Autsaid - Gravel Podcast

Thomas is joined by Andrew Vontz from Choose the Hard Way and Beyond the Peloton. The two share their observations from the 2025 gravel season and tell us what excites them for the remainder of the season. Topics in this Episode: * The Rise of "Grass Racing": Is "grass" is becoming the next defining surface in gravel. Will we have surface specialists like in Tennis, even? * Is Mud a Problem? The role of mud pits and Minimum Maintenance Roads (MMRs) in races like Unbound and Gravel Worlds can be outsized. Should organizers reroute to prevent mechanicals and damage to expensive equipment? * Safety and Logistics: Do shared feed zones for pros and amateurs need to be separated? * Self-Supported vs. Pro Support: A discussion on the ethos of "self-supported" racing and how it clashes with the professionalization of the sport, and whether a diversity of race styles is beneficial for gravel. * Breaks Win Races: An observation on the trend of early breaks winning many of the season's marquee races and the lack of a "domestique" culture in gravel racing. Featured in this Episode: * Andrew Vontz: Andrew is the author and host of the Choose the Hard Way Podcast [https://choosethehardway.libsyn.com/] and Substack [https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/]. He's also co-host of Beyond the Peloton [https://open.spotify.com/show/38KNvwfP4y7ALpBBu1izsI]. * Thomas Euler: Your host and author of The Gravel Stack [https://thegravelstack.substack.com/], Connect with Thomas on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegravelstack] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/cookxride.bsky.social]. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating! It helps us bring you more great content.

In dieser deutschsprachigen(!) Episode tauchen wir tief in eines der härtesten Ultra-Rennen Europas ein: Badlands. Thomas spricht mit beiden Gewinnern Svenja Betz und Rick Steffen über ihre Erfahrungen auf der 780 Kilometer langen Strecke durch die spanische Wüste. Svenja, die als erste Frau ins Ziel kam, teilt ihre persönliche Geschichte. Nach einer enttäuschenden Erfahrung im letzten Jahr, die sie als "Niederlage" empfand, kehrte sie mit einem neuen Mindset zurück, um das Rennen als "Goodlands" zu erleben. Sie spricht über die mentale Herausforderung, das Training neben ihrem Referendariat zu meistern und ihre Ernährungsstrategie auf der Strecke. Auch Rick Steffen blickt auf sein Rennen zurück. Er gibt Einblicke in seine minutiöse Vorbereitung und seine Renntakti. Außerdem spricht er über seinen Sturz im letzten Jahr und wie er es schafft, das Radfahren mit seinem Job als Feuerwehrmann zu vereinbaren. Themen dieser Episode: * Comeback Badlands-Sieg: Wie sich die beiden von ihren „Niederlagen" im Vorjahr zum Triumph katapultierten. * Vorbereitung vs. Spontanität: Wie sich Svenjas "Mal gucken"-Vorbereitung auf das Rennen auswirkte und wie Rick alles bis ins kleinste Detail plante. * Ernährung im Ultra-Rennen: Svenjas und Ricks Ansätze, ihren Körper über 800 Kilometer mit Energie zu versorgen. * Jäger und Gejagte: Wie es anfühlt das Rennen als Jägerin und als Gejagter zu bestreiten. In dieser Episode: * Svenja Betz: Gravel-Fahrerin und Gewinnerin des Badlands 2024 (Frauen-Kategorie). Folge ihr auf Instagram: @svenja__betz [https://www.instagram.com/svenja__betz/] * Rick Steffen: Gravel-Fahrer und Teilnehmer an Badlands. Folge ihm auf Instagram: @rick.steffen [https://www.instagram.com/_rick_steffen_/] * Thomas Euler: Dein Gastgeber und Autor des Gracing Podcasts. Folge Thomas hier [https://linktr.ee/cookxride]. Verpasse nicht dieses packende Gespräch über mentale Stärke, akribische Planung und die raue Realität des Ultra-Gravel-Racings! Abonniere uns und hinterlasse eine Bewertung! Wenn dir diese Episode gefallen hat, abonniere uns bitte und hinterlasse eine Bewertung. Das hilft uns, mehr Hörer:innen zu erreichen und weiterhin neuen Gravel-Content mit Herz und Hirn zu kreieren.

In this episode, Thomas sits down with two of gravel's top pros, Emily Joy Newsome and Matt Beers, to recap last weekend's Lauf Gravel Worlds. They dive into the race's challenging conditions, strategic decisions, and the unique aspects of racing with a massive prize purse on the line. Join us as Emily and Matt share their first-hand accounts of the 150-mile course, the infamous minimum maintenance roads, and what it takes to compete at the highest level of American gravel racing. Matt gives the inside story of his race-winning sprint finish against his buddy Keegan Swenson, while Emily reflects on her strong performance in a stacked women's field. Topics in this episode: * The OG Gravel Worlds: A breakdown of the 150-mile (245km) course in Lincoln, Nebraska, characterized by long, straight roads and rolling hills. * Racing for a $100,000 Prize Purse: Emily and Matt discuss the mental approach to competing in a race with the largest single-event prize purse of the season.. * Tackling the Mud: The athletes recount their experiences with the course's notorious "peanut butter mud" and the last-minute equipment changes they made and didn't make to handle the conditions. * The Power of Live Streaming: A conversation about how live race coverage is changing the sport for both fans and pros, offering new exposure for riders and sponsors. * Race Strategy: Emily and Matt reveal their tactics for navigating the terrain, from managing pulls in a group to racing in crosswinds and using hills to their advantage. * The Women's Race: An analysis of how Gravel Worlds successfully structured the women's race to minimize interference from other riders0. Featured in This Episode: * Emily Joy Newsome is a professional gravel racer from Texas. She rides on Pas Racing. Follow her racing on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/emilyjoynewsom/]. * Matt Beers is a top-level mountain bike and gravel racer. Among his plentiful palmares are three Cape Epic and two BWR California wins. You can find him on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mattbeers55/]. * Thomas Euler: Your host of the Gracing podcast and author of The Gravel Stack newsletter [https://thegravelstack.substack.com/]. Don't miss this engaging conversation about what it takes to perform at the highest level of gravel racing! Subscribe and leave a review! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review. It helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you great content.

Paul hat sich erneut Carolin Schiff ans Mikrofon geholt. Offen spricht Caro über ihre Red-S-Diagnose, das abrupte Saisonende und die Pläne, die sie gemeinsam mit Trainer Philipp Seipp schmiedet, um zurück an die Weltspitze des Gravelsports zu kommen.  Like und abonnier gerne diesen Podcast! Maloja x Autsaid Kollektion im Sale [https://www.maloja.com/de-de/online-shop/?cat=3&special_product=1729] www.maloja.com Paul auf Instagram https://www.instagram.com/paul_voss/ Carolin auf Instagram https://www.instagram.com/carolinschiff/ Autsaid YouTube Kanal https://www.youtube.com/@autsaidcc

In this episode, Thomas sits down with Geerike "Gee" Schreurs of the powerhouse SD Worx-Protime team. Coming off her second-place finish at Core4 in Iowa, Gee shares her insights on the race from the race. Join us as we recap her day in the muddy, humid conditions of Core4, and get the inside story on moment that went viral (gravel viral, that is). We also get a glimpse into what it's like to race gravel within a WorldTour team and look forward to a stacked Lauf Gravel Worlds. Topics in this episode: * Core4 Race Recap: Gee's account of the challenging day in Iowa, from navigating the tough conditions to the final sprint finish. * The Traka Accident: How Gee rode almost 150 km with a fractured elbow and only stopped for safety reasons. * Lauf Gravel Worlds Preview: A look ahead at one of the biggest races on the calendar and what to expect in Lincoln, Nebraska. Featured in This Episode: * Geerike "Gee" Schreurs: Professional Gravel Rider for Team SD Worx-Protime. Follow her journey on Instagram: @geerike_schreurs [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/geerike_schreurs/] * Thomas Euler: Your host and author of The Gravel Stack: https://thegravelstack.substack.com/ is also on Instagram: @cookxride [https://instagram.com/cookxride] Don't miss this engaging conversation about what it takes to perform at the highest level of gravel racing! Subscribe and leave a review! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review. It helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you great content.

In this special conversation, Thomas sits down with one of the most well-known and highly regarded gravel pros and host of the With Pace Podcast, Payson McElveen. In this deep dive, Payson and Thomas talk about the future of gravel cycling, its current state, the evolving business side of the sport, and the trends that are shaping its future. They also touch on Payson's strong result at Leadville, what makes this iconic race unique, and how it's evolving alongside the sport. Topics in this episode: * Payson's Leadville Recap: A look back at Payson's strong 5th place finish at Leadville and how he overcame a hip injury from earlier in the season to achieve a top result. * Consolidation in Gravel: Is consolidation coming to the sport? * Governing Gravel: Does gravel need a cohesive series or "governing body" that is run more like the NBA than the UCI in order to make the sport sustainable? * Teams and Domestiques: Why teams may be good for gravel but would have to be implemented with a plan to be sustainable. * Gravel Media: How will live streams evolve? Why the sport's organic, athlete-driven media is a unique strength and need to be bundled and made accessible. Featured in This Episode: * Payson McElveen: Gravel Professional & Host of the With Pace Podcast. Follow him on Instagram: @paysonmcelveen [https://www.instagram.com/paysonmcelveen/] * Thomas Euler: Your host and author of The Gravel Stack: https://thegravelstack.substack.com/ is also on Instagram: @cookxride [https://instagram.com/cookxride] Don't miss this insightful conversation about what's next for the world's fastest-growing cycling discipline! Subscribe and leave a review! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review. It helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you great content.

In this episode. Rosa Maria Klöser takes us with her on her victorious 160 km solo ride at Iceland's Monument of Gravel(™️), The Rift. Rosa shares her last-minute decision to tackle this iconic race. Discover how she navigated the surreal lava landscapes, brutal climbs, and proper river crossings, ultimately making a bold move that secured her win.  --- Topics in this episode: First Impressions of Iceland & The Rift: Rosa's extra special experience as a first-timer in Iceland, including witnessing a volcanic eruption and being captivated by the surreal nature. Navigating The Rift's Brutal Terrain: A detailed breakdown of the course, from early river crossings to chunky sections, and "walls" of climbs with pitches up to 22% on loose lava rocks, even encountering snow at 1500 meters of elevation. Gear Talk: Insights into tire choices and the increasing prevalence of suspension forks in gravel racing. And why tightening valve cores is highly recommended.  Rosa's premiere WorldTour Season: A talk about Rosa's road career in the Women's WorldTour, including picking up bottles from the wrong side of the car and how her sponsors and teammates look at gravel vs road racing in 2025. Improving race conditions for pro women: We get into the recent discussion about the pro women's races in the UCI Gravel World Series and some ideas for improving the status quo.  --- Featured in This Episode: Rosa Klöser: German Gravel Professional. Follow her journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosaklsr Thomas Euler: Your host and author of The Gravel Stack: https://thegravelstack.substack.com/   [https://thegravelstack.substack.com/]is also on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cookxride --- Don't miss this captivating account of one of gravel cycling's most demanding races! Subscribe and leave a review! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review.

This episode dives deep into what truly drives value for a pro gravel athlete in today's dynamic landscape! Join host Thomas Euler as he chats with gravel pro Chase Wark and filmmaker John Peter (aka The Stable Cyclist). In this insightful conversation, Chase reveals how his unique approach to content creation and his relatable persona are captivating audiences and sponsors alike. Alongside JP, who is documenting Chase's journey in a docuseries, we explore the power of storytelling in building a personal brand and how important doing so is for gravel privateers. --- In this episode: •⁠  ⁠The New Currency of Sponsorship: Discover why traditional race results might not be the sole focus for sponsors anymore and how visibility and relatability are becoming key metrics. •⁠  ⁠The Power of the Docuseries: Chase shares his philosophy behind his docuseries, produced by John Peter, and how it's creating a deeper connection with fans, making him a more trusted voice for his partners. •⁠  ⁠Launching Lunchbox Racing: Get the inside scoop on Chase and Drew Dillman's new team, their vision for the future, and their goal to support the next generation of gravel talent from underrepresented areas. •⁠  ⁠The "Gravel Dads" Phenomenon: A hilarious and honest discussion about balancing professional racing with fatherhood, including practical tips and tricks from Chase and JP for fellow gravel dads. --- Featured in This Episode: Chase Wark: Professional Gravel Privateer, Content Creator, and Co-founder of Lunchbox Racing. Find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasethebiker and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chasethebiker. John Peter (The Stable Cyclist): Filmmaker and Podcaster. Find his work on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thestablecyclist and listen to The Stable Cyclist podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DqkYShLiqThJgNl2KMFY3 The Gravel Stack Newsletter: https://thegravelstack.substack.com --- Don't miss this episode that unpacks the evolving landscape of professional gravel cycling, the importance of genuine connection, and the exciting future of the sport! Subscribe and leave a review! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review. It helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you gravel-pilled content.

In the latest episode of the Autsaid Podcast, Jasper Ockeleon talks about his brand Sockeleon, his passion for beach racing, and how he got into gravel riding. He shares personal insights into how his brand was born, what draws him to racing on sand, and how he eventually discovered his love for gravel. Check out the new MNSTRY Bicarb Gel 40 [https://mnstry.com/products/bicarb-gel-40-lemon-1-0-8?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=250601-bicarb-gel-launch_paul-voss_1]! Discover the newest Autsaid x Maloja collection: https://www.maloja.com/de-de/online-shop/?cat=3&special_product=1729 Paul on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul_voss/ Jasper on Instgram: https://www.instagram.com/o1jasper/ Autsaid on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autsaid.cc/

In this episode, Thomas sits down with Paul for a discussion that's part update, part deep dive into the Monuments of Gravel. --- Paul's Recent Adventures & Race Recaps Paul kicks things off by sharing tales from his busy past few weeks since Unbound. He talks about his last races, *Blåvandshuk Gravel* in Denmark and Eislek Gravel Luxembourg. He also spills the beans on a recent multi-day trip to Spain for a special project involving a new ABUS gravel helmet he helped develop Find out what it's like to ride through a desert in 40-degree heat for a film shoot. --- Rad am Ring Preview Looking ahead, Paul shares his expectations and tips for the upcoming Rad am Ring gravel race in the Eifel region of Germany. What tire size does he recommend? What kind of course can participants expect? And who are the key contenders to watch at the pointy end of the field? If you're racing Rad am Ring, this is a must-listen! --- The "Monuments of Gravel" Then, we talk about Thomas's new classification system for gravel races. With the gravel calendar becoming increasingly packed, how do we distinguish between events? Is it time to have a classification system? Thomas thought so and recently released his take on it over on his The Gravel Stack newsletter.  In this episode, he runs his preliminary list of the five Monuments of Gravel by Paul to get his opinions and feedback. Join Thomas and Paul as they debate the merits of each race, considering factors like prize money, media production, historical significance, and the overall rider experience. This lively discussion will make you rethink what truly defines a "monument" in the rapidly evolving world of gravel cycling. The Five Tiers of Gravel Races post: https://thegravelstack.substack.com/p/the-five-tiers-of-gravel-races

The Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder has become one of the premiere gravel stage races on the calendar. To recap the events, we invited two of gravel's rising stars, Cécile Lejeune and Skyler Taylor, the runner-ups of this year's edition.  First, Skyler shares how the men's race unfolded, why Cameron Jones' descending is almost scary good, and why he was impressed by the organization. We also get into a brief Life Time Grand Prix talk, as Tyler got the final wild card spot.  Then, Cécile tells the story of how she ended up winning last year's Oregon Trail, her first big gravel race ever, of her tight battle with Sofia Gomez Villafañe, and why it's a bad idea to go on social media in the morning, especially when racing against Sofia.  Also, she tells us about RED-S (relative energy deficiency in sport), what it is, what symptoms to watch out for, and where to seek help. The Gravel Stack: https://substack.com/@thegravelstack Cécile on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecilejeune Cécile's Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/cecilelejeune Skyler on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skylermt

Gravel stage racing in Kenya? The Migration Gravel Race has you covered. In this episode, we talk to this year's winners Lukas Baum and Haley Hunter Smith.  First, Lukas tells us how his trip to Kenya went, why he ate a lot of his own rice, and what the team tactics controversy we witnessed in the official race recap videos was all about.  We also get into some interesting bike setup and suspension talk. Finally, we learn more about the inner workings of the Speed Company Racing team and what their model could mean for gravel.  Then, we talk to Haley about her experience in the race, find out how she managed to close a 20-minute gap in three days, and why she decided to race on a full suspension drop bar mountain bike.  We also learn about her research of the Spirit of Gravel, her SBT GRVL experience, and why Gravel Earth Series may become more important for her in the future. Lukas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lksbm Speed Company Racing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speedcompanyracing Haley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleyhuntersmith Thomas' Escape Collective piece: https://escapecollective.com/heres-why-pro-gravel-racing-is-the-future-of-bike-racing/ The Gravel Stack Newsletter: https://thegravelstack.substack.com/ Thomas on Instagram: http://instagram.com/cookxride

In the final edition of the Unbound recap trilogy, Thomas sits down with Karolina Migon, the winner of the Unbound 200 women's race.  Karo explains what her preparation for Unbound looked like, gives us a glimpse into the vibe at the Pas Racing house, and talks about the aftermath of her win in Emporia. Karolina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karo_migon/ The Gravel Stack Newsletter: https://thegravelstack.substack.com/ Thomas on Instagram: http://instagram.com/cookxride

