NOVA Deus Cycleworks

May 10, 2017

We've learned to know the streets of Gaiole for the "classic" october's Eroica. But this time, in spring, we've moved a little further south to Buonconvento (Siena), always surrounded by hills and vineyards crossed by the mythical gravel roads trademarks of the Eroica events. And also the steeds employed have changed. We've left the "petite reine" of the legendary cycling era and took the last born of the Deus Cycleworks workshop. An all-road steel bike with generous 650b tyres, perfect for the long white roads and the fast descents on the asphalt of the Tuscan race. In fact, unlike the mythical progenitor, this raid on white roads is run with modern bikes; and with a slightly different spirit. We've pedaled with ex-pros at a social pace, to enjoy scenery and food stops, then we have encountered timed trials where gas was full opened: a proven formula for northern Europe sportive that resembles the Flandres and Ardennes Classics. Nova Eroica also wants to open to everyone a Classic race, the youngest - the Strade Bianche - that the Eroica board contributed to develop and launch in the hall of fame of one-day races. In brief, a perfect opportunity to test the Pegasus, a new project by Deus Cycleworks. A product that, based on the experiences of our gravel / cx Stralusc, lies in the interesting segment of adventure bikes. A platform based on a steel frame entirely made in Italy with Columbus tubes with 3T Luteus fork, thru axles and disc brakes. The frame can accommodate both 650b and 700 wheels; for its debut we've tested it with 3T wheels and 650b Wtb Horizon tyres, fitted with the top of the electronic gear system supplied by Sram Etap WiFli, a fully wireless gruppo with a wide range, perfect for the short and poisonous climbs of the Siena hills. Photo: Marco Renieri ___________________ Conosciamo bene le strade di Gaiole per la “classica” Eroica ottobrina. Invece in primavera ci spostiamo un poco più a sud, a Buonconvento (Siena), sempre circondati dalle colline e dai vigneti attraversati dalle mitiche strade bianche sterrate trademark degli eventi di Eroica. E cambiano anche i mezzi impiegati. Lasciamo le “petite reine” dell'epoca mitica del ciclismo d'antan e inforchiamo l'ultima nata dal workshop di Deus Cycleworks. Una all-road in acciaio montata con generose coperture da 650b e perfetta per le lunghe strade sterrate e le veloci discese su asfalto della corsa toscana. Infatti, a differenza della mitica progenitrice, questo raid sulle strade bianche viene corso con bici moderne; e con spirito leggermente diverso. Si pedala con ex professionisti a scandire un'andatura controllata, per gustare paesaggio e ristori, poi si incontrano tratti cronometrati dove si apre il gas e via a tutta: una formula già collaudata per le cicloturistiche del nord europa che ricalcano le classiche di Fiandre e Ardenne. E anche la Nova Eroica vuole aprire a tutti una Classica, la più giovane - lo Strade Bianche - che il board di Eroica ha contribuito a creare e a lanciare nell'olimpo delle gare di un giorno. Insomma, un'occasione perfetta per testare la Pegasus. nuovo progetto di Deus Cycleworks. Un prodotto che, prendendo spunto dalle esperienze mutuate dalla nostra gravel/cx Stralusc, si colloca nell'interessantissimo segmento delle adventure bikes. Una piattaforma basata su un telaio interamente realizzato in Italia con tubazioni Columbus con forcella 3T Luteus, perni passanti e freni a disco. Il telaio può ospitare sia ruote da 650b che ruote da 700; per il suo debutto su strada lo abbiamo testato con ruote 3T e coperture da 650b Wtb Horizo, montato con il top della cambiata elettronica fornito dallo Sram Etap WiFli, un sistema di cambio completamente wireless e con un ampio range di rapporti per le brevi e velenose salite dei colli senesi. Foto: Marco Renieri

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Setiap tahun, teman-teman kita Tasix Adventure—penyelenggara petualangan ban berlumpur dan adrenalin berbahan bakar terbaik di Bali—mengadakan acara akhir pekan berkemah yang sangat dinanti-nantikan. Mereka menamakannya “ The Wild,” dan jujur saja, tidak ada kata yang lebih pas dari itu.

Ini bukan sekadar acara; ini adalah petualangan wajib bagi siapa saja yang mencintai tanah, tantangan, dan persahabatan yang hanya bisa terjalin saat tertawa melihat teman lain terjatuh.

Hal tentang The Wild adalah misterinya. Kamu tidak tahu ke mana akan pergi, bagaimana sampai di sana, atau apa yang akan kamu temui—seperti hidup, tapi dengan lebih banyak asap knalpot.

