Categories: Accessories and GearBreaking The RulesLe GraveurTechnique

Le Graveur: The Margins

I just got turned back from a ride. 5k from the house I realized my bits were getting too cold not only for comfort (in which case, apply Rule #5 and move on) but safety (i’ll take my vasectomy in the hospital, thank you very much). It’s a lovely sunny day, the only problems being the minus 12C temp, biting headwind, and leg warmers that stop mid-thigh. Having to pull the plug on a ride is a bummer. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen all too often and I’ve still got the rollers set up in the house. But the silver lining here is that it was only my 4th or 5th training ride of the year for the Heck of the North which is still 7 months away.

Some would say gravel riding is here to stay. Others would say gravel riding has always been a part of cycling and all we’re doing now is applying intention to it. It’s undeniable though that the gravel scene has taken on a prominent role in cycling of late. From open-registration races all over the world to the Strade Bianche, graveling has ignited a passion in many of us. Riding dirt roads has a certain unique aesthetic, an aesthetic that is best described as taking place on the margins.

The tarmac, as we move further from the center of town, gives way increasingly to gravel. As the rider begins to stitch together longer gravel stretches of road he needs to go further out on the margin of the city until finally, any reminders of the city are gone. This is where the margin is blurred between “civilization” and “wilderness”. The Graveur’s bike is marginally a road bike. Road bikes can be fitted with wider tires but are limited by frame and fork design as well as clearance at the caliper. Cyclocross bikes can run with skinny tires which is usually preferred and then we’re left often with a higher BB, heavier bike, and a position that’s closer to sit up and beg. Only just recently have bicycle companies begun to manufacture equipment intended specifically for the booming gravel scene. But even still, the rider has to select a hodge-podge of gear from road, cross, and even MTB that will suit his needs and the particulars of the course.

This year, I’m experimenting with new bars. I’ve decided to give the Salsa Cowbell a spin. Maybe you’ve seen bars like this on Randoneur and drop-bar 29er’s common in the adventure bike and UltraCX scene. I’m trying to achieve a few things with these flared bars: flat hood-to-top area while maintaining horizontal drop, more upright position with a shallow drop, lot’s of drop for secure grip, and leverage provided by wider-than-Lampre-Man 46mm span. Gianni recently referred to the geographically curated bike as a “Terroir Bike”. I like this turn of phrase.

Toeing up to the start of a gravel race can result in sensory overload of Rule-breaking gauche. Riders operating on the margins of The Rules show up with frame bags and EPMS’s, Camelbaks, zero saddle/stem drop, facial hair, MTB shoes, and even aero bars. The list goes on of Rule violations. Be mindful though that Rules are often bent consciously and broken for geography, practicality and self-reliance. The most Rule compliant of Velominati on the road may seemingly be found out on the margins of decorum riding gravel. Don’t be too quick to judge.

It is the margins that attracted me to gravel riding and is partly what keeps me excited about it. For one, I have little choice in terms of the roads I have to ride. I live on a gravel road that mostly leads to other gravel roads. I’m closer to the margin of wilderness than civilization. Graveling is a necessity if I want more places to ride. Keeper status aside, I’ve always been one to eschew rules and authority and go against the grain. Gravel riding allows me a damn good reason to blur the Rules from time to time to see what works. Here are a few Rules worth breaking when it comes to gravel road riding:

Rule #29. If you’re way out on the margins you just may need the extra space for tools or food.
Rule #32. Two bidons won’t cut it often times. So unless you have the ability to filter or treat water, try a hydro pack or frame bag.
Rule #34. You will find yourself walking or running out there. Wear shoes that allow this.
Rule #44. I’ve found, especially on technical trails and ultraCX, that less drop reduces fatigue and improves visibility over a long ride.
Rule #50. I live in the woods, hipster. I’m growing a fucking beard and riding my bike if I damn well please.
Rule #52. Pfft.
Rule #54. I haven’t done this and won’t. But the guy that won the Heck in 2012 had aerobars and used them. Just sayin’.
Rule #61. I ride a Fizik Antares VS on my gravel bike and appreciate the extra padding (although the saddle is compliant).
Rule #68. It’s been said riding gravel saps an additional 10% of energy and thus requires an additional 10% of V over a course of the same distance of tarmac. Therefore, the quality of your ride will be 11% more on gravel. That’s one higher.

Vie la vie Velominatus

Marko

Marko lives and rides in the upper midwest of the States, Minnesota specifically. "Cycling territory" and "the midwest" don't usually end up in the same sentence unless the conversation turns to the roots of LeMond, Hampsten, Heiden and Ochowitz. While the pavé and bergs of Flanders are his preferred places to ride, you can usually find him harvesting gravel along forest and farm roads. He owes a lot to Cycling and his greatest contribution to cycling may forever be coining the term Rainbow Turd.

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View Comments

unversio says:

Mar 28 2014 at 5:23 pm

@Marko

@Gianni I've seen a lot of animals on rides. Wolves, bears, moose, deer. The only time I ever really got goose bumps was seeing the cougar. I imagine a skinny guy moving quickly would look like a big cat toy. No thanks. Btw, the espresso love GU shots are good.

