A gravel bike made by Canyon, on which Katarzyna Niewiadoma won the world championship title in gravel cycling in 2023, underwent an unusual transformation. It was all thanks to Mariusz Lickiewicz – a resident of Bolesławiec and organiser of cycling events, who, together with Canyon’s Polish branch, persuaded the company’s German management to participate in the project.
“We wanted to create a unique work of art that would combine contemporary cycling technology with Bolesławiec’s rich ceramic tradition,” explains Mariusz Lickiewicz, the project’s originator and organiser of the “Gravmageddon. Karkonosze Izery Gravel Race” ultramarathon.
Under the supervision of Magdalena Gazur, the lead designer at Bolesławiec’s Manufaktura, a ceramic decoration was created specifically for this extraordinary frame. The technical work of repainting and varnishing was handled by the Wrocław-based company Dream Workers, which works, among others, with the Godziek brothers – world leaders in freestyle MTB.
The final result was presented for the first time during the BIKEEXPO 2024 trade fair at the National Stadium in Warsaw, and subsequently during the Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival. For more than three months, the bike could be viewed at the Museum of Ceramics in Bolesławiec, and for two weeks at Manufaktura.
In December 2024, the custom Canyon was put up for auction by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, combining modern cycling technology with Bolesławiec’s ceramic tradition and the idea of supporting people in need.
Auction available at: https://allegro.pl/oferta/rower-gravelowy-canyon-grail-x-boleslawiec-17090511553