The Traka may have started in just 2021, but it has quickly become one of the go-to gravel races in the world, and Europe’s answer to Unbound Gravel here in the US. The Traka is defined by its myriad route levels; there’s the Traka Adventure that features 560 km (348 miles), the Traka 360 (224 miles), the fiercely competitive Traka 200 (124 miles), as well as the Traka 100 (62 miles).
Unlike most other US-based races, however, the Traka is a several-day affair. Folks who did the 360 can push themselves the next day in the Traka 200 (we’re looking at you, Toby Andre Røed), while fans of the pros can watch them finish their races one day before trying a more attainable 100 km ride the day after. It makes for an outstanding atmosphere.
Below is a gallery of some of the race bikes we found from folks riding the Traka 360 and Traka 200 over the past few days. And if you haven’t caught up on all the action, you really should check out our latest from The Traka.
Simen Nordahl Svendsen’s Fara F/Gravel has some tight tire clearance
2024 Gravel Earth Series winner Simen Nordahl Svendsen rode this Fara F/Gravel to third place in the Traka 360. Like many bikes in the 360 and 200, it was set up to maximize tire clearance as much as possible. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)No UCI, no problem here. Photos don’t do just how justice just how inward he had it levers. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Nordahl Svendsen rode a SRAM XX Transmission groupset rocking a 50T chainring and 160 mm length cranks. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)And when I say he was maxxing out the clearance, I mean it. Tires were 29 x 2.1-inch Schwalbe Thunder Burt. Race day activities y’all. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
Sofia and Annika’s Specialized Crux gravel bikes take first and third at The Traka 200
Sofia Gómez Villafañe and Annika Langvadgrabbed first and third place at the Traka 200, both on the Specialized Crux. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)We’ve featured Gómez Villafañe’s Crux in the past, and this bike sees few changes here. She’s running a SRAM XX Transmission 12-speed group with a 46T chainring up front and a 10-52t cassette out back. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Oh, and you better believe she’s maxxing out the Crux with these 50 mm Specialized Tracer tires. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)She’s also back on 38 cm wide Roval Rapide two piece handlebars and third-generation Hammerhead Karoo computer. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)A look at Annika Langvad’s Specialized Crux, featuring Specialized Tracer tires, a 46T chainring, and a 10-52t cassette. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Not to be outdone, Annika Langvad came in just a few minutes later on her own Specialized Crux. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Interesting to see someone on 172.5 mm cranks, but Langvad comes in at 175 cm (5’9″) tall. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
Rosa Marie Klöser rolled to the podium aboard the Canyon Grizl
Rosa Klöser – known in some circles as the Queen of Unbound – finished 45 seconds behind Gômez Villafañe for second in the Traka 200. She took to the course aboard the Grizl, Canyon’s adventure-centric gravel bike. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Clearly, Klöser took full advantage of the tire clearance the Grizl has to offer – 700c x 50 mm officially, but those RaceKing tires measure in a 29 x 2.2″ (~55 mm). Kloser also used a SRAM X01 AXS rear derailleur with a 10-52t cassette and a 46T chainring. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)These aero drop bars (which look an awful like the Enve SES Aero bars) have a set of grip tape at the tops… for grip? (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Nice job, Rosa! (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
Toby Andre Røed raced both the Traka 360 AND the Traka 200
Trek Driftless rider Torbjorn Andre Røed pulled up to Girona this weekend aboard the Checkmate, Trek’s race gravel bike. What race did he do? The better question to ask is what race didn’t he do? He doubled up and did both the Traka 360 as well as the Traka 200. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Trek might be notorious for understating its max tire clearances, but that Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2.1-inch tire (~57 mm) is far larger than Trek’s claimed 45 mm. Does it fit well? “Only if there’s no mud,” says Røed. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Røed spent the weekend aboard SRAM Red XPLR AXS groupset, featuring a 1×13 10-46t cassette and a 48T chainring. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)In case you wondered whose SRAM AXS battery this belonged to… its Toby’s. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
CUTE
This rider (didn’t catch your name, sorry!) rode the Traka Adventure (560 km/348 miles), and spent the last bit riding in with their kid. Love it. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
SICK SICK ALTRD
Jules Foulongne pulled up to the Traka 200 aboard this Altrd gravel bike. Obviously, this is a one-off, but one that he and his fried designed and built together. Total time from conception to being complete was roughly 6 hours because his friend has a day job. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Why the raised chainstay? “I really thought the first Allied Able looked cool, and so we made this. Its great,” says Jules. Columbus Spirit HSS and Zona tubesets complete the bike. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Things like this guided rear brake hose bridge shows the care put into the frame. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)He also has an Enve SES AR In-Route One Piece handlebar, though the duck on the bars is the best part. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Would Jules make any changes? “The back of the bike looks cool, but its not very stiff.” Makes sense. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
HELLA COOL OMNIUM
Allan Shaw (@allanshawphoto) is a rider of many convictions, including riding this Omnium Titanium Cargo bike first in the 1800 km (1118 miles) long Silk Road race. And now? Shaw pulled up to the Traka Adventure (560 km) aboard the same Omnium. “I think I was a bit more ambitious than I needed to be with this,” says Shaw. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)The combination of SRAM AXS blips, Classified slider shifter, and the aero bars make this a truly one-of-one cargo bike. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Shaw used a SRAM Rival AXS rear derailleur paired with a Classified crankset, chainring, and two-speed hub. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)What would Shaw change if given the chance to ride The Traka Adventure again? “I’d probably ditch the kickstand. It’s kinda heavy,” Shaw told Velo. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)Anodized in place for everyone to know exactly what’s going on here. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
THE DUDES REALLY ARE RIDING RACE KINGS
Frank rode the Traka 200 aboard this Scott Scale hardtail mountain bike. He did it despite having a Cervelo Aspero at home. Why? “The Scale is faster out here. No regrets bringing this over.” (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)The SRAM XX Transmission derailleur and 10-52t cassette are common sights at the Traka this year, but the smaller chainring is limited by the frame’s clearance. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)While Frank was happy with the SQ Labs inner bar ends that offer a secondary (or tertiary) hand position, converting the Scale from flat bars to drop bars appears to be on the list of possible upgrades. Maybe big tire gravel bikes and drop bar mountain bikes have more in common than we thought. (Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo)
