My first day on all gravel and what was the takeaway?
07-23-24, 04:50 PM
#1
My first day on all gravel and what was the takeaway?
My son and I did a solid 7hrs on gravel trails outside the city limits to prep for a Toronto to Montreal jaunt next month.
Besides discovering that gravel riding is difficult but invigorating, our main takeaway was that almost all gravel riders are bearded. I’m with Roald Dahl on mixing beards and gravel.
Other than that, great fun for a one off but I think we will try to bypass gravel unless it’s of major navigational benefit.
Besides discovering that gravel riding is difficult but invigorating, our main takeaway was that almost all gravel riders are bearded. I’m with Roald Dahl on mixing beards and gravel.
Other than that, great fun for a one off but I think we will try to bypass gravel unless it’s of major navigational benefit.
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07-23-24, 05:03 PM
#3
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Fascinating.
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07-23-24, 05:13 PM
#4
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The beard thing is probably more regional than anything else. Zero of my gravel-bike-riding/racing friends have beards.
Some folks enjoy gravel riding, others do not. I know some MTBers who find it dull because every moment is not filled with technical demands. I know some roadies that don't enjoy the slower speeds and questionable traction. Personally, I enjoy the variety and versatility, combining a variety of surfaces and conditions into one ride.
Some folks enjoy gravel riding, others do not. I know some MTBers who find it dull because every moment is not filled with technical demands. I know some roadies that don't enjoy the slower speeds and questionable traction. Personally, I enjoy the variety and versatility, combining a variety of surfaces and conditions into one ride.
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07-23-24, 05:37 PM
#5
For me the only attraction of gravel is getting away from road traffic. Otherwise I prefer smooth pavement or singletrack mtb trails.
07-23-24, 05:52 PM
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I find myself enjoying both the isolation and the challenge. The avoidance of car hostility because they exist and are doing their thing, and freedom from inattentive pedestrian ignorance are both reasons I prefer gravel riding.
Yeah, it is a bit slow. But far be it from boring. The terrain, technical, and mental demands are much more than droning on for hours on smooth blacktop. I ride road bikes, too. But if it weren't for group interaction on a road ride there is little to foster engagement in the act of riding. Pedal, pedal, pedal is a lot different than Pedal, pick line, pedal, avoid rock, pedal, float over pothole, pedal, ohh, soft sand! pedal...repeat.
Yeah, it is a bit slow. But far be it from boring. The terrain, technical, and mental demands are much more than droning on for hours on smooth blacktop. I ride road bikes, too. But if it weren't for group interaction on a road ride there is little to foster engagement in the act of riding. Pedal, pedal, pedal is a lot different than Pedal, pick line, pedal, avoid rock, pedal, float over pothole, pedal, ohh, soft sand! pedal...repeat.
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07-23-24, 05:57 PM
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7 hours is quite a ride. Congrats!
John
John
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07-23-24, 06:14 PM
#8
And he got the bearded thing from one ride? If you believe that then I have a couple of slightly used bridges in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you cheap. 
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07-23-24, 06:17 PM
#9
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My son and I did a solid 7hrs on gravel trails outside the city limits to prep for a Toronto to Montreal jaunt next month.
Besides discovering that gravel riding is difficult but invigorating, our main takeaway was that almost all gravel riders are bearded. I’m with Roald Dahl on mixing beards and gravel.
Other than that, great fun for a one off but I think we will try to bypass gravel unless it’s of major navigational benefit.
Besides discovering that gravel riding is difficult but invigorating, our main takeaway was that almost all gravel riders are bearded. I’m with Roald Dahl on mixing beards and gravel.
Other than that, great fun for a one off but I think we will try to bypass gravel unless it’s of major navigational benefit.
Last edited by Outrider1; 07-23-24 at 06:22 PM.
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07-23-24, 06:24 PM
#11
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At the end of 2022 I bought a gravel bike (Santa Cruz Stigmata 3) and I started riding gravel in Spring 2023. My impressions after 1.25 years:
1. Gravel riding requires much more focus than road riding because of the uneven surfaces and traction changes from spot to spot.
