That’s literally how my first gravel ride started. We hired some bikes and went on a popular trail in the lower parts of the local mountain. Now, to be honest, I already knew the route. I’ve been there quite a few times riding my MTB. And since I also ride a road bike, I was expecting something similar to riding a road bike on mountain bike paths. Oh, how foolish of me. Little did I know this ride would change my entire perspective on cycling as a whole.
Some background
I’ve been an avid XC rider for quite some time now. Depending on my schedule, I regularly join amateur races and ride 3 to 4 times weekly. And since XC demands endurance and cadence, road cycling is also there in the mix. Still, gravel has eluded my attention for quite some time. So when a friend offered to hire some bikes and test them out, I was all up for that experience. And let me tell you, once you go gravel riding, your next bike will be a gravel bike.
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First impression
When we got the bikes, we had about 10 km on asphalt to get to the start of the gravel path. It took me precisely 10 seconds to get used to the bike. I expected it to be the same as a road bike but the geometry was much more relaxing. It was not as aerodynamic but it felt much more stable on the road. The dropper bars were also a bit strange on the first grip. They went outwards and I felt like I was on a weird MTB.
The inferior aerodynamics also became quite obvious pretty soon. I was pushing at my regular cadence for a road bike but the speed was far slower.
Regardless, I was extremely excited about the path. After all, we didn’t get this bike to ride on the roads.
I’m more than aware of what it’s like climbing steep hills on unstable surfaces. When you have to push a 14 kg bike along with yourself, it’s not fun. The gravel bike, however, was significantly lighter than my MTB and I couldn’t wait to test it on a steep climb.
The gravel path
Once we hit the gravel, I instantly understood what the fuss was all about. The sensation of feeling each tiny rock under your bike was just glorious. It felt much like riding a road bike off-road but with the stability of an MTB. Well, not exactly. Cornering on dirt and loose gravel with these tiny tyres was panic-inducing, to say the least. Sure, they were bigger than on a road bike but when you’re used to a 57 mm tyre, going down to a 40 mm is definitely a huge change.
So, yeah, even though I knew the path pretty well, it was like riding it for the first time.
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It took me at least 3 hours to finally start cornering with a bit more confidence. Though the tyres had a pretty good grip, it was the different body position that took me by surprise. I’m not ashamed to say that I had to bail a few times while trying to take one of the looser corners with my usual position and speed. Then, I watched a few YouTube videos, and I got it. Lean backwards so the front tyre won’t dig in. After a few practice runs and a couple more bails, it all fit perfectly.
Picking the lanes
Picking the lanes was also a bit tricky, especially since I already had established lanes with my MTB. Yeah, those don’t work with gravel. You must avoid all large rocks; you’ll otherwise run over with your 29×2.3 tyres. Moreover, you don’t have the stability of your flat bar, which is also a bit intimidating at first. Still, once you get used to it, riding on the droppers is pretty awesome albeit a bit terrifying on steeper descents. It almost feels like you will fall over the bike.
So, yeah, you can’t tackle the same DH sections as you would with a regular XC bike but still, the gravel bike can do it all – with a bit of fine-tuning of your body, of course.
The speed
Now, that’s what I’m talking about. The speed was out of this world. It’s like riding a road bike but off-road. It’s light, it’s fast, and once you get used to it, it’s pretty agile. So, it’s like you’re rushing down a steep downhill but at the same time, you are gaining elevation. I mean, riding a 6-7% incline with 12 kph is simply awesome. It lifts you, quite literally, like nothing else can.
The downside
Of course, a few things didn’t feel so good. First and foremost – it was the constant bumping. Sure, it’s pretty cool to feel the road under your wheels but your butt starts crying for mercy after a couple of hours of constant bumping. You quickly begin to appreciate the suspension of your MTB and the smoothness of the asphalt after your hands become numb from the constant tremors. But still, I’ll admit, the path we chose was a bit on the harder side.
Gravel is my new obsession
Just like most people who tested gravel bikes, I was also instantly hooked. However, I’d like to see how it will feel when I’m riding my own bike. For 200 km. With a more comfortable seat. And pedals. But that’s a story for another time. And yes, that’s the beauty of cycling. It seems like it’s all the same at first glance but it’s an entirely different sport. Now, all I need is a new bike.
