Riding on gravel roads

**smokeyging** · 23rd April 2008, 21:55

try and keep your bike in the wheelmarks made by the cars, if you end up on the loose gravel in the middle of the wheel marks be darned careful with your braking and cornering for its like being on ice or riding on ball bearings.

**xwhatsit** · 23rd April 2008, 23:04

Originally Posted by smokeyging

try and keep your bike in the wheelmarks made by the cars, if you end up on the loose gravel in the middle of the wheel marks be darned careful with your braking and cornering for its like being on ice or riding on ball bearings.

If you want to `change lanes' as it were (no, I don't mean surprise buttsex), give it a handful of throttle. Don't back off when you're in that kind of marbelly muck -- I made that mistake of closing the throttle on a dead straight piece of road (deep gravel), Motu was behind and called it a `moment', I called it a four letter word when the bike started ploughing a furrow and I had to put my foot down.

So there's another good idea -- wear some sturdy boots

**pjpnz** · 24th April 2008, 09:24

Number one tip: ALWAYS look where you want to go. You want to stay in the wheel tracks, so that is where to look.

If you look at the side of the road.... that's where you will head. Look where you want to go!!!

And go slow...

Enjoy!!

**Ryan432** · 27th April 2008, 22:46

The most valuble thing to me that I do when riding in gravel is to let the tryes down a bit, this improves handling 100%! Also as has been mentioned before keep the power on in the loose stuff or you lose control of where you want to go. Don't be afraid to put a foor down either a VTR can be ridden just like a dirt bike, once you get confident stand up and pin it!! My old GN used to handle the gravel like a dream. Just remember to take a foot pump to pump the tyres back up for the road or just ride slowly to a petrol station. Rember also to regrease any moving parts after water crossings.

**helenoftroy** · 28th April 2008, 00:19

Originally Posted by homer

once you get the feel for it ,its wicked fun .
i want another traill bike , a 600 650 i think ,
maybe a 400 dr even .
something to throw around the corners and that donuts easy .
a real fun bike .
question to anyone ?
will a 600 650 pull about 170 km 180 km
i want one that will

Geez homer!!stop drooling and get a trail bike

The Dark Side is fun

I believe some 650's(with the appropriate sproket)can pull 170kms......

Hijak,there was some good advice here-hope you got away over the weekend and conquered the shingle

**awayatc** · 28th April 2008, 01:15

anybody mention not to follow anybody......? unless you like eating dust...

**skidMark** · 28th April 2008, 01:41

Originally Posted by Hijak

So the long weekend is calling and the good weather seems to be sticking around for a bit so we can all get on two wheels.

My brothers going up to Tawharanui camping for the weekend and i was going to join him but ride my Hornet up there (as long as it's back from the garage in time)....

Problem: The last few k's to Tawharanui are all on an unsealed road, quite stoney, very dusty and a piece of piss and quite fun to drive in a car, but i'm sure on two wheels is very different.

Does anyone have any tips for riding on gravel roads or should it just be avoided if you don't have semi off road tyres etc.

Cheers

Jake

Balls...

...people without them, drift in cars.

**quallman1234** · 28th April 2008, 01:49

Avoid / be gentle on the front brake.

**skidMark** · 28th April 2008, 01:51

Originally Posted by quallman1234

Avoid / be gentle on the front brake.

What are brakes? They those thingys that slow you down, why would i want to slow down

**PrincessBandit** · 28th April 2008, 09:43

Only times I've ever done gravel is "unexpectedly" i.e. not being aware that there was some up ahead on my journey; I've never gone riding seeking it out. The first was up a friends long driveway, which was quite bendy so I couldn't even see where their house was or how long I was going to have to stay in the gravel! No one had explained to me how to ride on it so I tried just sticking with the ruts from wheel tracks. Still managed to plough my front tyre through some of the channels; tried not to get too alarmed at the bike moving underneath me - go with the flow, and as others have said keep your eyes up! Use your peripheral vision for what's immediately in front of you and focus further ahead. While I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to find gravel to ride in (bwok bwok bwookkkkkkkkkkkkk) [really must find a chicken smilie i think] it doesn't scare me any more. Have fun!!

**Jantar** · 28th April 2008, 10:53

Damn, I'm sorry I hadn't picked up on this thread earlier, but how did it go Jake?

Hopefully you would have ignored most of the advice given in this thread, and you would have had a safe and enjoyable gravel ride. Unfortunately, if you followed the advice given then you probably have some damage to sort out.

Gravel riding on a road bike is a topic that comes up quite frequently, yet it is nothing to be scared of. The main things to remember are to weight your footpegs and allow the bike to move around under you. Ride in one gear higher than you would on the seal. Slow down early for corners. Use your rear brake to balance the bike (a bit like a sea anchor) but your front brake is still the one to slow you down. Look well ahead and anticipate the road surface.

There is a lot of good advice in http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=24616

**moT** · 28th April 2008, 11:00

just drift all the time

**gijoe1313** · 28th April 2008, 12:11

As Jantar said, I wished I picked up on this thread too - I've ridden my little ol'hornet through quite a lot of the gravelly stuff, it can handle it in its stride no hay problema, just follow the good advice that others have mentioned here.

Stay calm, stay relaxed and always look to where you want to go! Steady hand on the throttle and keep away from the brakes ... all dang good advice given already

Don't see it as a negative, see it as a valuable learning experience to add to your biking experience and knowledge!

**Rhino** · 8th May 2008, 22:08

Originally Posted by Jantar

Damn, I'm sorry I hadn't picked up on this thread earlier, but how did it go Jake?

Hopefully you would have ignored most of the advice given in this thread, and you would have had a safe and enjoyable gravel ride. Unfortunately, if you followed the advice given then you probably have some damage to sort out.

Gravel riding on a road bike is a topic that comes up quite frequently, yet it is nothing to be scared of. The main things to remember are to weight your footpegs and allow the bike to move around under you. Ride in one gear higher than you would on the seal. Slow down early for corners. Use your rear brake to balance the bike (a bit like a sea anchor) but your front brake is still the one to slow you down. Look well ahead and anticipate the road surface.

There is a lot of good advice in http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=24616

Jantar has given some really good advice here, particularly about using one gear higher than on a sealed road.

I took the `Wing down shingle roads in the Catlins recently with ScoryGirl as pillion and everything was fine. Brake balance is very important in shingle. Smooth progressive braking is a must.

Originally Posted by Jantar

Look well ahead and anticipate the road surface.

That is the best advice anyone can get for all types of riding.