6 Gravel Racing Tips For Beginners + Mistakes To Avoid!

[@bikeradar]

Have you recently signed up to a gravel event for 2022? Let us know in the comments and why not give us your tips too, we'd love to see them!

[@Simte]

My best recommendations is to pick paths adequately, terrain makes the difference. I live in Colombian and training in some of these climbs give you perspective. But at the end of the day, having fun is what mostly matters in gravel.

[@bikeradar]

That's a great tip, and one which comes with experience. How about we go to Colombia for a gravel training camp?

[@jonathanzappala]

You and me both on the pro stealth Jack. Other saddles before were fine, but it was a match made in heaven.

[@DaveCM]

One piece of advice about looking at the elevation profile: On gravel it is usually always harder than the profile makes you believe. Early on, I learned that lesson the hard way. I'd see an 8 mile climb with what seems a reasonable grade average and under estimate it. First of all, climbing on gravel is harder. Secondly, the condition of the gravel makes a big difference. Lastly, gravel roads have much more steep pitches. An 8% average can have a lot of areas with 18%. So, I had to learn to not approach a climb as I would if I were on pavement. (Sorry for the 2nd post.)

[@jamiefarrell6496]

If you have the time, I'd suggest getting to the race location a day or two ahead of time and recce'ing some of the route on your bike, always helpful. Plus it gives you time to find the LBS and pick up the crucial items you'd forgotten, in your excitement (in my case, tyres...truly) You can also check out the trip between where you're staying and where the race is taking place, without having to panic about arriving on time (and not being sure where you're going)on the morning of the event. I found a hydration pack (and all the pockets) super useful. YMMV. Most importantly, be nice to the volunteers who are giving up their weekend so you can have an awesome experience :-)

[@bikeradar]

Those are some great tips! Thanks for sharing. We've all been there... Always check the essentials, wheels, tyres, axles for example are easily forgotten in a rush!

[@jorgmischke5839]

Especially: Be friendly!

[@matcharlie2379]

Just signed my wife and I up for Gravel X Sherwood Pines.

[@bikeradar]

Brilliant! Something to look forward to 👏

[@DaveCM]

I love gravel races. I get through them by just having fun and making new friends. I am 52 years old and a disabled veteran. I am in no threat to even podium for my age bracket. So, my goal is always to not finish last and to have fun. I have only one DNF and that is because I was having a bad day and pushed too hard on a long and very fast descent. I had an epic crash and messed up my front wheel. I only had 24 miles left to go. The only thing that makes me feel a little better is that other DNFs simply decided they didn't want to go any further or they turned back after the first real climb. So, I made it much farther than the other DNFs and only stopped because the badly warped front wheel was terrifying at speed.

[@parenthlete]

Like the BikeRadar team - interesting, smart and well put together videos

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching! Keep your eye out for more gravel diaries episodes this year 👍

[@biscuitdelicious5410]

Great tips!

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching!

[@robbchastain3036]

Fun tips for absolute domination and it is definitely nice to snap some photos of the experience--scenery, people on bikes, whatever, if you can spare a moment or two. And what about a pizza reflector as mud guard? Maybe for the advanced tips vid? :)

[@gladand]

Preparing to ride the Gravel, Grit 'n Grind in Sweden. Three stages of swedish goodness!

[@bikeradar]

We're jealous! Hope you found some of our tips useful ✌️

[@gladand]

I most certainly found all of them very useful! :)

[@cb6866]

Thanks for this.. during my first gravel race, I learned that my bike had reverse....as everybody passed me ...Peace

[@bikeradar]

Very good 👏 Thanks for watching!

[@davidadamus177]

Would it be good to use a suspension stem and seatpost for a gravel event? Was thinking about doing a 90 mile, 9000ft of climbing gravel race. Gravel in that area tends to be rough.

[@jeffreydavis6177]

Fuel, fuel, fuel, fuel

[@jonathanbenn2241]

D2R2, MA, USA.

[@CareFreeCommuting]

Figs are the best.

[@bikeradar]

All gravel event organisers need to see this 👀

[@ARGMTNT]

Tummysticks !

[@jempanuncialman9361]

2023

[@dmv4554]

Oh and remember to pedal. These are pretty obvious tips

[@bikeradar]

They could be obvious to some but we've made plenty of these mistakes at some point! Thanks for watching 👍