Gravel Riding Basics - 4 Fundamental Tips

[@gcn]

What tips do you have for tackling gravel as a roadie? 👇

[@みのしん-b8s]

Practice overcoming fear... maybe? From a roadie's point of view, anxiety and fear are strong.

[@tomas7403]

Lower the tire pressure.

[@atlantaswelder]

I really liked that nugget regarding RPM 70-80 or 80-90. This helps in goal setting 👊

[@Milk_Bag67]

Don't be afraid to eat dirt or gravel Learnt how traction works on an MTB the hard way

[@patrickorourke152]

Get the proper bike A MOUNTAIN BIKE

[@patiogreen9738]

As a cyclocross rider who used to ride a lot of gravel to train, I think an overlooked skill is the ability to shift your weight around the saddle, not just front to back, but also side to side while still putting power through the pedals helps your efficiency immensely. I almost think of it as detaching yourself from the bike in order to find the best balance for your body and bike as a system. Letting the bike do what it wants to do, while using your body to stay in control. For straight roadies it’s a tough feeling to get used to. Being in control even when you’re not fully in control. ;)

[@edwardsjohnpaul]

"Pick your line" advice: look where you want to go, as opposed to looking at what you want to avoid. You will tend to go where you're looking, so don't stare at that big rock or root. This is true ascending or descending. When climbing, instead of pulling up on the handlebars, try to pull straight back. This keeps your front wheel from lifting (unless you want or need it to), and maintains momentum. When slowly descending extremely technical terrain, remember that your bike will always want to roll over obstacles, so go light and easy on the front brake and keep the saddle between your legs. With that in mind, it's no harm to go somewhere relatively safe with thick grass (like your local park) and practice testing your limits on the front brake and even testing going over the handlebars (and simultaneously unclipping from your pedals!). Learning how to fall is priceless, you can avoid a lot of injuries when you do it correctly.

[@gcn]

Some great tips here! Would you like to see GCN do a video on how to fall properly? 👀

[@elliotfenwick6871]

@@gcnyes!!!!!

[@Jaysus145]

@@gcn Absolutely!

[@ruiloureiro3167]

@@gcn sure thing!

[@adriaanoudhuis]

Hank?!

[@lukewalker1051]

Just brilliant advice. The pro gravel racer is a master technician and makes sense why he is so good. So many good tips. Coming from the world of motorcycle and car racing, I can only think of 'trail braking' which is a taught fundamental of fast driving. Scrubb off most speed just before the turn. Reason is simple. If braking during a turn, you are compromising friction for 'turning'. You are asking the tire footprint to do two things at the same time. Learn to ride the speed you brung through the turn which takes planning and judgement. So many great tips and educational for those of us who spend little time off road. But trail braking is a great strategy 'on all surfaces' because one can never precisely judge how slippery any given surface is...moisture and sand as an example. I use it for general riding, certainly on a motorcycle into a fast sweeper and riding in the wet in particular even in an automobile.

[@steveyankou4144]

I haven't been particularly curious about gravel riding until seeing this video. Oli's tips are super practical and simple, but not super obvious. I really want to go try them out. Thanks!

[@cccycling5835]

great timing just bought my first gravel bike last month and got my first ever KOM ever, and of course it was a gravel segment 😂 my inner roadie is so jealous

[@cilliankelly1]

Very relevant and timely for me given an upcoming challenge that GCN are making me do 😬

[@JoopLammerts]

👀

[@MrPharmageek]

Ooh, the anticipation 😮

[@markevans598]

Wish I’d seen this a year ago. Took on gravel riding after years of just road riding. In my 50’s so I felt like a child again. Technique not good. Ended up falling off on third ride, punctured lung and 2 nights in hospital. Just getting back into the cycling again. I’ll wait for it to dry out a bit before getting the gravel bike out again.Thanks GCN for the constant good advice in all things cycling.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Saving this one for future reference and a LOT of practice. Thanks Conor and Ollie.

