Gravel biking increasingly a hype: but also in West Friesland?

Because West Friesland also has a talent in the gravel scene: the 26-year-old Tessa Neefjes from Wervershoof. She is the first Dutchman to participate in the very first Gravel World Cup on 8 and 9 October in the Veneto region, northeastern Italy. By winning in Milau, France, Neefjes won a ticket to the world championship.

Gravel bike sold a lot?

Is gravel bike sales on the rise? “Yes, certainly. We are seeing an increase in the number of applications, it is gaining ground in West Friesland. No bicycle manufacturer or bicycle shop is hesitating anymore,” notes Gerlof van Jaarsveld, founder of Salomo Bikes in Medemblik. “It is not that bad in terms of course, compared to countries such as Germany or Belgium.”

Van Jaarsveld thinks that clay courts will become even more popular, should Neefjes shine at the world championship. “She’s very disciplined. She’s also a contender, I think. She’s really, really good.” Because last Saturday Neefjes won a gravel race in Veenhuizen. She also won the races in Houffalize and Milau, after which she qualified for the world championship.

So all eyes are on Cousins. Previously, the talent cycled at cycling association West-Frisia in Enkhuizen, where she blossomed under the wings of cyclist Tino Haakman. The Enkhuizer knows her like no other. “Last winter she already realized that gravel biking was becoming more popular. In the beginning I was still skeptical about it, but in the meantime I am happily participating,” laughs Haakman, who has been assisting and guiding Neefjes for 10 years.

More challenging, but also in West Friesland?

But what makes gravel biking so much fun? “Many cyclocross or mountain bikers are stimulated by former professional cyclists. I don’t think that step is that big either. It is rawer, more varied and more challenging. Every trail is different where you can encounter everything, it gives a feeling of freedom.”

In any case, there is no lack of interest. The problem, however, is that West Friesland has little to no dirt roads. “It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack, at most a few crunching shell paths”, Haakman knows. “That is holding back the advance somewhat. But that there is interest, that is absolutely certain.”

Haakman: “I think gravel in our region will continue to develop. Especially the older riders who are getting tired of the road will opt for this branch. In the gravel races you also see more and more participants from our region.”

It’s not about speed

Norbert Cuiper, road captain at cycling association HRTC in Hoorn, shares that opinion. “Gravel biking is an emerging branch of cycling. We also notice this at HRTC. Within the touring department of the cycling association, a group of tourers regularly ride gravel races. As a road captain, I occasionally include a gravel path in the rides with the tourers from HRTC.”

Cuiper has also been organizing a real gravel race since 2017, with a start and finish at the velodrome in Hoorn. The first time, 85 cyclists came straight for it. “That was much more than I expected,” said Cuiper. “With gravel, it’s not about speed, it’s about the experience.”