Curve Cycling ambassador, Hayden Stevens talks with Curve 's Adam Lana about his prep and pack-list, as well as his Curve GXR (aka Kevin) bike setup in anticipation for the Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan.
The Silk Road Mountain Race is a fixed route, unsupported, single-stage cycling race through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The clock does not stop and there are no prizes. It follows gravel, single and double track and old soviet roads that have long been forgotten and fallen into disrepair. There is very little tarmac. There is some walking, and at times there is great distances between resupply points.
Hayden will be riding a Curve titanium GXR (aka Kevin) finished with SRAM Force 1 and a Curve carbon Dirt Hoops wheelset. The GXR famously became known as ‘Kevin’ after Curve founder Jesse Carlsson renamed his GXR, and thus gave it a personality of its own. It is a gravel bike, but it also makes a great commuter, CX bike, bikepacking rig and even a recreational roadie. Kevin comes with three bottle cage mounts, rear pannier rack, fender and fork mounts. It run either 700c x 30-45mm tyres or 650b x 1.8–2.2" tyres and has the ability to be configured with either a 1x, 2x or electronic groupset, making it extremely versatile. Kevin is available in both titanium and steel frames, with a matching carbon fork.
Find out more about the Curve GXR
Find out about Curve Dirt Hoops
More info on the Silk Road Mountain Race
Read an interview with Hayden and Pedla