Should I Buy A Gravel Bike? Ride VLOG

I haven't had the itch to go gravel for a few years, but with motivation super low at the moment and the lend of a bike I thought it was time to see what all the fuss is about.

Gravel Cycling is one of those things I always thought looked better on YouTube or Instagram then in real life. Riding in pretty isolated parts by myslef is not something I really like doing, which is one of my hesitations.

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INSTAGRAM: @chrismiller27 @nerocontinental
TWITTER: @chrismiller @nerocontinental
BIKE: Devel Project A01
GROUPSET: Campagnolo
KITS: Rapha Custom
SERVICE & SUPPORT: Cycling Projects Racing

[anthonyhomercycling]

Really entertaining video!
For difficult times.
Thanks for making us have something to watch.

[rhyswilliams]

I recently moved to Copenhagen and set up a gravel bike for the winter months. There is no shortage of terrain a short distance north of town. The slower speeds and shelter of the forest roads are a welcome relief from the crazy wind!

[georgeleighton]

Gravel is the best! I got a gravel bike approx 3 months ago and love going out and exploring. Just head out, ride some roads, get lost and then ride back!

Also - check out Strava's new Explore feature on the app - perfect for finding new gravel roads.

[gauloisrefractaireenexilvo]

The No. 1 benefit of riding off road is the total peace of mind. I am now at the point where I am sick and tired of the reckless driving and Sunday's drivers stupidity. Like this morning, the moron who was driving through a major intersection in a sports car with one hand on the wheel while holding his pet onto his lap. This guy is a potential killer. Thank you for taking us around this gorgeous country side.

[AdamJStoryDC]

I'm in the U.S.A. and got a cyclocross bike but 99% of it's use is for gravel riding. My attitude changes when I'm on it. No intervals, no ego-testosterone-group ride-try to drop each other riding...just exploring. IMHO it's just a fun bike to ride, but when you look at the Roubaix versus Diverge...I think I'd rather buy a Roubaix and get an extra set of wheels and just swap out the wheels when you want to go gravel and have another set of wheels for the road, rather than a totally different bike ($$$)

[SILVERSNOWMAN]

That was a cool video Chris, the adventure aspect will always attract views. Dustin Klein does amazing gravel content. Its something different from the norm, we all need cheering up at the moment. Respect what your doing Chris, we love you in the UK.

[mathewrose]

My kids want to ride gravel this summer, so I bought one with the intention of getting some cheap shimano road shoes with them; putting old socks over nice road shoes to protect them was a revelation. Genius!

[davidlenneberg]

Most definitely heaps of value in just going off road to break up the monotony👍😊

[CritWhitTV]

Thanks for painting a gravel picture for me. The images were beautiful and your going off-road was amazing. The regrowth was breath-taking and I appreciated this video. Thx!!! 🕊

[Simon.Forrester]

Here in the UK I find it nice to jump on my cross bike and hit some difference terrain, gravel, woods, dirt track, it mixes things up a bit and freshens my mind as well as sharpening my bike handling, it’s a lot of fun also, brilliant content by the way, look forward to your posts, got to be my favourite on utube over the last 6 months 👌💪🦵👏👏

[kharlleegrafie]

We watched this video because we want to know how it feels while driving, fed up with the specs and everything haha subbed!

[nickobec]

Much like you, little motivation to ride. So dusted off the CX bike after 3 years, got to the end of the street and got reminded why I never went CX racing, bunny hopped a curb, burped my front tyre and down I went. Big advantage for me is 2 minutes from my house, is the local reserve with an 8 minute loop with a 2 minute climb, so hill repeats.

[spacehed]

I live in a big city in the UK, so there’s lots of traffic but what I have here is canal towpaths, so the Gravel bike works really well, especially as towpaths can go from pavement to single rooty track and everything in between. The bonus is I’m away from Cars, and I think that’s one of the real pleasures in Gravel. I know it’s not road biking of Mountain biking but it opens up a slightly different set of terrain to explore. Really enjoyed the video! Nice to see different perspectives on what gravel means.

[kevwells]

It is a holiday bike for me, something to do something different on. Take a holiday (from the roadie) but still train bike. I love going away with the gravel bike just being able to ride where ever I please. Allows you to go up steeper climbs, longer climbs, do more strength work with a bit of added fun. It really complements my riding because otherwise I'd be less likely to get out, it adds that needed spark to do something different.

[tubbytoast]

Gravel is just another part of cycling
And I think those things over your shoes use to be called ' Belgium booties '

[danmaduff]

Being a mixed adopter of Sweet Spot and Polarized training, I find one long, hard gravel grind a week helps me hit all the zones with plenty of Sweet Spot. Awesome way to up your CTL when you can't do a big group ride or race (as in during a pandemic). Of course, it's also super fun to scratch that adventure itch and get away from the road bike 1-2 times a week!

[jmunyard]

Great Video mate. I love to see how the area is recovering. I live down Nowra so I will steal this route.

[chiefrocker]

Been a roadie since 87', growing up in Sydney. Now in Vancouver, and while a die-hard roadie, this year I have decided to give gravel a go. Cyclocross and gravel is big here, only to see what the fuss is about. Btw.... What's a decent IPA in Sydney?, but not growing a beard.

[timdixo]

As a non racer I’m all in for Gravel.
Even tho gravel makes up less than 10% of my riding pie chart the comfort, versatility and safety of a high end gravel bike is addictive.
Chris, I’d go Groad with a top end Di2/Etap gravel bike mounted with 35-38c tubeless, still giving the paved road capability for exiting the Sydney city limits.

[paulhowell]

hello young man i will have you know that socks over your shoes when i raced and trained in the 80s 90s was standard practice to keep your feet warm in winter. great content as always chris best wishes