Gravel days: kit and three routes away from the road

Gravel riding is the freest way to cycle. Turn off on a whim, take the prettier track and ride where no car disturbs the peace. Once you have a taste for it, sooner or later you will strap a sleeping bag and tent to the bike and turn a ride into a proper bikepacking trip.

Here is the kit that makes long gravel days work, plus three good routes in Germany and Austria you can ride straight away.

On a gravel bike, your soles help decide whether a long day runs smoothly. A stiff plate transfers power cleanly while you pedal, and a grippy tread helps when you end up pushing the bike after all. Clipless or flat pedals? Mostly a question of riding style. Both work on gravel. What goes inside the shoe matters just as much: technical socks wick moisture away and sit without creases, so you avoid pressure points and blisters even after hours in the saddle.

A good gravel helmet combines ventilation and aerodynamics: cool on long climbs, streamlined and quiet on descents. The right glasses keep sun, insects and flying grit out of your eyes. And cycling gloves keep the handlebars firmly in your hands, even after hours on gravel.

If you are out for longer, you need well-planned storage. A frame bag, saddle bag and handlebar roll spread your kit evenly across the bike. Add a sleeping bag, sleeping mat and lightweight tent and you have a proper bikepacking setup. Pack with a system and life gets easier: heavy items low and central in the frame, sleeping gear at the back, snacks and tools where your hand finds them quickly. The bike stays balanced, and you won't have to unpack everything at every stop.

A gravel day can drag on: four hours in the saddle, a quick rain shower in between, then a helping of headwind on the pass. Your clothing has to work, no compromises. A jersey with rear pockets holds bars and keys, padded bib tights make long stages more comfortable, and a wind jacket that packs down small is quickly to hand when the weather turns.

Pump, multitool, lights, water bottle: you only miss these things when they are not there. On longer rides, a little redundancy pays off. A second inner tube or an extra tyre plug weighs next to nothing but can spare you a long, frustrating walk to the nearest bike shop.

Which leaves the question of where to ride. These three routes run through Germany and Austria and show how varied gravel riding can be, from Alpine views to vineyards and volcanic landscapes:

Route planned, kit packed. All that's left is to get on the bike and go. If you'd rather browse first, you'll find everything in one place in the bike range.