Getting Started
You don't need to know anything yet. Start here — the questions every beginner asks before her first ride.
Pillar guide
The complete beginner's guide to women's gravel cycling
Gravel cycling is riding a drop-bar bike on unpaved roads. To start as a beginner woman: get a bike that fits (borrow, rent, or buy used), wear padded shorts and a helmet, and join a coached, no-drop group like More Than Miles™ so you don't have to figure it out alone. You do not need to be fit, fast, or fearless to begin.
First rideConfidenceGroup ridingWhat is gravel cycling?
Gravel cycling is riding a drop-bar bike on unpaved roads — dirt, chunky rock, farm two-track, and light singletrack. It sits between road and mountain biking: faster than a mountain bike, more capable than a road bike, and welcoming to beginners because there's no traffic and no pressure to keep up.
First rideConfidenceWhat should a woman wear on her first gravel ride?
For your first gravel ride, wear padded cycling shorts, a moisture-wicking shirt or jersey, a well-fitted helmet, cycling gloves, sunglasses, and closed-toe athletic shoes. You do not need a matching kit, clip-in shoes, or expensive layers. Weather-appropriate is more important than looking the part.
First rideWeatherBody imageGravel bike for beginners: the honest starter guide
A beginner gravel bike is a drop-bar bike with wider tires (32mm+), disc brakes, and a comfortable fit — priced $800–$1,800 new or $500–$1,200 used. You don't need the newest, lightest, or most expensive one. You need a bike that fits, a helmet, padded shorts, water, and a friendly group ride to try it with. That's it. Start there.
First rideBike fitBudget