Gravel Biking is Picking Up Speed - New York Times
Gear Up For Gravel
The Pacific Northwest is rich in gravel trails and forest roads. Enjoy epic views and wooded terrain on a gravel bike. Designed with versatility in mind, gravel bikes have similar geometry and performance to road bikes, with the added dynamic ability of off-road tires. We rent and sell top of the line gravel bikes from Niner and Giant/Liv, plus accessories & gear to make your ride more comfortable - shop online and pick up in-store for free.
Read this article for Everything You Need to Know to Master Gravel - expert tips, advice, and the very basics -- from gear, training, and grit -- to crush the unpaved road.
Excerpts are from the NY Times article, Gravel Biking Is Picking Up Speed
What is a gravel biking?
"Gravel cycling, simply put, is riding on unpaved roads. Similar to mountain biking, it opens up diverse terrains, ranging from wide-open dirt roads to chunky gravel to smooth trails. But like road biking, you can move more swiftly without getting in over your head (or handlebars) on challenging terrain."
What is a gravel bike?
"Gravel bikes are 'jack-of-all-trades' bikes, said Kala Riester, a dietitian and cyclist in Salt Lake City. They have lightweight and compact frame shapes like road bikes for speed but also the low gearing of mountain bikes so you can climb steeper hills without working so hard. Most are equipped with drop bars (handlebars that curve downward, offering multiple hand positions for long rides) and are fully rigid (they don't have soft mountain bike suspension), which makes them fast. The frames allow for wider, grippier tires -- though not as large as mountain bike tires. Taken together, these features allow gravel riders to move efficiently and handle rugged terrain over long distances."
Our POV
Gravel biking is a great way to transition from road cycling or other sports. We rent quality gravel and e-gravel bikes, and North Bend has the perfect paces to ride. The Snoqualmie Valley Trail (SVT) and Palouse to Cascades have miles of scenic riding. The SVT is just a few blocks from our rental shop. Stop by and give gravel a try!
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