But first, a bit about our videocast guest. Juliet Elliott is a British semi-professional cyclist, influencer, writer, YouTuber, and content creator known for addressing important issues in cycling, such as elitism, privilege, inequality, and bias against women riders. Formerly a professional snowboarder, Juliet has become a prominent voice for women in sports. Named one of Bike Biz’s ‘Most Influential Women In Cycling’ and recognized as a ‘Woman To Watch’ by YouTube, she was also featured on Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling 2019 list for her advocacy for women in sports. A dynamic creative, Juliet focuses on cycling, style, sports, health, fitness, outdoor living, and adventure travel.
As a multi-disciplinary rider who did road, track and mountain bike races, and has a particular love of racing international fixed gear criteriums, Juliet is just the right person to compare gravel to other areas of cycling. Someone somewhere aptly summarised gravel events with the term “mullet racing”, meaning business in the front (those pushing for the win), party in the back (more laid-back riders at the tail of the race) – and Juliet couldn’t agree more.
With Matt, she shared how she sees gravel as “something for everyone” where you can strive for the winner’s podium or take it in a more exploratory way and there’s a “wonderful vibe” throughout. The real spirit of camaraderie and shared experience is the cornerstone of gravel and you come across all kinds of gravel races, “from the super serious to the super ridiculous or fun, or amateurish.” As Juliet cheekily summed things up: “You can be suited and booted in your finest or just wear a pair of cut-offs.”
They further touched upon gravel’s transformation from the “underdog” of cycling disciplines to UCI-level racing and how the competitive side of it is higher than it’s ever been. Bigger and better-funded gravel teams, more media attention on races, and more high-profile pros joining in.
Listen to this episode to also learn about the very first gravel events she attended, what kinds of different races there are (Audax races, the Gralloch, Grinduro, etc.), which of them Juliet would love to do (The Silk Road) or why she enjoys the logistics of bikepacking – what she calls the “mental game” of it. You will, of course, also get a primer on the basics of gravel, what gear you should never leave home without, what should you be able to fix while out on the road and how to achieve that, how to fuel for gravel including how croissants are the best petrol station food when on a multi-day trip (if you have no other options) because they squash down easily, and more.
