WTF Do You Wear For Gravel Riding?!

[@gcn]

What would you wear on a gravel ride? Let us know in the comments below!👇

[@apm9507]

Cargo shorts and a long sleeve neon yellow shirt with reflectors ironed on. I pedal to work like Si's hipster shorts with a long sleeve shirt that's there to protect me against the punishing UV light in eastern Idaho's high desert.

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

The same road cycling shorts and jerseys, because I see no reason to radically differentiate between road and gravel rides.

[@markrskinner]

Road kit

[@bryanrosensteel3331]

Mountain Biking shorts with a loose fitting road jersey (addicted to the pockets).

[@jefferycampbell2243]

The only thing I insist on is that the kit includes a chamois.

[@MattSwain1]

I do wish more cycling jerseys had at least 1 zip pocket in them regardless of the surface

[@chriswest4570]

@Click Bait rapha do bib shorts with pockets, worth a look

[@karthie1000]

The RC100 Jersey I got from Decathlon has lots of pockets and two of them zippers

[@bam11891]

And cadence bibs have some pockets in them as well.

[@rrosomasa]

Most rapha jerseys come with a zip pocket - I’ve seen a couple of other companies following that trend

[@CarlosGarcia-ze6rt]

@@karthie1000 yeah i got it and it's surprisingly comfortable for the price. On the left zipper pocket i Carry an Allen key set, and on the other zipper pocket my phone and my wallet

[@anmol1771]

I laughed so hard seeing Si in those hot pants :D

[@duracellrabbid]

he already rid in the city on a speedo. hot pant on off road is nothing

[@anmol1771]

@@duracellrabbid oh forgot about that!

[@marcalvarez4890]

I was once asked by a girl who heard i ride, "Do you wear the biker fag costume?" That was 30 years ago, and i STILL remember that phrase. Lol. She was overweight, a caffeine addict, on 3 different pharmaceuticals, and depressed...so i didn't take it personally. When i ride my mountain bike, i wear a pair of shorts. Any shorts, long or short, tight or loose. Thats it. Sometimes, when its blazing, and I'm far from people, I've even stripped down to my underwear. I don't wear a shirt or gloves or anything else. Even at sunrise, its too hot here for clothes.

[@robertm1552]

It’s all in having the right liner wear. Ask the MTB clone network.

[@pumpz4]

'' OH MY GOD I FEEL SO SLIPPERY '' edited in towards the end had me in bits

[@patrickkatzmair]

Hahaha! 😂👌

[@randomchick1234]

Camping/fishing shirts and baggy shorts with cycling lycra underneath for me! Quick dry, lots of pockets and I can have a pub lunch alone without looking too...lycra. If I cared at all about speed I'd wear more close-fitting stuff

[@matthiasvanbrabant334]

Normal roadcycling chlothes

[@rob-c.]

This. Walking stuff is as good as cycling stuff regarding heat/sweat but looks much more ‘normal’ off the bike. Plus there are walking shirts if you want to unbutton to mimic the cycle jersey zip

[@jonnythelegs2597]

Si's shirt actually looked alright with the lid and glasses, just stick some not too baggy trail shorts on, sorted.

[@boscoyu_sci]

all it is missing is his gravel beard to complete the look

[@jeffwilliams5355]

Not the worst outfit we've seen Si wear while cycling.

[@0815ytacc]

To really become one with nature, one does not wear anything! (Results may vary.)

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Ok, now we know for what outfit Si wanted to buy the huge glasses.

[@oscarcraig107]

Think they’re probably sungod sunglasses maybe?

[@ianboyes4414]

Those glasses made him look like he had a pair of ski goggles on.

[@zaxerian]

@@oscarcraig107 Poc Devour

[@andysfishingandflytyingcha2310]

Absolutely hilarious. In the top ten GCN videos ever! Manon's ultra dry wit and Si's bravado in the denim hot pants had me laughing out loud! Cheers! 🤣

[@SayMcGillicuddy]

Longing for 10 minutes ago, when I didn't know what Si looked like in a pair of Daisy Dukes. MY EYES!!!!!

[@vanessaskerhut2811]

I ride the same kit on XC and Road, I can't imagine I would be different for Gravel

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

Yeah, obviously this is just companies reinventing the wheel to make more money.

[@MaxMrsk]

*Me after buying a whole cycling kit:* "Dayum I'm 'bout to be much faster" *Also me after seeing that I haven't got any faster:* "Yeah, it must be the handlebars..." *Me again after buying new aero handlebars:* "Nah, new wheels will do it." *Me once again with a fully upgraded bike, no better performance and no more money:* •_•

[@colinb8327]

Gonna say I love the idea of having zips on the pockets of any cycling tops stop “loses”.

