GETTING STARTED WITH GRAVEL

I have fallen in love with gravel when I first rode on the white roads of Tuscany before our first cycling holiday there. The passion grew when I won my first Gran Fondo Strade Bianche. However, that was all on a road bike. I then decided to get a gravel bike and to discover new trails around home in Wicklow. Here are some of my top tips if you want to get started with gravel.

1- Get out there with a bike

Of course, a purpose-built gravel bike is best suited for the discipline because of its geometry, gearing and tyre clearance. However, you can get started with any bike get on some light off road trails, and that are capable to take at least 30mm tire width. When I first started, I was borrowing a cyclocross bike from a friend.

2- Bring spares with you

Normally these are the basic things you normally bring with you on a long ride on the road, plus a few extras which you can carry all in your handlebar/frame bag:

-Multi tool with a chain tool

-Mini pump or CO2

-Fast repair foam spray

-Tubeless plug kit

-Patch kit

-Two spare tubes, even if you are using tubeless tire

-Electric tape

-Lights

-Extra food

-Money

-Spare base layer, jacket, neck warmer and gloves

3- Start by exploring

The best way to get started is exactly what I did at the beginning, explore around your area.

Don’t try to cover a certain distance; just get out for the adventure. If you have a friend that goes out with the gravel bike regularly ask them to show you some trails. You can also use Strava or Komoot to create and find some routes and upload them into your GPS bike computer.

4- Choose the right tires

Expensive tires are worth the money in this discipline. The difference between good and bad tires means having an amazing time out there vs having a bad day. Choose appropriate width, casing type, tread and pressure for your riding requirements and make sure they are tubeless.

Tubeless are recommended because you are likely to find thorns and sharp rocks, which sealant inside the tubeless should repair small holes. Also, with tubeless you can play more with the pressure.

5- Go for off road shoes and pedals

If you plan to ride mostly in Ireland, off road shoes and pedals are a must as the trails at times can be technical, you will find gates, there will be some mud and you might need to get off the bike a good few times.

6 - Have fun

Forget about average speed, distance, and some other metrics. Take your time, stop for a picture or to smell the flowers, enjoy and embrace the freedom of gravel.

Matteo Cigala
Founder & Head Coach