Joe Skipper on Gravel

Article provided by professional triathlete Joe Skipper + Photos by Tyler Shaw

WHY GRAVEL

For the last 3 months I’ve been doing a lot of training on my Litespeed Ultimate Gravel bike and have been really enjoying it. Riding gravel offers a great way to mix things up from my typical triathlon training days, especially on days that call for easy riding.

There are a number of benefits to riding gravel – aside from it being great fun. I have found that the constant changes in terrain and surface give me lots of different power spikes and changes in cadence, which have really improved my cycling. I experience lots of short neuromuscular efforts with short intensity bursts while riding gravel, which also probably contribute to the improvements I’ve seen.

Other improvements I’ve seen when hitting the trails are bike handling, weaving in-and-out of trees, riding narrow trails and handling fast, narrow descents with steep uphills. Dodging dogs has been a plus, too.

TITANIUM OR BUST

I now have two titanium bikes and I have to say I absolutely love them. Titanium is so comfortable, and these bikes absorb lumps and bumps that other bikes can’t handle. Not only do they perform well, they also look fantastic – out of all the bikes I’ve had, I’ve never had so many compliments on my bikes as what I get with my titanium ones.

I would definitely say if you are after a new bike, a Litespeed titanium gravel bike is the way to go. It’s light, comfortable and very versatile; hit the trails or swap the wheels with some fast disc-brake road wheels, and you’re set for all disciplines.

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