Curto Dirto: Bikes, Community, & Brain Cancer

There has been much ado as of late as to the state of cycling in the US and the gravel racing boom - from expansion of events - particularly those including prize money and "swag"- to pros from road coming over to race on the dirt. Along with this has come concern about the "death" of grassroots gravel. Much has already been said on this topic (I'd direct you to Guitar Ted's excellent series "The State of Gravel"). I've griped on this topic recently as well, and it's forced me to think more carefully about what I want in the events I go to, and I will be making more mindful choices this year. In the end, it's about making connections with people and nature and hitting internal goals for this rider. I tend to agree with G.Ted - the grassroots spirit at these events and in this community is very much alive, you just have to take yourself to the right places.

One of these places was Curto Dirto in Stillwater, Oklahoma this past weekend. Curt "Curto" Dikes is a former employee of District Bicycles in Stillwater, now living in OKC, who was suddenly diagnosed with brain cancer in December (full story here). The Stillwater gravel community immediately rallied around him to organize a 50 mile benefit ride that ended up attracting more than 200 riders and raising an amazing $68,000 dollars through registrations and an enormous raffle with items donated by Moots, Salsa, Cedaero, Chris King, and dozens more local businesses and individuals.

Photo credit Scott Drevicky

There may have been a few riders hammering out front as we rolled out of town and onto the gravel, but mostly there was a sense in the air that this was a time to spend with others. We chose to ride with friends, drifting forward and backward and in and out of conversations and reflections on the day, and to take the time to appreciate our bodies that let us pedal up and down the rolling red dirt roads that Stillwater is famous for.

Photo credit Scott Drevicky

Photo credit Scott Drevicky

Photo credit Scott Drevicky

There were several supported stops, and an oasis with a margarita machine and a fire pit, of course. This pup also found his own personal rolling support.

So yes, the community - any many would say family - that has kept many people in gravel and continues to draw many more in is alive and well. It may be buried a little more than it used to be under advertisements, hype, and dollar signs. And that's fine, that's how business and industry works. But if friends and strangers can come from across the country to raise $68k for a good dude dealt some bad cards, then the gravel you know and love is not going anywhere - you just have to look in the right places.