Bike News so far in June

🏁 Gravel Racing: Legends, Prototypes & Records

Unbound Gravel 2025 saw a blend of seasoned pros and cutting-edge tech. Former WorldTour riders David Millar and Tom Dumoulin joined the event, with Millar testing Factor's new Aluto gravel bike—a lightweight prototype with agile handling. They emphasized fun and curiosity over competition (source).

Lukas Pöstlberger, a Giro d’Italia stage winner, also entered with a Rose Backroad FF, featuring SRAM’s Red AXS XPLR drivetrain and 45mm Schwalbe G-One RS Pro tires.

🌍 Bikepacking Adventures: From the Balkans to the Bay

At the Trans Balkan Race 2025, Justinas Leveika crushed the 1,350 km route in 4 days, 8 hours, and 39 minutes—setting a new record across one of Europe’s most rugged courses.

In Arizona, the Pinyons and Pines 2025 featured 16-year-old Cruz Blue finishing 10th overall on the 340-mile route—an impressive feat of youth endurance.

Meanwhile, California launched the first Bikepack the Bay, a 265-mile loop around the Bay Area that combined minimalist camping with scenic gravel routes.

🏕️ Bike Camping: Community and Gear Highlights

Bike Camp 2025 in Chattanooga drew a diverse crowd, showcasing unique builds like Derek Wilson’s personalized Salsa La Cruz—underscoring the custom spirit of bike camping culture.

Also, cyclists embarked on their First Overnighter of 2025, capturing the start of the camping season through mixed gravel and road tours.

🔧 Gear Trends: Innovations in Gravel and Bikepacking

The new Factor Aluto leads the way with a 47mm clearance, fully internal routing, and a frame designed for both racing and multi-day adventure.

Stooge Cycles’ 2025 Speedbomb got an upgrade too, with more mounting points and a revised rigid fork—perfect for the “klunkpacking” niche and 29 x 3.0″ tires.

And finally, at the Traka gravel race, a new Canyon Grail prototype was spotted with a DT Swiss suspension fork, hinting at a comfort-oriented shift in race bike design.

🌟 Spotlight: Scenic Gravel Touring in Spain

A father-daughter duo rode 140 km along Spain's Costa de la Luz, blending sun-soaked beaches with rugged off-road paths—offering a glimpse into how family-friendly gravel touring can be.

Stay tuned for more updates on gravel biking, bikepacking, and bike camping adventures!