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Marybone on
Skills.
FrankTuna on
I did a ride is western Mass yesterday and there was a spot that basically looked like this….rocky, lots of loose stuff and steep for maybe 2/3 mile. I was going 3 mph struggling to keep my front wheel on the ground, but someone in front stopped and I took a spill since I couldn’t unclip in time.
I’m sure this is no big deal for folks with MTB experience or just great handling skills, but any tips you can offer on getting up this crap (without dying 🤣) would be appreciated.
I don’t have alot of this right near me so it’s hard to practice. I don’t want to be a danger to myself or others during gravel events so I’m trying to figure out where to go from here.
kcDemonSlayer on
How? Better question is Why?
bigredbicycles on
Line choice – knowing how much momentum you’d need to get up and over obstacles
Equipment – low gearing and tires with good traction (tread and pressure)
Fitness – at the certain point, you need to be able to sustain grinding and having your teeth on the handlebars for the steep stuff.
kmrbriscoe on
I don’t…lol
FastWalkerSlowRunner on
You try and if you fail you do so with a smile. Because doing hard things that just *might* be impossible with your gear or experience is part of the fun!
Otherwise, I’d do what the guy in the left seems to be doing:
1. start with as much momentum as possible,
2. aim for the path of least resistance (not those rocks),
3. Gear down early in the hill.
4. and try to keep my butt on my saddle in order to keep my rear tire from spinning with each pump.
When it’s steep and loose I’ve found I need to be conservative in assumptions that standing on my pedals will help more than it hinders.
hew3 on
Hike-a-bike like the CX bros do.
k-one-0-two on
I’d try to just going full speed ahead, then fall and regret my bike choice for today
brookegravitt on
I run up it shoulder carrying ala cyclocross. We have a similar spot in one of the trails on our MTB endurance series and guys just get stacked up trying to climb it, and fall and it’s a pain if you come up on a group trying to do it. I just started hopping off and running up.
JerryKook on
I have no interest in riding stuff like this. I am pretty much a dirt road guy. I got out of mountain biking because I didn’t want to get hurt.
Junior-Cook-8495 on
Gear down and nut up
CarelessShame on
Slowly.
rouselle on
That pic is from Vermont Overland!! See you there next month
Oxellotel on
Me personally? With an unsustainable high amount of watts, so I almost collapse at the top. But since I’m an idiot once i sit on my bike, that approach is also kind of stupid.
But seriously, sit down, no big bursts of power at once, bit smoot and steady. Everything else is down to experience and the right line. Go for the line that has the most regular angle and few rocks or other things like loose gravel, where you might slip
lorriezwer on
This is why I prefer flats on my gravel bike. I’ll attempt to outride my fitness and talent, knowing I can quickly put a foot down if I run out of either (or both!)
prix03gt on
I’ve done climbs like this on my Full Suspension bike. Not sure I’ve got the stones to try it on my WarBird….
SmileExDee on
Left side looks pretty good. I would climb this on my road bike with 32c tyres without any issues. From time to time I ride through the woods and paths like this.
It’s important to be on low gear, because it gives better control on loose ground. Also pedal to match the speed, even if you could just coast. In case of loosing control just spin a bit faster and you want loos grip so easily.
tpero on
Half skills/fitness, the other half is commitment, full send.
Ok-Pause1814 on
mtb hours kickin in like vtec hehe
VoidHelloWorld on
I’d have problems with my clickies
I would try but it’s notice not making it I’d just fall to the side.
Do you have any recommendations? Have SPD sl and usually I do road cycling
ElCampesinoGringo on
Unpopular opinion but at this point I’d rather just have a mtb
TundraKing89 on
Like the guy at the top – get off and push it up.
Stratoblaster1969 on
See that dudes calf muscle? That’s a good start!
AffectionateOil5517 on
Walk
evilfollowingmb on
Toss up.
Path left is smooth but looks like wet rocks which could undermine traction.
Path far right has one rock to overcome at the bottom but then is smooth dirt, which may be better traction. Have to make sure not to get snagged on foliage.
Don’t go center, unless you just want a challenge (which can be fun).
Ok-Satisfaction3857 on
I’m not a great bike handler but in these situations I’ve either walked or fallen over sideways.
QLC459 on
Clipped in and seated right up the left hand side. That’s an easy one
Sasquatch_Squad on
I’d try the shit out of that on my gravel bike but I also came to gravel by way of MTB.
keep your momentum, put your nose on the bars, and hope your PSI and tread give you enough grip to not break the back end loose!
SnooCauliflowers2264 on
You can do anything on any bike , but not at the same speed and comfort.
