Gravel Cycling

So go ahead, admit it:  You ride because of the adventure of seeing the countryside without the frames of a car window.  That window frame is much like watching it on tv, and you want a different experience.  Then, after a while and because of that curious spirit of yours, you wonder about some gravel road off of your favorite routes.  You've seen them:  township back roads seemingly leading to nowhere known.  You have to wonder where they go and what would you know if you rode them.

Your mind forms a mental picture of where you are on a network of roads.  You know you're about 15 miles east of Xville and about 8 miles south of Ytown.  And while the asphalted road you're on probably is relatively direct, you wonder if there isn't a more exciting way of getting there.

Chances are there is.  And its a gravel covered byway.  Just waiting there to be explored.

But your road bike isn't equipped to ride the gravel covered roads safely:   there are too many holes in the way, your gearing isn't wide enough to navigate the hills and bumps.

If you have these thoughts, you're not alone.  Gravel cycling is one of the fastest growing styles of this sport and with good reason:  It allows you to explore a part of the countryside you probably didn't know existed.

Here are some resources to help you sort out the sport.  

https://www.outsideonline.com/2153781/what-hell-gravel-bike

http://www.gravelcyclist.com/3-gravel-riding-techniques/

If you REALLY want get into it

https://www.active.com/cycling/articles/gravel-grinder-racing-what-you-need-to-get-started

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