Compared to road biking, gravel biking is a more complex outdoor activity and involves a diversity of challenges and specific techniques to accomplish the session in a relaxed way. According to Steven Rindner, knowing these special techniques is vital before hitting the trail, especially for those who are new to trail biking.
Make sure to conduct the necessary research to be well-versed in the topographic nature before initiating a biking trip. This comes of immense help in evaluating the difficulties of the trail, figuring out possible hazards, and staying informed regarding specific weather conditions. Here are the tips and techniques
Stay relaxed: The foremost prerequisite of effective gravel biking is to stay mentally breezy. According to Steven Rindner, any kind of tension in the mind automatically transmits to bike riding and leads to more fidgety and erratic handling. Being new in the endeavor, those who find themselves tensing up, suspend riding for a few minutes, settle down, breathe deeply, and chill out before advancing.
Maintain right body posture: Make sure to maintain a relaxed however engaged body posture. Since the elbows and keens act like suspension, keep them loose rather than locking them up. This will escalate the ability to gain better control while riding a diversity of topographies.
Tackle corners safely: Cornering especially on unknown terrine and loose rocks can emerge with unique challenges, and thus requires bikers to ride cautiously. While approaching corners, make sure to control speed to avoid possible mishaps and lean toward the turns gradually. Doing so will also be helpful to retain the bike’s stability and traction unaffected.
Adjust tire pressure: Unlike road bikes, Gravel bike tires require lower inflation or pressure since this helps absorb shocks while maximizing traction, which is vital on loose gravel. As per the viewpoint of Steven Rindner overinflated tires can result in jerking making the ride not only uncomfortable but also avoiding skidding due to lessened grip. Conversely, under-inflating your tires can result in pinch flats and reduced efficiency, making navigation more challenging.
Pace: Maintaining a steady tempo on trails is the key to having full control of the bike. Therefore, gravel bikers need to change gears depending on the nature of the terrain to ensure a consistent pace. For instance, while in the climbing phase, shifting to an easier gear is ideal to maintain a steady pace.
However, while descending, bikers need to shift their weight backward or on the rear part and equally stay easy on their bikes keeping their legs on paddles at level position. Having controlled speed allows bikers to react instantly to exercise caution and keep away from potential hazards. Also, riding as per one’s skill level is essential for enjoying a safer and delightful gravel biking experience.
Braking and Gripping of Handlebars: Make sure to employ both brakes sensibly. Using front brakes too often may affect the effectiveness of traction of the front wheel causing it to slide out. Instead, consider adopting the rear brake to avoid front wheel lockup. Before hitting gravel, make sure to ensure both brakes are well-functional and the amount of traction both tires process.
While biking on gravel make sure to grip the handlebars with firmness however have a relaxed grip. Gripping handlebars too tightly is more likely to lead to fatigue as well as difficulty while controlling the bikes.