[@gcn]

Have you got a gravel bike on the way? 👀

[@larter_larter]

03:30 Here is an example of perfect "Conoring".

[@AQUPAS]

Road and Gravel Cycling changed my life and lifestyle!

[@BarryJones-wt3et]

Can't wait to get a gravel 🚲

[@frankharradence732]

excellent video, nicely paced content with relaxed and encouraging presenters. Also not too detailed which will aid riders recall when trying the tips out for the first time on similar gravel type routes.

[@steffrees951]

What's most difficult is gaining that confidence - I feel with gravel biking I'm so much more relaxed and fast when I've been on the trail before. You know where the good lines are, you know what the hazards are etc.

[@Przemo-c]

Yeah that's important if you're nervous you try to man handle the bike to much not allow it to sort of float beneath it's draining and can lead to big slide. Same with speed if you're new and you go too slow there's not enough momentum to push you past obstacles or slippery roots and you sort of crash in them or slide along them. If there's enough speed they don't feel nearly as bad it's good to go for the same trail over and over to know what to expect and push yourself a bit more each time once you have that it's way easier to approach new trails.

[@FibreZz]

If only I knew this last week! Also I would recommend knee pads and elbow pads if you're on a technical day out on gravel / MTB roads

[@gcn]

Did you fall off last week? 🤕

[@FibreZz]

I ran out of talent on a trail with a speedy guy behind me. Take your time on the trail and don't feel like you're going too slow

[@nerigarcia7116]

I was relatively new to off road riding coming from the road, even though I grew up riding BMX, but I learned a few things whilst heading out on gravel. If it allows I pick the straightest line through the turn, it allows you to keep your bike more upright and maximize grip. I but the apex tight on the inside to allow maximum run off out of the turn, especially if you start to lose grip you have room to recover. Letting the bars dance under you and using your arms to absorb everything helps get you through the rough stuff, while keeping your weight centered to back for more grip on the rear. Keep your eyes out ahead and determine the terrain and try to keep it as straight and upright through the soft stuff.

[@mcdermottcostumes]

Love my gravel bike for bikepacking and commuting, not just for dirt!

[@gcn]

They really are do it all bikes 🙌

[@jameslee-pevenhull5087]

In the seventies when I was building bikes for riding round the local wood, my mum told me about when very few country lanes were tarmac. My dirt bikes were 24 x 1 3/8" tyres and mum's bike was 26 x 1 3/8". In the late eighties, Morris Vulcan ( MV Triang ) brought in the first BMX bikes into Britain. I was skateboarding for them, and got to test ride these new BMX bikes. Raleigh had the Bomber, and then the Burner. Kudos to John Lee of Raleigh BMX. My choice. 650b tyres on 584 rims. Halo GXC 47mm.

[@davidhenry5925]

Good tips. I ride my mountain bike on gravel and had to re-learn off road riding after decades of road only. I use dual sided flat/SPD pedals on my MB. I typically ride clipped in unless I'm on a slow, more technical section. What do you recommend in that respect, clipped or unclipped?

[@a1white]

Some great advice. With Conner’s height, it looks like he’s riding a 90’s mountain bike with 26inch wheels! 😅

[@michaelwhitby6748]

Loved this video! Wish I'd have had something like this before I started riding gravel and ended up in a ditch b/c I took way too much speed into a corner, tried to hit the breaks a little too late and the bike just skidded through the gravel and over the edge of the trail.

[@chrisstrider]

I grew up (sort of) on a gravel lane so to me this is just cycling ❤

[@peteruk65]

I do a mixture of road, tow paths (which could turn into anything surface wise) country lanes and gravel, I’ve got the perfect bike!

[@TipsSportsTV]

Great video, I really enjoyed it 😃

[@HKRoad]

The hardest thing I’ve found is getting through thick muddy patches. If you have to go through (and in this part of the UK we have no option), what’s the best way to not get stuck or slip off?

