How much is this about getting away from cars for you?
04-30-18, 08:57 AM
#1
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How much is this about getting away from cars for you?
It came up in a conversation this weekend and I'm curious how other riders feel about it.
04-30-18, 09:01 AM
#2
Non omnino gravis
I certainly wouldn't call it a drawback. Though we have no gravel here, we have a whole lot of non-maintained utility service roads, and there's simply nobody out there. I'm not just escaping traffic, I'm escaping people/civilization altogether.
...but, 4am-start road rides often have the same effect. So I guess I'm trying to avoid cars/people a lot.
...but, 4am-start road rides often have the same effect. So I guess I'm trying to avoid cars/people a lot.
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04-30-18, 09:05 AM
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Little to none. I'd be in the woods if cars never existed. It is nice to get away from suburbia in general.
Some weekends there are a surprising number of motorists on gravel roads up in the mountains. About half of the motorists flag me down and ask how far it is to the lake or the quickest way out of the forest or if I know whether a certain road is open or closed.
-Tim-
Some weekends there are a surprising number of motorists on gravel roads up in the mountains. About half of the motorists flag me down and ask how far it is to the lake or the quickest way out of the forest or if I know whether a certain road is open or closed.
-Tim-
04-30-18, 09:09 AM
#4
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Most of it.
For me it's waaay more fun than riding busy paved roads especially after getting hit by a car last year. While it might sound a bit cheesy I also like being closer to nature.
We don't have maintained gravel roads here either that get used by passenger vehicles, mostly just dirt roads that hunters and farmers use with tractors and 4x4s. But I barely meet anyone.
I get to ride quiet, calm roads while looking at nice scenery. Win-win.
For me it's waaay more fun than riding busy paved roads especially after getting hit by a car last year. While it might sound a bit cheesy I also like being closer to nature.
We don't have maintained gravel roads here either that get used by passenger vehicles, mostly just dirt roads that hunters and farmers use with tractors and 4x4s. But I barely meet anyone.
I get to ride quiet, calm roads while looking at nice scenery. Win-win.
04-30-18, 09:17 AM
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I live in a rural area so there are few cars only the people that live in the area are friendly and give me plenty of space but I move to the far side of the road. Sometimes gravel trucks but they are safe and cautious. Generally people here have no desire to harass a person on a bike.
04-30-18, 09:39 AM
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A good deal of it for me it's avoiding cars. There's been just too many dead cyclists on roads in the recent past. I'm tired of having to look over my shoulder all the time and get buzzed by a texting while driving ahole. Not having as many intersections, traffic lights, stop signs also is nice, you can maintain you pace better. I also enjoy being in nature a lot.
04-30-18, 10:34 AM
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I'm not a big gravel cyclist here, but there are a couple of routes that I go on where a gravel road goes parallel to a higher traffic main road, and the preferable choice is the lower traffic gravel road. Nonetheless, I'd be perfectly happy if the roads were actually paved.
I am tentatively planning a longer gravel trail tour ride sometime, which will need a bit of preparation for rough gravel riding, but also several hundred miles of paved riding.
I am tentatively planning a longer gravel trail tour ride sometime, which will need a bit of preparation for rough gravel riding, but also several hundred miles of paved riding.
04-30-18, 10:51 AM
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I should have made this a poll.
For me, the lesser traffic is like the icing on the cake. I mostly ride unpaved roads because they go somewhere nice, and give me a lot more roads to ride on. (We don't have all that many in the Cascades.) And solitude is nice in general, especially when you mix it with nature; that's even true of hiking. But I'd be lying if I said getting away from traffic wasn't a part of it.
For me, the lesser traffic is like the icing on the cake. I mostly ride unpaved roads because they go somewhere nice, and give me a lot more roads to ride on. (We don't have all that many in the Cascades.) And solitude is nice in general, especially when you mix it with nature; that's even true of hiking. But I'd be lying if I said getting away from traffic wasn't a part of it.
04-30-18, 11:39 AM
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Most of it.
For me it's waaay more fun than riding busy paved roads especially after getting hit by a car last year. While it might sound a bit cheesy I also like being closer to nature.
