Riding on Gravel

[flw]

The trick is there are no tricks.

You want to go so slow that no lean in a turn would be required. Just a little speed is the enemy.

[halouis]

my driveway is about a 3/4 mile long all gravel. you've already got the good info here. but yeah. keep relaxed. go slow, but not too slow. just keep it steady.

[Tower18CHI]

My urban example is cheese-grater bridge decks. If you're too careful, and go over them slow, you'll be wiggled to death and feel like the bike is going to fall (it won't). It you go over them at normal speed, it'll feel a bit funny, but much better than going 10mph.

So be careful, but not too careful. And don't over-correct. Remember--absent external factors, the bike WANTS to stay up.

[sv-wolf]

Go easy but a little speed will help stabilize the bike. It will move around under you. Don't worry. Let it move. Put your feet on the pegs. This will help you shift your weight if needed. You cannot do this with your feet flapping in the breeze. Go very easy on the front brake or avoid it mostly. Use the rear brake. Going too slow actually makes it harder to deal with gravel.

+1 As someone very new to riding on anything but a tarmac surface I'm not sure how much notice you should pay to anything I have to say on this subject. But having gone through a steep learning curve in recent weeks riding for miles on loose road surfaces, I'd say I'd agree with all this.

A little speed does help. Scary at first, but much more secure. Let the front wheel pick its way a little bit. So, though you need to control the bike through the bars don't do it too rigidly. Keep your arms loose and allow the bike to respond to the gravel.

And 100% keep your feet up. Gives more control and prevents a nasty accident. I've seen what can happen if you catch your foot on the gravel and get it bent back. Not me fortunately.

And I also know what happens if you use the front brake too much. Now, this bit of learning was very personal. Ouch! Use the back as much as possible.