The US is amazing for gravel riding and undoubtedly one of the best places in the world for dusty paths to ride your bike on. With many new races in the US, such as the Sea Otter Classic, Unbound Gravel, and the Belgium Waffle Rides, there are no limits to what gravel riding can be in the US. We often get asked the question, “What are the best states for gravel biking in the US?” It’s an excellent question and one that is challenging to answer. In this article, we’re going to be answering some commonly asked questions and provide a list of what we consider the best states for gravel biking.
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Where Can You Ride A Gravel Bike?
There’s a big misconception when it comes to what a gravel bike is and what people use them for. As in the name, a gravel bike is designed to be ridden on gravel. No other bike would be able to match its ability or speed on this terrain. There’s no doubting that.
Although gravel bikes have a unique ability, they are not only amazing on gravel but are also very good for other cycling disciplines. This is why many cyclists buy them as a do it all bikes or even adventure bikes to take anywhere. The best gravel bike for you will give you ability on paved roads and rough off-road terrain.
Related Reading: Gravel Bike vs Road Bike
Is Gravel Riding Harder Than Road Riding?
Gravel bike riding is very different from road riding. You require more technical ability to keep the bike upright, and with larger tires, you have to work harder to drive the bike forward. Overall there’s more to think about, and many road cyclists do tend to struggle with gravel biking.
What’s interesting about gravel biking is when road cyclists go across to rough terrain, they say it is challenging as you need to get used to riding on loose ground and lack confidence. Still, they do come across a very high fitness level which helps.
Then you have mountain bikers. When they come across to riding gravel, they already have that ability to ride off-road with much more confidence. They say it challenges their fitness a lot because they are constantly on the gas.
When it comes to cycling, whatever activity you do, it’s only as hard as you make it. You control the heart rate, how fast you corner, and how much you push yourself mentally and physically. The discipline is irrelevant really.
Best States for Gravel Biking
What are the best states for gravel biking? Well, they all have their pros and cons, but here are some of the best states and a popular gravel ride from each.
Kansas
This list of the best gravel biking states had to start with Kansas. It’s growing a huge gravel following, and cyclists flock to Kansas from all over the world. Kansas offers some of the best gravel riding with endless routes of rolling hills covered in scenic views. Kansas has quite a unique terrain, and it’s filled with epic climbs and fast descents.
The Dirty Kanza
One of the most famous gravel rides in the world is the Dirty Kanza. It attracts thousands of gravel cyclists from all over the world wanting to tackle the 200-mile race. Not only do we see many recreational riders, but the professionals flock there to try and be the single gravel rider winner of this epic 10+ hour race.
Utah
Utah is a great state for gravel riding. One of the most popular places for gravel riders is Moab. It’s an incredible area surrounded with beauty. You have the Arches National Park, The Canyonlands National Park, and Wasatch Mountains. You get an incredible network of gravel unpaved roads and trails that suit all abilities through these places.
Crusher In The Tushar
The Crusher in the Tushar started in 2011 and has become incredibly popular since then. It’s held in Beaver and is Utah’s most popular gravel race. In the past few years, there have been 600 cyclists entering the event and tackling the incredibly challenging 69-mile route with 10,000ft of climbing.
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California
California and cycling go together. It has an incredible number of cyclists, and many brands choose California as their headquarters. As far as gravel riding is concerned, you have the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, which are incredible, and if that wasn’t enough, the undulating hills of the central coast and even Lake Tahoe. There’s amazing gravel routes and incredible gravel racing in California.
Belgian Waffle Ride
The famous Belgian Waffle Ride is the most popular event when it comes to gravel cycling in California. It started in 2012 and has consistently grown ever since to recently seeing 1500 cyclists. They offer a lot of different routes, the 145 ride miles being the longest. It attracts some of the world’s best gravel riders who want to compete against the best.
Vermont
Vermont offers so much when it comes to gravel cycling. It’s beautiful but challenging terrain, and you get a mix of gravel and dirt roads that take you through farmland, forests, and tiny towns. It’s a great place to ride gravel, and flying through the covered bridges really makes it feel special.
The Overland
The Overland is Vermont’s most popular gravel cycling event. Many gravel enthusiasts travel to Vermont to take on the 55-mile course with 7000ft of climbing and, of course, the after party. The Overland has a reputation for being a tough gravel race but also one of the most scenic. It brings in big names each year and is an exciting race at the front of the pack.
Oregon
Oregon is an excellent place to be if you are into gravel riding. You get very diverse terrain with a huge variety of gravel roads and dirt paths. Not only are the roads great, but you also get the Oregon coastal views, the incredible Cascade mountains, and who can forget the Willamette Valley. There’s a huge amount of different routes to choose from, no matter what your level of ability is.
Oregon Coast Gravel Epic
The Oregon Coast Gravel Epic attracts everyone, from casual riders to professionals. The 60-mile course covers a wide range of terrain, from coastal roads, forest trails and an epic amount of gravel. It’s a weekend event that offers lots of events alongside and even a post-race party. Many gravel riders choose to take their drop bar bikes on Oregon’s gravel tracks as it a great place to ride with a great gravel scene.
Michigan
Michigan is full of amazing gravel riding for anyone to enjoy. The state is beautiful, and you get a wide variety of different terrains to enjoy, from forest roads, farm roads, and lots of dirt and gravel. The Upper Peninsula gives you incredible backroads full of rugged terrain to challenge the expert riders on mountain biking trails. The Lower Peninsula is perfect for beginners, with lots of flat farmland and road cycling.
The Barry Roubaix
The Barry Roubaix attracts a wide range of gravel riders, from beginners to professionals. They offer a wide range of routes from 22 miles to 100 miles. It takes place in the scenic countryside of Barry County, and it takes on a mix of flat farm roads and rolling hills. It’s a great event to test your skill and your endurance.
Related Reading: What is a Gravel Bike Frame?
Gravel Biking and You
When it comes to gravel bikes, you have options. They have the ability to be ridden on so many different types of terrain. We think gravel biking is a very personal type of riding, and what one rider enjoys, others might not.
When it comes to gravel riding, there really are no rules. It’s all about just enjoying the ride and challenging yourself. We hope you enjoyed our article and we have given you some inspiration to visit new states and try riding in different places.
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