@Marvellous Marvellous.

Been trying to find the right road write up for this Robert Frost bit ...

I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

After using Espresso Love to this point, there is no other to consider.
frank says:

Mar 28 2014 at 5:24 pm

@Gianni

@Marko

@Gianni I've seen a lot of animals on rides. Wolves, bears, moose, deer. The only time I ever really got goose bumps was seeing the cougar. I imagine a skinny guy moving quickly would look like a big cat toy. No thanks. Btw, the espresso love GU shots are good.

@Marvellous Marvellous.

On the balance: no car traffic versus being eaten by a bear, I'd try the bear. I saw a fresh cougar paw print in the snow once, it was huge, and impressed me mightily. You are right about looking like a big fun cat toy, it would drag your skinny ass into the woods and just "play" with you.

Espresso love GU shots, I'm psyched. Probably better than some of the poor espresso served in the US of A.

Tiger track next to VMH's hand in the Periyar wildlife reserve in India (Kerala). Bigass fucking cat.

I'll take being eaten while riding/hiking/camping/surfing/etc over being taken out by a drunk driver or a dude tweeting LOL to his mates.

But on balance I'll vote "live until tomorrow" every time.
frank says:

Mar 28 2014 at 5:25 pm

@PeakInTwoYears

@frank

Riding gravel roads out in the cascades is so incredibly awesome. You're basically on a road bike with wide tires, no cars, no assholes throwing shit at you. You see a moto come by every now and again and give eachother a nod.

Frank, what's the word on the Iron Horse Trail? 110 miles up to Snoqualmie Pass and then down to the Columbia? Maybe an awesome training ride for the HOTN?

I've been trying to sort that out. Its a must-do for Spring 2014. Lets tee it up, mate.
frank says:

Mar 28 2014 at 5:27 pm

@Zevo

Last year's Heck of the North was my first gravel race (to be honest, it was my first century of any kind), which I did on a road bike. Lesson learned. As I have more gravel races on the calendar this year, I built up a bike over the winter on a 'cross frame with a mix of road components.

It is good to know I am not the only one who will be violating the above rules. I just hope it helps me through the Moose Mile.

Welcome, and so cool you did the ride. Did you finish the ride? On a road machine? Unbelievable, you should get a Lifetime V Award for that. People on mountainbikes reported snapped downtubes. That's awesome. But I bet you ran the trail bits.

We'll see you this year?
frank says:

Mar 28 2014 at 5:32 pm

@Endurimil

Unfortunately it it will be a few more weeks before we see anything resembling gravel or minimaly maintained roads.

As many of you know, we lost our Great (well, fair to moderate, anyway) Dane about a month ago, and our plan was to spread her ashes and plant a tree in her honor at a river near the campsite was always took her to north of Cle Elum. She loved that spot and would always get real flirty and playful. Such a fun dog.

Anyway, we drove up there last weekend and found the road to be covered in a similar layer of about 2-3 feet of snow. So the tree is now potted and the ashes await a warmer season before we can get up there. "Hey, its dry and sunny in Seattle, there can't be any chance of loads of snow in the mountains, right?"

Is there a moron tattoo?
Ccos says:

Mar 28 2014 at 5:56 pm

Well since the door's been opened: Can rule violations be given some sort of hiarchy? For example those determining rider behavior trump those governing rider aesthetics which then trump those governing bike aesthetics. Violations of the rules could then only be entertained if done in order to preserve a higher rule. There are sins and there are cardinal sins after all. Not hardening the fuck up will still have dire consequences.

I for one will restrain, but you know, on those rare occasions...
PeakInTwoYears says:

Mar 28 2014 at 6:08 pm

@frank

@PeakInTwoYears

@frank

Riding gravel roads out in the cascades is so incredibly awesome. You're basically on a road bike with wide tires, no cars, no assholes throwing shit at you. You see a moto come by every now and again and give eachother a nod.

Frank, what's the word on the Iron Horse Trail? 110 miles up to Snoqualmie Pass and then down to the Columbia? Maybe an awesome training ride for the HOTN?

I've been trying to sort that out. Its a must-do for Spring 2014. Lets tee it up, mate.

As soon as I acquire my gravel rig, I'm the guy you'll be waiting for all along that ride.
Zevo says:

Mar 28 2014 at 6:33 pm

@Marko If the Moose Mile was out I must be misinformed on the local trails. What then, I pray, was that stretch of shin high weeds and mud?

I guess I will have to hope it is in this year to get the full experience!
Zevo says:

Mar 28 2014 at 6:42 pm

@frank Yes, thank you, I finished on a road bike with a mix of efforts on the trails. I will be there this year hoping to find even more joy in the mud.
Marko says:

Mar 28 2014 at 6:49 pm

@Zevo The moose mile was a stretch of bouldery, muddy, rutted single track. Basically a BWCAW portage that was overgrown. In 2012, I rode half of it if I was lucky. MTB terrain for sure but the only stretch that really required one.

Look for us this year. We'll be there en force.