Lesson 35 – Riding Gravel with Confidence

When the bitumen ends, the adventure begins. 

For many road cyclists, gravel can feel intimidating. Loose stones, changing surfaces and reduced grip can make even experienced riders feel nervous. 

But here's the secret… Gravel riding isn't about riding faster. It's about riding smoother, smarter and more relaxed. 

Once you understand a few simple techniques, you'll discover a whole new world of quiet country roads, rail trails and scenic adventures.

 
🛣️ 1. Relax and Trust Your Bike 

The biggest mistake riders make on gravel is becoming tense. When you're nervous, you naturally: 

❌ Grip the handlebars too tightly. 

❌ Lock your elbows. 

❌ Fight every little movement. 

Instead: 

✔ Keep a light grip. 

✔ Relax your shoulders. 

✔ Let the bike move naturally beneath you. 

Your tyres are designed to find grip. Trust them.

 
👀 2. Look Where You Want to Go 

Just like riding on the road… Your bike follows your eyes. Don't stare at every loose rock. Instead: 👀 Look well ahead. 👀 Scan the smoothest line. 👀 Plan your path early. The smoother your vision, the smoother your riding becomes.

 
⚖️ 3. Stay Balanced

On loose surfaces, balance becomes even more important. 

Keep: 

✔ Your weight centred. 

✔ Your pedals level when coasting over rough ground. 

✔ Your knees and elbows slightly bent.

 Allow your body to absorb the bumps instead of letting your bike take all the impact.

 
🛞 4. Tyre Pressure Makes a Huge Difference

Remember Lesson 27? Tyre pressure matters even more on gravel. 

Running slightly lower pressure (within the manufacturer's recommended range) helps: 

✔ Increase grip. 

✔ Improve comfort. 

✔ Reduce bouncing over rough terrain. 

Never go so low that you risk pinch flats—but don't assume harder is better.

 
🛑 5. Brake Before the Corner 

Gravel offers less grip than smooth bitumen. That means: 

✔ Slow down before entering the corner. 

✔ Release the brakes as you turn. 

✔ Let the bike roll smoothly through the bend.

Heavy braking while cornering increases the chance of your tyres sliding.

 
🚴 6. Keep Pedalling Smoothly 

Avoid sudden bursts of power. 

Instead: 

✔ Pedal steadily. 

✔ Stay seated where possible. 

✔ Use easier gears on loose climbs. 

Smooth riders maintain traction far better than aggressive riders.

 
🌿 7. Expect the Surface to Change

Gravel roads are rarely consistent. You may encounter:

 🪨 Loose rocks 

🌱 Grass growing in the middle 

🌧 Corrugations

 💧 Water crossings

 🍂 Sand 

Always stay alert and adjust your speed to suit the conditions.

 
😊 8. Confidence Comes With Practice 

Nobody feels like a gravel expert on their first ride. Start somewhere easy: 

🚴 Rail trails 

🚴 Well-maintained gravel roads

 🚴 Bike paths with compacted gravel 

Each ride builds confidence. Before long, you'll wonder why gravel ever felt intimidating.

 
⭐ Coach Booty's Tip

Don't fight the bike. On gravel, a bike naturally moves around a little more than it does on sealed roads—and that's perfectly normal.

Relax, stay loose and let the bike find its own path. The calmer you are, the more confident you'll become.

 
🎯 This Week's Challenge

Find a safe section of easy gravel. Spend 20–30 minutes practising: 

✔ Relaxing your grip.

 ✔ Looking further ahead. 

✔ Cornering smoothly. 

✔ Braking before the turn. 

✔ Riding at a comfortable pace.

 Remember—confidence grows one ride at a time.

 
💗 Remember 

Gravel riding isn't about being fearless. It's about trusting your skills, staying relaxed and enjoying the adventure. Some of the best cycling experiences happen when the road becomes a little less perfect.

🎓 Next Week at Booty Butter Academy Lesson 36 – Cornering Like a Pro Smooth In. Fast Out. 

Cornering is one of the skills that separates a confident cyclist from an uncertain one. Next week you'll learn advanced cornering techniques used by experienced riders to stay smooth, safe and in control. 

We'll cover:

 🏁 Choosing the best line through a corner.

 👀 Looking through the turn instead of at the road directly ahead. 

⚖️ Body position and bike lean.

 🛑 When to brake—and when not to. 

🚴 Building confidence on both dry and wet roads. 

Master these skills, and you'll corner with greater confidence, better control and a lot more enjoyment on every ride.