Hamedel Ndiaye on his first gravel race in Girona, what it means to be visible in a space where people do not often see themselves, and why showing the messy bits of the story matters just as much as the shiny ones.

Three days, 300km, and a gravel route shaped by inclusion, landscape, and community. Words: Karla Williams / @karlaxrunbike Photos : @Allterre & @bicycle_factory I came to the Bristol Rally almost by chance after a recommendation from a friend who described it with the kind of certainty that doesn’t need much explanation. Something about it stayed with me. I signed up without fully knowing what I was stepping into, only that it felt like the kind of ride worth experiencing. B

There is a specific kind of vulnerability in arriving somewhere alone. Scanning the room, wondering if it shows that you do not quite know where to be. Contributor Jil, writes about doing exactly that at Graveller, a gravel event in Brabant, and what she found when she got there. A space that did not need to announce itself as inclusive because it simply was. An honest and warm piece about courage, connection and what good event design actually feels like.

Contributor Hamadel Ndiaye is often the only Black person at the cycling events he enters. It does not stop him enjoying them. But it does make him wonder who never turns up because they assumed the sport was not for them. In this piece, he writes about representation in its simplest form: not a grand gesture, just visibility. Being present, sharing it, and leaving the door a little easier for someone else to find.

What happens when the growth mindset tool you have spent seven years coaching to kids stops working on yourself? Contributor Mérida Miller got dropped on every climb by her professional friends in Girona, told herself she just was not as strong as them yet, and immediately laughed out loud. A sharp and funny piece about comparison, ambition, and knowing which goals are actually yours.

Detours is Tailfin's inaugural bikepacking event, taking in the stunning landscapes of South Wales. CCC sent along contributors and founder of UpCycle London, Phil Dobson, to soak it all in

As someone who was diagnosed with Anxiety Depressive Disorder at the age of 18, Mental Miller behind my back. These days I prefer Mustang Miller, but in this case.. maybe its Mechanical Miller I thought I would share these in a new mini series lovingly called Mental Mechanicals - to help digest and process those moments a co2 cartridge can’t fix.

For Merida Miller, Gravel Mexico was more than a race. It was a return to a place she has loved since childhood, now seen from the saddle. Between the brutal beauty of the desert, the warmth of riders and locals, and the finish line fiestas filled with mezcal and tortillas, every detail felt alive with culture. Gravel Mexico showed her how cycling can truly weave us into the places we ride.

Emmanuel’s first year of gravel riding took him straight to The Traka 100 — Europe’s biggest gravel event — and it was pure chaos in the best way. From Girona’s warm welcome to torrential race-day rain, steep climbs, and slippery descents, every moment tested him. But it was the shared struggle, encouragement from strangers, and connection with fellow riders that made it unforgettable. For Emmanuel, The Traka isn’t just a race, it’s an experience.

Bikepacking, the art of combining cycling and backpacking, might seem intimidating, but it's surprisingly accessible to beginners. One of the greatest things about bikepacking is its flexibility; trips can be both long and short, so you could travel the world full-time or enjoy a week-long adventure closer to home. You don't need to embark on an epic expedition to experience the joy of it. You can start exploring your local area, either solo or with friends.

Contributor, Makesi takes on his second SBT Gravel, the high-altitude gravel race through Steamboat Springs.