[toast0]

> Ever dreamed of riding a bike down winding gravel roads without ever having to pedal along a paved road again?

Does Australia mean something else by gravel road than what I'm thinking as a US person?

Biking on gravel roads is unpleasant compared to paved or dirt IMHO. Gravel is unsmooth, loud, and can be loose. I certainly have the wrong tires for gravel, but even with wider tires, I don't think I'd dream of riding on gravel.

[strken]

As far as I know we both mean the same thing: loose gravel that has a grader and maybe a roller run over the surface every now and again. Surfaces in even worse condition that are basically wheel ruts filled with gravel with grass growing out the middle might called either gravel or dirt road/track, and those without gravel are just dirt roads/tracks. People use the words interchangeably at times.

I grew up around them and they were fine to ride on. They're usually so low traffic that there aren't many corrugations, though outback gravel roads like the Tanami Track are an exception, and you don't ride (or drive) too fast on them. The noise isn't really an issue for me, it just sounds crunchy in a way that blends into the background. If you're riding on one lane country roads, you're probably already used to a bit of gravel on the surface.

I think the appeal is that you're sharing the road with 30km/h tractors and 60km/h utes, not 100km/h SUVs.

[infradig]

I'm in Australia and have driven on many gravel roads. It always means those small grey/gray stones that are spread on the road after grading, but not sealed. The article really does seem to be calling dirt roads gravel for some reason. I'm confused as a gravel road has a very specific meaning to me.

[dmm]

Lots of people prefer riding on gravel because of fewer cars, more hills, and rural scenery.

[technion]

Nope, it's a sarcastic question, you probably don't want to do this .

[cameron_b]

I do not take it as a sarcastic question.

There is a whole community of gravel-riding cyclists, seeking monster rides.

https://breckepic.com https://www.epic-series.com/capeepic https://thestartlist.com.au/disciplines/gravel/ - and other affiliated European and African races https://southeastgravel.com - a regional gravel race series https://www.granfondoguide.com/Contents/Index/1324/what-is-a... less competitive, long gravel

[ip26]

Bike construction is a key variable. My gravel bike is a smoother ride on crushed gravel than my hybrid or electric are on city streets.

[Angostura]

I think dirt road is the equivalent