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After defining what road cycling was, it's time to look at a derivative discipline of it: gravel, which has been very much in vogue in recent years. But do you really know what gravel is?
What is gravel?
The term gravel refers both to a cycling practice, in the same way as road cycling, mountain biking, cyclo-cross, track cycling or BMX, but also to the type of bike (gravel bike) used for this discipline.
If we literally translate the term "gravel bike," it means "gravel bike" and that sums up this discipline pretty well. In a way, gravel biking could be compared to trail running.
The term "gravel bike" is a term that is used to describe the practice of gravel biking
In fact, gravel biking mixes sections on roads with sections on trails, paths and tracks, much like cyclo-cross. But, in reality, its heritage is multiple, between road bike, cyclo-cross, mountain bike and travel bike.
And, unlike cyclo-cross - the discipline to which gravel is probably closest - there is less a search for performance than for comfort in gravel riding, where outings are more of a long-term affair, whereas cyclo-cross favors short, intense efforts instead.
It's a great way to get the most out of a bike
His hybrid and versatile side thus allows for a multitude of possibilities: some cyclists will thus use it to explore their environment, in a leisurely approach, others to go to work or to travel.
Through its versatility, gravel thus offers a feeling of freedom to the cyclists who practice it. It thus allows you to go from a paved portion to a trail and explore the surroundings without any limits, except that of your imagination, with a single bike.
Where did gravel riding come from?
The gravel "craze" comes to us from the United States, where the practice has become very popular for about ten years now, when American cyclists had taken the habit of cycling on unpaved roads.
To do this, American cyclists began by transforming their road bikes, before so-called gravel bikes appeared on the world market.
And while gravel biking has already been around in the U.S. for about a decade, it is now booming in Europe. Bicycle and cycling equipment manufacturers have understood this by developing ranges specifically dedicated to the practice of gravel.
What bike for gravel?
With the promise of gravel in France and Europe, a whole range specifically dedicated to this practice is now available. So there is no longer any need to adapt your old road or cyclocross bike to practice this discipline, or even to own several bikes to be able to switch from the road to the trails.
A gravel bike falls somewhere between a road bike, a cyclocross bike and a mountain bike. It has the look of a road bike coupled with the technical capabilities of a mountain bike to be able to ride on trails. It has a comfortable geometry, with a higher riding position, and race-like handlebars that allow for a variety of rider positions for maximum comfort. Steel, aluminum or carbon? The choice of frame will be made according to your practice.
In order to guarantee the safest possible braking on all types of surfaces, gravel bikes are equipped with disc brakes.
As for the tires, they are generally tubeless and benefit from wider sections - as in cyclo-cross - in order to guarantee comfort to the cyclist and offer performance on all types of surfaces.
In fact, the gravel bike is equipped with a wider base than a road bike in order to allow for the passage of tires up to 45mm for some. The choice of tire width will be made according to your main use: road, trails, etc. The wider the tire, the more comfort you'll gain, but the worse the performance will be on the road.
As with road cycling, gravel is usually done with automatic pedals. But since the cyclist is more likely to put his or her foot down or walk, you should opt for mountain bike cleats (SPDs) that are suitable for walking.
With the development of new technologies, the bike is becoming more popular
With the growing development of the practice, manufacturers are now even offering electrically assisted gravel bike models. So, with the offer currently available on the market, you are bound to find a bike suitable for your practice.
What equipment for gravel
?
After talking about the bike, it's time to look at the equipment needed to practice gravel.
As with any other cycling discipline, you'll want to consider getting a helmet to protect your head from a blow in the event of a potential fall. Depending on your preference, you can opt for a mountain bike helmet with a visor or a road bike helmet, which you can eventually add a cap for the sun.
With different terrains, there can be a lot of splashing so don't hesitate to equip yourself with a pair of bike glasses to protect your eyes.
As for clothing, in gravel, the jersey is usually worn close to the body like in cross-country, but not necessarily tight like in road cycling. Remember to take a model with pockets so you can put in what you need to refuel. For the bottom, and to get maximum comfort, get a shorts with a good skin. Depending on your tastes and desires, you can opt for a tight-fitting bib short (road bike version) or a short with skin (mountain bike version), with or without straps.
Now, textile equipment brands for cyclists offer ranges of cycling outfits adapted to gravel riding so you should easily find something that fits you.
If you've opted for automatic pedals, don't forget the mountain bike shoes with SPD cleats. And favor high socks to protect you from low vegetation.
Gravel competitions?
Even though gravel is primarily intended to be a so-called leisure activity, there are more and more gravel competitions.
The most famous of these is in the United States and is called Barry-Roubaix, but has nothing to do with our Paris-Roubaix. This race of about 100 kilometers is located in Michigan in the Northeast of the United States. It takes place in the spring on gravel tracks and roads, not to mention some paved portions.
The Dirty Kanza is another event not to be missed across the Atlantic: it's a 200-mile (320-kilometer) raid to be completed in less than 12 hours in Kansas.
While the race calendar is packed in the United States, we're starting to see a few competitions aimed at gravel biking flourish in France.
Then maybe you'll want to challenge yourself on events like the Gravel Trophy in the Alpes-Maritimes or the Tro Bro Gravel, which will take you on the roads of the mythical Tro Bro Leon.
Now that you know everything about gravel, if you've been seduced by this new discipline, all that's left to do is to get equipped and take to the roads and trails around you.
