James Wilson - Graveleur

James is the co-founder of Graveleur. Graveleur started as a result of a post ride coffee discussion, it's aim is to build the Australian gravel community and get as many people of the couch and riding bikes as possible. They have a growing community on Instagram and Facebook: @graveleur – plus a website www.graveleur.cc

"My first bike was a silver BMX. I spent my early years riding this bike everywhere. I built sweet tracks with jumps and rad burms in the local bush. Fast forward 20 years, I had taken up cycling in my early thirties, with my only regret that I stopped riding after those early years on my BMX. I soon re-discovered the joy of riding and the perspective that it brings. Most importantly it got me off the couch.

I have since spent several years racing cross country, focussing mainly on endurance events. This racing has included a combination of 4 hour, 100 km and 12 hour solo (once) as well as team 24 hour races. This racing has been on my steel frame single-speed 29er.

Then I built myself a gravel bike. This has become my go to bike – commuting, bunch rides as well as the occasional century and double century adventure gravel ride, with the occasional flashpacking trip thrown in for good measure.

Since 1 January 2020, I have ridden every day - this includes a minimum daily goal of at least 30 minutes and around 10 km - even through the pandemic, I have kept to this riding 590 days straight and counting."