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From Familiar Roads to Unknown Miles

Samantha Spangenburg | Published on 1/18/2026

Gravel riding has a reputation for being intimidating. Before my first gravel ride, I caught myself overthinking everything—tires, gearing, nutrition, whether I was even "ready" for it. In reality, the few gravel rides I have ridden thus far have been far less dramatic than the build-up. What stood out was not how different gravel felt, but how quickly familiar riding skills showed up once the wheels were turning.

I came into gravel with years of riding on paved roads and mountain bike trails but having spent little time on loose terrain. What surprises me most is that fitness isn't the limiting factor, rather it is awareness. Gravel asked me to pay attention in a different way—to the surface, to how effort rose and fell, and to how small decisions early in the ride affected how I felt later on. Gravel feels less like a test and more like an invitation to ride longer, become more spatially aware on the bike, and remain open to learning.

Pacing was my first adjustment. On my previous gravel rides, I noticed how often effort spiked without warning—short rises, patches of loose gravel, headwinds that lingered longer than expected. Instead of trying to smooth everything out, I found myself learning to let those moments happen and then settle back in. Riding slightly easier than I thought I "should" made the entire ride feel more manageable, not less productive. My advice is don't worry about smoothing out every surge. Let effort rise when it needs to and then settle back into a sustainable pace. For newer riders especially, this can be reassuring. Gravel rewards steadiness more than intensity.

Equipment is another lesson in simplicity. I haven't had the perfect setup, which typically turns out to be fine. What matters is feeling stable and comfortable enough to stay relaxed for a long stretch of time. The more at ease I feel on the bike, the less energy I spend fighting it and the more I enjoy the rides. Gravel, at least so far, seems to reward comfort and confidence far more than perfection.

Nutrition shows up in quieter ways, too. Nutrition is not a "one-size-fits-all" program; my needs are different than your needs, which are different than the next rider's needs. Gravel doesn't demand complicated fueling strategies, but it does reward consistency. I've had to relearn my nutrition needs several times, but it merely reinforced what I already knew from other cycling disciplines.

Long distances, unfamiliar surfaces, and endless conversations about gear, pacing, and nutrition can make it feel like something you need years of experience to attempt. What became clear to me quickly is that most of what gravel asks for isn't new, it's just applied differently. If you've spent time riding consistently on roads, trails, or bike paths, then you already have a solid foundation. Fitness carries over. Bike handling carries over. What changes is how much attention you give to comfort and energy over a longer, less predictable stretch of time in the saddle.

What makes gravel riding especially appealing at this stage is how flexible the experience can be. It isn't about riding at the limit or having everything figured out right away. It's about managing the day, adapting as conditions change, and learning something small each time out. Experience does help, but patience and curiosity go a long way.

Personally, being a part of a female cycling club and its race team adds another layer to this experience. We share questions, small discoveries, and even mistakes; although, the mistakes make the learning curve feel much shorter and far more enjoyable! Some of us are chasing speed, others are chasing distance or confidence, but we are all learning from the same two wheels on the ground.

The biggest lesson learned is that you do not need to wait until you feel fully prepared. Gravel riding becomes far less intimidating once you start riding it—and the miles, familiar or not, tend to teach you what you need to know next. The gravel leaves room for it all.

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