| |  | | Welcome to The Special Blend | In this issue *Where we are riding: Patagonia, AZ *Schwalbe 365 All-Season Tires: Ride with confidence & discount code *Recipe of the month: Spiced Lentil Soup with curried acorn squash *Ask me anything: Questions from our community *A note from Serena: As the seasons shift | | Where we are ridingPatagonia, Arizona |  | The weather in the Pacific Northwest is turning a bit colder and wetter, and the days are a whole lot shorter, which seems like a great excuse to head to Patagonia, Arizona. One-hour south of Tuscon, Patagonia has endless miles of gravel roads to explore. This is an expansive county with few services, so be prepared to be self-sufficient while you are out. Once back in Patagonia, visit Gathering Grounds for a sandwich on the porch, or Patagonia Lumber Co. for a cold beverage and a snack.
This 30-mile route is a lollipop with 1,700ft of climbing and massive views all the way to Mexico. | | Where have YOU been riding? What events are coming up? How did last weekend’s race go? We’d love to feature you and what you’re up to.
Send your favorite routes, photos, upcoming events, and race recaps to hello@specialblendgravel.com and we’ll work to feature them here. | | Schwalbe 365 All-Season Tires:Ride with confidence & discount code |  | This is the time of the year that many of us in the northern hemisphere take our cars in to have winter tires put on, but we don’t often think to do the same with our bikes! Having tires that are built for all conditions gives you added confidence and traction in wet and snowing conditions.
Schwalbe 365 tires are made with extremely versatile Addix Four Season Rubber Compound, which is specially designed to provide a safe riding experience 365 days a year.
Add a pair to your winter riding checklist (with the discount code below) and ride with confidence no matter the conditions.
Winter riding checklist: Schwalbe 365 Tires Fenders Gloves Shoe covers Buff Wool base layer Raincoat Fleece-lined bib tights
| A special discount for The Special Blend subscribers: Use code SBG365 for 20% off | | | Recipe of the monthSpiced Lentil Soup with curried acorn squash | My sister, Kacy, is an excellent baker and cook. She makes croissants and egg rolls from scratch, her carrot cake is next level, and her chocolate ganache is like nothing I have ever tasted. She turned down an opportunity to be on the Great American Baking Show, if that tells you anything. So, when she gifted me a cookbook and recommended a few specific recipes, I took note. This recipe was surprisingly easy, incredibly delicious, and makes for great leftovers; the flavors are even better on day two. |  | Ingredients
Squash 1 medium acorn squash, seeded and cubed (1¾ to 2 pounds) 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons garam masala Fine pink Himalayan salt and freshly ground black pepper
Soup 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 (1-inch) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated 1 tablespoon garam masala 2 teaspoons ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground cumin ½ to 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth ¾ cup dried red lentils 1 (15-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk 2 cups baby spinach
For Serving
Method Preheat the oven to 450°F.
On a baking sheet, toss together the squash, olive oil, garam masala, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Roast until the squash is tender, 25 to 30 minutes, tossing halfway through.
Meanwhile, make the soup. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
Add the broth and lentils. Season generously with salt. Increase the heat to high, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the lentils are soft, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk and spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.
To serve, divide the squash and rice among bowls and ladle the soup over the top. Enjoy! | | Ask me anythingQuestions from our community.
Question: I bought my first gravel bike in April and did my first race in May at Cascade Gravel Grinder and continued on to the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder. I am very new to bikes, and riding bikes consistently throughout the year. I am wondering when I should replace my tires and how I know they have been worn down. I have stayed almost completely on gravel and my tires have seen 1000 miles.
Answer:
The type of terrain you ride on and rider weight have an impact on the life of a tire, so using mileage is not a great gauge. Gravel can be more abrasive than smooth roads, and tire wear can be accelerated.
Here are a few tricks to determine if you should replace your tires. You feel your cornering ability has decreased, and the tires aren’t carving on loose or hard corners. There are visible deep cuts or gashes in any part of the tire. While these might not cause a flat tire right away, they can create weak spots that can cause issues over time. The knobs on the centerline are filed down to the point that they no longer provide traction. The tire bead (the edge of the tire that fits into the rim), is exposed, as this can lead to a dangerous tire blowout.
Your rear tire normally wears out more quickly than the front. Moving the tire from your front wheel to your back wheel (before it shows too many signs of wear) and buying a new tire for the front wheel can extend the life of one tire and save you a bit of money.
Your tires are one of the most critical components of your bike, and play a crucial role in maintaining control and stability. If in doubt, invest in a new pair. If you are in the market for new tires, my current tire of choice is the Schwalbe G-One Overland.
What questions do you have?
Send your questions to hello@specialblendgravel.com and I will pick one to answer in next month’s newsletter. | | A note from Serena
As the seasons shift, so does my approach to training. While cycling remains a constant, I've sprinkled in some other activities to keep things fresh and new; trail running, hiking, foraging for chanterelles, bouldering, strength work, and gearing up for some upcoming skiing adventures. These activities not only keep me physically active but also serve as a delightful mental reset, providing a break from the intense focus of the racing season. As my training hours ease up, so does the intensity, giving me more space for quality time with friends and family. It's a time to be flexible and have fun, making this season truly enjoyable.
Similar to how we need rest days during the week to absorb our training, this time of year calls for a broader "rest" to recharge and reboot. Let's take a step back, embrace the downtime, and get ready to push ourselves to new heights in 2024!
Wishing everyone a rejuvenating season ahead.
xoxo Serena |  | | Share the love ❤️ Invite your friends to join The Special Blend.
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