Tips on Negotiating Gravel

We've all had our far share of scary gravel incidents and being Washington rider you're always on the lookout for gravel approaching a turn, seen this response on tips for negotiating gravel and thought he pretty much nailed it...

1. Don't panic.
2. Look for the best line around/through it.
3. Apply front brake to minimize your speed as you approach the gravel.
4. Hang-off more to minimize lean angle.
5. Keep looking through the turn.
6. Get off the front brake when going over the gravel.
7. When the bike feels like its getting loose, don't tighten up on the bars.
8. Be smooth
9. Realize you got away with one and slow your entrance to the next blind corner.






http://www.pnwriders.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55064

 

Reggi?????

 

Being a Portland-area rider, I've experienced my share of gravelly mountain twisties as well.
They don't use salt on the roads around here to combat ice, they use corn-kernel-sized gravel in all the curves.
Great for 4-wheelers; treacherous for motos.

To expand on #7 & 8 (critical once you're in the stuff): Relax. :tongue:

Literally. Relax your entire body and let the bike do what it needs to do.
Tension and stiffness translate into fighting the bike at the controls.
Try to think limp (I know, tough for guys to do!).

I've ridden-out more heinous gnarly crap on a MTB that I thought would surely kill me, just by consciously telling myself to relax and float over it.

Trust that the bike wants to remain upright due to the spinning wheels (as long as the wheels are rotating they act like gyroscopes, that combined with the bike's geometry [rake/trail] make the bike want to stay upright unless acted upon stupidly by the nut holding the bars...), and that the tires will find whatever grip is available.
Ever seen the vids of racing crashes where the rider falls off the bike entirely, but the bike rights itself and keeps on rolling down the track, sans pilot?

Just relax, "let 'er have her head", and do the rest as R.W. says.

 

I've rode my share of gravel. I like to keep the rev's high so i can steer with the rear wheel a little . Helps liven up the front end and prevents wandering . IMO




this is fun too!!!

 

Buy a SuperMoto & back it in :wink:

 

Another tip, get your butt off the seat so the bike can move around to find traction - it will "float" beneath you.

 

This is what I do as well. My thinking is "brake before hand, get the bike upright, and coast over it to conserve traction." It's worked for me, but the big variable is how much "straight run" you have in the turn before you cross the double yellow or go off the road. I think I'd crap myself if I hit gravel mid-lean, but then I've only been riding for a few years.

 

Relaxation is much tougher after your body shoots adrenaline into your blood stream to "save you" from the threat. Keeping calm is easier if you have experience with the slidy sensasation.... How do you practise? O.k... now how do you practise if you don't have a dirt bike (or a friend with one ;-)

 

True.
But therein lies the key to survival and fast riding: Overcoming panic.
Controlling Fear.

When riding hard & fast there are many occasions which cause the sense of panic / loss-of-control to start.
In those situations you must fight it by consciously telling yourself what you need to do.
You must also simply 'know' that you can trust the bike and trust the tires.

I'm convinced that World-Class riders are masters of Panic Control.
To become better, you must push your own limits.
When you push your limits you get outside your Comfort Zone.
When things get hairy, you survive by controlling panic and remaining in control.

Many times the instinct is to do something that is completely contrary to maintaining control on a motorcycle.
For instance, in a front end slide, your instinct may be to slow down by using the brakes, when in reality the solution is to apply throttle. :wink:
(it causes the Cg/balance to shift to the rear; less weight on a sliding tire will allow it to regain grip).

Panic control means not giving in, and consciously telling yourself what you need to do, RIGHT NOW, in milliseconds, then executing it calmly and correctly.

Think about the dynamics and physics.
Understand weight shift, balance, traction, and the forces involved.
Think about these things beforehand.

How to practice?
For me a MTB works great!
The sheer amount of body movement / weight shifting required, combined with poor traction, will quickly help develop a feel for loss of grip and how to save it, and keep the reflexes sharp, not to mention vision skills.

For years I've preached that I believe that riding a MTB is one of the best ways to become a more skillful, in-control motorcycle rider.

Or - maybe a small, lightweight beater bike on gravel, wet grass or even wet pavement.
One of the key training methods for Kenny Roberts' racing school was Honda XR-80's on a dirt track.

I've experienced a lot of stuff, and while I still get that panic feeling on occasion, I know that I know what to do, and just tell myself to execute it.
I still have to consciously tell myself what to do.

I had a gravel-induced front end slide just yesterday (Timber Rd - also wet).
I hate that "oh sh!t!" sinking feeling when it happens, but I knew what to do and did it (pretty much as RW describes, and relaxed).
I covered over 300 more miles of great twisties and beautiful scenery afterwards and had a wonderful day on the bike.