If you’ve got your ear to the gravel, you’ll have had enough time to recover from the Traka last weekend.
Held around Girona, the Traka is Europe’s biggest gravel festival, with races in lengths spanning 100km to 560km. The most competitive events are the Traka 360 and 200, which take place on the Friday and Saturday of Traka weekend. Both races stretch deep into the Catalan wilderness, tackling a broad variation of gravel, with a couple of river crossings and big climbs for good measure.
Among the teams competing were Britain’s first gravel team, Ribble Outliers. The team fielded athletes into both the 360 and 200, led by former WorldTour roadies Sophie Wright and Harry Tanfield, plus gravel mavericks Jenson Young and Metheven Bond.
The photographers from 4Seasoncollective were on the ground in Girona to capture the team’s antics over the 200 and 360 races. Here are some of the best shots.
Every rider is required to start with a front and rear light for the Traka 360. You can understand why.
Breakfast with Mr Gravel himself.
The team were riding the Ribble Ultra-Grit with the RockShox Rudy Ultimate suspension fork.
Harry Tanfield bought his front light from Decathlon for €20.
The route offers real variation in surface types.
It wouldn’t be gravel without some squeaky bum time through the bends.
Jenson Smith retired not long after this photo was taken. For much of the early part of the race, he was Ribble’s best placed rider.
It’s easier when you have a team of helpers to bring you food.
Let’s hope he had some sun cream handy.
Ribble’s Metheven Bond finished in 95th place.
Harry Tanfiel was the team’s best finisher, crossing the line within the top 50.
His bike is bodge central. We’ve got aero fairings, a lot of duct tape and some DIY bar tape.
Tanfield fashioned the fairings the night before the ride. Head to the Cyclist Instagram to see them close up.
Chocolate milk well earned.
Sophie Wright was considered one of the outsiders for the win ahead of Saturday’s race.
The technical zone allowed riders to pick up food and make mechanical tinkerings.
After 300km in the sadlle, you’ve still got to colaborate in a group.
Wright finished a very respectable sixth place.
The pros are handed the same medals as the amateurs.