Yeah we get it, 90s Hybrids are Gravel Bikes….Giant Nutra from Pittsburgh to DC

This Giant Nutra I picked up for $40 last year has been my gateway drug into this obsession. It has gone through lots of iterations (with lots of inspiration from here), but this current gravel grinder config did great on the GAP + C&O, from Pittsburgh to DC. We did the trip in 5 days, credit card touring in B&B's mostly. Also rode the whole way in my Bedrock Cairn sandals…my roadie friends thought I had no chance. They were wrong. I had by far the most comfortable bike of the group, and it showed when we rolled into town each afternoon.

Thanks for all the inspiration and community here. This was my first trip like this, looking forward to many more in the future.

• Zipp Service Source 70 XPLR Bars (super comfy and silver!)
• Origin8 Pro Fit 31.8 Quill Stem (yeah it doesn't match the seatpost, but not ready to spend the cash on VO or Nitto)
• Tektro Levers
• Microshift 8s Barends
• Deore MT60 triple crankset (44, 34, 26)
• MKS Pretzel pedals
• Suntour aRX Front Derailleur
• Deore LX M570 rear derailleur
• 8s 11-34 rear cassette
• Yokozuna V-Brakes with PorkchopBMX Pull Party adapters
• Wheels were built by myself, M570 36h hubs on DT Swiss 535 rims
• Maxxis Rambler Silk Shield 700cx38
• PDW Poncho Fenders (really came in handy on the last day with lots of puddles on the C&O…comparing my clothes and bike to my friends was quite stark)
• VO Constructeur front rack + half basket + Dark Realm basket bag
• Ortlieb Quick Rack + Mesabi Saddlebag Panniers
• Outer Shell Rolltop Saddlebag
• Tanaka Mustard bottle cages to give it the xbiking bling