Gravel trail with a road bike?

Only a few roads near my house have dedicated bicycle lanes and being a fairly new rider, I'm always looking for more bike friendly routes. I can easily add at least 10 miles to my routine loop--connecting one bicycle-friendly road to another--by traveling about 1.5 miles on a gravel fitness trail. I've used this trail many times before on my hybrid, but never on a road bike. I don't know the trail composition, but it's fairly-fine, packed gravel. Is this a wise move to consider? Thanks for your opinions!

hi, Traveling on gravel with skinny tires is tiresome. You should just try it to see if it's worth it. After 8 miles, my arms and neck were killing me from the vibrations
and I had to hang on tighter to steer too.

I find it stressfull. With every 'pop' of a chunk of gravel scooting out of the way, I'm afraid it's my tire.

We ride on gravel and rocky roads frequently out here in the country. Our tires are 700x28's and 700x25's, all with kevlar type flat belts, and they have no problem at all on very sharp rough stony gravel. Actually, I sort of get a kick out of picking my way through the scary lunar landscape for a mile or two between paved roads to avoid the worst stone 'daggers' that stick up...adds variety. :D Haven't had a flat from it yet...I've only had flats due to unseen glass shards on smooth paved roads. :rolleyes:

I think it just depends on how fine the gravel is and how hard packed it is. I've been on some that aren't much different from pavement, on some that have nearly shaken my teeth out, and some that are very scary because the gravel is very loose. It sounds like your trail might be OK--just give it a try.

I ride on gravel with 23s. I use slime tubes, so I don't worry too much about flats.

Veronica

I've done it on 700x23 race tires. I don't really like to do it (it's uncomfortable, unstable, and slow), but sometimes, I've had no choice. If the rocks are small and it's packed well, then that's not so bad.

Our path through the Santa Cruz Mountains has a about a 3 mile stretch through a trail that is gravel. I've ridden this on my road bike (23 tires) several times. I guess I have been mountain biking too much and expect my road bike to perform like a mountain bike. It does not exactly, but it is not as scary as I originally thought it would be. If it's a short stint, I say try it.

Road bikes do just fine on gravel!

I just did a road race in Louisiana (Rouge Roubaix) that included ~15 miles of gravel roads... sandy, slippery, deep gravel :eek: There were some wrecks, of course, but for the most part, people were inspired to ride harder on the gravel sections than on the paved road :D It was freakin' awesomely fun.

Once you get past the mindset of "road bikes may only be used on pavement," you're on the right track. I actually seek out gravel roads on my rides because they add some interest to an occasionally monotonous activity.

Tips:

• A slightly tougher tire is not a bad idea- I've used 23c Kenda C2Cs and 25c Conti Gatorskins with no issue.
• Carry two tubes/CO2s. You are slightly more likely to flat
• Unless you're on really slippery stuff, you may find that a slightly harder gear feels better.
• Just like on the pavement- Look ahead for potholes or stuff you don't want to run over, NOT down at the ground just in front of your wheel. Pretend like you've got blinders on to prevent you from looking down. Look where you want to go!
• If you start to slide a little or hit a deep spot, pedal harder to get out of it... DON'T slow down or grab the brakes (or look down)!

Have fun!!!

Thanks, everyone for your advice. I'll certainly give it a try--I think I'll know after a few feet whether it will work or not. My tires are 700 x 23.

It finally stopped raining here in Atlanta, so I intend to make the best of early spring weather. It felt so good to get out yesterday!

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Originally Posted by skinimini

Thanks, everyone for your advice. I'll certainly give it a try--I think I'll know after a few feet whether it will work or not. My tires are 700 x 23.

It finally stopped raining here in Atlanta, so I intend to make the best of early spring weather. It felt so good to get out yesterday!

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Give it more than a few feet. give it a couple blocks. the fact is, you can probably do it, the crux is; do you like doing it?

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

Give it more than a few feet. give it a couple blocks. the fact is, you can probably do it, the crux is; do you like doing it?

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+1

If you find you do like it (or at least don't mind) and you plan to make a habit of it, it wouldn't hurt to shield the entire bottom half of your frame with some of that nice static-cling plastic like people put on their chain-side chainstays or under motorcycle luggage.

Gravel will put all kinds of chips in your clearcoat, which is not a problem if you ride it as rarely as I do, but over time could get pretty ugly (and possibly even damage a carbon frame).

