Where to start with gravel - the Complete Gravel 101!

Gravel riding has grown enormously in the last few years, thanks to the freedom if affords and the adventures it enables. Converts are coming from all the other bike disciplines, and other sports too. If you’re gravel curious then read on as we’ll explain all in this article, so that you can start full of confidence feeling ready to explore, from your back door or further afield.

What is gravel?!

Let’s start at the beginning! Gravel is a mix of road and mountain biking, allowing you to ride over an enormous range to surfaces - paved roads, hard-pack tracks and forest trails just for starters. This versatility makes a gravel bike the ideal choice for anyone looking for a do-it-all bike, that’s ready for adventure.

Why try gravel?

• Versatility
  Ride over almost any surface, from smooth tarmac to winding single tracks.

• Freedom
  Get off the beaten track and explore new places.

• Comfort
  A more confortable and ergonomic position than other bikes.

Which bike to choose?

Bike choice is crucial for your enjoyment, which is the whole point! A gravel bike is designed to be robust and versatile, and have larger tyres than a road bike for better grip, stability and comfort. If you’d like to go on overnight or multiway trips then you’ll need the attachment points for panier racks or bags to attach to your frame.

When choosing your first gravel bike, its important to bear a few things in mind:

• Your budget
  An important one! Gravel bike prices range massively, so its important to decide how much you can or want to invest in your bike from the start.

• Frame and components
  If comfort is your top priority, then a steel frame is for you. Aluminum is generally more reasonably priced so more accessible for those just starting out. If performance is your main goal then a carbon frame will be the ideal choice for you as it is stiff yet light. Don’t underestimate comfort however.
  
  The drivetrain transmits your effort to the the ground so it’s a really important consideration too. The main decision to start with is between a single (1by) or double (2by) chainrings up front. 1by usually needs a large cassette with a big range of gears at the back - it has less risk of your chain coming off and is simpler to maintain/clean. 2by will give you a larger range of gears with smaller increments between them, which comes in useful on very changeable terrain, but needs more maintenance. We went in depth on bike and drivetrain choices in a previous article here 👈.
  

• Tyre choice
  If you plan to ride mostly off road, a bike frame with large tyre clearance will give you the flexibility to have wide knobbly tyres, that can deal with what you throw at them. Tyre choice makes all the difference in terms of comfort and grip, and a gravel bike can take much wider tyres than a road bike - normally between 35-45mm. There’s a massive choice of tread patterns to complicate the process for you, but our handy tyre choice guide can help 👈

Find more detailed info and advice in our How to choose your first Gravel Bike article.

What kit will I need for riding gravel?

As well as a bike, there’s a few other essential items you’ll need before getting out on the trails:

• A helmet
  For your safety, obviously

• Sunnies
  To protect your eyes not just from the sun but the wind, dust, mud etc…

• Bike jersey
  A light and breathable t-shirt or bike jersey with in built pockets, ideally UV resistant.

• Padded bike shorts
  THE essential item to keep you confortable on your rides. If you’re worried about getting a sore nether region then we can help put your fears at bay in our How to minimise saddle discomfort article, which is crucial for enjoying your rides!

• Bike shoes
  Whether you choose to clip in to your pedals or stick to flats, shoes are one of your most important interfaces with your bike. Choose MTB style shoes for more comfort and better grip on the pedals, and make sure the shoe fits well and has room for your feet to swell a little in hot weather.

• Water bottle and bottle cage
  Must stay hydrated!

• Pump and repair kit
  Just in case you get a puncture.

• Bike bag
  Either under your saddle, or on your frame or handlebars to carry what you’ll need for your ride.

Ready for your first ride?

Rather than doing any old thing to start with, here’s a few handy tips so that your first rides are a success:

• Start with some short and easy-ish rides.
  If you gradually increase the distances you ride, you’ll reap the benefits in the long run. Try to ride regularly and test yourself on all the different surfaces you can. You can use route planning apps like komoot, ride with GPS and Visorando to plan and find routes to ride.
  

• Fuel yourself!
  Taking on food and water during a ride is crucial so that you make it home. Always have a snack on you and enough water - 2 bottles is ideal as you can have one with plain water and one with juice or energy drink. Listen to you body and give it a short break when it needs it.
  

• Know how to fix your bike.
  Learn how to change a puncture and tweak your brakes and gears as needed. Invaluable if you have a mechanical out in the middle of nowhere!
  

• Think of the environment.
  Be careful of dropping any wrappers etc, and think about using eco friendly chain lube and bike products. Be aware of other trail users such as hikers and horse riders so that everyone can enjoy the trails.
  

• Ride with friends or join a club.
  Riding with other people is a great way to keep motivated, find new routes and explore new places. Taking part in local events and following local groups on social media can widen your network of rides and riding buddies too. Not forgetting joining an organised group trip to meet like-minded cyclists to share the bike joy with.

Set off on your first bike trip with GravelUp!

Ready for adventure?

For your first gravel trip its a good idea to go somewhere with lots of route choice, so that you have variety and its not too challenging. In France we are blessed with plenty of places to choose from, with the Morvan, the Vosges and the Grands Causses offering beautiful landscapes and dream gravel trails. Further afield, Andalusia in Spain or around Oslo in Norway are great choices for friendly gravel tracks.

How long to go for?

For starters we recommend a trip of 2 - 5 days so you can used to your bike etc and see how you get on with too much pressure. Here at GravelUp we take care of everything to help you take your first pedal strokes into the world of bike packing, so you can concentrate on the important part - pedalling and enjoying the journey! We’ve carefully designed our gravel trips for all levels, with adaptable routes so that there’s something for everyone.

Routes and logistics

We’ve planned our routes with great care in conjunction with our local guides, who are best placed to share their region with you. Our trips are all inclusive, with comfy accommodation, delicious meals with sport in mind, a support van, bonus yoga and local speciality tastings, all led by one of our guides and our destination manager. We’ll even pick you up from the station or the airport, and transport your bags each day. So you just need to focus on the important things, like pedalling, relaxing and making the most of your trip!

You can find all our departures in our downloadable Trip Directory.

So what are you waiting for?!

Gravel riding is accessible for almost everybody, and is fun and exciting. With the right kit and a bit of preparation, you’ll be exploring new places with joy before you know it. Pushing yourself beyond what you thought was possible is often one of the highlights of any bike journey, and our trips are designed for all levels, to enable everyone to enjoy the adventure.

Book your trip now and experience the freedom of a bike adventure!