If you want to take cycling to the next level and get off the beaten path, give gravel a try. Gaining more and more popularity, gravel biking combines elements of road and mountain biking over unpaved roads. With miles and miles of gravel, dirt, and maintenance or B roads in the country, there is no end to the type of terrain you can find to ride on.
The gravel bike is also known as an adventure bike and is a cross between a road bike and a cyclocross bike with the tenacity, but not the speed, of a mountain bike.
Built with comfort in mind, it has larger, knobbier tires to endure the rough terrain, a sloping top tube to provide a comfortable stand-over height, a taller head tube which provides a more upright position and relaxed steering, and a longer wheelbase for extra stability. It’s a machine that’s capable of performing on various surfaces.
It’s easy to get stuck in the same daily routine on the same roads you travel every day. Take advantage of the miles of unused, singletrack, farm, service and fire roads, and try a gravel bike. Or better yet, prepare for a Gravel Grinder Race. There are plenty of gravel races throughout the country to try. Explore the unexplored!
GRAVEL RIDING TIPS:
- Surfaces can get pretty challenging when gravel riding. It’s important to remain seated and planted, even while you power through the aggressive terrain.
- Be careful with corners. Gently lean into them, smoothly and gradually. It’s best not to make sharp turns and movements.
- Try to stay relaxed over rough terrain and avoid hitting the brakes when possible. This can cause your tires to lose contact with the ground, instead of gliding over the rough patches easily.
- Be prepared. Check out a map of the route beforehand so you have an idea of what to expect and where you are going.
- Keep your eyes and ears open for traffic, even on unused roads. Be mindful of hills and blind spots. You never know what you may come across out on the back roads!
- Have fun and explore new roads each time to take your gravel bike out. Make it an adventure!
