Part 1 - Chaise Hall of Fame
THE INVITATION
Thursday, March 9th, 2023 was a chilly and overcast day in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Chaise was standing under a tree on Husband Street, watching the Salsa Crew set up their tents for the Mid South expo.
Jason Strohbehn, promoter of Gravel Worlds, approached. “Hey,” he said, “can I have a word in private?”
The two of them shuffled a few feet away from the Salsa crew, and Jason came out with it: “On behalf of the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame, I’d like to notify you that you’ve been nominated for the Hall in 2023, and we’d like to induct you as the first Icon to be represented.”
It was a rare moment when words escaped The Chaise, but then, blinking away tears, it said, “I’m honored and thrilled, and I will definitely find a way to be in Emporia for the ceremony. Thank you.”
THE INDUCTION
Fast forward to Wednesday, May 31st. The Chaise was waiting patiently offstage at the Granada Theater as Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame member Dan Hughes introduced each member of the class of 2023; Miguel Crawford, the late Joel ‘Big Grin’ Dyke, Yuri Hauswald, and Allison Tetrick.
Via video, Miguel shared a message of the joy he’s experienced introducing thousands of riders to gravel adventure via his Grasshopper Adventure rides.
Joel’s widow, Michelle, reflected on how Joel had loved the cycling world that is filled with kookberries, and how those kookberries helped create the gravel scene today.
Yuri spoke on the importance of creating ripples; on how Mark Stevenson had created ripples with Trans Iowa that eventually reached Kansas and led to the creation of Unbound, and how the ripples created there, and elsewhere, now reach the entire globe. He urged everyone to create ripples of their own.
Allison spoke of finding a sense of belonging through the community that is gravel cycling.
And then, The Chaise shared its message:
“I am honored to be recognized tonight as the first Icon inducted into the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame.
My thanks to whomever nominated me, and my thanks to the Hall for their foresight in celebrating things as well as people; things that have made, and continue to make, gravel cycling so special.
Thanks to the people who dreamt up this wild life for me; Kelly, Mark, Collin, Justin, and Mike. And a very special thank-you to my principal photographer, Scott. He always knows just what to say to keep me smiling.
How did I get here? I was born in a furniture factory many years ago, just one humble chaise lounge out of countless others, destined to sit in a stale living room.
But then Salsa saw the potential in me, and I was lucky enough to be plunked down on the side of some of America’s finest gravel roads. It’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything, seeing the country from coast to coast and creating fond memories with thousands of riders.
You may think I just sit on the side of the road and look good, but I’ve actually been watching you all, and I would like to share a few words of advice.
To the fast riders; be sure to slow down sometimes. You ride in some incredibly beautiful places. Take the time to slow down and take in the sights, to stop and refill your soul. Listen to the sound of the wind moving through brush and trees, to the birds chirping. Watch the clouds pass by overhead. Just take it all in. When you really do have to go fast, do it with grace and humility. And when you have crossed the finish line and taken care of your needs, go watch the other riders…the slower riders. Watch them finish, and cheer them on, for their efforts are as important and valid as yours, and sometimes even more impressive.
To the slower riders; try to ride faster sometimes. Or farther. Do it to push your own limits, to expand your personal boundaries, and to appreciate those riders who make it look easy. Because making it look easy actually takes years of time, effort, and commitment. Remember to never make excuses for your own performance. Just do the best you can on any given day. Remain grateful for your accomplishments. It’s an incredible blessing to ride a bike on a gravel road. Keep that in your heart.
To the promoters; try to remain true to the origins of this young sport. You are the creators, the fortune tellers, and the history makers. There are racers and there are riders. Value them equally. You have the opportunity to make gravel the most inclusive space in cycling, and in doing so, you can change lives and truly make the world a better place.
And, finally, to my entire extended gravel family, it has been my honor to meet so many of you. To share a moment on the side of a road. To soak up your sweat. To provide a brief respite from your efforts. To share a smile and a laugh and a silly pose.
Remember, if you can make it to The Chaise, you can make it to the finish.”
The entire evening was a celebration. Attendees shared meals and drinks, laughter and tears, recollections and stories. Everyone there that night left with new friends and new memories that they’ll always treasure.
It’s this feeling of coming together to celebrate our commonalities and differences that makes the gravel community such a strong, special place. Cheers to the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame; may they help preserve the spirit of gravel for many years to come.
Learn more about the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame here.