Therefore We look upon with favor, all forms of cycling, but with particular grace We encourage the exploration of Loam and Gravel

Second Charter, A.D. 2024

EXPERIMENTAL CYCLING TEAM

We commit to nurturing a lively and inclusive cycling community by focusing on shared experiences and collective joy. We see bikepacking and ultra racing as a means to connect, explore, and grow together while also pushing ourselves further. Our team represents the heart of camaraderie and adventure, engaging in races, community events, supporting fellow riders, and celebrating the journey itself. We want to push what we can do on a bike and through our collaborative spirit, we hope to inspire others to embrace adventure and find joy in every mile. Go beyond the podium.

Step one complete! You clicked through for more info; the who, what, how, and all that? We will tell you as much as we can but be warned this is an new and evolving concept. Some things will be known and others will be ideas that we hope can happen.

I can assure you though, if you join this experimental cycling team we will do everything we can to help you have an amazing year of bikepacking in 2025!

What is an Experimental Bikepacking Team?

The Loam and Gravel Society is an Experimental Cycling Team. But what does that mean? Well, we won’t have a team bus, we won’t be racing a series of races together, we won’t even all ride the same bikes. But we will learn from each other, support each other, and develop each others riding and race abilities to preform at our peaks, tackling some of the hardest bikepacking races in the world.

What Races Will the Team Go To?

That is up to you. Each member of the team will get to choose the races and events they want to participate in and Old Man Mountain will pay up to $2,000 in expenses to help make that happen. Whether it’s flights, race fees, or other costs that come up.

Some members might end up at the same races and others won’t. We want to support your goals for bikepacking in 2025.

Who Will Be On The Team?

We will have 5 members on the team in 2025. These are all individual race/event entrants so there is no preference for age, gender, etc. All riders are welcome.

The Loam & Gravel Society will support those wanting to take on some of the toughest bikepacking races on earth. Winning isn’t everything, but effort matters.

We want The Loam & Gravel Society to be a space where personalities, styles, and characters blend, communicate, grow and transform with each other while remaining individual. We are looking for people that are fast and skilled riders pushing bikepacking and endurance racing forward and that goes well beyond podiums. Camaraderie, community, and advocacy are far more important to growing the bikepacking community than podium finishes.

If Everyone Isn’t Going to The Same Races, How is This a Racing Team?

You ask a lot of questions. I like that about you. It shows moxie.

Kidding aside, we’re starting with shared knowledge, coaching, race prep, nutrition, and encouragement. This is an experiment to see what a bikepacking team could be. These races are built around individual effort but we don’t need to exist in a vacuum.

One of our dreams with the Experimental Cycling Team is to have a team training camp. To bring everyone together for 4-5 days. Ride, train, and gain as much knowledge from each other as possible. To make this happen we will need additional sponsors.

If you’re a brand that likes this idea and wants to be on the forefront of ultra distance racing and defining what an ultra distance team might look like send us an email. We’d love to talk about getting you involved.
If you’re a brand that likes this idea and wants to be on the forefront of ultra distance racing and defining what an ultra distance team might look like send us an email. We’d love to talk about getting you involved.

What are Old Man Mountain and Silca Offering?

That’s right, let’s talk about the fun details. What do you get as a member of the team?

All five members of the 2025 Loam and Gravel Society, Experimental Bikepacking Team will get;

$2000 to support race entries and expenses
Free Old Man Mountain products.
Access to early prototypes that we are developing (we have some really exciting gear in the works!)
Silca wax, lubricants, pumps, tools, and expertise. Silca knows about speed and efficiency!
Free gear and massive discounts from all kinds of industry friends. We have been in the bike industry for quite awhile and made friends with a lot of different brands that want to help out with product.
PR and marketing help to aid in building your personal brand as a rider and racer.

APPLY FOR THE TEAM!

The application window is open until 11:59pm on December 2nd.