2. While both my main road bike and my gravel bike are 2x11, there is hardly any correlation between two with respect to cadence and gearing.
3. Gravel bike is about 2 mph slower than road bike on smooth paved surfaces but allows me to ride where the road bike would not go.
4. Inattentive drivers are replaced with inattentive hikers.
5. My SPD-SL shoes feel better than my SPD shoes, but it is less slippery to use the bathroom while wearing the latter.
6. Gravel bike is better for an unplanned ride because I care less about performance on it.
7. I wish I have the bike handling skills and endurance to ride where guys like Eric F and Sierra_rider ride their gravel bikes. I feel like I am not making the most of my gravel bike, especially since I usually ride my road bike, and have two other road bikes to setup.
1. Gravel riding requires much more focus than road riding because of the uneven surfaces and traction changes from spot to spot.
2. While both my main road bike and my gravel bike are 2x11, there is hardly any correlation between two with respect to cadence and gearing.
3. Gravel bike is about 2 mph slower than road bike on smooth paved surfaces but allows me to ride where the road bike would not go.
4. Inattentive drivers are replaced with inattentive hikers.
5. My SPD-SL shoes feel better than my SPD shoes, but it is less slippery to use the bathroom while wearing the latter.
6. Gravel bike is better for an unplanned ride because I care less about performance on it.
7. I wish I have the bike handling skills and endurance to ride where guys like Eric F and Sierra_rider ride their gravel bikes. I feel like I am not making the most of my gravel bike, especially since I usually ride my road bike, and have two other road bikes to setup.
07-23-24, 06:35 PM
#12
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07-23-24, 06:59 PM
#13
I don't know if they qualify as gravel but we hit a few hardpack dirt roads on route so maybe an hr on those
And yeah, maybe it's regional but almost everyone we passed or passed us looked like these guys. I sensed they were eager to reach their destination and crack a craft brew.
I
And yeah, maybe it's regional but almost everyone we passed or passed us looked like these guys. I sensed they were eager to reach their destination and crack a craft brew.
I
07-23-24, 07:22 PM
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Some of the so-called gravel in my area, which is mostly just dirt roads, takes me into some very remote areas of the Adirondacks of upstate NY. I’ve been to some really beautiful spots that would otherwise be hard to reach.
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07-23-24, 07:31 PM
#16
I don't know if they qualify as gravel but we hit a few hardpack dirt roads on route so maybe an hr on those
And yeah, maybe it's regional but almost everyone we passed or passed us looked like these guys. I sensed they were eager to reach their destination and crack a craft brew.
I
And yeah, maybe it's regional but almost everyone we passed or passed us looked like these guys. I sensed they were eager to reach their destination and crack a craft brew.
I
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07-23-24, 07:44 PM
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I like the places and the vistas that dirt and gravel roads take me to. And I like scratching that, "Where does that go?!" itch
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07-23-24, 07:49 PM
#19
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07-23-24, 07:51 PM
#21
I took this photo riding up a gravel pass in lieu of the highway. I’ve ridden both. No comparison.
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07-23-24, 07:51 PM
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And he said people he passed looked like them, so its known to be a pic off the internet.
The guy is a tool, but I'm not understanding the issue here. Should all pics off the internet be cited with source?...it's a discussion board.
07-23-24, 07:53 PM
#23
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Odd.
07-23-24, 08:11 PM
#24
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07-23-24, 08:11 PM
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The Story of a Photo (AKA Google ≠ Free)
Very often, the photo that you are stealing is coming from a hard working photographer who deserves the respect of being credited for their work.
If you think that the photo is good enough to illustrate your point, then at least take a minute to try to find the photographer.
https://www.johnmflores.com/the-story-of-a-photo/
If you think that the photo is good enough to illustrate your point, then at least take a minute to try to find the photographer.
https://www.johnmflores.com/the-story-of-a-photo/
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