Improve Your Gravel Riding Skills: Pro Tips for Confident and Efficient Handling

Gravel riding is more than just pedaling on mixed terrain — it’s about reading the ground, adjusting your position, mastering bike control and flowing with the unexpected. Whether you're just getting into gravel or looking to sharpen your skills, Baroudeur Cycling has gathered key techniques to help you ride smoother, safer, and with more confidence.

1. Stay Relaxed and Loose

One of the most common mistakes in gravel riding is clenching the bars and locking the upper body. A relaxed posture allows your bike to move naturally beneath you and absorb rough surfaces.

• Hand position: Use the tops for cruising, the drops for descents and better stability.
• Soft arms and bent knees: Act as your own suspension system — let your body absorb shocks, not resist them.
• Eyes forward: Look 10–15 meters ahead to anticipate changes in terrain, not just your front wheel.

2. Master Controlled Braking

Braking on loose or uneven ground is not the same as on smooth tarmac. Sudden braking often leads to lost grip or wheel lock-ups.

• Use your rear brake more than the front to control speed on sketchy surfaces.
• Brake gradually, especially when approaching corners or obstacles.
• Keep some momentum — rolling bikes are more stable on tricky ground.

3. Learn to Shift Your Weight

Your body is a key tool to manage traction, stability and control.

• Climbs: Shift your weight forward to keep the front wheel down and maintain traction.
• Descents: Move back to lower your center of gravity and improve braking power.
• Rough terrain: Use micro-adjustments with your hips and torso to adapt as the ground changes.

4. Pick Your Line — Ride Smart

Choosing the right line can make a huge difference in comfort, control, and energy output.

• Avoid deep gravel piles — they can grab your front wheel and throw you off balance.
• Look for firm, smooth sections that allow efficient rolling.
• Reduce speed before corners, not during them.

5. Tackle Difficult Surfaces with Flow

• Washboard/rippled surfaces: Increase your speed slightly, shift to a harder gear and stay light on the bars to “float” across.
• Sand and mud: Keep a high cadence, low gear and trust the bike to wiggle beneath you.
• Roots and rocks: Maintain momentum and avoid sudden inputs — let the tires work.

6. Handle Corners Like a Pro

Cornering on gravel demands more finesse and awareness than on the road.

• Steer with your body, not just your handlebars.
• Weight the outside pedal, keeping it low for balance.
• Don’t brake mid-turn — scrub speed before you enter the corner.

7. Manage Climbs Efficiently

Gravel climbs are steeper, looser, and often more draining than road climbs.

• Stay seated for better traction and efficiency.
• Keep a smooth cadence, avoid grinding.
• Find your rhythm and stay consistent, rather than attacking the climb.

8. Build Your “Technical Endurance”

Want to become more confident? Ride more terrain, more often.

• Mix up your surfaces: dirt, gravel, sand, forest tracks, broken tarmac.
• Experiment with tire pressure to understand grip vs comfort balance.
• Seek technical sections during training to expand your comfort zone.

In Summary: Feel, Adapt, Flow

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution in gravel. Terrain changes fast, conditions shift, and your bike reacts to every nuance. But that’s what makes it so rewarding. With consistent practice and attention to body-bike interaction, your confidence and control will skyrocket.

At Baroudeur Cycling, our gravel training-focused trips — whether in the Algarve, the Luberon or the Esterel — are designed to level-up your riding, in scenery that fuels your spirit.

Want to test these tips on real terrain?
Explore our expert-led gravel trips, or build your own adventure with our custom itineraries.

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