Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each episode hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.

In this episode:

• Jim van den Berg from JOIN (training app)
• Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.
• GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on three highlighted articles from the Gravel Union platform.

About JOIN.CC

Free 30 day trial for Gravel Union members -https://join.cc/campaigns/gravelunion

"JOIN was born out of two decades of coaching experience and one simple belief: that every cyclist deserves guidance that adapts to them. Training shouldn’t be about guessing, burning out, or feeling guilty. It should be about steady progress, clear goals and enjoying the ride. Whether you’re new to cycling or chasing peak performance, JOIN helps you train smarter, ride stronger, and stay motivated 12 months a year.”

Read our article about the benefits that JOIN can offer gravel riders - https://www.gravelunion.cc/article/premium-content%E2%80%93join-the-movement

Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? email Olly at info@gravelunion.cc

Check out our platform and socials

www.gravelunion.cc

Insta: @gravel_union

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/

Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!

Don’t forget: join us now, it's free... you can register for a free membership on our website www.gravelunion.cc.

Links to articles:

• News – The world’s biggest gravel event is back for 2026
  • Saturday May 30th is a date to put in your diary as it’s when the 2026 version of Rebound, the world’s biggest gravel event, is being held. Rebound is described as “a global, free, self-supported gravel cycling event” which was first run back in 2022. The 2024 version of the event saw 361,000 riders taking part and an incredible 6,195,467 combined kilometres were ridden across the world. The organisers are hoping that this year’s version will be even bigger. If you’d like to take part this year, keep reading to find out how to get involved.
• The Gear – Postal power
  • Analysing piles of data after a gravel ride might not sound like everyone’s idea of fun, but accurate metrics are essential for evaluating (and improving) your fitness. The real question is: which data is actually worth your attention and how should you interpret it? Olly donned his lab coat to put 4iiii’s PRECISION 3+ Powermeter to the test.
• Gravel Union Talks Podcast - Episode 34 - Nutrition, hydration, training and rest for gravel riders.
  
  
  • All cyclists, no matter what discipline of riding we’re taking part in, need the same things in order to arrive happily at the end of our ride - we need to eat and drink appropriately, for longer rides we should have done some training and afterwards we need some rest. The question is, what kind of food should we b

Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.

In this episode:

• Angela and Manon from Velocity Ladies
• Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.
• GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on three highlighted articles from the Gravel Union platform.

Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? email Olly at info@gravelunion.cc

Check out our platform and socials

www.gravelunion.cc

Insta: @gravel_union

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/

Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202

Thanks for listening. Please share a review, like and share!

Don’t forget: join us now

Links:

• Velocity Ladies

• Gravel Inspiration - Peak Gravel Overnighter
  • In the world of bikepacking, there’s a fine line between “epic adventure” and “complete chaos”. The Peak Gravel Overnighter 2025 somehow delivered both - and that’s precisely what made it such a hit. Event organiser Valerio Stuart reveals how the inaugural edition came together and why it left everyone wanting more.
• Gravel Inspiration – GTRB Wild Weekender
  • Gravel event organisers have to put in an incredible amount of work when organising an event, including giving regular offerings to the weather gods to get their event blessed with sunshine. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, after months of hot, dry weather, the heavens opened for the inaugural Girls That Ride Bikes Wild Weekender which was held at the end of August. Fortunately, the weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the participants.
• Gravel Inspiration - Five things I learned as a guide at a women’s-only gravel camp
  • It’s no secret that there’s a profound impact that comes through doing any sort of outdoor sport – especially when you do it as part of a community. Fresh from guiding a women’s gravel camp in central Italy, Shimano Gravel Alliance rider Claudia Gerosa looks back on how riding in an all-women’s environment can be so inspiring.

Gravel Union Talks is a podcast series full of inspiring stories, news and events from the world of gravel biking. Each month hosts Carlo and Olly will be chatting with guests who are passionate about riding off the beaten track… adventure riding, bike packing and gravel racing.

In this episode:

• Matt Hart from Torq
• Gravel Union Talks podcast with hosts Carlo van Nistelrooy and Olly Townsend.
• GU’s editor-in-chief Olly on last month’s most popular articles on the Gravel Union platform.

Want to bring in ideas for topics or guests? Mail Olly at info@gravelunion.cc

Check out our platform and socials : www.gravelunion.cc

Insta: @gravel_union / Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravelUnion/

Komoot: https://www.komoot.nl/user/1080024447202

JOIN US NOW FOR FREE on www.gravelunion.cc

Shownotes:

• Matt Hart: Torq website
  • https://www.torqfitness.co.uk
• The Gear – Wahoo Trackr heart rate monitor
  • If your typical gravel ride prioritises views over VO2 max, friends over FTP and having-a-good-time over heart rate zones, then Wahoo’s Trackr heart rate monitor probably isn’t for you. But, on the other hand if you’d like to try and enhance your fitness levels, efficiently burn off a few more calories or even sign up for a gravel race, then read on, as this gadget could be just what you need.
• The Gear – Hydration Vests
  • If you’re heading out for a quick ride then it’s easy enough to grab a wattle bottle, fill it with the beverage of your choice and head out the door. But what if you’re going to be out all day, or for multiple days, or you want to carry more things than you can cram in your jersey pocket? A hydration vest might be the answer, so we’ve put together an overview of three of the best.
• The Gear - Torq Explore Supercharged Adventure Food
  • Torq might be better known to some of you as purveyors of nutrition products for use during rides – energy drinks/gels/bars/jellies etc but did they also know that they make a range of “adventure foods” too? At first glance these might look like they’re primarily aimed at bikepackers and ultradistance riders (which they are), but Olly has found another perfectly good use for them during shorter duration gravel rides too.