Montague folding bikes are built for adventure, and with full size wheels and standard components, they can tackle tough terrain and still fold to a compact size in seconds. The Montague Navigator is designed to hang with the best multi-surface and gravel bikes in the industry, and avid Montague rider Shawn W recently put his Navigator through a serious test.
Shawn rode the 58.8 mile Mid South gravel race in Stillwater, Oklahoma on his Navigator, taking on the grueling red dirt roads in style – and coming out the other side with incredible stories, new friends, and some amazing photos.
The Mid South is an annual gravel cycling race held in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with both a 58.8 mile and 101 mile route alongside shorter rides for fun, a 50k running marathon, and a weekend of fun and festivies. The event has become more than just a race. It’s an inclusive weekend long celebration of endurance gravel riding and community, attracting cyclists from around the globe to challenge themselves on some of the best gravel roads in the south, make new friends, eat, drink, and dance the night away.
Known for its unpredictable weather and demanding terrain, The Mid South tests participants’ physical endurance and has riders suffering through long hours in the saddle (although we cyclists enjoy suffering), but it also fosters a strong sense of community and acceptance. The race has become known as one of the most welcoming events in the gravel race calendar with a growing nonbinary category, lots of junior racers competing, parties organized by All Bodies on Bikes, and the race’s exuberant founder, Bobby Wintle, hugging every rider as they cross the finish line.
The Montague Navigator was one of the only folding bikes in the field, but that was no sacrifice in performance with Shawn tackling 58.95 miles of dusty bumpy roads and 4,250 feet of elevation gain in just over 6 hours. Shawn’s Navigator was outfitted with Ergo grips and bar ends, a new set of tires, and a saddle pack and frame bag to carry his gear, but the otherwise stock components provided the gear range, climbing ability, and all-terrain capability to conquer The Mid South.
You can follow Shawn’s adventures on Instagram at @shawn_duubs and on Twitter at @shawn_dubs, and if you want see more video of the route, conditions, and celebrations at Mid South, check out his YouTube playlist here.
Where have you taken your Montague folding bike? Have you ridden a race, gone bikepacking, camping, or explored a new city by bike? We want to hear about it! Shoot us an email to info@montaguebikes.com, tag us on social media (@montaguebikes), or use the hashtag #ridewithmontague, and we’ll feature you next!
If you’re looking a bike for your next adventure, be it a 100 mile gravel race or a ride across town to visit a new neighborhood, Montague bikes offer the best performance and portabiltiy in the industry. Tap Learn More below to check the specs on the foldable 700c Navigator, and our complete line of portable road and mountain bikes.
