@Francqlife every time I see that picture it makes me laugh, your face is so composed for being about to eat it!
Yeah. I do over use it a bit. Just to remind myself not to take things too seriously. Itās just a bike race.
Perhaps, Iāll need to find a new āembarrassmentā shot. I wonder if I can find that picture of @tabi face-planting in the CX race?
Here are the rarely seen ābeforeā and āafterā shots of that fall above (Baseball Cross 2017)
I would like to point out that I made it through on the prior lap!
Then there is how you are supposed to do it @MarkW
All these pictures from Lauren D. bring back great memories.
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I guess this is my equivalent shot of āeating itā. Also 'cross, also 2017, but it was Dam Cross. Might have even been provincials that year?
Though I guess without the facial expression itās not quite as good.
Speaking of rain, at least itās going to be relatively warm Sunday. Who remembers almost dying of Hypothermia in +2 C and rain at the last Steaming Nostril, 2019?
Iām smiling for the camera, but 20 minutes later I was in the gun club after finishing, shivering uncontrollably and an EMT had to take my gloves and boots off for me.
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I have never done the streaming nostril and it certainly looks like type 2 verging on type 3 fun!
I was trying to find photos of me āeating itā but failed, so hereās a couple of Kevin about to go down at Baseball Cross a few years ago.
No sharp turns in the mud kids, green is grip.
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Love how this thread has devolved from potential new bike day to hereās everybody crashing during CX/suffering on a gravel bike. Hereās mine also from baseball cross. Every other lap I nailed the sand but of course when the camera was rolling I Endo and end up looking like I lost a contact lens.
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So new to me new bike day. Now just need to set it up ( look at that saddle!). Not sure I have time to set it up tubeless.
Folk with the aspero, how easy is the top tube bag to get off or am I allowed to race with it on?
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Iād leave the tires as is unless youāre experienced with tubeless tires. It can take a day and some riding sometimes to make sure theyāre good although the tires and rims seem to be just getting better and easier.
You donāt want to be rushed today and possibly have problems tomorrow. Just my 2 cents.
Congratulations 
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Yes that is what Iām thinking @MarkW Iām pretty good and getting tubeless setup but you never know if there will be problems. Iām going to leave that till I have more time!
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The Aspero is a brilliant bike. A tire swap and itās a great road bike as well. (I have a 56cm Ultegra model with Easton cranks that has worked flawlessly) I used to swap Zipp 303ās on it with 28mm GP5Ks as a road setup.
As others mentioned the Aspero doesnāt have fender mounts or additional bottle mounts and youāre maxed at a 50T large chain ring (if you want to use it as a dual purpose bike)
Another option is the Caledonia with a 32-33mm tire on it. Itās an endurance road bike with great tire clearance, provisions for fenders and an aero frameset. Itās a perfect do it all bike though 32-33mm might be a bit small for some. (I find it fine though)
Lorie own the Caledonia (105 version) for gravel riding and absolutely loves it. Itās a perfect dual purpose bike for the types of gravel we ride here and comes with 52/36 chainrings for road riding.
Cheers
Chris
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Thanks @ChrisP ! I might stick some slicks on it and see how it rides. Definately doesnāt feel as sprightly as my 3T but then the aspero has stock wheels and heavy gravel tires so not really fair.
I was going to keep it as 2x as a possible backup road bike but now considering going 1x, if I decide to keep it ( more below!)
I think for people who donāt have space for multiple bikes it might be the perfect one bike solution but I do have space.
I love my 3T and the Aspero wonāt replace that as my road bike. It is stiffer and more fun than my old alloy Giant Revolt (which is still a fun but compliant bike). The plan was to ride more gravel but in reality Iām not sure if Iām going to have time and the Revolt is enough bike for what I do. The Revolt also has fender mounts etc too so more practical. The Aspero was a bit of a spur of the moment purchase since it got it for a good price.
I might just have to ride both the Aspero and Revolt back to back to see what I think. Maybe Iāll list both for sale and see which sells first? Not sure I need both of them 
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Oliver, in the event that you decide the sell the Aspero, what size is it?
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It is a 58. If that is your size Iāll keep you posted as to if I decide to sell.
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Thanks Oliver. My R3 is a 58 so that would be a match. Keep me in the loop.
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Big fan of the Aspero here! Iāve had mine since 2020 and have put 3,500km on it thus far. I ride it hard and the bike performs extremely well. I had the Caledonia prior to the Aspero and found it faster on long gravel sections but thatās it; the Aspero has it beat on up/down and shorter gravel sections, trail, and handling. And most importantly, you have a lot more tire choice on the Aspero and clearance for those muddy p2a days. The Aspero feels especially great descending down the hills on the gravel routes in and around our area.
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So after all the doubt, Iām keeping the Aspero. Sorry @JimDaley ! Did some back to back riding yesterday and the Aspero is significantly better to ride than the old Revolt even in stock form ( and the Revolt is heavily upgraded!). Let the Aspero upgrading commence!
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No problem Oliver_Smith. Saves me trying to explain to my wife why I need a 3rd gravel bike.
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