Singletrack, doubletrack, gravel as a noun and an argument, bikepacking, the grand depart, self-supported, a sufferfest, sending it, dropper post, tyre inserts, the feed zone, hike-a-bike, rigid versus full-sus. The Cape Epic in March as the stage-race pilgrimage, the American gravel calendar from spring through Kansas in June, the European gravel calendar from May, the Alpine mountain bike stage races in July and August, and the bikepacking grand departs which cluster at the solstice.

April to October in the north, with a distinctive southern-hemisphere winter peak because the biggest mountain bike stage race in the world runs in March in South Africa and pulls a global field. December to February in Europe and North America, mud and daylight.

Single-day gravel events are decided much later, often six to ten weeks out, which gives this brand two distinct buying rhythms rather than one. Ride in small groups rather than bunches, bikepack, camp at events, fix each other's mechanicals, and argue about tyre width with genuine passion.