Traka was once again a blast! Kike smashed the 360km and I caught Allan Shaw on the course as well. (See below)

Initially, I was more critical but this year the 'influencer olympics' bummed me out a lot out less. Last year, the uber-commercial initial impression left a sour taste. But Traka is so much more than simply an uber hyped race.

It really is a lightning rod that brings some of the most positive and eclectic riders in the extended gravel scene to Catalonia. Sure, it's still as much about the likes as it is about the bikes, but the family reunion vibe grew on me.

Also, I didn't race this year and spent Friday afternoon & night chasing Kike & Allan. I didn't get to bed until 4am after Kike's 3am finish and was back at the finish to catch Allan the next morning.

I wrote this issue from the Barcelona airport yesterday & while preparing, I read Joe Laverick's 6 Traka Takeaways. A useful way to throw in my own .02 too! Joe's points & my comments:

1. "It’s the second biggest gravel race in the world" – I can't argue with Joe's take here. If anything, this year solidified Traka's title as 'Euro Unbound'.
2. "200km, or 360km?" – His point was how the organization prioritized the 360km race to draw more high-profile contenders to the longer distance. People hammered the 360 for sure but the 'Adventure' 560 options also drew a stacked field. If anything, this all underscores point 1: people come to Traka to go fast!
3. "We need to talk about safety." – I agree here too. The website bills the event as non-competitive and that's bullshit. They even introduced doping controls this year. They do have many street crossings staffed by course marshals, but there needs to be more safety implemented on the public roads.
4. "Hats Off" – yep. It's incredible & quite the accomplishment what Traka has become, and the overall buzz of stoke this year really changed my mind after my initial impression last year. Kudos to the Traka team!
5. "Gravel is always a meme" – ha! Yes, but so is cycling. Hell, so is life. Gravel should take itself seriously because it is serious. That said, I like to see the professional coverage, new product & bike launches, and world-class athlete attendance. Finally, there needs to be more done to integrate riders with the local community. A Catalan phrasebook? Showcase local vendors & business owners? There is an ironic tension between visiting cyclists & locals. The cycling industry brings mega €€€ but it is also gentrifying & annoying to have so many rude spandex clad wankers perpetually mobbing the lanes, sidewalks & outside seating. ; )
6. "DNF’ing sucks" – people have good days and bad days at Traka. Going fast on rocks isn't something roadies are used to and people invariably eat shit & break their gear. I think riding safely & courteously is key. This is the influencer olympics, not the real olympics. My friend Ondrej was clipped by a fellow racer on the 200km course & he slammed hard, breaking a rib & injuring his shoulder. That's bike racing but also, don't make an inside pass & be an ass.

What do you think of Traka? Did you attend? Observe from afar? Have a different interpretation of the Spirit of Gravel? ; ) One thing is for sure: I've already re-determined to race again next year! Question is, what distance?

Thank you for reading!

with gratitude,

Jon

May

• 🇳🇱 7 Wheelrunner Wednesday Morning Ride (Weekly at 7:00am)
• 🇳🇱 8 Gregario Thursday AM Ride (Weekly at 7:30am)
• 🇳🇱 11 Mark's Mixed-Terrain Ride from Gregario
• 🇵🇹 16 Angels of Dirt Screening Lisboa Motorcycle Film Festival
• 🇳🇱 16-18 Urban Sports Week Amsterdam
• 🇳🇱 17 Wildcard Rally
• 🇳🇱 24 Amsterdam Museumplein Skatepark Opening
• 🇳🇱 25 Maats' 190km Store to Store Ride
• 🇬🇧 21 Angels of Dirt Screening at DEUS in Dorset
• 🇩🇪 31 Angels of Dirt Screening at Craftwerk Berlin
• 🇳🇱 31 Fenderfest Nº2

June

• 🇳🇱 1 Aidsfonds Rainbow Ride Amsterdam
• 🇩🇪 5 Angels of Dirt Screening Cologne hosted by German Flat Track
• 🇳🇱 7 Angels of Dirt Screening Noordelos
• 🇳🇱 8 Pathfinder Maastricht
• 🇳🇱 11-13 Bicycle Film Festival Maastricht
• 🇧🇪 17-18 Micromobility Brussels
• 🇩🇪 25-29 Eurobike (26th is 4th Annual Twotone x CRANK! Dinner!)

Bikes

Cyclingnews' Winning Bikes of Traka 360

Gallery: The winning bikes of The Traka 360

Tobias Kongstad’s and Karolina Migon’s mud-splattered bikes, plus some from the podium finishers too

CyclingnewsWill Jones

Maats' 190km Store to Store to Store Ride on 25 May

The Radavist's 2025 Bespoked Manchester Coverage

Ideas

Echobox is releasing its first zine, UNBOX

Hire Stefano Nucera. He's wrapped up at NOMOQ & available

🌈 NOMOQ: It was a blast but now it's in the past 🎡 Profile pick swap… | Stefano Nucera | 12 comments

🌈 NOMOQ: It was a blast but now it's in the past 🎡 Profile pick swap, comments new spring, recommendations extravaganza. You sharp-eyed eagles probably already spotted: my time at NOMOQ ended and from May 1st 2025 I won't be part of the team anymore aka Startup Life Hit Me Part VIII. I joined the company in their early days, I pledge to be employee #8 🫶, with the goal of building the brand in the beverage world where usually packaging is only felt like a commodity. So I cracked ideas like tubes of smarties, joined forces with incredibly talented creatives, worked with progressive risk takers, felt at home in the craft drink community and now, after two years, if the beverage world is a bit more colourful, it is also because of my contribution. But startup life is always tough, and when flying needs a leaner structure, marketing and comms are often the ones leaving the boat. Before a proper CTA, I need to say thanks to Patrick Schweizer for being an awesome team leader always ready to trust my ideas with patience and enthusiasm (and also to snap the photo here below), to Peter Stein for always being a step or two ahead of any futuristic thoughts (and for bringing me to a meeting at 6.30am), to Gabriela Andrei for knowing how to play my music, and to Albrecht Haake for pitching strongly the potential of the craft community. And of course to the whole team that made things real: you people are talented and smart so will bounce NOMOQ to the moon and beyond. Now to you all, my network: if you, or anybody you know, need an all-rounded marketing manager with a good taste for content and communication, crunching performance marketing and a soft spot for cycling and communities, well, give me a shout, I will be open for freelance projects, temporary assignments and full-time roles. Peace out ✌️ | 12 comments on LinkedIn

LinkedInStefano Nucera

Fear and Loathing on the School Run

Fear and Loathing on the School Run

Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bike

The New FatherhoodKevin Maguire

Friends

Allan Shaw Completes the Traka 560 Adventure Race on a Ti OMNIUM Cargo

Cento Canesio x Stelbel | Ride, expression, identity

SKLOSS UK & EU 2025 Tour

Radness

OMNIUM presents CPH OPEN by Bike — No Skating

Thank you very much for reading!
Here's to breaking away this week!