Gravel trail with a road bike?

**Biciclista** · 03-17-2009, 03:35 PM

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.

**Karma007** · 03-17-2009, 04:36 PM

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

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 03-17-2009, 05:07 PM

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.

Haven't had a flat from it yet...I've only had flats due to unseen glass shards on smooth paved roads.

**Aint Doody** · 03-17-2009, 05:07 PM

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.

**Veronica** · 03-17-2009, 05:46 PM

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

Veronica

**aicabsolut** · 03-17-2009, 06:17 PM

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.

**andtckrtoo** · 03-17-2009, 07:01 PM

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.

**Andrea** · 03-18-2009, 05:55 AM

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

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

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!!!

**Ana** · 03-19-2009, 05:58 AM

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.

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...

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

I was so relieved.

**sundial** · 03-19-2009, 08:36 AM

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.

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?

**skinimini** · 03-19-2009, 03:10 PM

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

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!

**sundial** · 03-19-2009, 03:28 PM

LOL! That make you a 'cross gal.

**Pedal Wench** · 03-19-2009, 04:18 PM

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

**skinimini** · 03-20-2009, 10:17 AM

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

**skinimini** · 03-20-2009, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

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

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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