Originally Posted by
epnnf
Obviously I've never done it, or even seen it. It sounds like riding on gravel is only slightly safer than riding on marbles. I assume you use around 3 inch bombproof tires, but it would seem to me the tires/bike would still take a beating. And you do it for ... fun?
It is a throwback - another stage in the evolution of riding on 'roads' - Dirt, Plank, Gravel, Paved.
Just remember all of those 100 mile races on high wheelers in the late 1800's. The early years of the Tour de France was on gravel / mud / snow up to 300 km a day with no support.
So larger tires, lower gears and unbelievable vistas become the result.