[@ales_krejci]

My 2 most important lessons: 1) Be very careful on muddy stuff because you can expect almost no grip. 2) Gravel bike has got much more weight on front wheel compared to MTB, so compensate for that, expecially in combanation with point 1 😀

[@Mavrik-60]

One of those bikes paniers, bar bag, And so on would make a great touring bike. Good stuff keepemcoming.

[@seattlegrrlie]

Just yesterday, I was on my mtn bike on what you'd mostly call a clean, well packed dirt/gravel road. I watched people on shiny new "gravel" bikes slide and skid past me. I then turned my bike to a trail none of them dare attempt. While it's good to have bike handling skills if you need to take a stretch though unpaved roads, I still believe a hardtail or full mtn bike with lockout suspension is your tool for this job

[@repo4]

Absolute top tip, for the stuff you ride there, take an entry level hardtail, it will be much better..

[@uknowbass]

Need a video discussing what to bring for tools/supplies and where to store them on a gravel bike ride

[@9480001502]

❤ from India

[@raghunandan5125]

And from Karnataka too i think 😅

[@gcn]

We are the Global Cycling network after all 🙌

[@AndriiA939]

@@gcn Global enough to have viewers in Ukraine (:

[@michaelb9664]

I was never a roadie. Always disliked being amongst cars and impatient self entitled motorists. When I was a kid I was riding 90s MTBs, now in my 40s I’ve switched from an XC 29er to a gravel bike and love it. My bike handling skills have always been average, but average is all you need to be to ride most real world off road unless you start venturing into mountains and the more extreme end of the scale.

[@cra_55]

GMBN should also do a gravel beginners' guide. Then they should go head-to-head with GCN: Road bike with gravel tires vs. Rigid XC MTB with drop bars vs. Proper gravel bike.

[@gcn]

The grand Gravel throw down! We did let them plan a ride for us 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpraiJp3gc6BsMU

[@dontcomenear]

I would rather take a 50k detour than go offroad. Probably would still arrive sooner :D

[@bigbail74]

Here's a question... Does Gravel biking come easier to roadies or MTB riders? After a lifetime of mountain bike riding and now a 49 year old relatively fit festively plump bloke , I got into gravel and touch wood so far so good. I have took to it quite well and even beat Strava segments that I have done on my MTB. I also brought a road bike recently ,however I still find it sketchy at times (those tiny thin tires!) . Most likely confidence which is amazing considering I have had a lifetime hurtling through trees on loose surfaces. Great channel BTW

[@thimotyalmine5305]

From philippines

[@wongasaur]

Came to the comments for trial side Chad’s… wasn’t disappointed!! 😂

[@bikeskimawk670]

Gravel with a grin!!!

[@lufo5]

Use the drops! Use the drops! Use the drops! This is the only secret to have a good control of your gravel bike while cornering, downill and also uphill. If you can not use the drops probably your handlebar is too low. Remember that the position on a gravel bike is slightly different from a road bike.

[@m33x0r]

Nothings improved my gravel riding more than the idea of being light on the handlebars. Let the bike eat up all the abuse.

[@rollingnome]

Brilliant. Can you now make a video on how to breathe?

[@karlnorgaard9447]

Put weight on front wheel when initiating corner.

[@billybirdy9507]

What tips are there for MTB riders riding gravel to help with the boredom?

[@snowstrobe]

I actually wish they made more paths of compacted earth, (outside urban places). I realise it's more maintenance, but it's less impactful to the environment and can then also double as a bridleway.

[@gcn]

An old railway line is always a blessing 🙌

[@benhelder7525]

Why don't desend in your drops? this means more controle and less chance to slip of the brake lever

[@curvey4ever]

Would like to do a gravel epic but dont know where to

[@stylomtb2948]

King Alfred's way is a great gravel epic.

[@Tommi462]

I'm always breaking in the corners even though I know I shouldn't. It's a hard habit to get rid of.

