Gravel/unmade surfaces - tips?

[hebe]

I have found a bridleway/track that I want to ride. Most of it is shingle/gravelled surface, it's an established right of way and has a couple of climbs (I did them on foot without getting out of breath) . Then at least part of the downhill stretch is unmade, though I haven't walked that section yet. It's just over a mile long and I think at least 2 metres wide. It's marked on the map as a "byway open to all traffic", but I'd be surprised to see a car on it. I think there might be occasional agricultural traffic at the other end, as the track runs by a farm.

Any tips for beginners on gravel/unmade tracks? I did some trail riding years back but always on the flat. My bike is a comfort hybrid with fairly chunky tires. Thank you.

[Trek-chick]

With the larger tires, you should be fine on gravel roads. I ride my Trek 520 touring bike with 32mm tires on dirt roads all the time with no issues. Mine is a steel frame, and that helps soak up the bumps pretty well.

[m.eliza]

Just be careful if there are any downhill curves. Remember to brake before the turn and not during, to avoid sliding.

[hebe]

Thank you! You are all so helpful. What I didn't say is that there isn't a single curve or bend that I can see, other than possibly one right at the very end once it's flattened out again. I'm going to try to check that end out today, if I can coax a reluctant toddler out of the house.

It's such a gorgeous path, I was looking back onto a white horse carved into the distant hills, and my girl was picking up hazelnuts from the ground.

[OakLeaf]

Depending on how loose the surface is, you may want a little less air in your tires than you use on pavement.

When you need to brake, brake with the rear first, and feather the front brake gently. Losing traction in the front is a likely crash.

Downshifting before you come to a stop will make starting easier, since you don't have as much traction in the rear either.

Have fun! It sounds really pretty.

[maillotpois]

When you need to brake, brake with the rear first, and feather the front brake gently. Losing traction in the front is a likely crash.

Snort - and slightly OT: Like the first time I had to ride my Ducati on a muddy hilly dirt road. I struggled for several miles and almost lost it several times. I had never ridden a motorcycle on dirt before. Then FINALLY my DH says in the headset "Use the rear brake only!" (which I rarely use on the road). You'd think he could have told me that BEFORE we got on the dirt/mud road.

And it does sound like a lovely path!

[hebe]

Updating this as I've now ridden this bridleway!

Well I think my fell-running past may have led to me underestimating this slightly. The first climb caught me out and I walked for a bit, then got back on and made it up the rest of the hill The shingle covering didn't cover all the path and my tyre tread filled up with mud. I had to stop to take a twig out of a mudguard. The unmade section was rutted agricultural track, I rode down the top of one of the bumps, if that makes sense. The last section was a one-lane tarmaced hill with passing places that services some local allotments. I went down it feathering my brakes all the way, can't believe how fast it felt! I did a mile or so on the MUP on the other side of the trail then came back. I had to give up on the tarmaced hill but did manage the rest without stopping. There were a few bends that I hadn't remembered too I had such a blast though, it really took me back to my fell-running days. I'm now really thinking that rather than trying to find routes to the shops that I would be better served exploring the wealth of off-road opportunities that are virtually on my doorstep.

Thank you so much for all the advice, it was all much appreciated and I'll be re-reading this before I do the path again, hopefully on Friday or Tuesday.

[hebe]

I rode this again today, on my way to deliver a dvd to my bicycle instructor. It's definitely getting easier, I got much further up the initial hill before stopping, and coming back I got within a few metres of the top of the tarmaced hill. I think I should crack it in the next couple of weeks as I'm at the point where my nerve is failing rather than my legs. Today I learned that going up a hill in too low a gear is almost as hard work as going up a hill in too high a gear. But I got out of my granny gear on the tarmac!

[malkin]

It sounds lovely!
Walking is not shameful and nor are low gears!

[Bike Writer]

Hebe, sounds like you are having a lot of fun while getting stronger and exploring too. You alluded to gear choice on hills and that is something I also struggle with, finding the sweet spot at the sweet or appropriate moment.

I guess it's a matter of trial and error to find what works best. I agree with Malkin, walking up a hill or a portion of a hill is not shameful. At some point with continued effort you will conquer that hill.