I'll definitely give the whole trail a try. Not only is it a way to get from point A to point B, it's also a really pretty trail, meandering along the river. My concern was not the bone jarring ride (I expect that). I'm just such a rule follower that I didn't want to do anything to damage the bike. I just need to lighten up a little and make sure I know how to change a flat tire! (That comes Sunday at the LBS)

I really appreciate all the suggestions!

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Originally Posted by Andrea

Tips:

• A slightly tougher tire is not a bad idea- I've used 23c Kenda C2Cs and 25c Conti Gatorskins with no issue.
• Carry two tubes/CO2s. You are slightly more likely to flat
• Unless you're on really slippery stuff, you may find that a slightly harder gear feels better.
• If you start to slide a little or hit a deep spot, pedal harder to get out of it... DON'T slow down or grab the brakes (or look down)!

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^^^ very good tips

My BF rode on a ton of gravel (huge, sharp rocks) last weekend. There were multiple flats in his group. He ripped a 3/4" hole in the sidewall of his tire. Road bikes can do it, but I'll just say it's not my favorite terrain. Hard pack dirt (with or w/out light gravel) is a lot easier IMO.

Another tip that I find helpful is to 1) stay seated, and 2) keep your weight back. The rear wheel is where you're going to feel the slips, so keep your weight on the saddle and keep going. I don't fly through gravel, because I don't want to remove all the paint from the underside of my bike, but it's like going through mud in that you need some constant speed to keep from slipping or getting stuck. Sitting back a bit will also help you loosen up your arms so that you aren't trying too hard to control the front end, and you won't get quite as much upper body fatigue from the rough ride.

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Originally Posted by skinimini

Thanks, everyone for your advice. I'll certainly give it a try--I think I'll know after a few feet whether it will work or not. My tires are 700 x 23.

It finally stopped raining here in Atlanta, so I intend to make the best of early spring weather. It felt so good to get out yesterday!

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Oh! Is it the trail over to Columns Drive? I know lots of folks who do that on road bikes. Won't be a problem at all!

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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

Oh! Is it the trail over to Columns Drive? I know lots of folks who do that on road bikes. Won't be a problem at all!

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I've got a really nice route that I did back in the fall around the Riverside/Heard's Ferry/Northside Drive area. It's got everything-big hills, little hills, no hills and I don't have to get in the car to go. The Interstate North Parkway entrance to the Chattahoochee River NRA is only a couple of miles from my house. Great, close entrance to Columns Drive (flat 2.6 mi paved road with bike lanes that parallels the river).

Great suggestions everyone--It's a sunshiny day, so I think I'll stop talking and head out. I'll let you know how it goes.

There's a ride up there that I do too - it's marked with an arrow and six dots - looks like a guitar head. It loops around N. Side, Riverside, Heard's Ferry - it's a great route, but a few of the marks have been paved over - great new pavement, but no marks on the turns. It's about 30 miles - good stuff, but not much flat.

I guess I'm the only one that wouldn't recommend it. I have had to ride on gravel, hard packed dirt, with lots of ruts and stones quite a few times, especially in the Berkshires, on my 23cc tires. I really hate it. You have to go really slow and I am constantly worrying that something bad will happen; not a flat, but a crash. Last fall, we did a new route in NH and we didn't realize one of the roads was about 2 miles of dirt. Calling it jarring is not a strong enough word.
If I wanted to do that kind of riding, I'd take my hybrid or mountain bike...

Just one last tip - make sure your tyres are properly inflated, with the recommended psi in them.
Riding gravel on under-inflated tyres won't do your rims much good.

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Originally Posted by tofu

I find it stressfull. With every 'pop' of a chunk of gravel scooting out of the way, I'm afraid it's my tire.

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Ditto. I don't even like riding over some gravel on the road but you can't dodge rain drops so I just ride over them anyway... :p I have visions of blown tires and me toppling to the ground ;)

The other day I thought my front tire had gone flat on my commuter but it was just my jacket rubbing in a weird way :p :D I was so relieved.

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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

There's a ride up there that I do too - it's marked with an arrow and six dots - looks like a guitar head. It loops around N. Side, Riverside, Heard's Ferry - it's a great route, but a few of the marks have been paved over - great new pavement, but no marks on the turns. It's about 30 miles - good stuff, but not much flat.

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I've never noticed the marks, but then I wasn't really looking for them. I'll look today when I go out. It's probably a very similar route.

