How To Ride Dirt And Gravel On A Road Bike

Gravel riding has become increasingly popular and with good reason - it's super fun! Find out how to ride the rough stuff with these tips.

You'd be surprised just how resilient road bikes are when it comes to taking on dirt roads. Matt and Simon climbed 8km of gravel on the Colle Delle Finestre on 23mm tyres. But the more time you want to spend off the beaten track, the more we'd recommend something in the region of a 28 or 30mm width.

Aside from equipment, technique becomes all the more important on loose surfaces. Keeping a smooth pedalling action will help you maintain traction - staying in the saddle is often the best idea.

Scanning ahead for the best line and braking smoothly in advance of corners will vastly decrease the chances of your wheels washing out from beneath you.

Music:
Real Fur - Birds (Instrumental)

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[shuveshek]

2:00 Matt and Si needs to feature on next week's extreme corner.. That was some awesome "shouldering"

[THEGEEK]

missed out dropping tyre psi for additional grip

[cduc]

I think the 'Presenter's bikes' videos will need some updating guys? :)

[wesofx]

1:57
That's why I love group-rides.
Dicking around on bikes is 99% of the fun.

[jasonpeckman]

Ah, now I know why I'm no good on gravel. I can't grow a decent a beard.

[OnajTamo]

A beard will protect you from chin punctures. I haven't had to replace my chin ever since I have grown my beard :P-

[BlueLn]

Good video, our State Road Race Championship here in Idaho has a couple miles of dirt that's basically a 70/30, sand/gravel non-packed mix. I know I'll be pulling this video up next year to try and hopefully ride it better than I did this year.

[ClarkyXPH]

Well done boys. Just in time for Melbourne dirty dozen 2015 this Sunday in warburton victoria including some unsealed roads for the first time.

[perieka]

Would love to see GCN riding the Dirty Kanza, Rebecca's Private Idaho or even the Hilly Billy Roubaix or IronCross! No 28 mm tires there. 38s, 40s...

[richardnick]

These are indeed some useful tips for this years L'Eroica in Chianti on the Strade Bianche.

[bee_whisper]

i never knew gcn liked alien so much they decided to use a ridley, scott : -D

[pctimber]

I just watched Dan jump a mountain bike on GMBN, but  I was more surprised by his enthusiastic high fives.  Nice one mangina

[jeremysweeten]

Surprised that there wasn't mention of rocks chipping the frame/tubes. Great idea is the clear tape Si mentioned in his "How to Make Your Bike Look Pro" video.

[TheWaxChainFanClub]

Seems I had been taking the advice of taking the paths most travelled when choosing girlfriends.

They didn't always appreciate me riding dirt and gravel.

[alarmedd]

This has to be my faviorute cycling surface:).

[juditheneric]

This is really "Out the comfort zone"... I like it.
But, honestly .. I think some mountain bike skills are in order.
On the parts when it goes downwards get your weight at the bike upright, body in the curve. It is slippery....

I missed the part on puncture resistance.... BIG WIDE tires and less pressure will help you.
When riding a race bike, perhaps a 28 mill and put on the winter wheels....

But, in the end. It is just fun. And i really enjoyed he way you guys present it.

Matt is my favourite.... Maybe just we got the same age?

Cheers, from Holland, land of mountains....

[jrgali]

Looks like GCN start Cross country training. Does Matt prepares a new CX competition haha ?

[schapferriday]

Very useful, my town is like a labrynth of gravel, pot holes, and the occasional lustrous few cm of unbroken Tarmac

[taliaarad]

would love a video dedicated to out-of-saddle riding. dos and dont's, when why and how...

[WilxCyclingMutt]

Nice skid, Matt! You deserve an award and it's called "Worst Gregory Baugé moment" Yay! 😑