[@imbalolpro]

We need a petition that Si will wear those short at all times (except at the TT challanges)

[@ashlandbikeco]

Best combo of presenters on GCN! Also, you forgot your trendy handlebar bag. Maybe a video about that eh?

[@woozertoo]

Manon’s pronunciation of “shirts” with her accent at 1:49 took me down the scatalogical route at first blush, NGL.

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

To be honest I've snagged and torn a couple of decent jerseys on hedges and thorny bushes so need an alternative when on the gravel bike...

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Even lightweight MTB shorts over Lycra will do the job.

[@paddyotoole2058]

@@chrisridesbicycles Jerseys. The OP is talking about ripping and snagging jerseys on undergrowth whilst out gravel riding. Not shorts.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

@@paddyotoole2058 I guess both are in danger. For the Lycra shorts the is the simple solution. For jerseys, it‘s not that easy. Some of my MTB jerseys are more sturdy, others are not.

[@paddyotoole2058]

To the OP, gravel riding along the bridleways and paths in the U.K. in the summer is such that there is often a lot of undergrowth and brambles etc. which can snag and create little pulls your jersey as you ride along. The only real solution to this I have found is to use the same particular jerseys for summer gravel riding; ones which are already snagged or the older jerseys in your collection etc. That way you don’t mind so much if they get snagged again! Keep your really nice jerseys for the road or winter gravel riding when the undergrowth is not as severe.

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

@@paddyotoole2058 sounds like a plan. Don't really want to wear mountain bike loose t shirts or the heavy duty shorts.

[@jojoadeyemi8239]

Oh no, are we entering the age of gravel specific clothing? 😂

[@awen9164]

too late! theyve done it Along the same lines as e-bike specific cleaners and lubes... mmm marketing bs

[@thejeffbeckshow]

Happy to see you're enjoying San Miguel Beer. 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@edwardsihler]

So glad Si "I feel so slippy" and the hot pants did not make it onto the chamois butter video

[@RobertGrote]

GCN show …and now on to cycling shorts ;)

[@Shooter-1924]

My two favorite presenters in the same video. Epic!

[@gordon415]

Those hot pants are perfectly suited for Si. I don’t think this was the first (or will be the last) time he has worn them.

[@KimJongSkill492]

I’ve always thought of Si as the Dennis Reynolds of GCN and this really confirmed it for me!

[@furdstahmania]

Man, Si enjoying San Miguel beer. Never thought I'd see the day. :D

[@michaelsinclair8279]

Si's short shorts have me confused in so many ways. I will need to see more to work out how freaked I can get!!

[@RobBob_Wales]

Si in check shirt and denim hot pants , had me in stitches 😂

[@aaronpropes9134]

Thank you very much for saying you can wear whatever you want. I enjoy GCN but as a non-racer I always feel kinda annoyed when the assumption is wear what racers wear, do what racers do. The best thing about bikes is that there are so many things you can do (or go to) while on the bike that there's a place for everyone (and yes, fast is fun - but in my case the fun turns into terror somewhere between 40-55 kph, depending on the quality of the surface I'm on.

[@timdowney6721]

“Gravel-specific clothing.” What is it? A test of gullibility.

[@simonrichardson5259]

Well, except that it’s not is it? As we said, you can ride bikes wearing whatever you like, but it’s also possible to design clothing that works better for one application over another.

[@lebanc571]

I love how the 45kg dude speaks about feeling like a sausage.

[@lebanc571]

@@dambuster_33 this is probably the least relevant response anyone could have made to my comment.

[@petersmedley459]

@@lebanc571 More a Weiner than a knockwurst...?

[@lebanc571]

@@petersmedley459 definitely a weiner for sure.

[@crocketgsxr6]

Si doing his best impression of Daisy Duke from the Dukes of Hazard

[@jimcappa6815]

I wear baggy cargo shorts over standard road lycra, and a moisture wicking t-shirt. Comfortable and plenty of pockets!

[@soccerchamp0511]

Honestly, I would say it probably also depends a lot on where you're riding and what type of ride you are doing. If you are doing a ride with a mix of gravel and singletrack or riding gravel that is not well-groomed, like many fire roads here in the States, you might want to stick with more durable MTB/outdoor style clothing. Same with bikepacking, especially since speed is usually not the goal anyway. There are also clothes that are kind of a happy medium from companies like Club Ride, where the clothing isn't full-on baggies but more fitted with a casual style. I would also recommend looking at active clothing made for other sports or active lifestyles. For example, at the end of May, I did a 185 mile gravel ride and wore a pair of casual-style shorts made by the yoga lifestyle clothing company 90 degrees. They were comfortable, breathable, and looked good so I didn't feel weird when we stopped in towns along the way.

