The Conversation: A Blog by Chinsta

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All Things Cycling

"The gold standard of gravel: the Moots Routt 45. This titanium masterpiece is built for versatility, paired here with SRAM’s wireless AXS shifting and rugged DT Swiss wheels to handle everything from smooth tarmac to chunky fire roads."

From Bogota to SoHo: A 30-Year Journey to My New Moots

By spike on 12/25/2025

From Bogota to SoHo, see how a classic Moots Vamoots turned into a $2k credit for a new Routt 45. After a year of riding, I’m sharing why this titanium gravel bike is worth the hype.

A high-angle, professional close-up shot of rich, golden-brown caramel boiling vigorously in a Mauviel all-copper sugar pan. Large, glossy bubbles cover the surface as the mixture reaches the critical 240°F stage. A light-colored wooden spoon is partially submerged, stirring the thick, velvety liquid. The copper pot, showing its signature warm patina and sturdy handle, sits on a black gas range with a visible blue flame. Set against a clean white marble backsplash, the lighting highlights the smooth, reflective, and buttery texture of the hot caramel.

The Professional’s Guide to Buttery Caramel

By Michael Elias on 12/24/2025

Level up your sweets with my professional buttery caramel recipe. Learn why glucose, 40% cream, and precise weights are the keys to a perfect consistency for clusters

Close-up of a Valrhona dark chocolate pecan caramel cluster on parchment paper

Valrhona Chocolate, Pecan, Caramel Cluster

By Michael Elias on 12/22/2025

From my 90s kitchen to yours. ✨ A Father-daughter tradition made with toasted pecans, slow caramel & Valrhona Chocolate. A box of pure love! 🍫 Recipe on the blog. #Valrhona #PecanCaramelClusters.

A top-down, slightly angled shot of a clear square Cambro storage container filled with circular orange slices submerged in an amber-colored sugar syrup. A stainless steel wire rack is placed inside the container, acting as a weight to keep the fruit fully underwater. The container sits on a grey and white marble countertop next to a roll of white paper towels. The orange slices are tightly packed, showing the beginning stages of translucency in the rinds.

The 14-Day Orange: A Lesson in Patience, Paris, and Professional Science