Tahun ini, The Wild yang berlangsung pada 7 Desember 2024, mengumpulkan 135 pecinta motor enduro, trail, dan cross di Desa Kopi, Tabanan. Tepat pukul 9 pagi, kami berangkat menuju Desa Gesing, Singaraja. Rute tetap dirahasiakan hingga hari acara, meningkatkan sensasi penasaran dan antusiasme. Dengan dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok kecil, kami melengkapi diri dengan perlengkapan motocross lengkap untuk menghadapi tantangan musim hujan.

Perjalanan? Murni magis. Jalur berkelok melalui permata tersembunyi Bali, di mana setiap tikungan menawarkan pemandangan yang memukau atau hampir membuat jantung berhenti. Rute tahun ini menghadirkan medan tanah liat merah—dijuluki tanah "keramik" karena teksturnya yang licin dan keras saat basah. Untuk melintasinya, diperlukan teknik khusus yang disebut “paddling the throttle,” sebuah manuver yang mendebarkan dengan motor yang sering bergoyang liar. Dari kejauhan, mungkin terlihat lucu, tetapi saat di atas motor? Ceritanya berbeda.

Setelah menempuh 68 kilometer petualangan liar, kami tiba di perkemahan di puncak bukit yang sudah dipenuhi tenda-tenda peserta lain dan deru knalpot. Destinasi selalu mencuri perhatian, dan yang satu ini tidak terkecuali—tempat tinggi dengan pemandangan 360 derajat yang menakjubkan dari laut, gunung, hingga kota.

Saat hujan turun, tenda-tenda didirikan, dan malam itu diisi dengan berbagi cerita tentang penyelamatan heroik dan kecelakaan yang menggelikan. Dan tentu saja, ada balapan. Bayangkan sekelompok pengendara penuh semangat meluncur di perbukitan dalam kekacauan yang terkontrol. Balapan tahun ini termasuk duel 1 lawan 1 yang seru di sekitar puncak bukit, dengan peserta menyelesaikan dua putaran penuh adrenalin.

Bukan soal menang; ini tentang hadir, tertawa, dan menikmati momen. Para pemenang dan peserta tercepat yang mencapai puncak bukit dirayakan dengan hadiah, tetapi senyuman, persahabatan, dan kebersamaan membuat semua orang merasa seperti juara.

The Wild tahun ini benar-benar sesuai namanya, bahkan lebih. Petualangan, tawa, dan cukup banyak tanah di gigi untuk menyebutnya otentik—kami tidak akan menginginkannya dengan cara lain. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada semua peserta yang menjadikannya pengalaman tak terlupakan. Sampai jumpa di petualangan berikutnya!

Every year, our mates over at Tasix Adventure—Bali’s finest purveyors of muddy tyres and fuel-driven adrenaline—host their much-anticipated camp-out weekend. They’ve named it “Wild,” and honestly, there’s no better word for it.

It’s not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who loves dirt, daring, and the kind of camaraderie you can only forge while laughing at someone else’s wipeout.

The thing about Wild is that it’s shrouded in mystery. You don’t know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, or what you’ll find—kind of like life, but with more exhaust fumes.

This year’s Wild, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, brought together 135 enthusiasts of enduro, trail, and cross motorcycles at Desa Kopi, Tabanan. The route was kept a secret until the event day, heightening the thrill of the unknown. At exactly 9 am, they shared the destination, Desa Gesing, Singaraja, Divided into small groups, we geared up with full motocross kits to tackle the rainy season’s challenges.

The ride? Pure magic. Twisting trails through Bali’s hidden gems, where every turn promised either breathtaking views or breathtaking near-misses. This year’s route featured red clay terrain—nicknamed "ceramic" soil for its slick, hard texture when wet. Navigating it required a special technique called “paddling the throttle,” a nerve-wracking maneuver that had bikes swaying wildly. From a distance, it might have looked hilarious, but on the bike? It was a whole other story.

After 68 kilometres of this wild adventure, we arrived at the hilltop campsite already alive with the buzz of activity and the roar of exhausts. The destination always steals the spotlight, and this one was no exception—a high-altitude perch offering stunning 360-degree views of the sea, mountains, and city.

As the rain came down, tents went up, and the evening was all about swapping stories of heroic saves and laughable crashes. And then there were the races. Picture a pack of overexcited riders tearing up the hillside in what can only be described as controlled chaos. This year’s races included thrilling 1-on-1 duels around the hilltop, with participants pushing through two laps of sheer adrenaline.

It wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing up, laughing, and embracing the moment. The race winners and the fastest hilltop arrivals were celebrated with prizes, but the smiles, the camaraderie, and the shared triumphs made everyone feel like champions.

This year’s Wild lived up to its name and then some. Adventure, laughter, and just enough dirt in your teeth to call it authentic—we wouldn’t have it any other way. A massive thank you to all the participants who made it unforgettable. See you on the next adventure!