Episode 11 -From Shakeout to Finish Line: The Bovine Classic Experience

The Bovine Classic delivered big this year — stunning scenery, amazing riders, and that signature gravel community vibe. ‍♂️ In this episode of the Service Course Report, hosts Ed Philbrick and Kurt Stockton recap their experiences at the event, from the shakeout rides and reconnecting with old friends to bike setup challenges and new gear discoveries.

Kurt dives into his first rides on the Mondraker gravel bike, sharing how he overcame headset issues and fine-tuned his setup on the fly. The conversation captures the spirit of the sport — community, camaraderie, and constant learning — along with a nod to rising talents like Jonas Woodruff making their mark on the scene.

Whether you’re prepping for your next gravel adventure or just love great ride stories, this episode has it all — from tech talk to trail tales.

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and Overview
01:08 – Bovine Classic Experience
04:49 – Shakeout Rides and Community Engagement
09:20 – Reconnecting with Old Friends
12:12 – Event Highlights and Awards
15:28 – Segment Format in Cycling Events
19:53 – Emerging Talents in Cycling
23:40 – Amateur Segment: Personal Bike Journey
24:28 – Exploring Mondraker: A Spanish Bike Brand
25:48 – Custom Geometry and Setup Challenges
29:05 – First Ride Troubles: Headset Issues
31:53 – Seeking Professional Help for Bike Repairs
35:11 – Final Adjustments and Successful Ride
39:02 – Lessons Learned: Bike Maintenance Tips
40:01 – The Benefits of SRAM’s Wireless System
41:41 – Future Rides and Evaluating Bike Performance

Key Takeaways

• The Bovine Classic remains one of California’s premier gravel cycling events.

• Community and camaraderie are what make gravel special.

• Shakeout rides create friendships and shared experiences.

• Kurt’s Mondraker debut shows the value of setup and adaptability.

• Technical issues can turn into lessons learned on the road.

• Rising stars like Jonas Woodruff are pushing the sport forward.

Chapters

• (00:00:13) - Service Course Report
• (00:05:01) - September 7th: The Atascadero Cycling Festival
• (00:08:29) - Meeting Gary Summers at the Olympics
• (00:13:42) - BWR Happy Bovine
• (00:18:37) - Clark Natwick raced with Beltech Boyer in the 1980s
• (00:19:49) - Jonas Woodruff Wins BWR California
• (00:23:58) - Amateur Mondraker
• (00:29:37) - How to swap a headset bearing at SRAM
• (00:34:56) - Mondragor Arid
• (00:39:10) - SRAM World Tour: What Went Wrong
• (00:43:07) - Bovine Classic
• (00:44:25) - The Happy Happy gravel race
• (00:47:24) - The Bovine Classic
• (00:50:16) - Riding With the Motos
• (00:51:51) - Gravel Biker Event Recap
• (00:57:31) - The Dublin Triathlon
• (01:01:47) - San Ynez Valley: A Tourist's Experience
• (01:03:01) - Biking to the coast
• (01:08:00) - The Pismo Preserve Cycling Route
• (01:13:02) - Gravel and E-Mountain Bike Riding
• (01:17:19) - Oh, Romero Tire
• (01:17:45) - Continental Trucks: Hardpack and Enduro Tires
• (01:22:39) - Getting Back On My Dirt Bike
• (01:23:44) - Flight attendant suspension on my bike
• (01:29:22) - What are the plans for suspension on gravel bikes?
• (01:35:30) - Gravel Burn: The Dropper Seat Post
• (01:38:04) - Shimano Enduro Cleats Review