lower your tires pressure and tubless and wider wheels and don´t be rigid on the the bike and be somewhat lose the bike your arms and legs are your suspension smilar to mountainbiking
Hey Manon, those look like 650b, 47’s on the Rove. Get that true pressure down to 18/20 and set up tubeless. I’m 75 kg and run 20/24 haven’t flatted in two years riding some parity rough gravel north of Ottawa, in Canada
Do some gym work. Doesn’t have to be a lot, but you’ll be much more comfortable, and probably faster, when you do at least some core and body weight exercises.
I also have a Kona Libre (AL). Great value for the money, especially when Bikepacking with all its attachment possibilities. Though as I tried to swap out parts I also learned a lot about compatibility and started digging into the customization space. I did a 1000k event this year and made it to the 500k mark. Not bad for my first ever event (considering every day was 30+°C and 1000 vm) and I learned quite a bit.
Re: eating- snip just the end off the wrapper for your energy bar, stick it (them) into your pockets open side up, when riding hard you just need to reach for one and it’s dead quick to slide it out into your mouth 👍
I must admit I love seeing the GCN jersey mixing it up with all the other jerseys out riding. I guess because it seems more "real" if that makes any sense. Also, the hammerfest start Manon mentions is quite the shock if you aren't prepared for it. No neutral rollout.
Great video Manon as always. Re nutrition: I am more of a runner and have done a few ultras. Fueling has always been a problem for me as I tend to stop eating when hot and exhausted (and heat is a problem here in Vietnam). I have since switched to Tailwind, nutrition dissolved in water. It has been a game changer, no more nasty gels, and I hydrate at the same time. I use a bladder in a vest and can drink and eat hands free.
You know... after I tried gravel, I found myself drawn into MTB. Can we get a Manon GMBN crossover next year? Also, MTB skills have vastly improved my road riding.
Tyre inserts. It is a must on a gravel where the tyres has to do all the suspension. You can ride at lower pressure and you avoid punctures, and even if you have one you can still go.
Top tip is learn to ride an MTB first....Off-road on an MTB in all conditions can help immensely with technique even on drop bars.....I've been riding off-road on drop bars for 7 years and another tip is not to grip your bars too tight as it'll move around...CX riders have it nailed..... Food, short stem, wide bars and big tyres are essentials, along with some luggage and be tubeless etc.....but I'm not racing, and a couple of pub stops aren't on the menu.... I'm loving this crossover stuff now......It's nice to see roadies going to the darkside......Even I took a roadie on 35 miles of local trails last Sunday and positive results (although he fell off once and wimped out of a steep dropoff during the ride....saying that, the fella's hooked.... Just get out there....
"tip is not to grip your bars too tight as it'll move around" exact same advice in 4x4 off-roading and never curve your thumbs around the steering wheel else it'll whip 'em right off. 😅
Same here. Eating while moving is a skill that needs to be practiced. I definitely need to do it more often but I am so in the habit of eating when I stop for a break.
I don't know but did you go tubeless in the race? Thing is you really want to ride tubeless on gravel races just like in mtb. Tyres are more subtle, can be riden lower pressure without sacrificing rolling, liquid cures small punctures etc. One spare is still good to have with you.
Gravel racing in the UK seems very different then in the midwest of the USA, 100 miles is standard length and it's 90% wide (by UK standards) gravel roads. I've never seen a gravel race that does loops or has a fast start.
There are way better gravel events in the UK than the one Manon did. The Dirty Reiver being the biggest gravel event in Europe and comes in 65, 130 & 200km. No laps, no grass, no sand just pure gravel fire roads and lots of climbing with fast descending out in Kielder forest. The event done by Manon looked more like a cyclocross race, which personally if I was doing this particular event I’d rather do it on a XC MTB.
At least Manon knows what to do before the start of her first mountain bike race. I'm just wondering how she would do with a max effort start. Then a 1.5 hour max effort race.
Manon Manon Manon, Sure you leant the hard way on (not) Fueling years ago when racing with Welsh Juniors out in Europe,🤦♀️ But it goes to show, weather you new or been riding years, everybody still got to remind themselves to fuel regularly and properly. Fuelling is KEY.
the music choice and volume is incredibly off putting in all the gcn videos. fyi, dub step was never what anyone wanted, and now it has zero place ANYWHERE!
Why is it while listening to Manon there are parts she sounded like Prof. McGonagall of Harry Potter? Or just something wrong with my cp whilst listening? Anyway... go Manon!
