Road biker wants to overcome gravel & dirt allergies

[Zapf]

An experienced road biker needs / wants to over come gravel / dirt allergie. (every time I fell off my road bike was due to gravel)

How?

Buy a 250cc dirt bike and get coaching?

Anyone know of any good coachs in Auckland area?


Thanks

[Gremlin]

You've got an NC700, nicely positioned weight etc. In your position I'd simply try for some dual purpose tyres (not road tyres with big grooves) and start with easy gravel roads, then gravel roads with more gravel, and so on. Like road riding, you don't have a death grip on the bars and you must accept the bike will move around. I simply just did more and more and gained practise, built up the skills etc.

Other option is a dirt bike. Costs more, but then you don't scratch the shiny bike. Or find someone you know that has a dirt bike, ideally a place to practise, and give it a go (ask Danny at Botany Honda actually, they run the Ardmore events I think). Dirt bikes don't usually mind falling over, unless you're trying to flip them at high speed.

Once you can actually ride on gravel roads, consider joining NGARNZ (http://www.northerngraveladventureridersnz.com/) and the cruisy group normally just does gravel roads. Like anything, practise is the key.

Also remember that coming to a complete stop is more difficult as there is more gravel, as it rolls around underneath you.

[FJRider]

Borrow a dirt bike for a weekend off road. Get to feel like what it feels like when the rear (or front) tyre steps out. It doesn't need to be high speed stuff either.

I wont say it's easy learning ... or ... it wont hurt. (Wear off road armour) But it MAY save your life when your intention is not going off road. Off road skills help ON the road. Thats why The old MOT trained ALL their officers on dirt bikes FIRST.

[Ender EnZed]

How?

Give it more gas.

[unstuck]

Spend as much time as you can on gravel, I grew up throwing bikes and cars around on the gravel roads that used to surround albany. I think you just get a real feel for what is going on with your bike. Confidence would be the biggest hurdle I think. Good luck and safe riding.

[Waihou Thumper]

Give it more gas.

​Really helpful aren't ya?

[george formby]

I know where your coming from but even learning the techniques on a light bike will still have you cracking walnuts on a big bike.
Go find someone with a dirt oriented bike & have a play somewhere. If you can afford coaching do it! Nothing better than a good teacher who can imprint the skills into you.
With regard to getting out the poo when hitting gravel on the road, off road skills offer no guarantee. If your to fast, your to fast but at relatively modest speeds reacting correctly, instantly, can save the day.
I reckon the more varied your riding the better. Look at the success of dirt track racers in MotoGP or Trials riders in Extreme Enduro. The more skills the better.
I do believe Chris Birch is holding some clinics next month but they are probably booked out. He knows a thing or to. Also one of the writers for Kiwirider who's name escapes does regular clinics.
Oh, again, if you can afford it, having a trailie sat in the garage next to your road bikes is the height of biking pleasure.

[gijoe1313]

Good on ya Zapf, know the battle you have been going through due to the gravel issues! Have courage and have a go!

[george formby]

Good on ya Zapf, know the battle you have been going through due to the gravel issues! Have courage and have a go!

Yup. Feel the fear & get off the rails. The G/F has gone from being a shaking wreck to a happy little blipper on gravel with practice & a bit of training.

[Akzle]

pussy. the 919 will see you right on gravel. just learn to ride.

[Zapf]

Give it more gas.

Tried.... Hornet was so sideways I can't keep the front wheel pointed where I wanted to go. Slide to a stop and put it down I did.

Confidence would be the biggest hurdle I think.

Yes.... the moment I hit gravel I have this urge to slow down or stop

I do believe Chris Birch is holding some clinics next month but they are probably booked out. He knows a thing or to.

Been in touch with Chris, I need a dirt bike first they said.

Good on ya Zapf, know the battle you have been going through due to the gravel issues! Have courage and have a go!

Oh yea.... hope I come out the other end better!



Anyone in / around Auckland have a Dual purpose I can borrow / rent?

[Ocean1]

if you can afford it, having a trailie sat in the garage next to your road bikes is the height of biking pleasure.

Is true. Getting a dirt bike out regularly for a bit of training adds good solid reaction skills to your road skills suite. Think you do need someone to set you up with some training drills first, though.

[R650R]

Best thing to do is find a dirt road and go ride it by yourself. That way your not worried about keeping up with someone faster or looking your mirrors at someone that wants to pass. Start slow and just ride, you'll naturally get faster and confident with time. Probably been lucky down this way that on any journey there was always a major set of roadworks or realignment to negotiate so you leared hard and fast whether you liked it or not. Really its not much different to being on a wet road, just be aware that on the deep stuff the front end will sledge a bit road or dirt bike. And as someone else said more gas is always good.
Did you analyse the other crashes, perhaps you did as many of us had in early days and panicked and grabbed a handfull of front brake which even on the tarmac can be an off. Just go for slow rides and put the kms in.

[Padmei]

The only advice I will give is that narrow gravel roads with tight corners are dangerous whether you're an arse sliding cornering pro or nervous novice. If there is only two tyre tracks & you are riding in the left hand side one then you have to be aware that the 4wd coming round the blind corner will also have its' wheel in it too.
Just ride sensibly is what I'm getting at.

I personally found learning on gravel easier when I put my mp3 player on. The music relaxed me & made my riding style not so nervous.

[Motu]

Apart from the suspension, a dirt bike is not needed for gravel, and a well set up road bike has some advantages, like a lower CG and more weight on the front wheel. Bars, tyres and a seat you can move around on....I'm happier on this than on a dirt bike.