Fatter tyres would be nice, but the bike in the picture is awesome. They call them gravel bikes but no gravel in the photo, but who cares
ChurchOfSatin on
Bunny hop
1WonderLand_Alice on
With the right gears. A lot of gravel bikes have a rather large 1by chain ring and a cassette for a road bike. Personally that makes up hill trails like this absolutely miserable. I like to put MTB gears on my gravel bike. Smaller chain ring larger cassette.
BigYama on
Aside from line choice, it’s also about where you’re sitting on the bike for these climbs. If you are too far forward you’re gonna end up spinning your back wheel lots. I usually sit myself back and grind up that sweet gravel trail.
Useless_or_inept on
1. Power:weight ratio makes the biggest difference. Lose weight and/or get stronger?
2. Choosing the right line can help, maybe tyres, stuff like that
3. Actually the photographer can have a huge effect – they can make a shallow climb look steep, or vice versa.
(My standard training route this year has some killer climbs, I’m aiming for “zero dismounts”, haven’t achieved it yet, but when I share photos on social media it just looks like another boring trail because I have no photographic skill)
jakes951 on
I’m a roadie first but have done enough gravel/mud (like Vermont Overland) that this isn’t bad at all for a properly-tired gravel bike. It’s choosing your lines.
I couldn’t send it downhill on this the way my mtn bike friends can. They can just pick lines at speed better than I can (and are more confident).
But dry gravel climbs …I’m flying up.
chvezin on
That’s the neat part, you don’t. Don’t hate on me! Every tool has its use. I love my gravel for gravel and my MTB for the mountains. Plus MTBs _can_ be a lot cheaper.
Broken_Vision_Rhythm on
If you’re anything like me you build up some speed coming into it, whack it in the granny gear, power up 3/4 of it, then fuck up your line, lose traction and have to walk-of-shame up the rest of it, haha.
painter_business on
Personally I just don’t
Totally-jag2598 on
Very skillfully, and very carefully. Or said another way, I have no idea.
Huey2912 on
with difficulty
grizzelbees on
Wear flats with grippy shoes and pedals so you can easily dismount or put a foot down. And don’t be afraid to walk! Too much ‘muscle through it’. I like gravel bikes on technical terrain, but I know my limits and I don’t have anything to prove.
From the picture, it’s hard to tell, but my biggest concern on a gravel bike would be the mud if the tires don’t have good traction. Without the mud it sorta looks doable with the right gearing.
mdiz1 on
Low gear and stay sat down for traction
HorseThief84 on
Great example is Ned Gravel this past weekend, there are extremely steep sections with chunky XC type terrain.
Getting up and over requires line choice (experience), body English, momentum, gearing. There is 0 room for error on a section like that when riding a gravel bike in comparison to a mountain bike.
43 Comments
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You can also use **post flair** to give additional context about your post.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/gravelcycling) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Skills.
I did a ride is western Mass yesterday and there was a spot that basically looked like this….rocky, lots of loose stuff and steep for maybe 2/3 mile. I was going 3 mph struggling to keep my front wheel on the ground, but someone in front stopped and I took a spill since I couldn’t unclip in time.
I’m sure this is no big deal for folks with MTB experience or just great handling skills, but any tips you can offer on getting up this crap (without dying 🤣) would be appreciated.
I don’t have alot of this right near me so it’s hard to practice. I don’t want to be a danger to myself or others during gravel events so I’m trying to figure out where to go from here.
How? Better question is Why?
Line choice – knowing how much momentum you’d need to get up and over obstacles
Equipment – low gearing and tires with good traction (tread and pressure)
Fitness – at the certain point, you need to be able to sustain grinding and having your teeth on the handlebars for the steep stuff.
I don’t…lol
You try and if you fail you do so with a smile. Because doing hard things that just *might* be impossible with your gear or experience is part of the fun!
Otherwise, I’d do what the guy in the left seems to be doing:
1. start with as much momentum as possible,
2. aim for the path of least resistance (not those rocks),
3. Gear down early in the hill.
4. and try to keep my butt on my saddle in order to keep my rear tire from spinning with each pump.
When it’s steep and loose I’ve found I need to be conservative in assumptions that standing on my pedals will help more than it hinders.
Hike-a-bike like the CX bros do.
I’d try to just going full speed ahead, then fall and regret my bike choice for today
I run up it shoulder carrying ala cyclocross. We have a similar spot in one of the trails on our MTB endurance series and guys just get stacked up trying to climb it, and fall and it’s a pain if you come up on a group trying to do it. I just started hopping off and running up.
