If you’re new to gravel biking, you might be wondering what it is and why it’s so popular.
Let’s find out!
Gravel biking is an outdoor activity that is fast becoming a favourite for the adventure community in Ireland, and there are many different ways to do it. Most people love it because it combines exercise with being out in nature, and it often conjures images of mountains, steep tracks and crazy stunts, but cycling on any dirt road can give you a gravel biking experience.
How To Get Started with Gravel Biking
In Ireland, we’re lucky to be surrounded by incredible countryside and miles of gravel cycling paths and tracks in beautiful rural areas. Gravel biking is popular because it gives you an opportunity to get out of the city or town and enjoy the pure cycling experience without worrying about traffic. It’s a great way to explore the outdoors, and you can get started with just a few essentials to consider:
- Your gravel bike. If you’re looking for a fantastic bike that can handle the trails with ease, you’ll love our range at The Edge. Most gravel bikes are designed to be like road bikes with wider tyres, and they’ll give you a stable handling experience and lower gears. If you already have a bike, you might find that adding wider tyres allows you to try gravel riding without the initial outlay, and then when you get the gravel riding bug, you can upgrade to a quality gravel bike. Many of our top picks come complete with drop handlebars and tyres that will give you great grip and a versatile ride. Mudguards are essential!
- Tires. As mentioned above, the tyres are the key to the gravel riding experience, and wide or gravel-specific tyres will give you superior grip on dirt surfaces. Gravel tyres will usually be at least 35mm in width, and will feature a tread that gives you great traction on trails, tracks and dirt paths.
- Gravel routes. Finding the best routes for your off-road adventures is easy in Ireland, where we have an excellent range of gravel paths and bike trails to explore. Look out for routes in areas of natural beauty, and explore your local countryside in the most exciting way! You can find route suggestions online, and it’s always worth reading the latest reviews to ensure that trails are still accessible and enjoyable.
- Community. Finding others to share the gravel biking experience with can transform your social life as well as your fitness, and there are cycling communities and groups of gravel bikers in many areas across Ireland. If you can persuade a friend or a group of friends to get out on the trails with you, you’re sure to have a great time exploring, and if not, don’t be afraid to go it alone – you won’t be the only one, and it’s a friendly community!
- Safety: Your safety is paramount, and you need to consider this carefully, especially if you are riding in remote locations where mobile phone reception may be patchy. It’s always a good idea to cycle with others, and if you cannot do this, you should give details of your ride plans to someone you trust. You should have a plan for longer rides to enable you to top up your water and handle repairs or seek first aid if needed, and always remember to check your bike before you get onto the trails, including tyre pressure, chain and brakes.
- Clothing. You don’t need expensive kit to start cycling, and gravel biking doesn’t have any particular requirements except that your clothing is not loose enough to get caught up in the chain or mechanisms of your bike. However, cycling clothing can help to streamline your silhouette, giving you an extra advantage on the trails, and there are several high-visibility options that can help to ensure your safety.
- Equipment. When you start out with gravel biking, you’ll just need a bike you can rely on. As you develop your skills and discover your preferences, you’ll find that equipment such as a GPS system will be helpful for exploring and recording your times. Water bottles that fit your bike will ensure that you can stay hydrated without hassle, and a bicycle repair kit is essential so that you don’t get stuck if you get a puncture or need a minor repair while you’re out. It’s important to have your bike professionally serviced routinely to ensure that it is structurally sound and safe to ride.
Our Top Picks: Gravel Bikes
At The Edge, we have a good selection of gravel bikes that will enable you to enjoy the trails in comfort and make the most of your leisure time. We always recommend trying several different models to find out what suits you best, and our experienced team can help you to find a great fit for your cycling habits and your lifestyle.
We love the Cube Nuroad Pro 2025, which is available in several great colour options, including night/black and mayablue/black. This is a gravel bike inspired by the best of Cube’s racing, cyclocross and mountain bikes, giving you plenty of clearance for 40-45mm tyres that can provide the grip and comfort you need. This bike is designed for versatility and excellent performance, and it features an integrated seat clamp, tidy rack, guard and kickstand mounts, as well as neat internal cable routing to keep the gear shifts free of mud and grit effectively.
The Orbea Terra H40 Gravel Road Bike in copper is a stunning bike, designed to be as comfortable on the city cycle paths as on the dirt roads. This bike features progressive, ergonomically designed geometry, with a hydroformed alloy frame and a specialised carbon fork, as well as 2 x 10 Shimano Gearing for a versatile ride. It’s also available in night black, if you prefer a more subtle finish.
Whether you’re looking for a new hobby that gets you outdoors or a way to explore Ireland with your friends, gravel biking is a great choice, and it’s accessible to everyone. Talk to us to find the right bike for you and all the essentials to make the right impact on the trails this year.
Outdoor Equipment in Ireland
At The Edge, you’ll find the cycling equipment and clothing you need for comfortable riding in all seasons, as well as a great selection of bikes for gravel biking, mountain biking, city cycling and more. We have a wide range of eBikes to give you the extra power you need to go further than ever before, and this is a great lifestyle choice to increase your fitness and reduce your carbon footprint.
You’ll also discover all of the essentials you need for swimming, surfing and running, including clothing and training kit. Pop in and meet our friendly team in store or explore our extensive range online.
