Travel the Roads Less Pedaled … 5 Reasons Why Gravel Grinding Might Be the Sport for You
Whether you’re considering cycling for the first time or you’re a seasoned road cyclist looking for roads less pedaled, gravel grinding is a great sport for getting outdoors, staying in shape and finding peace within yourself.
What is Gravel Grinding?
Most people are familiar with two types of cycling. Traditional road cyclists ride lightweight bikes with skinny tires designed to roll fast on smooth asphalt roads. Mountain bike enthusiasts ride heavier bikes with suspension and wide, knobby tires designed for rugged terrain, gravity-defying jumps and epic downhill descents.
Between these two groups, is the increasingly popular sport of gravel grinding. Generally, gravel bikes may be slightly heavier than road bikes, but they’re still considerably lighter than mountain bikes. Gravel tires are wider than road tires and usually include smaller knobs to provide grip and traction on moderately rough terrain. Still, gravel tires are narrower and less knobby than mountain bike tires. Gravel bikes do not traditionally have suspension features like mountain bikes, but the rising popularity of gravel riding means that bike builders are finding ways to integrate suspension elements into newer gravel bike models.
Gravel grinders shun asphalt whenever possible. They favor less-traveled roads surfaced with gravel of all sizes, broken-up blacktop, river rock, sand, and single-track nature trails. For these reasons and more, gravel bikes make an excellent, all-around riding choice for mixed-surface cycling, commuting and bikepacking.
5 Reasons to Try Gravel Grinding
Here are five reasons why gravel grinding might be the perfect sport for you.
A Healthy Lifestyle
It goes without saying that traditional cycling can be an intense workout for your legs and cardiovascular system. In fact, many cyclists find that cycling is a great way to build resiliency against asthma and other health issues. Gravel grinding goes a step further by including the muscle groups necessary to successfully negotiate the constantly changing terrain. There are times when you might have to hike with your bike on your back to get through otherwise impassable paths.
Furthermore, maintaining your diet in a way that provides adequate energy levels to fuel your rides can lead to healthier, more mindful eating habits. Cycling can build strong, fat-burning muscles in your back, legs and glutes, which leads to increased calorie-burning potential.
As you become more active and begin eating healthier, gravel grinding and other physical activities may become more addicting and rewarding!
There’s Less Traffic
A major concern for road cyclists is sharing the road with vehicles and drivers who often neglect to give the same respect to cyclists as they would another vehicle. Indeed, many drivers believe cyclists should stick to the sidewalk, though this is actually illegal in most urban areas. The sheer number of cyclists injured or killed each year is enough to make you think twice about choosing traditional cycling as a hobby.
Riding gravel and dirt roads means you’re sharing the road with fewer cars. Additionally, cars traveling on smaller roads are going slower than vehicles on highways and main streets. Drivers on rural roads tend to pay more attention and will often make a point to slow down and provide ample space for cyclists as they pass by.
There is, however, one major downside to riding less-populated roads. County and Farm-to-Market roads are regularly patrolled by unsecured dogs and other animals with mixed intentions. Some just want to happily tag along for the few moments that you’re in their corner of the world. Others seem ready to plow straight through you and your bike. Learning when and how to safely navigate around dogs, hogs and other animaols is a necessary skill for gravel grinders.
There’s More Adventure
When I began riding gravel, I was instantly connected back to my childhood, when my friends and I would hop on our bikes and ride out in search of adventure. We gave our bikes cool names, imagined tall tales about good guys and bad guys as we rode through the neighborhood, and challenged each other to ridiculous stunts.
You never know what you’ll come across while riding rural roads. Undeveloped and unmapped trails, washed-out bridges and creek crossings, and former railroad beds converted to nature trails are all par for the course. Gravel grinders inevitably learn the art of carrying their bike through the muckiest mud and water too deep to ride through … all while looking for the nearest opportunity to hop back on the bike.
Nonetheless, whether I’m riding with friends or on my own, there’s rarely a time when I can’t feel my inner child giggling as I race down single-track paths, negotiate a perilous turn or roll up to a lake shore for a scenic rest stop before hitting the road again in search of the next thrill.
Except, now it’s my wife who gave my bike a cool name. She’s got jokes, so she named my bike Jolene, in reference to the Dolly Parton song.
“Jolene, Jolene. Jolene, Jole-eeene … I’m begging of you please, don’t take my man.”
Speaking of Adventure … There’s Always Bikepacking
Another draw to gravel grinding is the ability to go bikepacking. Exactly what it sounds like, bikepacking is when you set out for an off-road adventure with nothing more than what can be carried on yourself and your bike. Self-supported bikepackers can set off for multi-day adventures with only a small tent, a few provisions and a bike repair kit.
A growing network of interstate routes such as the TransAmerica Trail leading from Oregon to Virginia, and intercontinental routes like the Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail leading from Canada down to the U.S./Mexico border, make it easier than ever to plan a legendary adventure far from the hustle and bustle of major cities.
The Scenery is Unmatched
There’s no denying that we live in a culture increasingly hellbent on going as many places as possible, as fast as we can, while rarely taking time to notice the beauty around us.
Riding your bike down unpaved roads gives you time to see things others might miss in a car, not to mention the scenery on roads you can’t travel by car. You’ll find roads you never knew existed. You’ll see quirky houses and stunning landscapes that you’ve never noticed. You’ll have time to appreciate the simple beauty of a hay meadow. Horses gallop alongside you and birds fly with you. You’ll feel yourself gently blend into the scenery in a state of zen-like tranquility as you flow along with nature.
What Are You Waiting For?
Gravel grinding is a great sport for individuals, families, and groups of friends who enjoy physical activity coupled with outdoor adventure. So, hop on your bike and travel the roads less pedaled. You’ll be glad you did.
To learn more about off-road cycling, ask the folks at your local bike shop about local gravel rides, or search for gravel groups on your social media channels. You can also explore apps like RideWithGPS to discover popular gravel routes in your area.