I have no interest in riding stuff like this. I am pretty much a dirt road guy. I got out of mountain biking because I didn’t want to get hurt.
Gear down and nut up
Slowly.
That pic is from Vermont Overland!! See you there next month
Me personally? With an unsustainable high amount of watts, so I almost collapse at the top. But since I’m an idiot once i sit on my bike, that approach is also kind of stupid.
But seriously, sit down, no big bursts of power at once, bit smoot and steady. Everything else is down to experience and the right line. Go for the line that has the most regular angle and few rocks or other things like loose gravel, where you might slip
This is why I prefer flats on my gravel bike. I’ll attempt to outride my fitness and talent, knowing I can quickly put a foot down if I run out of either (or both!)
I’ve done climbs like this on my Full Suspension bike. Not sure I’ve got the stones to try it on my WarBird….
Left side looks pretty good. I would climb this on my road bike with 32c tyres without any issues. From time to time I ride through the woods and paths like this.
It’s important to be on low gear, because it gives better control on loose ground. Also pedal to match the speed, even if you could just coast. In case of loosing control just spin a bit faster and you want loos grip so easily.
Half skills/fitness, the other half is commitment, full send.
mtb hours kickin in like vtec hehe
I’d have problems with my clickies
I would try but it’s notice not making it I’d just fall to the side.
Do you have any recommendations? Have SPD sl and usually I do road cycling
Unpopular opinion but at this point I’d rather just have a mtb
Like the guy at the top – get off and push it up.
See that dudes calf muscle? That’s a good start!
Walk
Toss up.
Path left is smooth but looks like wet rocks which could undermine traction.
Path far right has one rock to overcome at the bottom but then is smooth dirt, which may be better traction. Have to make sure not to get snagged on foliage.
Don’t go center, unless you just want a challenge (which can be fun).
I’m not a great bike handler but in these situations I’ve either walked or fallen over sideways.
Clipped in and seated right up the left hand side. That’s an easy one
I’d try the shit out of that on my gravel bike but I also came to gravel by way of MTB.
keep your momentum, put your nose on the bars, and hope your PSI and tread give you enough grip to not break the back end loose!
You can do anything on any bike , but not at the same speed and comfort.
Fatter tyres would be nice, but the bike in the picture is awesome. They call them gravel bikes but no gravel in the photo, but who cares
Bunny hop
With the right gears. A lot of gravel bikes have a rather large 1by chain ring and a cassette for a road bike. Personally that makes up hill trails like this absolutely miserable. I like to put MTB gears on my gravel bike. Smaller chain ring larger cassette.
Aside from line choice, it’s also about where you’re sitting on the bike for these climbs. If you are too far forward you’re gonna end up spinning your back wheel lots. I usually sit myself back and grind up that sweet gravel trail.
1. Power:weight ratio makes the biggest difference. Lose weight and/or get stronger?
2. Choosing the right line can help, maybe tyres, stuff like that
3. Actually the photographer can have a huge effect – they can make a shallow climb look steep, or vice versa.
(My standard training route this year has some killer climbs, I’m aiming for “zero dismounts”, haven’t achieved it yet, but when I share photos on social media it just looks like another boring trail because I have no photographic skill)
I’m a roadie first but have done enough gravel/mud (like Vermont Overland) that this isn’t bad at all for a properly-tired gravel bike. It’s choosing your lines.
I couldn’t send it downhill on this the way my mtn bike friends can. They can just pick lines at speed better than I can (and are more confident).
But dry gravel climbs …I’m flying up.
That’s the neat part, you don’t. Don’t hate on me! Every tool has its use. I love my gravel for gravel and my MTB for the mountains. Plus MTBs _can_ be a lot cheaper.
If you’re anything like me you build up some speed coming into it, whack it in the granny gear, power up 3/4 of it, then fuck up your line, lose traction and have to walk-of-shame up the rest of it, haha.
Personally I just don’t
Very skillfully, and very carefully. Or said another way, I have no idea.
with difficulty
Wear flats with grippy shoes and pedals so you can easily dismount or put a foot down. And don’t be afraid to walk! Too much ‘muscle through it’. I like gravel bikes on technical terrain, but I know my limits and I don’t have anything to prove.
From the picture, it’s hard to tell, but my biggest concern on a gravel bike would be the mud if the tires don’t have good traction. Without the mud it sorta looks doable with the right gearing.
Low gear and stay sat down for traction
Great example is Ned Gravel this past weekend, there are extremely steep sections with chunky XC type terrain.
Getting up and over requires line choice (experience), body English, momentum, gearing. There is 0 room for error on a section like that when riding a gravel bike in comparison to a mountain bike.