The Rouleur Longreads Podcast: The rise of gravel

The Rouleur Longreads Podcast: The rise of gravel

Rouleur magazine for your ears. Gravel is now officially ‘a thing’, but is it a good thing? Rouleur’s look at this age-old discipline with the fancy new name

Gravel Gravel bikes Hugo Gladstone Longreads Racing Rouleur Longreads Rouleur Podcast

Looking for a more portable way to enjoy your favourite cycling magazine? You’re in luck, as this week sees the launch of the Rouleur Longreads Podcast: selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.


We begin with ‘The Rise of Gravel’ by Hugo Gladstone, from Rouleur 20.1. Read by George Oliver.


Once the scourge of cyclists, today we glorify in gravel sectors. Strade Bianche, one of the most looked-forward-to races of the spring, owes its success in no small part to the penchant of audiences for the untarmaced white roads and clouds of dust kicked up in the riders’ wake, all framed by “the lyrical Tuscan landscape.”


Perhaps it speaks to a certain yearning for authenticity, and back-to-basics bike riding that the Tour de France cannot cater to. It can’t be a coincidence that bike-packing’s popularity has risen at the same time. Whether or not the road scene’s dominance is actually under threat remains to be seen, but we’ve already seen a few roadies abandon the WorldTour for the off-road circuit.


How we learned to take the rough with the smooth.


Listen on Acast


Listen on iTunes


Listen on Spotify


SPONSORED BY LAKA


We are delighted to have Laka as a brand partner of the Rouleur Podcast.

Laka is an innovative bicycle insurance company powered by the community. Cyclists join Laka to protect their bikes and gear without paying upfront premiums.


Instead, Laka settles claims in their community first and shares the cost fairly with everyone at the end of the month. No claims mean you don’t pay.


If you are new to Laka, you can get a £10 credit by signing up today with the discount code rouleur

The post The Rouleur Longreads Podcast: The rise of gravel appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Gravel Gravel bikes Hugo Gladstone Longreads Racing Rouleur Longreads Rouleur Podcast

READ MORE

Is Marlen Reusser now the biggest rival to Demi Vollering at the Tour de France Femmes?

Is Marlen Reusser now the biggest rival to Demi Vollering at the Tour de France Femmes?

After her victory at the Tour de Suisse, the Movistar rider has announced herself as a serious contender for the yellow jersey 

Leer más
Domination and revelations: The Dauphiné showed us more than just Tadej Pogačar's continued superiority

Domination and revelations: The Dauphiné showed us more than just Tadej Pogačar's continued superiority

The final showdown before the Tour de France; what exactly did we learn from eight days at the Critérium du Dauphiné?

Leer más
Final Tour de France podium 2024

Tour de France favourites 2025: who will win the yellow jersey?

A look at who the bookmakers are backing to win the general classification at this year's Tour

Leer más
Julius Johansen

The incredible comeback story of Tadej Pogačar’s new teammate after WorldTour rejection

He won a world road race title before Tadej Pogačar, but the blonde-haired Dane had to suffer a painful rejection before finally reaching the top

Leer más
First blood in the mountains: What does Pogačar's crushing Dauphiné stage win tell us about the Tour?

First blood in the mountains: What does Pogačar's crushing Dauphiné stage win tell us about the Tour?

Time trial gains for Jonas Vingegaard, first mountain domination for Tadej Pogačar. Are we set for a close-fought Tour de France?

Leer más
Joao Almeida

Tour de Suisse 2025 preview: Almeida the man to beat?

With the big hitters fighting it out in the Critérium du Dauphiné, there's a golden opportunity for a WorldTour victory at the Tour de Suisse

Leer más

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE