Weekday Diversions #8: Gravel, Crankworx, and self-filmed edits

It’s Wednesday, you’ve (almost) made it! The work week is halfway done, and the prospect of big weekend rides is beckoning. Until then, here’s a roundup of the best bike (and non-bike) content that’s caught our eye this week.

Ariel Kazunas (News Writer)

@queergravel makes me so happy. They embody everything I love about bikes, and as a kid who grew up in a concrete jungle, I am particularly in love with their ability to find the joy of being on two wheels no matter what environment they find themself in. All their posts are great, but this one really made me smile… We’re all kids at heart.

I just got to re-watch this film at the Mountains of Color Film Fest in Jackson, WY, and it feels like Juneteenth is a good day to say that if you haven’t watched “The Truth and Dignity Project” or know who Erick Cedeño is yet, now’s the time. Also, the Buffalo Soldiers’ 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps put the rest of us to shame on pretty much every level.

And yeah, this is a year old, but it isn’t any less impactful this Juneteenth, and I revisit it often. Rachel Olzer is probably the smartest person I know and her words get me every time.

Crankworx Innsbruck wrapped this weekend, and I can’t stop watching the recap videos of the gals who competed! For just the third time in history, there was a women’s podium, and the runs they’re linking already are just… *insert Italian hand emoji here*.

Shealen Reno

Alma Wiggberg

Deven McCoy (News Writer)

I ride alone 95% of the time, and I know how much effort and planning can go into filming yourself from the third person. The decision to leave the action cam at home and choose to capture the trail in a more artistic way is nothing short of admirable. The countless hikes back up the hill, lugging equipment, waiting for the perfect light, and then cutting and editing all the shots together while overanalyzing every detail of your own riding is an immense undertaking. The results, however, are incredibly inspiring. These projects are a testament to the art and persistence of riding solo.

Peter Jamison - Illuminance | The Endless Chase for Light

This absolute gem from Peter Jamison tossed some fuel into the fires of inspiration this week. The meticulous framing, delicious light, and precise line choice in the otherworldly landscape of Southern Utah converge in a truly special way.

Louis Citadelle - Canvas

Louis Citadelle dropped this dreamy self-filmed banger late last year, but the visuals have stuck with me and serve as another bundle of kindling to add to the fire. Filmed solo in Morzine, Chamonix, and Samoens, Louis shows off his interpretation of these iconic trails in a manifestation of hard work and repetitive creativity.

It’s not all bikes over here . I’m kind of picky when it comes to podcasts, and I have my select few that make the cut for weekly listening. Tooth and Claw get my personal check mark. This weekly installment from Wes and Jeff Larson, Mike Smith is an endearing chit-chat between friends discussing some pretty wild animal attacks/encounters and how to avoid the aforementioned experiences.

Dylan Russell (Social Media Manager)

The Val Di Sole DH race this past weekend was one of the wildest most will ever experience. I personally stopped watching Instagram clips ahead of the race, as all I was seeing was gnarly crashes. Fortunately for us, the fine people over at Sleeper Co don’t miss with their post-race highlight videos. With the inconsistency of high quality coverage in all mountain biking disciplines, it’s a breath of fresh air to have people like Sleeper Co delivering these banger shreddit videos race after race. They really hit the vibe on this one, catching the loosest moments, but also showcasing the skill of these riders to be able to put down a race run on the treacherous Black Snake.

Edgar Briole is honestly one of my favorite riders at the moment. No matter what bike he is on or what type of terrain he is riding, he will show unhinged steeze. From styling his way through Hardline courses, to unlocking new gaps at Backyard Battle he really can do it all. He’s been busy lately dropping his second banger edit this month alone. In his latest edit he oozes style throughout everything Queenstown has to offer, from bike park to Gorge Road. At 19 years old the French freerider is just getting started and I can’t wait to see how his career develops. (Will we see him in a Red Bull helmet soon?)

Cy Whitling (Editor)

I love the irreverent, DIY vibe of this video, it feels like the sort of thing my buddies and I aspired to film, rolling around town with our parents’ camcorders, but this just happens to feature some of the most talented riders in the world. It’s rare that we get impeccable vibes combined with all-time riding, so this video is worth the longer run time.

I’m a big fan of Steve Vanderhoek’s riding, and even more so Kelsey Toevs’ filming and editing. Vanderhoek is at the pointy end of the current generation of Canadian freeride, and it’s really cool to see him bring his skills to the desert.

One of my big beefs with many Utah edits is that they lack a sense of scale, it’s really hard to tell what’s gnarly, and what’s not, without context. But watching an exceptionally talented rider like Vanderhoek adapt to a new landscape really put those moves into perspective. Great riding, great filming, I’m a fan! And that Devinci Chainsaw looks pretty sweet too.

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

Almost had ya! If you thought I was only going to recommend mountain bike content, think again! Madeline Miller is my favorite historical fiction/fantasy writer. All of her work is excellent. I grew up devouring the Rosemary Sutcliff Iliad and Odyssey, and I can still recite a fair few verses about “the anger of Peleus' son Achilleus and its devastation, which put pains thousandfold upon the Achaians”.

So of course this book is right up my alley. Why was Achilles so angry? Was Patroclus just a “close friend”? (No, of course not.) This book is well written, riveting, and captures my imagination every time I reread it. Happy Pride.