Tips for your first time graveling

The gravel season is upon us again. Although, if you ask the die hard gravel fans, everyday is gravelday. Gravel biking, graveling, going out on the gravel bike. Gravel bikes are selling like hot cakes and events are springing up. What used to be something for a select group of 'outcasts' is increasingly being picked up by a wider group of people. But if you've never dug before, it can also be a bit exciting. We have a few handy Tips for your first time digging, which will make you very well prepared. Are you reading with us?

Tyre pressure down

One thing is certain: if you are used to cycling on a road bike, you will tend to rush the same number of bar into the tyres on a gravel bike. This is somewhat unwise. While road bikes are all about minimising rolling resistance, with gravel bikes you want to have enough grip, especially when cornering. Also take into account that if you are a bit heavier (read: over 85kg) that you may blow a bit more pressure into it. For a 40mm gravel tyre, count on 2.5 to 3.5 bar for an 80kg person. Are you a bit lighter? Then let it be around 2.5 to 3. If you're heavier, 4.0 - 4.5 is a fine tyre pressure. Useful if you're gravelling for the first time.

Careful when cornering

Admittedly, for me this is a case of learning by rote. When I myself went graveling in the Achterhoek I was driving at full speed towards a 90-degree bend. I braked too little, wanted to steer like a racer and hup, there went my front wheel. Flat on the nose. Luckily I had my helmet on. So make sure you reduce your speed a bit and turn through the corner slowly. Your front wheel will slide off in no time, especially on real gravel tracks. A gravel ride is also not about your average, but more about the experience. Romping through the woods, but most of all having fun.

Clothing

You know what the most relaxing thing about graveling is? You don't have to worry about men or women starting about sleeve length, sock length, shaved legs or other Velominati talk. Gravel is mostly: just do your thing and you'll be fine. However, many cycling clothing brands have a separate gravel collection, with, for example, bib shorts with a pocket on the thigh. Handy to put a bar in, or just to have something else to hand. A phone for photos to name a few. Also pay attention to footwear: graveling with your nice white racepattas is not recommended anyway. Buy good MTB/gravel shoes, with those handy studs underneath. That way you won't slip on a stone and you won't have to worry about broken plates. Oh yes, use MTB plates anyway, such as Shimano-SPD.

Digging does not go as fast

If you are graveling for the first time, you might think 60 kilometres is not that far. Or if you're used to 50 kilometres on the road, then 30 kilometres sounds like a warm-up. But if you're cycling unpaved, you won't achieve high averages. The resistance is higher, the pressure in the tyres lower, so the speed is automatically lower too. Especially if you're going to ride through the deep loose sand, like for instance on the crown domain then you are talking more about 15 kilometres per hour than 25 kilometres per hour. One of those handy tips for when you first start gravelling.

Route: what to consider

It might be an open door, but still: you are not allowed to gravel anywhere in the Netherlands. Although most forests and uninhabited areas look like gravel paths, you should always check in advance whether cycling is allowed there. We will devote a special article to this, but keep in mind that you are allowed to cycle where explicitly indicated. On private land (even Forestry Commission land is in principle private land), it is not allowed unless otherwise indicated. Of course, you are always allowed to cycle on cycle paths (if so marked) and on paved public roads. Riding paths however attractive are excluded from this. Anyway. Check that, even if you've accidentally crammed a footpath into your route, for example. Walkers are not going to like that. A friendly thank you will help

Bring a bag!

These days, there are so many different bags in circulation. Handlebar bags, snack bags, bar bags, you name it. Since speed is not the main issue and a bag is pretty darn handy anyway, you better just buy one. Like the bags from The Pack. I personally like riding with these handlebar bags, both the snack bag and the bar bag. You can put quite a lot in them. For example, a jacket or a vest, a camera or similar. Plus, of course, some food. Handy for your first gravel adventure.

Hopefully you got something out of our tips for your first time graveling. Do you want to fish more often? Then check out our gravel routes, e.g. the Shimano GRX series, (search on 'gravel' on our site) or send us a message!