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Essential Skills for Riding a Bike on a Variety of Surfaces
How grip changes between tarmac, gravel, dirt, grass, cobbles and wet paint or metal, and how to adjust your speed, braking and lean for each surface.
Bikes, Terrain and Weather
Gravel and Dirt
Riding on gravel, dirt and mixed surfaces with control.
Advanced Cycling Skills for Gravel Riders
Intermediate gravel riding skills: cornering on loose surfaces, descending on gravel, choosing lines through ruts and pacing long mixed-road rides.
Cycling Skills for Riding on a Gravel Road
A beginner's introduction to a first gravel road: a relaxed grip, steady speed, gentle braking and how to think about tyre choice in general terms.
Cycling Tricks for Riding on a Dirt Road
Tips for packed dirt roads: handling washboard ruts, dust and mud after rain, and sharing narrow rural roads with farm and local vehicles.
Essential Skills for Riding a Bike on a Variety of Terrain
How to read the ground ahead, including gradients, roots, sand and water crossings, and plan your line and speed before you reach each feature.
Essential Skills for Riding a Bike on Gravel and Dirt
How to brake and stop on loose ground: balancing front and rear brakes, avoiding skids, and understanding controlled slides without taking risks.
Related topics
More in bikes, terrain and weather
Mountain Biking Trail skills, setup and safe progression for mountain bikers. Hills and Climbing Climbing, descending and pacing on hills and mountain roads. Climate and Environments Riding in deserts, tropics and rural areas. Rain, Wind and Snow Practical handling for wet, windy and wintry rides. Climbs and Descents Getting up and down hills with control and sensible pacing. Surfaces and Paths Handling sand, cobbles, boardwalks, trails and other surfaces. Road Bike Skills Handling, drills and position on drop bar road bikes. Cyclocross Skills Riding cyclocross bikes over mud, grass and barriers. Single-Speed Bikes Riding well with just one gear. Gears, Drives and Brakes How gearing, belts, derailleurs and disc brakes change the ride. Frames and Fit How frame type and saddle setup shape handling and comfort. Maintenance Basics Simple care that keeps a bike safe and pleasant to ride.