What is Gravel Riding? Your Guide to Cycling's Fastest Growing Adventure

The Rise of Gravel Cycling

Gravel riding has exploded in popularity over the past decade, creating an entirely new category of cycling that sits between road and mountain biking. This discipline combines elements from both worlds while offering something uniquely its own.

At its core, gravel riding involves cycling on unpaved surfaces using specialized bikes designed for mixed terrain. The surfaces range from smooth dirt roads to chunky gravel, sand, and even singletrack trails. The experience emphasizes exploration, adventure, and accessibility over pure speed or technical prowess.

What Makes Gravel Bikes Different

Geometry and Frame Design

Gravel bikes feature geometry that balances comfort and performance across varied terrain. The riding position is more upright than aggressive road bikes but more efficient than mountain bikes. Head tube angles are slacker than road bikes for stability, while longer wheelbases provide smooth handling on rough surfaces.

Frame clearance accommodates wider tires than road bikes typically allow. Most gravel bikes fit tires from 35mm to 50mm wide, with some accepting even larger rubber. This clearance also prevents mud and debris from clogging the frame.

Tire Technology

Gravel tires represent the biggest difference from other cycling disciplines.

These tires feature:

Width: Typically 35-45mm wide, providing more contact patch and lower air pressure capability than road tires

Tread patterns: Varied knob designs optimize for different surfaces, from minimal tread for

hard-packed dirt to aggressive patterns for loose gravel

Casing construction: Reinforced sidewalls resist punctures from sharp rocks and debris

Tubeless compatibility: Most gravel tires run tubeless, allowing lower pressures and reducing puncture risk

Gearing Systems

Gravel bikes often use wide-range gearing to handle varied terrain. Common setups include:

1x drivetrains: Single chainring systems with wide-range cassettes (10-50 tooth or larger) provide simplicity and adequate range for most riders

2x systems: Double chainring setups offer wider gear ranges for riders tackling extreme elevation changes

Gear ratios: Lower gear ratios than road bikes help with steep climbs on loose surfaces

Component Considerations

Gravel-specific components address the unique demands of mixed-surface riding:

Disc brakes: Provide consistent stopping power in all conditions and don't rim wear from debris

Flared drop bars: Wider hand positions improve control and comfort on rough terrain

Durable wheels: Stronger rim and spoke construction handles impacts from rocks and roots

How Gravel Differs From Road Cycling

Terrain and Surface Variety

Road cycling focuses on paved surfaces optimized for speed and efficiency. Gravel riding intentionally seeks unpaved roads, paths, and trails. This terrain variety requires different bike handling skills and equipment choices.

Riding Pace and Objectives

Road cycling often emphasizes speed, structured training, and group dynamics. Gravel riding prioritizes exploration, adventure, and personal challenge over pure performance metrics. Rides frequently include stops for photos, snacks, or simply enjoying scenery.

Equipment Demands

Road bikes optimize for smooth pavement with narrow tires, aggressive geometry, and lightweight construction. Gravel bikes sacrifice some efficiency for versatility, durability, and comfort across varied surfaces.

Group Dynamics

Road group rides follow established routes and maintain consistent paces. Gravel rides often involve route-finding, varied paces based on terrain, and more collaborative problem-solving when conditions become challenging.

How Gravel Differs From Mountain Biking

Technical Skill Requirements

Mountain biking demands advanced technical skills for navigating rocks, roots, drops, and steep terrain. Gravel riding requires basic bike handling but focuses more on endurance and route navigation than technical prowess.

Terrain Complexity

Mountain bike trails feature purpose-built obstacles and challenging features. Gravel routes typically follow existing roads and paths without constructed technical elements.

Bike Capabilities

Mountain bikes provide suspension, aggressive geometry, and wide tires for tackling extreme terrain. Gravel bikes offer efficiency and comfort for covering longer distances on mixed surfaces without extreme technical challenges.

Ride Duration and Distance

Mountain bike rides often focus on shorter, more intense efforts with significant elevation gain. Gravel rides frequently cover longer distances at moderate intensities, sometimes lasting all day.

