Name: Jeremy Francis
Home Base: Fairfax, Virginia (though he's often on the road)
Instagram: @averagegravelgrinder
Hailing from Shenandoah County, Virginia, Jeremy Francis (aka Average Gravel Grinder) grew up on a bike, racing BMX when he was young and spending plenty of time riding in the woods at his grandparents’ farm. When he turned sixteen, he traded out his two-wheeled adventures for four and didn't look back...until recently.
After having his ACL repaired in his late thirties, Jeremy rediscovered cycling via recovery. About a year later, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and he pushed his cycling further, embarking on his first bikepacking trip down the Great Allegheny Passage. In his own words, "I have been hooked ever since."
Long journeys are what keep Jeremy going, like riding from Maine to Key West, Florida solo, and taking as many gravel roads as possible. He then rode from Florida to Maine, and then Maine to Seattle with Bike the US for MS – a nonprofit raising money through cycling for research & awareness of Multiple Sclerosis, which he serves as a ride leader for. On all of his trips, one thing is certain: his Handlebar Bag.
We've been following Jeremy's adventures for years, and when the time came, we knew we had to invite him to be part of our team. Here's a little more about what makes Jeremy stand out.
What's your day job?
Bicycle Mechanic
Favorite type of cycling:
Gravel in the middle of nowhere
Current number of bicycles owned:
5 – I have two gravel bikes, 1 MTB, 2 commuter/beater bikes
Primary bike build:
Trek Checkpoint SL7
SRAM AXS 2X (43/30, 10-36)
SRAM single sided power meter
Route Werks Handlebar Bag
Favorite memory on a bike:
Riding through Glacier National Park with the Bike the US for MS crew
Weirdest riding experience:
Passing a peloton of riders in mankinis (weird)
Dream riding destination:
Iceland or Thailand
What’s your favorite thing to carry in your Route Werks bag?:
Everything! A bag of grapes make for a great riding snack.
Favorite cycling snack:
Nutter Butters
One random fact about you:
I just started a midlife career change.
Socks under or over leg warmers?:
Under