[@Lefuciy]

Дякую

[@yumyumhungry]

Gotta disagree with the last tip of dropping RPM on a steep climb. I find to get the most traction you want even power. The easiest way to put down power evenly is to spin fast in an easy gear.

[@rah4981]

Mountainbikes works and has proved that for a long time. But forget about that. Lets introduce a less capable and comfortable bike for offroad, people will love it and give us more money.

[@seattlegrrlie]

Exactly. Can buy new hardtail for $750-1,000 and have a better tool for the job... but we can make "gravel" bikes and sell them for $6,000

[@rah4981]

I use my roadbike for asphalt, and a fulll suspension MTB for everything else, even downhill. The whole spectre of terrain you can ride with a bike is covered with this two bikes. If I want to ride faster offroad I put on some cross country tires on the bike . I can also lockout the rear suspension to make the bike more efficent. A bike with suspension is also way more comfortable and gives you better stabillity riding offroad then a gravelbike will ever do. But everyone can ride whatever bike they want, I'm just not a believer in the gravel bike trend.

[@bobicabayo]

👍

[@Charlie-sr6dv]

Tips for tackling gravel as a roadie? Most probably too many to mention here but here is just a few. 1) Slow down. It's not a race Enjoy the trail and countryside. 2) Ditch the drop bar. Flat bars is the way to go. A wider handlebar than the drop bar is a must. 3) Raise your handle bar to at least level with your seat. You are not racing! Sit higher up, see and enjoy the country you are cycling through. Dirt trails as shown in this video are to be savoured and enjoyed. If you bring your on-road mentality to off-road you are totally missing the value. Ride with a smile. Embrace the joy! 👍

[@gcn]

Great points Charlie! Slowing down and soaking it all in is one of the many joys that goes with gravel riding. What do you think of gravel racing? That seems to have a great mix of the competitive road side and a relaxed gravel vibe.

[@heinrichkleist3473]

Step one: get your hardtail mountain bike.

[@333wheeler]

Another thing bike riders have already been doing for donkey's years on whatever bike they happen to be out on..

[@ronbell7920]

After reading some of the comments, all I can say is the bike industry wants to sell you another bike, GRAVEL!! And get a power meter!! Geez you guys!

[@jezworld]

Yep all marketing BS. We have gone full circle.

[@b.b3642]

Absolutely Ron. I both one as well. But will never ever gone on with it on MTB trails. But what you gain indeed is a bit more confidence moving fastly with a road bike geometry bike on ruff surface road. It works for me to be honest. Cheers

[@ruiloureiro3167]

Or… you can have just one gravel bike and be able to do road and trails in the same ride, without losing too much speed on the smooth surface or stability in the dirt. I guess that is the main purpose.

[@ronbell7920]

@@ruiloureiro3167 , oh no! I might lose some speed! That is why "I" have to have carbon deep dish wheelset, elecro shifting, carbon fiber frame, graphite saddle, etc. etc. Personally I still ride steel, but I am a "washed up, never was". Even yet, I love to ride my bike! Even my 47 year old one! Oh yeah, and have a gravel bike with carbon aero wheels!

[@thecappy]

It’s crazy to me that this video had to be made. Do people really only ride on smooth tarmac? Since I was a kid I was riding my 80’s Huffy “ten speed” on everything. As a teen I turned a mtn bike into a drop bar knobby. I’m glad that newer bikes allow larger tire widths. At 42y/o I can throw on some 45-48c and relive the 90s, but on carbon fiber!

[@sepg5084]

Did you even watch the video? The tips are coming from a pro gravel racer, and the tips that he is giving are basically how to ride and corner in gravel as fast as possible without crashing. I have rode on dirt roads when i was a kid, but not on a pro racer level so was curious on what tips does the pro have. You don't need to be a douchebag about it.

[@tyler5246]

i’ve done gravel races where i can make up a ton of spots on roadies just by cornering and descending. they would dust me on the road though

[@wheelzandgillz]

The year is 2050 and we're still learning to "ride on gravel" yall really dont have any other material? I dont mountain bike but I find myself watching GMBN more and more over GCN, should yall just start a new channel called GBNb? Gravel Bike Network (basics) 😂

[@conteudoanimal.cortes]

5th tip ... forget about gravel and try MTB all round bike !