The Gravel Riding Experience

Adventure and Exploration

Gravel riding opens access to roads and paths unavailable to road bikes while remaining more accessible than technical mountain bike trails. This creates opportunities for exploration and adventure in areas close to home.

Self-Sufficiency

Many gravel rides occur in remote areas with limited support. Riders develop self-sufficiency skills including basic mechanical knowledge, navigation, and preparation for changing conditions.

Community and Inclusivity

The gravel community emphasizes inclusivity and personal achievement over competition. Events range from casual group rides to challenging endurance races, accommodating riders of all abilities.

Bikepacking Integration

Gravel bikes excel at bikepacking, carrying camping gear for multi-day adventures. The stable geometry and mounting points accommodate bags and supplies for extended trips.

Getting Started in Gravel Riding

Bike Selection

Choose a gravel bike based on your intended riding style:

Endurance-focused: Comfortable geometry for long rides with moderate tire clearance

Adventure-ready: Larger tire clearance and mounting points for bikepacking gear

Race-oriented: More aggressive geometry for competitive events and faster riding

The right bike choice depends heavily on local terrain and personal riding preferences. Understanding your area's gravel conditions helps determine appropriate tire clearance, gearing ratios, and frame features.

Essential Gear

Start with basic equipment and add specialized gear as your interests develop:

Helmet and safety equipment: Same as any cycling discipline

Repair kit: More comprehensive than road cycling due to remote riding locations

Navigation tools: GPS computer or smartphone with offline maps

Hydration and nutrition: Carry more supplies than typical road rides

Finding Routes

Discover gravel routes through:

Online resources: Websites and apps specializing in gravel route sharing

Local cycling communities: Connect with other gravel riders for route recommendations

Local bike shops: Shops with area knowledge often provide the best route recommendations and insights into seasonal conditions

The Shad Co. specializes in helping riders discover gravel cycling through personalized guidance. We provide detailed local area knowledge, from beginner-friendly routes to challenging adventures. Our team helps match your riding goals with appropriate gear selection and can recommend the best local gravel roads based on current conditions and your skill level.

Common Gravel Riding Formats

Group Rides

Local gravel group rides provide introduction to the discipline and local route knowledge. These rides typically accommodate various skill levels and focus on exploration over competition.

Gravel Events and Races

Organized events range from casual centuries to competitive races. Popular formats include mass-start endurance events, self-supported adventures, and timed segments.

Bikepacking Adventures

Multi-day trips combine gravel riding with camping, creating extended adventures in remote areas. These trips require additional planning and gear but offer unique experiences.

Training and Fitness

Many riders use gravel riding for base training, combining the endurance aspects of road cycling with the engagement of varied terrain.

The Future of Gravel

Gravel cycling continues evolving as more riders discover its appeal. Bike technology advances with lighter frames, electronic shifting, and improved tire compounds. Route networks expand as communities develop gravel-specific infrastructure.

The discipline's emphasis on accessibility, adventure, and personal challenge ensures continued growth. Unlike more specialized cycling disciplines, gravel riding welcomes riders from all backgrounds and abilities.

Making the Transition

Whether you're coming from road cycling, mountain biking, or returning to cycling after time away, gravel riding offers something unique. The combination of physical challenge, exploration, and community creates an engaging cycling experience.

Start with shorter routes on familiar terrain to develop comfort with gravel bike handling. Gradually extend distance and explore more challenging surfaces as your confidence grows. Most importantly, embrace the adventure aspect that makes gravel riding special.

Getting Expert Guidance

Local expertise makes a significant difference when entering gravel cycling. Understanding regional terrain, seasonal conditions, and appropriate gear choices helps avoid common mistakes and enhances the initial experience.

At The Shad Co., we guide riders through every aspect of gravel cycling entry. Our services include bike selection consultation, gear recommendations tailored to local conditions, and detailed knowledge of area gravel routes. We help match your cycling background and goals with the right equipment and provide ongoing support as your gravel adventures expand.

Ready to explore gravel riding? The adventure starts with the right guidance and discovering the unpaved roads in your area.