[@Frostbiker]

6:24 Editor: We hear your Blue Man's Group theme to match Manon's blue shirt. Fair play, mate.

[@gilgermesch]

I agree that for most situations road kit will be absolutely perfect. However, durability is a huge plus with gravel specific clothing, and anyone claiming normal road kit delivers on that has never ridden down a narrow singletrack at high speeds. Furthermore, at the lower speeds of gravel riding most of the aero advantage of road kit is lost, the cost of which could be spent better.

[@Burhanontheranch]

Meh I ride MTB singletrack in roadie kit all the time and it’s fine.

[@nekobytes9187]

I once crashed on a dirt path and my road kit got torn apart. So gravel-specific kit is a welcome addition just for the added durability.

[@mr.ablang7097]

Great choice of beer Si! #SanMiguel #PalePilsen 🇵🇭

[@tobylestrange4081]

i loved this. SI and Manon make a good conbination. And who can argue with those denim shorts

[@michaelganshirt8795]

Haha! Pretty funny, guys. I wear exactly the same (pretty standard) cycling kits on road, mountain and gravel. Nice and simple and nice and comfortable.

[@KnikoKniko]

Glad you're enjoying that San Miguel beer cheers Si

[@jabehauber]

Amature tip: those of us approaching gravel from the MTB community already know that a trail jersey is the perfect compromise - looser fit, tech material for heat comfort, still has a back pocket (with zipper)

[@HasanIbrahim147]

That's a great tip.. thanks for sharing!

[@johnb5482]

Si channeling his inner Phil Harding.

[@natsudragnel7270]

Just want to ask. Without being bias or what. In your own personal opinion. what is the top 5 road bike brands? thank you

[@glissemaster]

If you have a leather saddle, you really don't need the goofy bike shorts. Just wear what you're wearing. On longer rides, I prefer a normal pair of shorts and hiking/fishing shirt with large breast pockets which offer plenty of storage for small things, extra sun protection for my arms and neck, and has built-in ventilation (and can be unbuttoned for more airflow). I really don't care about how aero I am (unless I'm going upwind, then I care a little bit). I use my gravel bike as a commuter too, so often I just roll the right leg pants and go. By the time a road cyclist is dressed and ready to go, I'm 10 miles down the road. If you're not racing, is it really worth all that trouble just to ride a bike? This stuff is super expensive too. Oh yeah, put your wallet, tools and a tube in your seat bag ($20 or so), your water in water bottle cages ($5) and get a pump that fits behind the bottle cages. Why would anyone carry all that in their pockets?

[@chriswarr3676]

I always wear 3/4 length shorts, with a few pockets and a t-shirt. Depending on the weather, a thermal jumper. Just need to watch out for over grown brambles and thorn bushes. Most of my cycles are gravel and forestry commission Scotland trails, with a mix of road. But i always find myself taking a big rucksack for tools,inner tubes,pump,water/ juice, and somewhere to put a jumper or a jacket incase it's too hot or wet.

[@br5380]

Junk the pack, get a frame bag.

[@chriswarr3676]

@@br5380 😂 thanks. My mate keeps telling me the thing, but I don't like to carry the weight on the bike because I've had the front wheel slip away from underneath me. And I don't feel like I have full control. I really need a better bag tbh. I'm using a royal navy bag which is too bulky.

[@thedanalcantara]

Every video with Si should come with a warning of sweat patches

[@simonrichardson5259]

😂

[@moonlight5050]

The Isadore kit looks great....but £155 for the top and £190 for bib shorts...!!!! Gravel riders might be hipsters but we're not that minted 🤣🤣🤣

[@pascalhibon7928]

I wear loose MTB clothes. I have never liked tight fitting clothes anyways. Endura has some great clothing. And I do wear a small backpack to cary spare tubes, tools, snacks and other things.

[@Ghostina1]

I do always wear MTB BIB shorts for roadbike, gravel and mtb (with a short above) just for comfort!

[@paddyotoole2058]

I think for a proper comparison and evaluation of the different clothing we definitely needed to see Manon cycling in the denim shorts also.

[@gregmuon]

Nowadays: hiking shorts and shirt and synthetic hiking briefs. BITD with racer types on 100+ mile mixed road/gravel rides: regular jersey and shorts.

[@chrisirwin9334]

Nice to see Ashton Court and the Ostrich being featured! How about a time trial up Constitution Hill next?

