How to Ride Over Bumpy Surfaces on a Gravel Bike?

Question

What are some of the best methods of dealing with rocky terrains when gravel riding?

Answer 1

When going over rough surfaces while riding, do not grab and brace your body. It is advisable to relax the grip on the bicycle. Additionally, firm your body up and use your limbs as suspension. Also ensure that you have proper tire pressure for an additional shock absorbing effect. Riding without gloves is accepted as long as the situation makes it necessary and somebody doffs gloves owing to hand swelling from bounces. However, if it gets too rough of a ride, then it is acceptable to dismount the bicycle and walk.

Comments

Gloves are highly recommended, if you have a fall, your palms could be the first to get injured (ask me how I know). Avoid road shoes/cleats/pedals; get MTB ones (where the cleats sit flush with the sole) - you may likely need to walk more often than on a road ride, and on uneven terrain.

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Best tip i got was to get off and behind the saddle on the bumpy descents. From some mtb guys.

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Interesting - I think for advice about clearing logs it is worth looking at some basin MTB skills. I have never understood the advice on steep technical descents to go down on the drops, as this pushes your centre of gravity forward, which can be a bad thing for going over the bars if you hit an obstruction. Is it because it gives you a bit more braking leverage / control?

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When riding a bike, aren't your hands always in the 3 & 9 O'clock position?

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“The suspension is your body” gang where you at??

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No, it did not look like a gun, it looked like a log. I think it is good to ride technical gravel standing up so to cushion through hard obstacles and when already off the saddle, you can go the Ollie Bridgewood way.