Gravel may be the latest new trend in the cycling world, but for us, the gravel philosophy is at the heart of what we’ve always done at Skedaddle: it’s a riding style that embraces freedom, adventure and exploration. We launched our first range of gravel-specific holidays in the UK, Italy and Spain last year, offering a new way to discover stunning locations, get off the beaten track and bring together mountain bikers and racers. road.
For road riders looking to broaden their horizons and tackle some dirt and rougher terrain, and for mountain bikers who appreciate the technical components but are looking for longer, faster rides, gravel riding offers the best of both worlds. What transforms the gravel riding experience is, of course, the bike you do it on. Trails that might be a little tame on a mountain bike feel fast and free, and for road cyclists, gravel biking provides the freedom to get off the tarmac and explore beyond the beaten path. We like to think of gravel as a fantastic cocktail that mixes a variety of terrain and surfaces, blending elements of mountain biking and road biking in a way that creates a completely new experience that is sure to excite every rider .
So let’s take a closer look at the list of “ingredients” for a perfect gravel cocktail.
More than gravel
Let’s start with the basics – gravel. What is gravel called it anyway? We’ve been riding trails for decades without defining them as gravel. In fact, it’s a bit like the original cross-country mountain biking experience from the ’90s. The phrase “gravel riding” comes from the Midwestern United States, which has an extensive network of gravel roads. The surfaces we ride and mix on are a little more varied, so even though we call it gravel, it’s not entirely gravel – but we think it’s a little more exciting because of that.
What do you mix with the gravel? A whole range of surfaces like mud, sand, dual track, single track, rocks, tarmac, cycle paths, road, grassy fields and even the occasional water crossing! Each place and each journey has its own flavor and challenges. Gravel Riding captures many of the best moments of riding, the childlike joy of sliding on your bike, splashing through puddles, skidding in sand, and weaving your way through trees and obstacles. But it also lets you mix bitumen and hard surfaces so you can travel greater distances and explore more places.
For mountain bikers, gravel trails may seem untechnical, but the spice comes from tackling them on a more or less stiff bike with narrow tires and a drop-bar riding position. A surface that you would easily ride a mountain bike on requires awareness and skill. Gravel riding can hone your technical skills and connect you to the trail in a way that a wheelchair ride on your full suspension bike won’t. You still feel the buzz of adrenaline and the euphoria of finding flow without having to tackle extreme trails. On a gravel ride you go further and faster than on a mountain bike, allowing you to conquer long-distance routes.
For road drivers if your tires have never left the tarmac before, the feel of the different surfaces under your wheel can be exhilarating but also challenging. You’ll need to learn new ways to handle your bike and move at a more steady pace. Riding in mud, sand or over rocks requires a combination of different skills, but once mastered, you’ll feel more confident and in control when out on the tarmac.
If you are a mountain biker…
Compared to your mountain bike, the riding position of a gravel bike is much less upright. This, combined with a slightly less dynamic riding style, especially on road sections, means you spend more time sitting in the saddle, which can lead to pain in new places. Make sure you do a few road or gravel rides before your vacation to get used to this new position.
On a gravel bike you ride faster, cover more distance and also stop less. On tarmac or hard surfaces with few natural obstacles or barriers, there are fewer reasons to stop, so be prepared to spend more time in the saddle.
Without the benefits of suspension, a gravel bike needs a little more handling finesse. Rock sections or roots that you might just ride your ATV through require more considered line selection and a light touch. Using your mountain biking skills to lift the front wheel and smooth the surface will give you access to parts of the trail that less experienced gravel riders will avoid.
Who remembers getting tire burns on their butts from putting their weight on the back wheel? In the early days of mountain biking without suspension or a dropper post, the only way to tackle steep drops was to bring your weight back a very long distance. Gravel bikes take you back to your mountain bike roots of yesteryear, where shifting weight rearward and keeping the front wheel light is a useful skill. Staying loose and not fighting your bike may be the best way to tackle loose or rutted sections.
If you are a roadie…
The entire trail won’t be accessible to everyone, and that’s okay. Mountain bikers are a little more comfortable with failure than road cyclists. Learning and skills development are part of the culture. If you try something technical and don’t succeed, don’t worry and don’t let that stop you from trying again. Runners will stop frequently to encourage each other and offer advice on how to tackle difficult sections collaboratively.
Before you go on vacation, get used to riding on off-road terrain. You may be used to covering long distances on your road bike, but riding off-road will slow your pace and you’ll need to adjust your planned daily mileage, especially as you get used to handling the terrain. The level of grip and speed you can achieve changes on different surfaces and in different weather conditions. Over time, you’ll develop new ways of reading the ground and be able to anticipate how you’ll feel when rolling over a slippery rock, slick mud, or grassy area.
Go to a place where you feel safe and comfortable riding. Lift your weight slightly off the saddle, relax your arms, bend your knees and use your body to absorb the small bumps you ride over.
Let your bike move beneath you. Being stiff and fighting against the movement of your bike makes it harder for your tires to grip and can make for a more jarring ride.
One of the joys of gravel biking is trying new things and allowing yourself to laugh when you don’t succeed. Put a smile on your face and rediscover the fun of just playing on a bike and getting muddy.
Take the middle ground
Driving on gravel opens the door to a vast array of scenery that paved roads simply can’t reach. Epic distances, all-day rides with a new twist of varied terrain and stunning scenery. Going from smooth gravel to rocky outcrops or muddy sections and back to tarmac means there’s never a dull moment! Whether you’re a mountain biker or a roadie, riding a gravel bike presents its own set of challenges to test your skills in a new way. When you ride off-road, you learn to expect the unexpected. In the great outdoors, at the mercy of the elements and in a constantly changing landscape, we must enjoy every moment, and that’s what we love. At Saddle Skedaddle, we believe in the power of hiking to inspire and transform, and gravel riding is a testament to that spirit of adventure. Let’s hit the gravel and discover the best of both worlds together.
Discover holidays at Skedaddle Gravel
Overview of driving tips to follow on the trails
Whether you’re a roadie or a mountain biker hitting gravel for the first time, here are the key things to remember when hitting the trails.
Mountain bikers:
- Train for miles and be prepared to spend more time in the saddle
- Place your weight further back in the saddle and make the most of your bike handling abilities on difficult terrain.
Roadie:
- Relax your arms and knees and let the bike move beneath you.
- Practice riding on different surfaces – loose gravel, roots, mud, sand – in different weathers and don’t worry if you sometimes have to get off and walk!
Check out more gravel tips here