How to prepare for your first gravel grinder

Gravel grinders, adventure rides and mixed-surface racing is attracting new riders from across cycling disciplines to dynamic courses that challenge riders in a number of ways. Unlike in cycling’s traditional disciplines, there are no rules that govern how courses need to be designed or what bikes can be used. Riders are up to their own devices to creatively find their own way to tackle a course. Here are some general tips that can help you navigate the fun and open-minded world of gravel events.

1) Choose a bike, any bike

There’s no right bike to ride gravel on. Instead, there are some general characteristics of the type of bikes that are best suited for events that incorporate gravel, rail trails and other off-road sections. Tire clearance is a huge factor and will allow you to mount rubber that suits the surfaces you are riding while leaving clearance for mud to inevitably build up. Disc brakes are also helpful in offering powerful braking in wet and sloppy conditions. The right gear ratio is also important because speeds are often lower on technical sections. Otherwise, it’s all a matter of the course and finding a bike that allows you to run the set-up your most comfortable on various surfaces on. That could be a cyclocross, gravel, hard-tail MTB, fat or even an endurance road bike.

2) Wear apparel you are ready to get dirty in

Gravel grinds are often messy. That means you’ll want to be wearing apparel that you are ready to get messy in. Fabrics that repel water but are still breathable are advised if you expect sections of the course to be wet. A cycling cap can be worn to keep spray from other people’s wheels off your face. Shoes with plenty of grip on the soles will allow you to keep traction in mud if you’re forced to dismount to navigate over an obstacle. These events aren’t for road cleats since clipping in will be virtually impossible if even a bit of mud gets on your pedals.

3) Make the right tire selection

The right balance between grip and speed is a balancing act riders will spend loads of time and energy finding. There are so many tires to choose from with different tread patterns, rubber compounds and widths. At the minimum, a true gravel grinder event with anything more than some gravel road sections will require at least a cyclocross tire. There are then wider gravel specific tires that offer traction and rolling speed on rough surfaces. In races with lots of mud, you’ll want to ride something with a tread pattern good for wet conditions while in the dry you’ll likely look to something less aggressive that will roll fast. Once you’ve chosen a tire, carefully consider what PSI to run it at.

4) Practice mounting and dismounting your bike

Tough gravel events will often include sections that force riders to dismount and navigate over obstacles on foot. You want to be well practiced in not just riding technical terrain but also quickly dismounting and remounting your bike. If you race cyclocross it’s something you’ll be used to doing but otherwise, you’ll want to practice so you aren’t left fumbling trying to clip in after being forced out of the saddle by the trickiest parts of the course.

5) Don’t be hesitant to do things a little differently

Events that challenge riders to tackle a mix of surfaces are all about having fun and pushing limits. Unlike road races, cyclocross or cross-country mountain bike events where riders generally know what to expect, these events tend to throw challenges at riders that take an open mind to overcome. There are no strict rules that govern which bike to use or how a course should be designed. It’s a good idea to approach gravel events with a bit of creativity and an open mind so you’re able to adapt and have a fun day in the saddle.