What top tips do you have about riding on gravel?
lower your tires pressure and tubless and wider wheels and don´t be rigid on the the bike and be somewhat lose the bike your arms and legs are your suspension smilar to mountainbiking
I love ShiManon
Hey Manon, those look like 650b, 47’s on the Rove. Get that true pressure down to 18/20 and set up tubeless. I’m 75 kg and run 20/24 haven’t flatted in two years riding some parity rough gravel north of Ottawa, in Canada
Do some gym work. Doesn’t have to be a lot, but you’ll be much more comfortable, and probably faster, when you do at least some core and body weight exercises.
Repurpose a bottle cage to be where you store your tool kit. Saddle bags take a beating!
I also have a Kona Libre (AL). Great value for the money, especially when Bikepacking with all its attachment possibilities. Though as I tried to swap out parts I also learned a lot about compatibility and started digging into the customization space. I did a 1000k event this year and made it to the 500k mark. Not bad for my first ever event (considering every day was 30+°C and 1000 vm) and I learned quite a bit.
Manon rides Kona Rove, I ride Kona Rove. We are like sisters now.
another Rove sister here!
Manon always has great advice.
Re: eating- snip just the end off the wrapper for your energy bar, stick it (them) into your pockets open side up, when riding hard you just need to reach for one and it’s dead quick to slide it out into your mouth 👍
Glad to hear that there will be a next time in gravel racing, Manon. 😊👍
I must admit I love seeing the GCN jersey mixing it up with all the other jerseys out riding. I guess because it seems more "real" if that makes any sense. Also, the hammerfest start Manon mentions is quite the shock if you aren't prepared for it. No neutral rollout.
Great video Manon as always. Re nutrition: I am more of a runner and have done a few ultras. Fueling has always been a problem for me as I tend to stop eating when hot and exhausted (and heat is a problem here in Vietnam). I have since switched to Tailwind, nutrition dissolved in water. It has been a game changer, no more nasty gels, and I hydrate at the same time. I use a bladder in a vest and can drink and eat hands free.
Great tips Manon! Love gravel racing.
Excellent timing GCN, I have a gravel event this weekend! 😂
BIG thumbs UP for Manon! =) 👍
My first bike was a Kona Dew. Amazing bike! Fast and comfortable. I intend to get a steel Rove in the future.
Im glad to see Manon is showing here face in the GCN videos. So proud of her.
You know... after I tried gravel, I found myself drawn into MTB. Can we get a Manon GMBN crossover next year? Also, MTB skills have vastly improved my road riding.
Camelbak - remember those? I used them in 24hr MTB races. Didn't need anything else provided it was filled with liquid food !
Tubeless and tire liners. My first race is Tbilisi weekend.
I quite enjoy riding gravel on Zwift.
Those Kona's 😍😍😍
Great vid thanks for the tips
Tyre inserts. It is a must on a gravel where the tyres has to do all the suspension. You can ride at lower pressure and you avoid punctures, and even if you have one you can still go.
I would recommend going tubeless, really helps with the ride, grip and probably punctures.
So awesome to watch Manon transmogrify from a pampered track cyclist to a mud-munching, gravel monster! Go Manon!
thanks manon.
When you run the course the day before, you have also to think the part of the course when you can eat and drink ;)
Manon, do you think you would use the 1x set up next time or do you just prefer the 2x? Thanks!
Top tip is learn to ride an MTB first....Off-road on an MTB in all conditions can help immensely with technique even on drop bars.....I've been riding off-road on drop bars for 7 years and another tip is not to grip your bars too tight as it'll move around...CX riders have it nailed.....
Food, short stem, wide bars and big tyres are essentials, along with some luggage and be tubeless etc.....but I'm not racing, and a couple of pub stops aren't on the menu....
I'm loving this crossover stuff now......It's nice to see roadies going to the darkside......Even I took a roadie on 35 miles of local trails last Sunday and positive results (although he fell off once and wimped out of a steep dropoff during the ride....saying that, the fella's hooked....
Just get out there....
"tip is not to grip your bars too tight as it'll move around" exact same advice in 4x4 off-roading and never curve your thumbs around the steering wheel else it'll whip 'em right off. 😅
You Manon awesome massive thumbs up
Manon! I think you missed something about how to hold or mount your GoPro while in a race!! :) :)
Ok some needs to do a REVIEW on PITBULL ROAD PEDALS. THEY ARE SO COOL AND PRATICAL UP GRADE!!!!!