We don't have maintained gravel roads here either that get used by passenger vehicles, mostly just dirt roads that hunters and farmers use with tractors and 4x4s. But I barely meet anyone.
I get to ride quiet, calm roads while looking at nice scenery. Win-win.
For me it's waaay more fun than riding busy paved roads especially after getting hit by a car last year. While it might sound a bit cheesy I also like being closer to nature.
We don't have maintained gravel roads here either that get used by passenger vehicles, mostly just dirt roads that hunters and farmers use with tractors and 4x4s. But I barely meet anyone.
I get to ride quiet, calm roads while looking at nice scenery. Win-win.
I'll note especially that here in farm country...driver's slow down and wave you on or by. They see you pulled over, and they will chat you up and invite you for water at their ranch a mile away....whereas a mile away on the paved highway driver's will run you off the road and blare horns.
It is a nice change of pace. A harder workout, but worth it for less stress and mortal peril.
04-30-18, 12:58 PM
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I find riding gravel and dirt intrinsically enjoyable due to the varied surface and additional technical skill required to ride well at high speeds. Same as mountain biking, lack of traffic is just a nice benefit but certainly not a draw, for me.
Also, the talent is not as deep as road racing (yet) and the additional skill and different kind of fitness, as well as knowledge of what gear works best for a given course,all combine to allow me to have more success in competition than I found in other forms of bicycle racing.
So it's fun and I get on the podium more.
I find riding gravel and dirt intrinsically enjoyable due to the varied surface and additional technical skill required to ride well at high speeds. Same as mountain biking, lack of traffic is just a nice benefit but certainly not a draw, for me.
Also, the talent is not as deep as road racing (yet) and the additional skill and different kind of fitness, as well as knowledge of what gear works best for a given course,all combine to allow me to have more success in competition than I found in other forms of bicycle racing.
So it's fun and I get on the podium more.
04-30-18, 02:43 PM
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Most of the roads near my house are gravel. So that came first.
Then I found out gravel roads make for more interesting exploring around here.
Avoiding cars is a bonus, but wasnt a goal.
Then I found out gravel roads make for more interesting exploring around here.
Avoiding cars is a bonus, but wasnt a goal.
04-30-18, 02:43 PM
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Not really at all. I'll always be a roadie at heart but gravel where I live now is more enjoyable because of the routes, the people, and the culture.
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04-30-18, 04:57 PM
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If the paved roads around here offered the same low-traffic, low-speed experience, I would definitely be riding that. I’d only own a road bike, and would happily breathe the dust free air that doesn’t clog up the nooks and crannies of my bike. My favorite part of gravel is the scenery, but since i live in a low population area, there are plenty of paved roads that offer that as well.
I do like the people I’ve met and the events I’ve ridden riding gravel. That is the best part IMO.
I do like the people I’ve met and the events I’ve ridden riding gravel. That is the best part IMO.
04-30-18, 05:48 PM
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The way I figure it...there are probably much fewer text messages going down a gravel road, so probably much fewer distracted drivers.
04-30-18, 06:26 PM
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Getting away from cars is why I got into gravel riding in the first place. I very much appreciate the sights and sounds of nature and getting away from it all, but not having to worry (as much) about the whole death-by-car thing is huge.
04-30-18, 07:33 PM
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04-30-18, 07:36 PM
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A lot is about getting away from cars and build up/sprawl in general.
I am not overly concerned about getting away from cars and paved road riding for safety(the distracted driving reason). I ride a couple thousand miles of pavement each year and dont plan to change that as i feel perfectly safe still.
i like getting out away from dense population. Gravel roads are quiet, challenging, and i also enjoy the route planning.
getting away from cars, houses, and everything else is the goal.
I am not overly concerned about getting away from cars and paved road riding for safety(the distracted driving reason). I ride a couple thousand miles of pavement each year and dont plan to change that as i feel perfectly safe still.
i like getting out away from dense population. Gravel roads are quiet, challenging, and i also enjoy the route planning.
getting away from cars, houses, and everything else is the goal.
