days are offered throughout Summer and Fall for up to six riders per tour. All meals and accommodations are provided, along with a fully stocked sag trailer to transport you and your gear. McConnel is a NOLS Wilderness First Responder, and the support vehicles are well-equipped to keep you and your bike running”.

Four distinct routes are offered to provide “something for everyone”. There will be plenty of snack stops and complete GOS routes provided for each day’s ride.

There are limited spots remaining for 2023. You can check the website below for prices, dates, and availability and to book your next adventure.

SummitBikeTours.com

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Well, it seems that Summer has finally arrived, bringing the need to get out and explore, ride bikes, and camp… or all of it at once. Helping to do just that, the new 2nd edition of the Bikepacker’s Guide is available now. Brought to you by Salsa Cycles and Bikepacking Roots, this new guide has been a year in the making and expands on the OG Bikepackers Guide that was published 10 years ago.

If you are a new bikepacker looking for some guidance or you’re experienced and looking for some new approaches to what you already love, this edition offers those resources and extensive knowledge in a format that is easy to use.

The guide breaks down the steps needed to plan a trip, as well as bikepacking skills, and now includes additional resources on navigation, positive impact practices, mindset, and all the checklists you need for a successful trip.

A Quick Look on the Inside

The first section of the guide, 

“Go Bikepacking: Planning addresses all the topics necessary to consider when planning your bikepacking trip in order to be set up for a fun and successful ride. In this section route planning, bike and gear planning, food and water planning, packing your bike, navigating, getting started, and Leave No Trace skills for bikepackers are presented”.

Then, 

“Going Bikepacking: While Out Riding section breaks down the knowledge and skills we’ve found are imperative to developing bikepacking competency: self-care, finding and managing water, camp skills, risk management, riding solo, and the bikepacker’s mindset”.

Next,

“Gone Bikepacking: Field Reports, contributors who inspire us through their perspectives and experiences share their stories to inspire you to consider all the forms and roles bikepacking can take for us. Annijke Wade shares her powerful story of learning to bikepack as a newly adaptive cyclist. Jim Blount shares how bikepacking with his dog, Charlie, in the mountains facilitates his sense of security in his gender identity. Brooke Goudy lets the reader into the joy and sacredness of sharing bikepacking in affinity spaces. Patrick Farnsworth shows the reader how parents can bring their young children to discover the wonder of the world through bikepacking with kids. And Crystal Kovaks connects bikepacking with her family as a means to travel self-supported across the landscape to her mission to empower women to bikepack – regardless of their perceived limitations. Each of these stories enriches this guide. The knowledge and skills to bikepack are imparted in the first two sections of the guide, but these stories from bikepackers from a variety of walks of life are what help you see what is possible, and for who, through bikepacking”.

Lastly,

“The new Resources section of the guide is meant to be a quick reference of checklists for you as you prepare for your trip. From trip preparation to bike maintenance and common mechanicals, to a resupply and a camp checklist, these resources can be screenshots, torn out of your guide, printed, or jotted down as a tool for you to make sure you cover your bases when preparing for and when out riding”.

How to Get Your Own Bikepackers Guide

The Bikepacker’s Guide, Second Edition is now available in a full-color 5″x8.5″ print book as well as a digital version. The purchase of this guide supports continued route development, maintenance, and advocacy at Bikepacking Roots.

Print version: $20

Digital version: $10

BikepackingRoots.org

SalsaCycles.com

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If you’ve ever wanted to suffer alongside your favorite Tour de France team — you finally have your chance. Zwift’s new Climb Portals will transport you to the magical world of virtual mountain passes and real-world suffering to reach the top. 

What is a Climb Portal? 

A new in-game feature for Zwift, Climb Portals are launching just as the world gets their Tour de France excitement revved to the max. The Climb Portals simulate eight of the Tour de Frances’s most significant and famous climbs — including the dreaded classic, Col du Tourmalet.

How do I Find a Climb Portal in Zwift? 

In July — when tour stoke is at its very highest, riders will see Climb Portal entrances on routes which will be branded with graphics for both races, Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes.

There are two ways to access Zwift Climb Portals.

One, ride your bike through it while riding in Zwift while in the “Just Ride” mode. The entrance should be very noticeable, like a dreamscape compared to the Zwift graphics.

Two, choose to ride the Climb Portal when on the home screen starting a Zwift session. Don’t worry — you won’t start directly on the climb, there will be a small warm-up window, and then you can start your ascent.  

After the climbing starts, the rider will see graphics (very tour-commentary-like) on their screen to keep them motivated and paced. Zwift states the climbs are very close to the real-world equivalent, matching the pitches near perfectly. 

The locations of the Climb Portals will be in two virtual worlds in Zwift; one in France (duh) and one near the outskirts of the Volcano in Watopia. Climb Portals will be available for accent starting June 30 and will change throughout July. There are eight different climbs and a new Climb Portal First Ascent Challenge.

How hard are the climbs?

Well — they are hard enough to be in the Tour de France, so we’re guessing pretty tough. However, riders at home and indoors have some distinct advantages, like a fan! But if you’re worried about how tough each climb will be, Zwift has a tight illustration of what to expect in spice level. The Cote de Terbiac is near the milder side of climbing (still 3.4 km at 5.8%), and the most spicey award goes to the classic HC category Col du Tourmalet.

