Granigan 9th at Dirty Kanza

It’s easy to talk about an emergent North American brand of cycling: gravel, local love, fun first.

I’ve been yapping about it all year. It’s not BS but whenever you write or talk about events that are participatory–that are fundamentally about just getting out and riding your bike–you’re paradoxically offering an aside, or situating yourself in the peanut gallery. Hey, if you’ve read to this point you’re part of the awkwardness.

But Granny deserves praise, and so does the entire Floyd’s of Leadville crew who not only supported our guys but ensured they had a great time. I wish it was possible to convey in writing the enthusiastic impact Floyd Landis himself is having on our team and on cycling in general. But really, you’d need to be part of what he’s been doing to give it justice.

Let’s just use Dirty Kanza as an example: DK is a huge event, and you can easily get lost in it by either going off course or sliding into anonymity amidst the thousands of racers flocking to Emporia, KS. Instead, Floyd ensured our team had access to spots at the race. Chris Lyman, of Floyd’s of Leadville, held my hand through registration, media and logistics (I still messed up reg so Noah Simms was unable to race–ouf). FoL provided lux accommodations, meals and support. We provided one of our mechanics for the pits. The result: a supportive, fun environment where 23-year-old Noah Granigan could thrive. He finished 9th overall at arguably the premier gravel race in NA, but that seems beside the point.