Gravel – Am I missing something?

@suspendedanimation

Can someone explain to me, an old man not down with the lingo, what AOT means?

It took me a while to work out, but I reckon it means Ass Over Tit

About two threads every week for the last ten years saying the same thing?
Excellent, though I’m going to go back to check you’ve put a similar comment on at least 1000 of the other threads ?

I have. I’m even boring myself! 😀

Really enjoying this thread. I’m sat at home today, waiting for Fedex to drop off my first gravel bike! I only currently own mountain bikes, never owned a proper road bike. I want it for winter road riding on very badly surfaced country roads which surround me.  In the spring and summer some longer rides  – back lane mooching, farm and forest tracks, bridleways etc. Maybe some bikepacking on the horizon too.  I like the idea of doing long-ish distances, but I’m not bothered about doing it especially quickly.  I want a comfortable riding position.  On paper at least, a gravel bike ticks all my boxes.  Time will tell if that’s the case IRL!

AOT is indeed short for Arse Over Tit – as in he fell off.

Thanks for all the comments chaps much appreciated – I rode a ‘mild’ off road route today and took the Spark over the Bokeh and pleased I did – I’d certainly have gone AOT in places due to the wet slippy conditions. Even in summer though the XC bike would be more comfortable than my gravel bike.

I enjoy riding of all types-ish – road, gravel and XC and have a bike for each that I’m grateful for – I’d never dream of telling what type of bike to ride, I just find it a bit odd when I see some events and people riding bikes they could have chosen better and been more comfortable on.

For me Dirty Reiver, SDW etc would be an XC MTB not a gravel bike but then I’m no expert.

But as I said at the start – ride what you like.

It sounds like you’re missing MTB, TBH.

That’s fine, though, as everybody has different needs, preferences, and local trails.

Dirty Reiver…would be an XC MTB

You’ve clearly not ridden round Kielder forest! Its a 200km track with about 1km that could warrant an XC bike… maybe. Its perfect gravel bike territory because most of it is actually just unsurfaced roads, which would kill a road bike, but are actually still best ridden on a road-style bike.

“Some bikes are made for bouncing

And some for road finness

But when they’re ridden for pleasure , they’re the bikes that I like best.”

Bonn Scott, genius

They’re all just bikes, some better at some things, some worse.

@benpinnick – nope I’ve not, just going on what I’ve seen on YouTube. So I take your point and fair play.

I’ve done a good few gravel routes / events down south though and only a few where I actually prefer to be on my gravel bike than my XC bike. Maybe that says something about my lack of skills though.

I think gravel bikes exist so you can wear a cycling cap under you helmet with 3/4 lycra bibs.