My Gravel Ride

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In Search of Gravel

As a long-time mountain biker, the idea of a drop-bar bike was always related to traffic, car exhaust and busy city streets, no thanks. Then came along the gravel bike and the promise of cycling adventures from your front door. Yes, the annoyance of city cycling still had to be dealt with, but add some gravel roads, paths and trails, and the total package did spark interest. Let the gravel bike quest begin. 

Humorously, my perfect gravel bike search resulted in a search of a two-wheel kind, as in the Norco Search XR S1. Steel frame, 700c wheels and well specced, let's go ride.

This bike changed my cycling life. I went from 200 km a month trail rider to cranking out a 1000 km plus in the same time frame, rediscovering the city and all its paths and trails. It didn't take long to start looking beyond the city limits and more extended challenges.

Season one with the Norco Search saw my first solo overnighter along the 160km Simcoe Country Loop Trail, another 300km weekend with friends in northern Ontario's Algoma region and closing out the year with a nippy Festive 500. 

The momentum rolled into season two, and before the first-year ownership anniversary, I ticked off one of Onatario's must-do bikepacking events, the 700km, BT 700.

At this point, the only things I changed on the bike were the saddle and bar tape; that's how good the Norco Search XR S1 is straight out of the box.

My Norco Search XR S1, ready for adventure.

Now three seasons together, the Search sports a few modifications, mostly done for fine-tuning and wants, not needs.

• Starting at the handlebars, which are now the SPANK FLARE 25 VIBROCORE™ DROP BAR 460mm. Featuring a Vibrocore foam core that provides vibration damping proven to reduce arm pump and hand-numbness, 25° aggressively flared and short 110mm drop, and 65mm reach geometry is perfect for aggressive riding in a more upright, balanced stance. The bars are wrapped with SPANK FLARE GRAVEL DROP BAR TAPE. I love this bar tape; it looks and feels awesome.

• Out front, a multi-purpose bike mount from Magicshine holds a Wahoo ELEMENT ROAM GPS BICYCLE COMPUTER on top and a Magicshine ALLTY400 Rechargeable USB-C Road Bike Light on the underside. 
  A Restarp canister handlebar bag carries day ride necessities.
  On the frame, two Topeak Ninja Master side pull cages hold water bottles. Mounted under one of the cages is a Topeak NINJA MASTER+ TOOLBOX T16. This weatherproof toolbox contains an 18-function mini tool for basic repair and maintenance.

• Mounted on the side of the other cage is the Topeak Roadie TT mini pump; small but mighty, this pump is highly recommended.

• A Topeak Midloader 6l frame bag fits nicely under the top tube when there is a need to carry a few extra things.

• The Norco Search S1 comes with a dropper post, but I hardly ever used it, so I switched to a carbon Seatpost. 

• An Ergon SR Pro Men saddle provides all-day ride comfort. 

• Under the saddle is a Topeak Burrito Pack, a compact roll-up with three compartments and internal organizers to keep gear and small items, such as a tube, tire levers and tubeless repair. 

• A Magicshine  SEEMEE200 V2.0 tail Light provides visibility.

• If I have one complaint about the Norco Search, it is the slight delay in the rear wheel engagement; hence the switch to the SPANK FLARE 24 OC VIBROCORE™ WHEEL Set. The Vibrocore™ fill reduces the transmission of harmful vibration frequencies, improving rider comfort and increasing the fatigue life of the rim. Fast engagement, love the sound and two seasons under a 200lb plus rider, and still rolling true.

• My summer tire choice is the WTB Riddler 45 X 700. I switch to the Panaracer Gravel King Sk 38mm in the winter to make room for some Axiom fenders. Peaty's valves in the Bourbone colour add some bling.

Bikepacking

When a multi-day adventure comes calling, I turn to my Topeak bikepacking bag set up.

• Under the seat is the Topeak Backloder 15L - A large seat bag specially designed for bikepackers to carry gear without needing a rear rack. Constructed of lightweight, highly water-resistant and durable materials, it mounts and removes quickly.

• Up front is the Topeak Frontloder - featuring a rugged outer support harness constructed of durable abrasion and water-resistant materials; it's easily installed or removed with two straps. An 8-litre removable waterproof drybag protects contents from wet weather and splashes, while a built-in air release button purges unwanted air from the bag to effectively compress its contents.

• Under the top tube, the Topeak Midloader 6l provides easily accessible space. Constructed of lightweight, highly water resistant and durable materials, it mounts and removes quickly with hook and loop fasteners. Two water-resistant zippered openings provide easy access to all your gear from either side.

• On the top tube, the Topeak Toploader is a large capacity top tube mounted bag offering quick and easy access to energy bars, phones, wallets, tools or any small essential gear needed close at hand.

Camping Gear

One of the positives of packing with limited space is when you get things dialled, the same kit comes with you for one night or many. 

• Home away from home is the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 Bikepacking tent. The comfortable space packs down to a tiny package that hangs from the front of the Frontloader. 

• In the Frontloader rides, the Big Agnes Anvil Horn -9C sleeping bag, the Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core Deluxe sleeping mat and Air AXL inflatable camp pillow.

• Camp chairs sure are nice after a day on the bike, and the Big Agnes Mica Basin Chair comes along when space allows it.

• Morning coffee is a camp ritual, and the AeroPress Original coffee press brews a full-bodied coffee with maximum flavour every time. The Hydro Flask, 12 oz mug, keeps the coffee hot, and the two fit together nicely into a small, easy-to-pack package.

• Cooking duties are handled by an MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove and the Optimus Crux Lite Solo Cook Set.

• Never leave home without a headlamp; the Black Diamond Storm 500-R is a good one. 

Clothing

Warm weather

• The  Endura GV500 REIVER are my favourite bib shorts, adventure-ready gravel bibs with additional cargo carrying capacity.

• On top the GV500 REIVER S/S JERSEY is an adventure gravel jersey loaded with features.

• The fingerless Endura XTRACT MITT II is a best-selling cycling glove for a reason: gel padding, good grip, and great all-rounder.

• Outway socks are quality and fun.

• QUOC Gran Tourer II gravel shoe, love em.

• Endura MT500 WATERPROOF JACKET II is the go-to any season when things get wet.

• Bontrager Starvos WaveCel Cycling Helmet

Cold weather

• Start with the merino wool BAABAA BLEND L/S baselayer. 

• Next, the FS260-PRO THERMO BIBTIGHTS II, classic winter bib tights featuring Thermoroubaix® warmth. 

• On top, PRO SL HC WINDPROOF JACKET. 

• An Endura BAABAA MERINO TECH buff, Deluge waterproof, insulated winter gloves, a 45NORTH wool cycling cap under the helmet and Bontrager Winter Bike Shoes, bring on winter.

You can read about my cycling adventures with my Norco Search XR S1 on my Lortzphoto life Blog and Bikepacking.com.