Riding on gravel

[Adamm0621]

I just moved into a new house, and the house is great except for the fact that the only way to get to it includes half a mile of gravel road.  The road twists and turns, goes up hill and down, and there are ample potholes.  It's not very fun.

Anyone have any tips on how to deal with this?  I've ridden a dirtbike a few times, but I'd love to learn a few techniques that would make this road less intimidating.  So far all I do is go slow and leave the front brake alone.

[Buckethead]

I find that it helps to clench the butt cheeks as tightly as possible, keeping one firmly anchored to the seat.

 

[Veloce-Fino]

Good luck.

It's just liking riding a dirtbike in gravel, except you don't have any nubs to keep traction.

my driveway used to be 1/4 mile of gravel (thank god it's paved now)

Go SLOW use both brakes but very lightly, if you need to brake hard you're going too fast for gravel. Wouldn't recommend leaning much either.

Be ready to kick out a leg to keep yourself upright. I have had to do this countless times on the 696 to prevent laying the bike down due to gravel.

[Slide Panda]

When on stuff like that I usually forgo the front brake, keeps the front from being a little less squirrely.  Standing on the pegs, or hovering over the seat will help mellow some of the shimmy of the bike being transmitted to you

[CDawg]

+1 on shifting more weight on pegs
I'd also suggest staying loose and, or course, be gentle on the throttle.

[Punx Clever]

Build a garage near the highway?

[Jarvicious]

If your drive is flat, I would ignore the front brakes. 

I'm a firm believer that those who ride dirt make better street riders overall.  Learning what your bike will feel like when it's not firmly planted will make it easier to handle when it happens unexpectedly. 

[Veloce-Fino]

If your drive is flat, I would ignore the front brakes. 

I'm a firm believer that those who ride dirt make better street riders overall.  Learning what your bike will feel like when it's not firmly planted will make it easier to handle when it happens unexpectedly. 

For sure. My years of off-road riding have without a doubt saved me in many situations. A little sliding or back wheel shimmy is no big deal, just ride it out.

[Jarvicious]

Ha.  Unfortunately I've never ridden dirt in my life, it's just a theory I have.  I rode cross country mountain bikes for years before I took up road cycling and I was amazed at how many people couldn't even hop up onto a curb with their road bikes.  Same goes for motorbikes.  I wish I could do some of the stuff the dirt guys do, I just don't have the practice. 

[Turf]

Watch the brakes, too hard and you'll slide

unfortunate enough and you'll be sliding sideways or the front will tuck

[gatorgrizz27]

Gravel sucks, but I took my monster through lots of stuff most wouldn't, including washed out muddy clay roads and water crossings.  Sit as upright as possible, forward right on the base of the tank, and keep your elbows up.  Running a bit faster, around 20 or 25 mph gave me a lot better control and stability.  I found it was better to run in 2 or 3 gear and barely open the throttle to get enough speed without putting a bunch of power down and breaking traction.  Pull in the clutch and light rear brake to slow down, you probably will have to do some feet dabbing as well.  Steering involved pulling in the clutch and lightly turning the bars, keeping the bike completely upright.  Good luck 

[cokey]

Take a weekend to make a path next to the road or pave one..

[muskrat]

[silas]

hold the grips very loosely in your hands and 'guide' the bars, allow them to wobble in your loose hands. this will allow the front end to move slightly with the gravel. works great at high speed on a mtn bike also.

[cokey]

I was serious..