So, I had a very nice ride yesterday, about 25 miles including the couple of miles on the gravel trail. If this trail weren't such a convenient access to a good, safe, bike-friendly route, I would avoid it with the road bike. Not bad, I avoided loose gravel, and potholes, a little rough, but getting to the other side was worth it. After all the hills around my house, the flat terrain is a welcome relief--but then I have to get home! Two long, big hills. Really slow going for me but I made it up both with the compact drivetrain. Good for me right?

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Originally Posted by tofu

I find it stressfull. With every 'pop' of a chunk of gravel scooting out of the way, I'm afraid it's my tire.

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Yeah, me too. It does appeal to the mtb'er in me though.

Skinimini, sounds like your ride was a success. Is it your new fav route?

I guess I'm going to be boring, but I do think it is my new, most favorite route. Did it again today, but added an extra loop on the end, so it put me to 30 miles. Interesting ride though!

Witnessed a huge argument with a young couple, so much so a couple of male joggers stopped to intervene:eek:

pot-smoking house painters, ;) hissing geese, one minor fall :( (I can't get used to these road shoes). The school bus finally convinced me I needed to head home--clicking in and out every 200 yards or so was not fun for my inexperienced, uncoordinated body.

I'm tired, my legs hurt, my back hurts, my hands hurt. . . I am such a winer.

Sooo, I'm doing it again tomorrow!

LOL! That make you a 'cross gal. ;)

You'll have to post or send me a link - sounds like a fun loop!

Pedal, I'll map the route and post it.

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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

You'll have to post or send me a link - sounds like a fun loop!

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Here's the link to mapmyride. First time mapping, so it's not perfect (the program added a little on the end through a neighborhood).


http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ga...23757960793023

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Originally Posted by skinimini

Here's the link to mapmyride. First time mapping, so it's not perfect (the program added a little on the end through a neighborhood).


http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ga...23757960793023

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Forget this link. When I went back to check, all sorts of additional points had been added. Way too confusing. When I get this figured out, I'll repost.

We ride the Katy Trail in Missouri on street bikes all the time (700x23). It's small pea gravel. Give it a shot. It will slow you down a bit, and is stressful at first--but just relax. Occasionally some deep gravel can be "loose" but just pedal through. The scenery makes it worth it.

I rode part of the Katy Trail in MO 2 summers ago on my road bike, pulling my dog in the baby trailer! I might have gone faster if it weren't 102 degrees that August!

Karen

gee, Skinnymini, you are doing really well!

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...23766354557516

I hope this link works. I'm such a non-techie, it's excruciating. I know it really doesn't help anyone outside the Atlanta area, but thought I would post anyway.

I think I overdid it this week--my legs are so tight and sore this evening. I only managed about half the trek today. I'm definitely taking a day of rest tomorrow.

Biciclista, has Spring arrived in the PNW? My son lives in Olympia, but I haven't talked to him in a few days.

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Originally Posted by Tuckervill

I rode part of the Katy Trail in MO 2 summers ago on my road bike, pulling my dog in the baby trailer! I might have gone faster if it weren't 102 degrees that August!

Karen

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Last fall, we saw a couple pull up to our favorite coffee house off the Katy. As we watched they pulled TWO (not small) dogs out of the baby trailer! What a riot!

OH, and the best part of gravel? You feel like a rocket when you get back on the pavement. I suspect it's good training (increased resistance).

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Originally Posted by skinimini

I'll definitely give the whole trail a try. Not only is it a way to get from point A to point B, it's also a really pretty trail, meandering along the river. My concern was not the bone jarring ride (I expect that). I'm just such a rule follower that I didn't want to do anything to damage the bike. I just need to lighten up a little and make sure I know how to change a flat tire! (That comes Sunday at the LBS)

I really appreciate all the suggestions!

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No need to worrry on that, it won't hurt the bike. As far as riding on the bike, it'll help if you can ride 'relaxed' and keep more of your weight low on the bike. Don't try to fight the bike. It's sort of a mtn bike thing, but it's how you can get through sand and gravel. I take my road bike w/ 23s on it on a 2-track trail to get between a couple roads. Also over some pretty rough gravel. No issues. Just right relaxed and moderate pace. A bit of momentum can be helpful.

I do a lot of CX and mtb riding as well. Some of my road riding mates believe that my motto is 'no ride is complete w/o a bit of gravel road' :p

Just remember, gravel is LESS scary the faster you go.