This is Gravel with Cesar Villalba
27 April 2026
Finding Balance on Gravel: Life, Design, and Endurance in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a city defined by contrast: concrete and canyons, freeways and fire roads. In this episode of This Is Gravel, we follow SCOTT ambassador Cesar Villalba, a designer living in LA whose everyday life exists right at this intersection. Creativity, endurance sports, and a social lifestyle all come together through one essential tool: the gravel bike.
Cesar has been an athlete his entire life. After years competing as a triathlete and living within the strict routines of endurance racing, he began to look for a different balance. Today, he moves fluidly between life as a designer and an athlete, still performance-driven, but no longer defined by a rigid structure. His goal is simple: to keep life interesting and fun, without compromising on performance.
Designing a Life with Intention
For Cesar, design doesn’t stop at the studio door. It shapes how he views the world, prioritizing simplicity, function, and adaptability. Gravel riding reflects the same mindset – you plan a route and adapt as the terrain changes.
Beyond his work as a designer and training, Cesar is deeply involved in Los Angeles’ cycling community. With multiple projects on the go, including late-night DJing, the early-morning social rides don’t always work with his lifestyle. That’s what led to the creation of “Siesta Ponies”, a social ride inspired by the traditional early-start groups but shifted to suit a different pace and lifestyle. The result is a community-driven ride that brings people together later in the day, connecting like-minded cyclists through shared miles, good conversations, and a more relaxed approach to performance.
Gravel doesn’t demand perfection – it leaves room to play around. For Cesar, it’s not just a surface to ride on, but a way to move through life: with intention, creativity, and space to enjoy the moment. Watch the episode and get inspired!
Featured Athletes
