The 8-Speed cassette finally came in the mail today so I got it on, new chain too. Can’t wait to take the old girl for a ride!

Last weekend the boys and I did the CP to Lapa ride and instead of riding my SL8 I thought I’d ride my gravel bike this time. Why? Well I was looking for a disadvantage to push myself a little harder, but conceptually I always thought that the perfect road bike for bad roads would be a gravel bike; tougher, less punctures and more comfortable.

Not having clipless pedals was mindless bliss and made for quick starts off the lights and the playful nature of the Grizl made riding across footpaths to bike paths to road and jumping off gutters really fun.

I managed to keep up with the boys AOK (I was dropped on the climbs though!) and even managed to get some nice comments on the bike from other roadies out there. I really loved how relaxed and and fun the Grizl was to ride so I started looking into 650B tyres with less knobby tread (project no drop). As expected, there’s not much out there for 650B wheels, but what was out there all seemed to be pretty damn good quality.

I settled on a set of Japanese made René Herse Babyshoe Pass in 42C and opted for the tougher more durable endurance model which come with the dark tan sidewalls. I found these tyres in stock at Off Course in Melbourne. They did have a much lighter Extralight version, but I’m trying my best to not go weight weenie on this bike as I’ve managed to literally leave it untouched with no modifications since I’ve bought it. They also had a super fat version, but I figure these at 42C are only a little narrower than the 45C knobby tyres that came on the bike and from all reviews they seem to be a great choice for mixed road and light gravel use.

Of-course I still couldn’t help but weigh the bike. Now down from 9.03kg’s to 8.71kg’s (for the love of God please do not mod the Grizl!).

Didn’t need the extra comfort so I decided to take off the 30C rear tyre which ballooned out past the rear rim, and replace it with a 28C which now not only complies with the 105 rule it’s also a decent weight savings.

Down from 6.50kg.

It’s a sign!

Guido (in the stripy red top) filling us in on what Revolve ReCYCLING does and what’s expected of volunteer mechanics.

Gorgeous Frank Paino, ready to be sold.

It’s all in the details.

A tour of the showroom where bikes that were once destined for landfill have been given new life and are now ready to find a new home.

Europa cycles represent!

We then got a tour of the yard. O. M. G…

Bicycle heaven, or hell?! I was emotional.

We then got to the recycling area. Bikes and parts that are considered unsafe to be used get sorted by materials and sent for recycling.

In a skip for recycling.

The guys got straight to work.

Eugene serviced the brakes and gears on this bike. The idea is to put enough love into the bikes to get them to a state where you’d consider them safe for your own children to ride.

Endless buckets of parts!

My BFAM Eugene loves working on bicycles as much as I do so I thought I’d plant a seed and suggest that he check out Revolve ReCYCLING in Alexandria and ask them for a job. Revolve ReCYCLING recovers, recycles and redeploys unwanted bikes. SO unreal, right?!

It turns out Revolve have a night once a week where bike mechanics can volunteer to work on children’s bikes which will be donated to kids in need Australia-wide. Talk about stocking up on good karma. Eugene and I rocked up at 5pm to be given a tour of the facilities by Revolve ReCYCLING founder Guido, then it was straight to work!

Visit: www.revolverecycling.net