Rider: Adam Baumann
Where you live
North Vancouver, BC
Nearby trail system and your favorite trail?
I live in Lynn Valley and love being able to ride right from the house. My favorite gravel trail is the classic loop through the Seymour Demonstration Forest, connecting to Spur 4 and Fisherman’s Trail—a perfect blend of scenic beauty and a great workout.
What do you ride (type of terrain)? What's the intended use for your new bike?
I’m new to gravel biking, but my wife has been into it for the past year and is constantly coming up with wild ride ideas. What I love most about it is the ability to access backcountry areas that are off-limits to cars—it feels like true exploration. Next summer, we’re planning an epic bike-packing adventure to the northern tip of Vancouver Island.
What model and colour?
Cache Steel, Plum Red
How tall are you? What size frame did you get? How does it fit you?
At 5'11", the 56 cm frame is a solid choice and fits me well.
What's your bike spec? Did you do anything custom?
I haven’t made any big changes yet, but I’m considering a shorter stem to fine-tune my reach and handling. That said, I’m really impressed with how well the stock bike is spec’d—it’s been a fantastic ride right out of the box!
I am running a Shimano GRX820 12 speed drive train, with a 10-45 cassette and 170mm crank. I've installed a SDG dropper post, and have a 80mm Easton stem and 44cm Easton bars.
What do you love about your new bike? How’s the bike performing?
I used to be an avid road rider but after getting hit by a car, I lost my enthusiasm for it. Switching to a gravel bike has been a game-changer—I absolutely love it! This is my first gravel bike, and my inaugural ride was up to Callaghan Lake in Whistler. The climb, about 800 meters, was a challenge but the descent made it all worth it—so fast and stable. It was an incredible experience!
Photos: Alexa Smyth