Climb Portal — First Ascent Challenge

This new Zwift challenge requires riders to complete two on-demand stages, each with four different climbs. The first stage will include the Côte de Trébiac, Col des Aravis, Col d’Aspin, and Puy de Dôme. The second stage will include the Côte de Domancy, Côte de Pike, Col du Platzerwasel, and Col du Tourmalet.

Zwift Climb Portal Stage Schedule 

Below is the Zwift Climb Portals schedule and which Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes stages they will mimic. Ensure you have your favorite stages saved and timed properly on your viewing device so you can suffer and attack alongside the pros. 

Stage 1: June 30-July 30

Short: Cote de Trebiac—3.4 km at 5.8%

• Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Stage 2 on July 24, 2023

Short: Col des Aravis—4.4 km at 6%

• Tour de France Stage 15 on July 16, 2023

Long: Col d’Aspin—12 km at 6.5%

• Tour de France Stage 6 on July 6, 2023

• Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Stage 7 on July 29, 2023

Long: Puy de Dome—10.5 km at 8%

• Tour de France Stage 9 on July 9, 2023

Stage 2: June 30-July 30

Short: Cote de Domancy—2.6km at 8.6%

• Tour de France Stage 16 on July 18, 2023

Short: Cote de Pike—2 km at 10%

• Tour de France Stage 1 on June 30, 2023

Long: Col du Platzerwasel—7.1km at 8.4%

• Tour de France Stage 20 on July 22, 2023

Long: Col du Tourmalet—16.9 km at 7.4%

• Tour de France Stage 6 on July 6, 2023

• Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Stage 7 on July 29, 2023

For more information on the Zwift Climb Portals and Zwift Play, check out Zwift.com— Vive Le Tour! 

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Midsummer is quickly approaching. To celebrate, Pas Normal Studios is inviting you to get on your bike – and ride all day to make the most of the longest days of the year.

As a reward, if you sign up and complete the Strava Challenge, you’ll not only earn the Strava Badge, but an IRL discount as well. Anyone who completes the challenge of riding 200km in one go between June 16-25 will earn a $60 voucher good towards the purchase of one of the Pas Normal Studios Midsummer Jerseys that are launching in conjunction with the challenge.

That should make the €200 jersey a little more approachable, plus you’ll have something to show for what is bound to be an epic day on the bike.

Make sure to sign up for the challenge through the Strava link above, and good luck!

pasnormalstudios.com

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Looking for a new bikepacking adventure? How about one that’s 2200-mile-long, and only carries a difficulty rating of 4 out of 10? The non-profit organization, Bikepacking Roots has just what you’re looking for. Yup, now you can ride the full length of the famous US Mail Pony Express route from the olden days (that means the 1860s, kids).

The route starts in St. Joseph, Missouri covering 2200 miles as it meanders its way to Sacramento, California… crossing the beautiful states of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and finally California.

The route has been in the works for years as Jan Bennett did all of the research and test-rode the route. Doing so she found some long-forgotten relay stations and water sources.

You’ll be riding a route that yields a whopping 85% unpaved roads in the way of dirt or gravel, using car-free trails to get you through some of the major cities. According to Bikepacking Roots, there are “some sections, particularly in the mountains of Nevada that are rough, rocky, and decidedly not dirt or gravel”.

So, when planning, keep that in mind.

This sounds like a great route for those of us who are history buffs, as the route will take you through the remains of the Pony Express stations along the way. There’ll be commemorative markers denoting important landmarks, graves, and other fascinating info.

You can click here to check out the highlights of the route.

How to get in on the Pony Express Action

For a $60 donation and the printed, 150-page spiral-bound guidebook as well as digital route data, go here.

For a $30 donation and the strictly digital,150-page PDF guidebook and the route data, go here.

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THE MEGA VOLT, British Columbia’s premiere eMTB festival, is back for a third year. 2023’s festivities are located in the town of Naramata, giving riders access to the Three Blind Mice trail network.

“Three days of riding, talking, and sharing ideas, from dealers, to engineers, to pros, and everyone in between,” event organizers shared in a press release. “This is how pioneers stay on the cutting edge, and further the industry-leading conversation, one weekend at a time.”

What can attendees expect? Well, plenty of eMTB action on Naramata’s surrounding singletrack, of course. THE MEGA VOLT’s website describes the trails as “biking above vineyards with rugged mountains as the backdrop and sparkling lakes and beaches within the vista.”

Organizers devised an interesting set of events over the three-day weekend (June 2-4, 2023). Friday’s “Consistency Enduro” will feature a set number of laps on a short circuit, and the differential between each rider’s lap will determine their score. Translation? Consistency is key. It’s a physical and a mental challenge.

Saturday holds two events with time to recharge in between. The morning ride is a “Tech Challenge,” while the afternoon’s flow stage is “100% Awesome.”

Sunday’s riding holds a bit of everything with a course dubbed “Tour de Local Fave’s.” It’s 14 miles of the best riding the area has to offer.

And if you’re feeling saddle sore, no worries.

“This year’s Festival will endeavor to grow the off-bike activities while continuing to focus on all aspects of eMTB,” festival organizers wrote.

Interested? Head over to THE MEGA VOLT’s registration page. Registration costs CAD 529 ($385) and includes access to four curated courses, the events mentioned above, post-ride beers, dinner on Friday and Saturday, an industry mingler, professional photography, and on-site complimentary bike charging, among other bennies.

Something to note — only Class 1 eMTBs are allowed. Festival organizers suggest a 500wh battery at minimum. Participants must be 19 or older to register.

THEMEGAVOLT.com

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