[@subtropicalken1362]

If anyone ever asked me why I wear tight fitting cycling shorts, I ask them if they’d ever had a wasp trapped in the their shorts. Or hornet… 😡

[@andrewsmith4342]

...or had a bee go down inside your shirt... Ordinary cycling top for me!

[@dompickles733]

I like slim cargo shorts and I have a jersey with checkered shirt pattern, buttons and all 😁

[@leanneearle3652]

8:52 Si is everyone when they see their food coming

[@darrinschwarz7446]

In the last few days I've went total T-shirt rides. Whether cotton or an under armour quick dry, I love the flapping of the Tee in the breeze. It's the feeling of freedom!....and drag.

[@jonathanzappala]

The last event before COVID I did was a gravel ride in Amish country. One guy I rode with dressed up Amish and wore a pair of jeggings. So Si wasn’t that far off.

[@colinmcdonald2499]

Snug but not skin tight workout type skin dry shirt. Lycra bike chamois shorts under non baggy workout shorts with zip pockets for only my phone ( I use a Bikepacking set up for long rides where good and water will not be available .. so wallet goes in the panier) What is missing here:. mountain biking.shoes/clipless set up (SPD) for me all the way. No need to ruin road cleats. Occasionally the single track I get on needs 10 meters of push where no suspension dictates.

[@Mububban23]

I only have one offroad bike - a 140mm dual sus MTB! When I ride gravel on it, I put on SPD pedals and wear lycra. When I'm riding proper trails, it's flat pedals and baggy clothes :-)

[@jirdesteva]

The answer @1:02. The rest of the video is cool though. When I go ride I wear cargo shorts or pants and regular street cloths. Helmet and gloves. Flat MTB shoes for easier off the bike walking around. When commuting I carry my work cloths and boots in my panniers. Go ride have fun and be comfortable. ENJOY!

[@williamdowling7718]

I need a calendar featuring only different poses/angles of si in that outfit. Please and thanks.

[@ericbee519]

Nice to see San Miguel beer! Cheers!

[@jp93309]

I lean more toward the mountain bike spectrum except less baggy. Bib shorts and breathable base layer sleeveless shirt, topped with slim/not tight athletic shirt and shorts. All have sweat wicking properties. Less than $100 gets me sorted.

[@pauldamian2988]

Who knew that Si wanted to get into Manon's shorts... nyuk! nyuk! nyuk!

[@katemikeamberjasonoliviaqi2449]

goooood job! funny and informational!!!!

[@tillklein6998]

OK, this was 100% commercial but so fun to watch 😂 Hilarious

[@jaimedebrum8557]

I use my older bibshorts and the baggy cheap jerseas i bought when i started cycling. It is enough for me

[@joffbrown]

Look up Attacus cycling, Adventure kit love it

[@djpower5]

Some say gravel riding is more casual than road riding.... Both Si and Manon were.... "ohh lunch!".... definitely well relaxed in the video! 😅

[@davidking3699]

There is still one important question to be answered... What height socks are acceptable...? Is it OK to wear the team kit I bought on-line a number of years ago from a certain ex-pro GCN presenter? It is a bit tight, but only been sweated in by me...

[@gravhellcycling]

9:30 that bottle of San Miguel Pale Pilsen

[@budycelyn]

I struggle with this quandry, i come from mountain biking but i feel daft wearing my baggy shorts, jersey and trail lid on my gravel bike, but on the flip side i don't feel very "cool" in lycra, i have tried to mix it up with lycra shorts and short sleeved mtb jersey but i just get funny looks from roadies and mtb'ers :)

[@26realmc]

Wait till you get to 60. You don’t give a rats ass what anybody thinks about you😉

[@yules_3000]

...And now we can never unsee Si in shorts. Thanks for the memories GCN!

[@NRajah]

Try MTB kit or proper (baggy) shorts and a reasonable t-shirt. Proper old school.

[@HDucky60]

Well...Si just needs some flat pedals and Timberland boots and that outfit is complete for on or off bike fun in all kinds places

[@CycleNLincs]

For Christmas, I'd love a 'Best of Si' video.

[@upchur09]

Manon and Si are an absolute dream team!

[@theknights1512]

Question? What are people wearing on their legs?? Normally I’m a shorts man, or maybe 3/4 when it’s chill, but on my gravel or mtb at the moment I’m getting badly stung by stinging nettles or scratched by brambles. I’ve taken to riding with a long sleeve top and full finger summer gloves but don’t know what to do about my legs - anything long I have is aimed at keeping warm which I don’t want! I know I should just harden up a bit, but my skin has unfortunately got very sensitive following my chemotherapy…. Orienteers wear something called “bramble-bashers” and bike equivalent or other idea from anyone??

