Gravel road tips for a road bike

[fishb8nz]

Although I've covered a fair bit of tarmac, I'm nervous when riding on gravel roads. Recently rode from Awakino to Marakopa after being assured it was sealed all the way through. He was partly right but I still had 45 km of gravel. I felt a bit more confident after that but still need more experience.

What tips can you give me. (BMW F650CS)

[kiwifruit]

relax
go with the flow

[Transalper]

Keep that belt drive away from the stuff unless you have backup.
One stone in the wrong place and you could be pushing, seen it happen with a belt driven Buel once.

[Karma]

Don't go too fast, but not too slow either... try and keep as upright as possible in corners. That's about how I do it.

[Mr. Peanut]

Be smooth with the throttle, if you come off it too fast you'll load up the front end and shit yourself.

Use the camber of the road to the best of your ability, and relax. Look where you want to go.

You might find after a short stint on gravel, your road riding abilities are increased!

[Trudes]

Oh golly, I'm with you, I avoid gravel like the plague, but unfortunately there are times when you just have to ride through it. I'm no expert and every bike could need you do different things, but what I've been told to do and have done so far with no incidents (touch wood) is:
put as much weight on your feet as you can (not sure about actually standing up on pegs though);
loose grip on bars, relax your arms;
look as far ahead as you can;
smooth throttle control;
avoid deep looking gravel, try to stick to the the car wheel run marks where the gravel is likely to be a bit harder packed;
and what I've found works (again, not sure if this is the correct 'riding in gravel' thing to do, but has worked for me so far), if you need to slow down cause you're going down hill etc, don't use front brake but trail the back brake slightly, just enough to slow you down but not hard enough to actually upset the bikes balance or stop you.
Please feel free to correct me anyone, as I would also like more tips for gravel riding, so I don't freak out everytime I get to road works!

[Transalper]

What they said and... momentum and gentle acceleration are helpful, let the bike move about under you, it needs to do it, if you fight it ya wobbles will get worse.

PLUG equates it to a waltz ... ya bikes ya dance partner ... hold it tight & ridged & ya toes get stood on ... hold it gental & sence the flow ... you'll dance better than you ever imagined.

Check this out... It's gravel riding in Africa, some of it might be useful. As always some will be subject to opinion. (it gets more interesting under the picture of the man riding the old BMW)

[ArcherWC]

As per all vehicles on gravel, keep it loose, dont be too harsh on the front brake, and if in doubt, gas it out.

It can actually be fun riding on the loose stuff once you get used to the loose feeling

[Trudes]

Oh yeah, forgot, changing down to a gear that will keep you moving smoothly but is low enough that if you have to accelerate you can and you can use engine braking.
That's a good read there Transalper!

[inlinefour]

Although I've covered a fair bit of tarmac, I'm nervous when riding on gravel roads. Recently rode from Awakino to Marakopa after being assured it was sealed all the way through. He was partly right but I still had 45 km of gravel. I felt a bit more confident after that but still need more experience.

What tips can you give me. (BMW F650CS)

Had a 04 DRZ400 adventure bike prior to becoming a paraplegic, have since sold it due to now being unable to use it. The most un-nerving feeling I got back from the feel of the bike was the fact that the frount tyre would semi-constantly move a few inches either side from the small rocks on the shingle/gravel roads. Once I got used to that feeling I found that the DRZ had enough useable power/torque (in fact some said it had too much for a 400cc) and was light enough (unaware of exact weight) that I could fang it around some courners sideways, others have also said I have also been watched doing the same on organised rides on the sealed road (I did not really notice as I was having so mauch fun at the time).
I am currently on the 2nd DVD of "Long Way Round" and believe IMO that is one of the best faking things I have ever viewed! I am now dissapointed that I never tried one of those BMW bikes before having my spinal cord injury...

[terbang]

All off the above unless your bike has a steering damper (then stick to the seal or get a trailie), and try bias yer weight towards the rear. Have fun with the roosts...

[mazz1972]

As per all vehicles on gravel, keep it loose, dont be too harsh on the front brake, and if in doubt, gas it out.

It can actually be fun riding on the loose stuff once you get used to the loose feeling

It's that feeling I can't get used to! If I tried to gas it out I know I would become rather quickly aquainted with the ground surface. So like others have suggested here....smooth acceleration. Also I've been told to shift my weight back further so more weight is over the back of the bike (this is coming from a long trail rider so guess he knows what he's saying!). Seems to be a bit easier to control that way.

Good luck!!

[bart]

Relax your arms as much as possible, and don't be afraid to let the ass end do a bit of the steering. Not too much front brake. Do all your braking before the corner then and keep the power on.

Works for me

[RedKLR650]

Although I've covered a fair bit of tarmac, I'm nervous when riding on gravel roads. Recently rode from Awakino to Marakopa after being assured it was sealed all the way through. He was partly right but I still had 45 km of gravel. I felt a bit more confident after that but still need more experience. What tips can you give me. (BMW F650CS)

Here's an idea to get you used to loss of traction in gravel

Find a straight quiet shingle / gravel back road with a fairly severe camber, sit on the left had side, get to a speed you are comfortable with, and twist the throttle.......

..... Yes, the back wheel will cut loose, and slide to the left, but as soon as yopu ease foo, it will straighten up again, so give it another wee tweek etc, and continue repeating until you are comfortable with the concept, then if the road is remote and empty, try riding in the other lane and sliding to the right.

A few hours of this, and you'll think you're a stuntman !!! :-)

From someone that lives for shingle

Stu

[NordieBoy]

What I've recently learned...
Weight forward!
Don't worry about the back end.
Keep yourself upright and lean the bike a bit.
As you go into a corner and lean the bike the front will slip a bit and you will not like that but after the apex (to start with) wind the throttle on a bit (to start with) and the front will lighten up with the power/weight transfer and the bike will go where it's ment to - it will feel right.

I knew all the theory but my right wrist didn't want to have anything to do with it.
One day I decided to just do it no matter what my wrist thought and it fcukin works!

After 10 years of gravel corner panic I found out what fun it can be just after the Dusty Butt

I now look for gravel everywhere