Author: John Jarvis

The Midwest is generally not known for starting worldwide trends. In the bicycle world, however, the Midwest is the epicenter of the fastest-growing segment of bicycling: gravel riding. With the region’s many thousands of miles of lightly traveled, rural gravel roads, it is a natural, homegrown cycling evolution. One can ride safely and serenely for hours in the countryside, taking in sights, smells and sounds without ever seeing a car. As humans are prone to do, “gravel grinding” competitions have developed to test speed and endurance. On almost any weekend, a cyclist can find an event to attend. 340 miles…