WHO THIS IS FOR
IS THIS YOU?
The road cyclist entering their first gravel event
You have a solid road base but no gravel race experience and want to avoid the rookie errors.
The rider targeting a local or regional gravel race
You want a structured approach to preparation rather than just riding and hoping.
THE ROADMAN VIEW
The Roadman view
The most common mistake road cyclists make heading into their first gravel race is assuming fitness is the main variable. It isn't. Handling on loose surfaces, tyre setup, carrying nutrition for 5–8 hours, and knowing how to pace on terrain that changes constantly — these are skills that need practice. Rosa Klöser's approach to Unbound was built on specificity: she trained on the terrain she was going to race on, and she sorted her setup weeks before the event.
Mads Würtz Schmidt made the same point from a different angle: gravel is a fundamentally different sport from road racing in the decisions it demands. You're making real-time choices about lines, surfaces and effort levels that road cycling never throws at you. That skill comes from time on gravel, not from intervals on a turbo.
The good news for a first gravel race is that the fitness bar is lower than most people expect. Gravel events reward pacing, patience and consistency far more than peak watts. If you've done the base work and you've ridden the surface, you'll finish — and you'll likely enjoy it more than you expected.
EXPERT EVIDENCE
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
- Rosa Klöser2024 Unbound Gravel 200 winner; 2025 German gravel national champion
Her preparation for Unbound was built on a simple but consistent training plan and specific gravel riding in the weeks before. She emphasised that understanding the surface and having reliable equipment was as important as fitness — you can't compensate for the wrong tyres or a poorly packed bag with extra watts.
Hear it: How This Simple Training Plan Won Me Unbound (2024) | Rosa Klöser - Mads Würtz Schmidt2025 European Gravel Champion; Traka winner
Transitioning from road to gravel requires deliberate practice on the surface. The aerobic base transfers, but the ability to read terrain, manage traction on climbs, and handle descents on loose gravel is a separate skill that road training doesn't build.
Hear it: Gravel Cycling Training Secrets | Roadman Cycling Podcast
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
DO THIS WEEK
Ride gravel once a week, every week
From 8 weeks out, include at least one ride per week on gravel or unpaved surfaces. It doesn't have to be long — 60–90 minutes on the right surface teaches handling, cornering and energy management that road riding never will.
Finalise your setup 4 weeks out
Choose your tyres (35–42mm for most gravel races, tubeless with sealant), test your bags fully loaded on a long ride, and confirm your nutrition carry strategy. Nothing new on race day means starting this process in week 8, not the night before.
Ride your longest training ride at race effort
In week 8–10, do one ride at 60–70% of your race distance on similar terrain, carrying the food and kit you'll use on the day. This stress-tests everything — your legs, your gut and your equipment — while there's still time to fix problems.
COMMON MISTAKES
WHAT CYCLISTS GET WRONG
MISTAKEAssuming road fitness is enough and skipping gravel-specific riding.
FIXAdd at least one gravel ride per week from 8 weeks out. Handling is a skill you have to earn.
MISTAKETesting tyres, bags or nutrition for the first time on race day.
FIXNothing debuts on race day. Everything — tyres, saddle bags, food strategy — must be tested in training first.
MISTAKEPacing like a road race in the opening miles.
FIXGravel races are long. The first hour should feel frustratingly easy. Save everything for the later sections where fatigue and terrain change the calculus.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What tyres should I use for my first gravel race?
How long is a typical first gravel race?
Do I need a gravel-specific bike?
Should I carry food or rely on feed stations?
Can I walk sections I can't ride?
RELATED EPISODES
HEAR THE CONVERSATIONS
RELATED TOPICS