Over the past decade of living in Portland, I’ve noticed a difference in weather from winter to winter. Some winters have been wetter and snowier than others. I’m all for as much snow and rain as we can get. The snowpack is essential, and I’ll never complain about too much of it. Well, as long as it stays in the mountains and not the streets of Portland.
There have been winters where I rode a lot more than I would in the summer. Something about the cool, damp days and layering up is refreshing. While summers are not Phoenix-hot, we did have a blazer last summer. It was miserable at times. So I prefer winter riding more. The only drawback to winter riding is when we’ve had a lot of rainy days in a row. That means the trails are getting pounded, and as much as I want to ride, I know it’ll cause more damage than good.
So what’s the alternative for those of us seeking loam?
Gravel riding.
Funny how things come full circle. When I first got into mountain biking in the early 90s, a good bit of it took place on gravel, dirt, or jeep roads. What we call gravel riding today was mountain biking then. In other words, there’s a familiarity to it which I love.
Like you, I love hand-built trails with tabletops and bermed corners. Gravity-fed flow trails are one of the wonders of the world. And so, I regularly hit the same trail systems repeatedly. But with gravel, whole new worlds open to me that I don’t see or miss by riding on enclosed trail systems. Oregon is packed with endless miles of gravel or dirt roads that take you on adventures that leave you whoopin’ and hollerin’.
I’ve now got to the point where I now regularly spend time on the trail along with other days on gravel. I appreciate the scenery on gravel that I miss when mountain biking. I’m usually so locked into what’s immediately in front of me I don’t take notice of what’s around me. Recently at a trail building day out at one of my favorite trail systems, I discovered I had been riding next to a beautiful little stream with a series of waterfalls. I honestly had no idea that was even there. I never noticed. I was too fixated on the trail’s features and not going over my handlebars.
Gravel riding may not be your jam, but it’s a fun alternative to do when you can’t or don’t want to take your bike out on the trail. Why not give it a try?
