The sport of cycling has never been comfortable with the concept of limits. Riders of all disciplines are able to perform near-superhuman athletic feats. Road cyclists yearn for greater backcountry freedom beyond the pavement. Mountain bikers live for the thrill of the descent, but also ponder how many more mountains they could reach in a single day. Different bikes suit different needs, but what if there was one bike to journey anywhere?
Photos by Sterling Lorence
Gravel bikes take the most progressive technology of road and mountain bikes, a result that is greater than the sum of their parts. The hybrid designs open up new paths to explore, allowing riders to venture further into the backcountry than their previous bikes would allow.
When Shimano launched their GRX gravel-specific groupset, Anthill was tasked with documenting stories of this rapidly-growing cycling niche. Stories like that of Sam Whittingham, who crafts custom gravel bike frames from his home workshop on Quadra Island. Or Kelly Servinski, who runs a cycling-specific lodge nestled amongst some of the world’s most challenging gravel roads in Clinton, BC. For these cyclists, the gravel bike is not a diversion from paved road or trails, but a means to travel uninhibited across all surfaces.
As cycling grows globally, riders will inevitably seek adventure in the undiscovered. All part of following the path less paved.