There has been a lot of talk on the "International Network" lately about gravel racing and "fat road" bikes. I'm not talking about cyclocross bikes. I'm not talking about 29'ers with drop bars. I'm not talking about "Montster Cross." I'm talking about road bikes. Many of you might hear "road bike" and think Pro-Tour machines, full carbon, 23mm tires, tubulars even. When I hear road bike, I'm not thinking like that. It doesn't matter if it's fresh tarmac or pea gravel. Any bike for any surface. And forget 45c or 50c tires. A decent road bike, in my opinion, should be able to fit 28c tires or even 32c. Most companies do not offer this. Surly does with their Pacer. Perhaps Jamis, or Masi. I'm sure there's other brands, too. There are also still some classic road bikes out there, too, such as the Bridgestone RB-1, & RB-2. But when a market is created for a segment that doesn't really exist, then I wonder if it isn't just a money grab? (not a lot of money, in this case.) Do you really need 45c or 50c tires? No, you don't. And you don't need overbuilt cx bikes, nor heavy touring bikes with their extra-long wheelbase. You do not need a road triple. What you do need, is an unwavering and undeniable ability to suffer. Keep the cranks turning and you will get to the finish of any of these gravel road races. On a road bike.