The Gravel Bike Glossary (1): Champagne Gravel, Hood, Arschrakete… what’s that?

Every subculture protects itself with its own jargon. In sailing, the galley is called the ‘pantry’; hunters address the game when they spot it – and in gravel biking, too, there’s a flurry of terms that leave newcomers nodding politely whilst wondering what on earth is going on. The good news is: you don’t have to put up with it. Three terms you should know before joining in the conversation next time.

1 Champagne Gravel

This refers to very fine gravel. So fine that the tyres whir through it very gently. The term was coined in reference to ‘champagne powder’ in skiing. It was invented in the 1950s by skiing pioneer Joe McElroy. As he rode down the slope through deep fresh snow, the extremely light, dry snow swirled up so vigorously that the fine ice crystals made his face tingle. McElroy compared this tingling sensation on his face to the bubbles rising in a glass of champagne. Since then, extremely light, fluffy and dry powder snow has been referred to as ‘Champagne Powder’. The pun has been adapted for gravel biking.

2 Arschrakete

​This refers to the bag that is attached to the seat tube. It is strapped directly beneath the saddle and protrudes upwards and backwards in a long, sloping, cylindrical shape. As it is attached directly behind the buttocks (‘arse’) and, due to its elongated, often slightly conical shape, resembles an engine or a rocket, the name is visually obvious. When the bag is packed full and often not properly secured to the frame, it begins to swing slightly from side to side whilst cycling – particularly when riding out of the saddle. Visually, this is also reminiscent of the wobble or manoeuvring of a small rocket attached to the rear.

3 Hood

​There are two simple reasons why the rubber covers on the shift and brake levers are called that:
1. Their protective function (like a hood). Just as a hood protects your head from rain and wind, the rubber cover fits snugly over the upper mechanism of the brake lever. It shields the sensitive mechanism inside from dirt, water and sweat. 2. As ‘brake lever cover’ sounds rather cumbersome, gravel cyclists opt for the snappier English term: ‘hoods’. The term refers to the entire upper, hump-like part of the brake lever as Hood. When cyclists grip the top of these covers (which is the most common and comfortable position for gravel and road cycling), they ride “on the bonnets”. In German, the term has simply become established as a name for the rubber covers themselves.