04-30-18, 07:40 PM
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Exactly, where I ride the cell coverage is spotty to none so no one is distracted by texting or talking on cell phones. They just want to go home have a beer or ride their horses etc etc..
05-01-18, 04:17 AM
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I thought after doing some gravel this spring about all the wonderful benefits people have posted, and they are all true about gravel riding. For me I enjoy the increased technical aspect of riding the much varied terrain the most.
All that said, I got the road bike out this week, and despite a very close call w a big F350, I love the road. I’m getting smarter, and brighter (with all the lighting options) about road riding and just prefer the flat out nature of it. I’m fortunate to also have beautiful scenery on the pavement where I live, and have been riding a little later in the evening, avoiding the 4-6pm rush, or going way out of the way to stay off the big major road through our towns here.
But the happiness and serenity that I can achieve in my own head while riding on the road can’t be replicated, maybe because it’s not AS technical. I just head out, drop down and pedal away to a happy place. It’s truly my therapy.
All that said, I got the road bike out this week, and despite a very close call w a big F350, I love the road. I’m getting smarter, and brighter (with all the lighting options) about road riding and just prefer the flat out nature of it. I’m fortunate to also have beautiful scenery on the pavement where I live, and have been riding a little later in the evening, avoiding the 4-6pm rush, or going way out of the way to stay off the big major road through our towns here.
But the happiness and serenity that I can achieve in my own head while riding on the road can’t be replicated, maybe because it’s not AS technical. I just head out, drop down and pedal away to a happy place. It’s truly my therapy.
05-01-18, 06:13 AM
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I've tended to think in terms of "seeking peaceful surroundings", but really those are synonymous with "no cars".
If riding for enjoyment, I seek peace and quiet and greenery. If riding to get somewhere, I'll throw myself into traffic.
If riding for enjoyment, I seek peace and quiet and greenery. If riding to get somewhere, I'll throw myself into traffic.
05-01-18, 07:16 AM
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If all you want to do is avoid cars then get some lights and try riding at night.
Otherwise very busy roads are often completely empty after 10:00 PM. Riding under the moon and stars on a warm summer night can be a sublime experience.
I've yet to do a true night gravel ride.
Otherwise very busy roads are often completely empty after 10:00 PM. Riding under the moon and stars on a warm summer night can be a sublime experience.
I've yet to do a true night gravel ride.
05-01-18, 09:07 AM
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If all you want to do is avoid cars then get some lights and try riding at night.
Otherwise very busy roads are often completely empty after 10:00 PM. Riding under the moon and stars on a warm summer night can be a sublime experience.
I've yet to do a true night gravel ride.
Otherwise very busy roads are often completely empty after 10:00 PM. Riding under the moon and stars on a warm summer night can be a sublime experience.
I've yet to do a true night gravel ride.
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05-01-18, 11:59 AM
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts everybody. I enjoyed reading them, and it's real interesting to see the variety of reasons why people do this.
05-01-18, 12:08 PM
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gravel riding is like MTB riding. I do it to go see things I wouldn't normally see otherwise.
As for riding with Traffic, that is easy as pushing a grocery cart. Based on observations, that grocery cart pushing (riding with traffic) is above and beyond some peoples skill set. Speed makes a big difference when trying to flow with traffic while on a bicycle.
Other things Like riding in the middle of the lane and moving to the right to allow an over take, totally changes the attitude of the driver many times to a better, more accepting attitude. Safer for you, and also a chance to show respect and courtesy to drivers. We all live in the same world.
If you are riding gravel for the sole purpose of avoiding others on paved roads, you might be borderline or even into Sociopath territory.
As for riding with Traffic, that is easy as pushing a grocery cart. Based on observations, that grocery cart pushing (riding with traffic) is above and beyond some peoples skill set. Speed makes a big difference when trying to flow with traffic while on a bicycle.
Other things Like riding in the middle of the lane and moving to the right to allow an over take, totally changes the attitude of the driver many times to a better, more accepting attitude. Safer for you, and also a chance to show respect and courtesy to drivers. We all live in the same world.
If you are riding gravel for the sole purpose of avoiding others on paved roads, you might be borderline or even into Sociopath territory.