Thomas sat down with Cameron "Cam" Jones to talk about how he won the 2025 Unbound 200.  What did Cam learn at his Unbound premiere one year ago? How did he prepare for his winning ride? What was his mindset at the start line? Was there bluffing in the winning breakaway? What are his next career moves and could we see him on a gravel team?  We talk about those questions and a lot more.  Cameron on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camjonesnz The Gravel Stack Newsletter: https://thegravelstack.substack.com/ Thomas on Instagram: http://instagram.com/cookxride

In our first Unbound recap episode, Paul shares how his race day unfolded, explains the dynamics in the early break and the main bunch, and talks about his future Unbound ambitions. Plus, we discuss Klara Sofie Skovgaard Hansen's accident and safety issues at gravel races. Then, Thomas is joined by the Holy Spirit of Gravel to converse about the normie vs the pro experience of Unbound, the latest activations, current developments in gravel content, and whispers from the gravel grapevine. And in breaking news, we find out that she got Pas-pilled in Emporia.  Holy Spirit of Gravel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holyspiritofgravel Holy Spirit of Gravel Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/holyspiritofgravel/ The Gravel Stack Newsletter: https://thegravelstack.substack.com/ Thomas on Instagram: http://instagram.com/cookxride

Who is going to win Unbound? Will there be mud? What role will team tactics play? Can I watch it live? Our big Unbound preview answers those and many other questions.  The Gravel Stack Newsletter: https://thegravelstack.substack.com/ Thomas on Instagram: http://instagram.com/cookxride

We're not yet done with The Traka. In this week's episode, we bring on Svenja Betz and Victor Bosoni, the winners of the 560 km The Traka Adventure, to talk about their long days out.  In the conversation, we learn how the two prepared for their races, including nutrition, bike setup, and pacing. We find out why you don't need power or heart rate data to win the longest race of "Traka week". And we discuss the current state of ultra racing.  Svenja Betz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svenja__betz/ Victor Bosoni on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorbozo/

The Traka is arguably Europe's most important gravel race—or, rather, the two most important races, as both the 200 km and 360 km races have stacked fields and top-level competition. To recap all the action, we invited Karolina Migon, Tobias Kongstad, and Mads Würtz Schmidt, the winners of The Traka 360 and Traka 200.  How did the Traka 200 unfold? Do we need one clear main event? What role did men play in the finale of the women's race? Will the 100+ km solo become the new normal in gravel? Who did heat-train in the Pas Normal Offices? Find out all this and more in our mega recap of The Traka's 2025 edition.  Mads on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madswurtzschmidt/ Karo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karo_migon  Tobias on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobiaskongstad/ The Gravel Stack Newsletter: https://thegravelstack.substack.com/

Ich war in Santa Rosa (Kalifornien) und habe die Chance genutzt mit Peter Stetina, einem ersten Gravel-Profis überhaupt, zusammenzusitzen. Wir haben über seinen Weg aus der World Tour zum Gravel gesprochen, wie er die Balance schafft zwischen Profisportler sein und Selbstvermarktung und wohin sich der professionelle Gravelsport entwickeln wird.  Schaut auch gerne auf YouTube vorbei für die neusten Autsaid Vlogs aus den USA https://www.youtube.com/@autsaidcc Wollt ihr auch mal das neue Koona Bier probieren? Dann findet ihr es unter koona.co [https://koona.co/] Wenn ihr die Autsaid Podcasts finanziell unterstützen wollt, dann könnt ihr das jetzt auf Patreon machen. Link zu Patreon! [https://patreon.com/autsaidcc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] Paul auf Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/paul_voss/] Peter auf Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/pstetina/]

Tim Wollenberg war bei mir zu Gast und hat erzählt, wie er vom Mountainbike übers Rennrad zum Gravel gefunden hat – und warum ihm der Deutsche Meistertitel echt was bedeuten würde. Außerdem hat Marcel Meisen vorbeigeschaut und uns die Strecke vom 3Rides UCI Gravel World Series Rennen genauer unter die Lupe genommen. Mehr Infos zum 3Rides findet ihr unter: https://3rides.de/uci-gravel-world-series/ Wollt ihr auch mal das neue Koona Bier probieren? Dann findet ihr es unter koona.co [https://koona.co/] Wenn ihr die Autsaid Podcasts finanziell unterstützen wollt, dann könnt ihr das jetzt auf Patreon machen. Link zu Patreon! [https://patreon.com/autsaidcc?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] Paul auf Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/paul_voss/] Tim auf Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tim_wollenberg/] 3Rides auf Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/3rides/] Tims Podcast "Modus Offroad" findet ihr hier [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SEzrevHBEd7zMOXd54lQl?si=d2589d49592e477d].