On a glorious Sunday in March, my wife and I decided to shake things up by trying something new—we took on the Dirty Sheets Gravel Route in Chattahoochee Hills, GA. Since this was my first time experiencing gravel riding on an eMTB, I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, I have to say—it was an absolute blast! Going in without any preconceptions, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. That said, the ride, which covered about 21 miles, was more than double the distance I typically ride on single track. As a result, I found myself feeling a bit weary by the end. Thankfully, I had the motor backup, and I was definitely glad for the extra boost!
To me, gravel bikes seemed like the worst of two worlds: not optimized for speed on roads or performance on trails. I now look at them completely different. Gravel bikes are tough, efficient in their space, and sort of the Swiss Army knife of bikes.
What is Gravel Riding?
The route that we rode brought us through a wonderful part of Georgia that I had never seen. Farmland, estates, rural homes, and miles of forest were the scenery as we traveled the white, dusty gravel roads. The route ended in a few miles of fast, forested dirt paths that weren’t too far from being single track.
Gravel riding, which some call adventure cycling involves riding on unpaved surfaces like:
- Gravel, Fire, and Farm roads
- Rail trails
- Doubletrack & light singletrack
It bridges the gap between road cycling and mountain biking, providing the speed of a road bike with the versatility and stability of a mountain bike.
Gravel riding is often less structured and more adventure-focused. It’s about exploring new places rather than just hammering out miles on the pavement. The rise of gravel biking also coincides with the rise in popularity of Bikepacking.
What Makes a Good Gravel Bike?
Gravel riding on an eMTB was not as easy as I perceived it to be. I really thought that I would have an advantage over gravel bikes. My full suspension, however, wasn’t shielding me from the constant vibrations of gravel passing under my tires. Consequently, I was impressed by the speed of some gravel bikers as they passed us, quite easily, on the bumpy roads. In their element, gravel bikes are on top of the food chain, a hybrid of road and mountain bikes, with features designed for comfort and stability on rough terrain.
Key Features of a Gravel Bike
🔹 Tire Clearance – Gravel bikes fit wider tires (35–50mm) for comfort and traction.
🔹 Relaxed Geometry – More upright and stable than a road bike, making long rides comfortable.
🔹 Disc Brakes – Better stopping power, especially in wet or loose conditions.
🔹 Mounting Points – Extra spots for water bottles, racks, and bags, making it bikepacking-friendly.
🔹 Gearing for Mixed Terrain – Typically a wide-range drivetrain for climbing steep gravel roads.
Final Thoughts: Is Gravel Riding for You?
Gravel riding is perfect for riders who love adventure, exploration, and variety. If you:
✅ Want to ride beyond paved roads
✅ Like a mix of speed and off-road capability
✅ Prefer less traffic & more freedom
✅ Enjoy endurance challenges and bikepacking
And let’s not forget those who bike to accessorize! Gravel biking opens the entire world of biking to the gear-heads out there. Between road and mountain biking accessories, you have your gravel specific items and all that bikepacking paraphernalia! It will be almost impossible for you to maintain control of yourself! Lock that credit card up.
Gravel riding on an eMTB was fun, and we plan on doing it again. I do believe, though, that one should use the right tool for the task. A gravel bike is the way to go, if you plan on including gravel routes as part of your regular biking activities. And besides, two bikes is always better than one, right?
Would you consider getting into gravel riding, or do you already ride? Let me know your thoughts, I’d love to hear from you!