you need to know before your first gravel ride

 Gravel bikes. Throw a stone out of the window and you’re more likely to hit one than anything else at this time of year. They are very much the ‘in’ thing at the minute, and for good reason.

The gravel boom really started stateside but the rest of the world has been quick to cotton on – once MTB- or road-heavy social media feeds are now inhabited almost entirely by this perfect blend of the two. Curious? Well, you probably should be – gravel bikes are a fantastic way to build your core fitness and endurance, all while exploring off the beaten track.

Here is everything that you need to know about the newest kid on the block (based on atrial and error session in Scotland's Tweed Valley):

1. Wheel size is a thing in gravel too

If you’re a mountain biker dipping a toe into gravel then be prepared – gravel bikers like to talk about wheel size, too. Basically, it depends on what size of ‘chunk’ you plan on riding and for how long. The two main wheel size choices are 650B and 700c – the smaller being the (once) medium MTB size and the larger being the international roadie standard/29".

Tyres are critical with gravel as, not only are they your only form of suspension, but will also affect things in terms of rolling resistance. The smaller of the wheel choices allows space for chunkier rubber, while the 700c tends to offer skinnier fodder. If you're planning on riding for a long duration or over rougher terrain, then opt for a smaller wheel and a chunkier tyre – it's going to provide you with more comfort and more control.

But this all ultimately depends on your frame and fork of choice. If you’re used to riding MTBs, then the smaller wheel (650B) and its chunkier tyre will feel more familiar and vice versa, if you’re into your skinnies.

2. There is no ‘right’ way to dress for gravel

The best rules for this are: from the waist down go XC MTB (MTB shoes, loose knee-length shorts), from the waist up go road. Of course, this is cycling and so there are little touches which are critical for ‘le look’ if you’re really getting invested – casquettes and bum bags would seem to be two cornerstones.

The latter perhaps have a more practical side to them. Gravel is intended to be a long-distance affair and often strays into multi-day bikepacking. As such, ample cargo capacity is key. Riding is often undertaken miles away from civilisation amid extremely changeable weather, so a wide array of spares, food, liquids and clothing are all essentials.

3. You will puncture!

This is a weirdly masochistic element of gravel, particularly in countries with chunkier grades of forest road. Without suspension, and often higher top speeds than when on your mountain bike, you’re asking very thinly carcassed tyres to absorb thousands of mini square-edged hits one after another. Punctures are still very much a massive part of gravel, as is the chipper camaraderie around fixing them – as everyone in the group knows that it could well be them next!

Losing air aside, gravel bikes are remarkably mechanically resilient already. They borrow heavily from both MTB and road and, as a result, benefit from some already pretty dialed-in bike tech, such as one-by drivetrains and disc brakes. They do a superb job of nullifying the vibrations and chatter coming back through them and leave you relatively free to get on with the job at hand.

4. Everything is familiar, yet really different

Your first hour or so on a gravel bike is a space shuttle launch of a learning curve. The speed at which you can climb feels other worldly if coming from a MTB background, and you'll be able to attack climbs you once suffered on.

Likewise, the first tip into a fast left-hand berm on the drops takes a level of commitment you’d all but forgotten. Gravel bikes are of course not trail bikes but riding easier trails on them is eye-opening in every sense and trail centre climbs become excellent gateways to higher vestiges of hillsides.

It’s easier to come at them from a mountain biking perspective as you’re off-road. That said, the first time your brain clocks a root to pull up for, you quickly scramble for the escape hatch!

5. Go with experienced gravelistas

It would be very easy to go gravel riding on your own and not really ‘get’ it. After the initial amusement of being on a completely new set-up and shape of bike wears off, it can feel a bit like the halfway house that it really is – neither on nor off-road (at least in an MTB sense).

Going with a professional guiding company, such as Tweed Valley Guides, enables you get a tailor-made route that offers up enough undulation and points of interest to allow for a total immersion in, well, gravel. On an MTB trail, they can feel awkward and difficult to get your head around, but, open one up and dip your head down into the spray of the rider in front of you down a flat-out, well-sighted fire road and it all starts to make sense.

Gravel riding is a whole new sensation and an essential experience if you want to challenge your cycling brain and develop as a rider. The great news is that the majority of mountain bike hotspots, such as the Tweed Valley, feature hundreds of miles of ready-made routes for you to explore.