[@imbalolpro]

Noice

[@gregknipe8772]

keep in mind that the gravel phenom was here long before road bike shows decided to take on the promotion $$ of new lines of gravel bikes from the elite bike brands.. gravel racing was a direct response to the toxicity of road race teams and personalities. it was a break from road cycling culture, ever suspicious doping and testing, in short, the toxic competition environment. ask any American veteran road racer after they off that bus. it sucked.

[@lamf4846]

Just pretend you're on a wimpy mountain bike and avoid the worst off road stuff.

[@scottleech9571]

Oh man what a joke .. just get on any bike and pedal forward .. simple as that.

[@patrickorourke152]

Exactly this bloke is just saying everything that’s wrong with this fad of gravel bikes flat bar mountain bike is what is needed nothing else comfortable great vision great turning circle brakes where their needed drop bars for the road where is head down and fast as you can go gravel bike where the road surface is not suitable for your road bike that’s it look how uncomfortable they look

[@jezworld]

Spot on. This is simply laughable.This is just marketing bs. Just wait for the flat bars to be reintroduced 😆

[@patrickorourke152]

@@jezworld exactly a con nothing more and when GCN ect do these silly trials why does someone just say it’s a con he looks so uncomfortable it’s unreal. These are just for people who like to go along with a trend but in reality a mountain bike is what is to be used when off roading simple as !

[@jezworld]

@@patrickorourke152 Yep. Elevated stays, and triple chainsets ahoy... Just wait

[@michaelb9664]

I switched from a MTB to a gravel bike. So I 100% disagree with the comments here. MTB is now better suited to the extreme end of the scale. A gravel bike is happy to tackle a road, a tow path, a fire road or a spot of single tack. It’s probably better suited to most peoples needs unless all you do is pure road cycling or MTB parks.

[@gigglingchicken8444]

​@Patrick O Rourke I disagree. Gravel bikes are great. I have a full suspension mountain bike and a gravel bike. My mountain bike is used for weekend rides in the mountains on some technical trails. My gravel bike I use for commuting, bikepacking, brewery rides, weekend rides on the fire roads in the mountains where my mountain bike makes it too boring, endurance century rides on all type road types, etc. I used to have a road bike but I got rid of it as I am stuck to the road and going off road on it just wasn't fun. Sure I don't think a gravel bike is for everyone but it's nice to have about the speed of a roadbike but I can go offroad on the same bike with relative ease. I even tried a more technical trail for giggles and it surprisingly did ok. I can't imagine doing more than 30 miles on the road with my mountain bike even while locked out. It would be too slow. A gravel bike is truly a bike that can do most. It's closest competitor would be a hardtail but which is the right bike depends on the person and what they mainly want to use it for.

[@sand9577]

Tip number 1: Don't. If you don't have a long time mechanic that cleans the bike for you, stay away from the off-road. My road bike sometimes becomes more mud that bike to the point the screws on the front mech are buried in caked up dirt...in one ride alone! Besides, on the off-road there's no way for an uber or a loved one to pick you up in a car when you bonk or otherwise can't keep going on the bike.

[@michaelb9664]

There are pros and cons to all cycling disciplines. Personally I prefer a bit of dirt and pure escapism than contending with the average angry motorist. A gravel bike allows proper mudguards to be used unlike a MTB where you’re getting dirty no matter what. I do agree that a front mech has no place on an off road bike. Live and let live.

[@rah4981]

No problem finding proper mudgards for even a full suspension MTB. For front and backwheel. I bought it. For my roadbike I gave up the search for mudgards that work great.

[@michaelb9664]

@@rah4981 MTBs don’t even have mudguard mounts for the stays on proper full bolt on guards.

[@danyazhanya]

gravel biking on road bike is another level