[@gur262]

...i mean. The only bike specific fitness clothing i own are the cushioned underpants. I am not that much of a cyclist. But in winter yeah same. So. I once bought cheap womens leggings cause I don't care and they fit. Women wear leggings to the gym that ain't aiming to be warm(?). Maybe get some of those. Oooooh. If you don't want that: motorcycle underwear! Its bloody hot in motorcycle leather but you need to wear long underwear to not stick to it. You'll find plenty long underwear meant to keep you cool there.

[@loud479]

1x up jersey and lycra shorts for any rides where i know im gonna be on the bike the whole time

[@mrosekrause8300]

I'm training for my first tour and do at least one "long ride" a week which is 45-65 miles for me. I've just been wearing t-shirts or athletic tank tops with my cycling shorts. I broke out the jersey last week and I was surprised how annoyed I was to have even the small weight on my back from using the jersey pockets! obviously I respect the jersey and will keep it for special occasions but I'm love the casual top life~ always always use cycling shorts tho

[@benkoh178]

never aero, sometimes a bit tight cycling cloth, sometimes baggy stuff, sometimes bike shoes, sometimes flip flops or sneakers. Whatever I want ;)

[@richardedward123]

"How do you feel?" "A bit less like a sausage."👍👍👍

[@mavericktechreview1250]

I see both of you are having a disc rotor brake bike. So is caliper bike still relevant in 2021?

[@RobertForrister]

I like the clothes you were wearing except those short shorts. U can keep them.

[@carloscolmenares4054]

Nice to see you drinking San Miguel beer!

[@davebarksdale]

Just when you thought it wouldn't get any worse than Si cycling through the streets of London in some budgie smugglers, this video comes along.

[@gcygnet8817]

That was funny xD Manon saying 'nobody can be ready for this' when Si is riding in the hot pants haha

[@PuffinPass]

I wear my MTB gear, because gravel is the catchall term with a variety of ride styles within it. Taking your roadie rides to the dirt is only one aspect of many.

[@davidbierbaum4881]

Personally, I prefer to wear _clothes_ ... My only requirements are that pants don't get caught in the chainring, and clothes are made of materials that don't retain water like cotton does. Other than that, whatever I wear for the road, I wear for gravel. For MTB trails, I would also want tougher wear-resistant clothes to survive my many spills and tumbles... Oh, and at the very end, did Si say "compostable" or "combustible?" I think he said "compostable", but where does one take these to actually be composted, if one does not have one's own compost heap?

[@rjs_698]

He said compostable - in the UK at least local authorities collect food and garden waste for composting in order to reduce the amount of domestic waste going into landfill or to be incinerated. If the packaging for this kit is compostable then it can be put in the appropriate bin.

[@macedonuno4495]

Is this a man's bike or a boy's bike. My friend is 6'4". Also what is the frame size

[@kevind4383]

Not too long ago I did a fairly short gravel ride and while I brought headphones with the intention of wearing them, I just turned the volume all the way up and let the headphones drape down. I guess the ride was a little more intense than I had expected because the headphones spent all ride banging up against the front of my collarbone and now I actually have a noticeable bruise at that spot. Next time I decide to hit the loose rocks, I'm either wearing something to pad my collarbone or leaving the headphones at home.

[@donball370]

Si, the checked shirt, hot-pants, welding glasses; thought it was the 1980's and "Flashdance". Eat your heart out Irene Cara.

[@Burhanontheranch]

The same roadie kit I wear when shredding the MTB trails on my 29er of course

[@mayalman]

I have found the cargo pockets on gravel shorts to be extremely useful...

[@thandogaming6638]

This is the best youtube channel ever

[@brianrainey2739]

Are gravel bikes actually popular? What percentage of sales do they make up? I see them in the shops but never on the street so maybe its a region specific thing? Personally I would think mtn bike gear since they are old school mtn bikes with road bars….

[@Itsmemario488]

When I sent in my request to GCN for videos containing Manon and hot shorts this isn’t exactly what I had in mind

[@terrymtbnurse4760]

What about for us guys that weigh more than a 150 lbs? Seriously, can I get a jersey that's not skin tight and shorts that's bigger than a 32 waist? New to gravel biking and I love it, Thanks guys.

[@Swarfega79]

Off-road riding in the summer in the UK means getting a faceful of flies and stung by nettles.

[@galenkehler]

The slow pan down in the opening 20sec 🤣🤣🤣🤣