A lot of people consider “gravel” to be just rocky, stony, pebbly roads. But so is not the case. It is pretty much all paths, roads and unpaved surfaces that lie between paved tarmac and technical single-track. As Steven Rindner mentions, gravel biking must be an adventure, or an activity of exploration. Hence, gravel riding may have a different meaning for distinctive people. Some may imagine quiet, rugged, and relatively smooth roads when thinking of gravel biking, while for many riders any unpaved surface can be a fair game.
Steven Rindner underlines the broad gravel categories to consider when going for gravel biking
While travel events and gravel bikes are exploding in number and variety around the globe, what exactly is “gravel” is not effectively defined, and that is the point. One of the key attractions of gravel biking is its versatility. For some, gravel may mean buttery-smooth dirt roads, and for others it can involve rim-smashing, tire-slashing flint tracks. For gravel bikers, gravel can be divided broadly into the following categories:
- Category 1: Well maintained and smooth dirt roads typically have either small gravel chunks or none at all. These roads are quite road bike friendly, and often tend to be in a better condition than many paved roads in the United States. However, these roads are also quite hard packed, and hence offer a higher degree of difficulty than riding on tarmac. There are multiple dirt roads like this in Colorado that have a magnesium chloride treatment, which helps in keeping the dust down, as well as harden the top layer of dirt.
- Category 2: In this category, one can expect washboard ruts, potholes and even loose, blown-out corners. There can also be gravel outside of the main tire tracks, adding an extra layer of challenge if the riders were to come off their line. While one may choose to use a road bike for such roads, they would need more skills when cornering at speed. It is better to go up in tire size, in comparison to an everyday road setup, so as to lower the risk of pinch flatting and benefit from the pneumatic suspension of a higher-volume tire.
- Category 3: These are infrequently maintained roads that require a high level of skills if the riders want to tackle them on a road bike. Riders can be faced with a variety of challenges when riding on such roads, including exposed rocks and tire-eating rain ruts. It is better to opt for a gravel bike with 33–38mm tires that offer side knobs to ensure both speed and safety on such roads, unless a Category 3 gravel section has been added to the ride as a short connecter between smoother terrains.
- Category 4: Unmaintained forestry roads come under Category 4. They may have rock gardens and deep cuts. Gravel bikers must go for high-volume tires when biking on such roads, as they will offer pneumatic suspension, lower the risk of a pinch flat, as well as provide greater traction in the corners and on steep, loose climbs.
As Steven Rindner mentions, for people new to riding, unpaved surfaces on a drop bar bike, every category may feel tough. However, with time and practice, they are likely to get used to it.
