Racing isn't just about crossing the finish line first. It's about the pursuit: the relentless chase for that perfect moment when rider, machine, and road become one. At Argonaut Cycles, we've seen this pursuit take countless forms, from charity centuries in Oregon's mountains to the show floor of the MADE bike show, from local group rides to national gravel championships.

These are three racing stories, each unique in setting and scale but united by a common thread: the belief that every rider deserves a custom carbon road bike or performance gravel bike built to match their own definition of perfection.

Gran Fondo Cycling on a Custom Argonaut Bike: Rick's Chefs Cycle Story

The alarm sounds at 4 AM, but Rick is already awake. As a Portland-based chef, early mornings are nothing new. But when it comes to cycling, his passion takes on a different rhythm; measured not in courses plated, but in miles ridden. Rick is one of our clients, and like many Argonaut riders, his story reflects the blend of craft, discipline, and pursuit that defines our community.

Earlier this year, we connected with Rick during Chefs Cycle, a two-day event that transforms Bend into a celebration of culinary excellence and cycling endurance. The concept is simple yet powerful: raise funds for No Kid Hungry, earn your spot on the ride, and then take on two back-to-back centuries through the Pacific Northwest's rugged beauty.

While Rick wasn't on his Argonaut for the ride (we were still busy building it for him), our own CEO Ben and Head of Sales Ryan were, both rolling their RM3s over every mile of those two long days. Events like Chefs Cycle embody what Argonaut bikes are built for: the perfect balance of comfort and performance over long distances, with enough personality to carry you through when the miles get tough.

This is the essence of gran fondo riding: big group events where riders push themselves not just against the clock, but toward a greater purpose. Whether you're chasing a personal best, savoring the camaraderie, or fundraising for a cause bigger than yourself, you need a bike that's equal to the challenge.

Chefs Cycle returns to Bend next year, and we encourage every rider who values both performance and purpose to watch for fundraising details. It's more than just a ride; it's proof that racing takes many forms, and some of the most meaningful finish lines are the ones that feed more than just our own ambitions.

MADE Show Spotlight: Argonaut RM3 + Campagnolo Build

Three thousand miles away from Oregon's high desert, under the bright lights of the MADE Show, another kind of racing story unfolded. At the Campagnolo booth, surrounded by the latest in cycling innovation, sat a one-off Argonaut RM3 that embodied everything we believe about custom carbon road racing bikes.

This wasn't just another showpiece. It was a bike that screamed performance:

• A one-off paint scheme that shimmered like liquid speed
• A custom World Tour–style race plate
• Campagnolo's Super Record Wireless 2x13-speed groupset, shifting with telepathic precision
• Limited-edition BORA wheels in timeless black chrome

But here's what made it special: this RM3 wasn't built for a single race. It was built for the idea of racing. Because racing isn't only about pro pelotons. Your start line might be the Saturday cafe ride, the Wednesday lunch loop, Friday High Noon, or the local gran fondo. Sometimes all it takes is rolling up and deciding today is the day you'll push yourself further.

The riders who stopped to admire this RM3 understood something fundamental: racing happens in your head before it happens on the road. You don't need the Vuelta de España to feel the thrill of a start line. Every rider who sets a goal and chases it deserves a bike that won't hold them back.

That's why we build custom handmade bicycles in the USA with the same attention to detail as a pro's. Because your pursuit of performance deserves nothing less.

Argonaut at Gravel Nationals 2025: Performance Gravel Bikes in Action

As our story shifts from smooth asphalt to rugged dirt, our attention turns to La Crosse, Wisconsin, host of the 2025 USA Cycling Gravel Nationals. This event captures the evolution of cycling: gritty, unpredictable, adventurous, and pure.

We'll be there with our elite racers, Matt and Cassius, not just to compete but to connect. You'll find us at the Expo, showcasing our performance gravel bikes and sharing how Argonaut craftsmanship translates from concept to competition. Between expo hours, we'll be riding La Crosse's legendary Driftless Region trails; terrain that demands technical handling, equipment reliability, and the kind of balance between compliance and stiffness that defines our builds.

This is your invitation: join us in La Crosse. Ride with us, meet the team, and experience firsthand what makes the Argonaut way different. Because gravel racing isn't only about podiums; it's about discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of your own perfect ride.

The Common Thread

From Rick's story in Oregon to our show-stopping RM3 at MADE to the gravel fields of Wisconsin, these three stories share something essential: the understanding that racing (however you define it) demands equipment that rises to meet your ambitions.

Whether you're chasing personal records, exploring unpaved terrain, or seeking the perfect ride on the perfect day, your bike should be a partner in that pursuit, not an obstacle. That is the Argonaut difference. We don't just build handmade carbon bicycles; we build dreams made tangible, ambitions made rollable, and racing lines made personal.

The start line is wherever you decide to begin.

Every great ride begins with a decision. Contact us today to begin your custom Argonaut and elevate the way you ride.