Good tips for a first timer!. Nutrition seems to be the biggest hurdle, have the same problem trying to get in calories without stopping
Same here. Eating while moving is a skill that needs to be practiced. I definitely need to do it more often but I am so in the habit of eating when I stop for a break.
Drink your calories, so much easier.
Camelbak chase vest. No need to take hands off 🤙👍
What about falling down, do you use any special gloves or pads, or is falling not very common?
I'd never ride without a pair of gloves on - might save you some skin but also helps with nettles etc.
I switched to fluid energy :D bought 4 kilo maltodextrine and I mix it with salt and water of course :D
What shoes are those?
More!
I don't know but did you go tubeless in the race?
Thing is you really want to ride tubeless on gravel races just like in mtb. Tyres are more subtle, can be riden lower pressure without sacrificing rolling, liquid cures small punctures etc. One spare is still good to have with you.
Wouldn't the Libre be the faster bike due to the lighter frame & wider tires clearance?
It looked like very little climbing on this course.
First ride save always
Gravel racing in the UK seems very different then in the midwest of the USA, 100 miles is standard length and it's 90% wide (by UK standards) gravel roads. I've never seen a gravel race that does loops or has a fast start.
Yea the ones ive done have been neutral start and no laps and usually 100k. Sometimes theres single track or connecting roadways mixed in.
Than
There are way better gravel events in the UK than the one Manon did. The Dirty Reiver being the biggest gravel event in Europe and comes in 65, 130 & 200km. No laps, no grass, no sand just pure gravel fire roads and lots of climbing with fast descending out in Kielder forest.
The event done by Manon looked more like a cyclocross race, which personally if I was doing this particular event I’d rather do it on a XC MTB.
Manon, casually sporting a huge bruise on her arm 8 days post race: "I think I'm a bit soft." If that's soft...bravo!
Thanks Manon...I learned that my bike had reverse..yeah , humbling . I would take a derailleur hanger too ? Peace
Not sure about that jacket. The zippers are in an interesting place. When burlesque meets cycling.
Didn't you do DK?
Hey Global Cyclin Network! any plans sending manon and si to a gravel race across the pond? Steamboat or Dirty Kanza perhaps?
Dirty Kanza's now Unbound. I think she should try the Unbound XL!!!!!
So how did Manon do in the gravel race, podium?
👍
I have a question I need an answer to. Why are there so many Pink Floyd Darkside of the moon cycling jerseys?
At least Manon knows what to do before the start of her first mountain bike race. I'm just wondering how she would do with a max effort start. Then a 1.5 hour max effort race.
Very well I’m sure!!
Tubeless. 👍
Manon unfortunately fell to the gravel near the finishline but at least she didn't fall in front of a bike or else she'd have got "tire"d. 😅
Are you going to join the First UCI gravel race?
thanks for the tips, dragon queen of wales.
Was this really a gravel race🤔
Manon Manon Manon, Sure you leant the hard way on (not) Fueling years ago when racing with Welsh Juniors out in Europe,🤦♀️ But it goes to show, weather you new or been riding years, everybody still got to remind themselves to fuel regularly and properly. Fuelling is KEY.
Hmmmm road rider meets off road...tubed tyres, tyre pressure seems low, bumpy, etc.
The placement of those zippers on that black gcn kit is absolutely ridiculous.
I’m guessing that it is a thermal kit, and those aren’t pockets. They are so the rider can open vents to allow cool air in if they get too warm.
@@purelyfixedyyc4039 so many things I want to say, but I’ll keep it clean out of respect for Manon.
@@owenjohnson5030 👍🙏🚴💙
I have a hiking jacket with pockets like that. If memory serves I think they are called “Napoleon pockets”.
Manon the goddess
SOOOOOO why dont yal have 4k yet i would like to see the details of the leaves
the music choice and volume is incredibly off putting in all the gcn videos. fyi, dub step was never what anyone wanted, and now it has zero place ANYWHERE!
Its just like roads used to be, not streets, but roads. Now the UCI has arrived grav is phuct
Wewt
Why is it while listening to Manon there are parts she sounded like Prof. McGonagall of Harry Potter? Or just something wrong with my cp whilst listening? Anyway... go Manon!
Look at her.......showing off her gravelbike pffffff
The bikes are on loan from the makers, I forget the name though 🤔
GCN trying to sell gravel bike much??
Sure worked for me