From Road to Gravel: Abi Smith's Journey to Rediscover Cycling Joy

A Brave New Path: Embracing the Unpaved Road

Transitioning from Road to Gravel: A Major Decision

After dedicating four seasons to WorldTour racing, Abi Smith has made the significant decision to trade her road bike's slick tires for the knobbly ones of a gravel bike. This strategic career shift sees her joining Ribble Outliers, a new off-road team established by the Lancashire-based bike manufacturer. This change comes after two arduous years plagued by injuries while riding for Picnic PostNL, during which she experienced three concussions, leading to extended periods away from the sport.

The Drive for Change: Seeking Enjoyment and Well-being

Smith candidly admitted that a change was long overdue, describing her move as a "big decision" that required her to be "brave." Her initial foray into gravel cycling occurred last autumn at the Welsh round of the UCI Gravel World Series, where she surprisingly secured a second-place finish on a borrowed bike. This unexpected success was followed by a victory in her second gravel event, the 13.8km time trial at the British Gravel Championships, where she triumphed over fellow riders Sophie Wright and Josie Millard, now her teammates.

Dalby Forest Victory: A Personal Triumph

Smith fondly recalls her British Gravel Championships win as the highlight of her year, emphasizing its personal significance. Having grown up near Dalby Forest, the race felt like a homecoming, allowing her to compete for herself after years of team-focused racing. This victory underscored her potential in gravel cycling and reignited her passion for the sport.

Prioritizing Joy and Safety: Escaping Road Racing Pressures

Her primary goal for her inaugural year as a gravel professional is to win a race, but more importantly, she desires to find enjoyment and camaraderie within her new team. Smith revealed that the joy she once found in cycling had been diminished by the fear of crashing and the lingering effects of head injuries sustained in road races. She views gravel cycling as a safer alternative, with smaller fields and greater control over individual decisions, reducing the risk of the "domino effect" common in road racing. For her, the risks and dangers of road racing had become "not worth it," emphasizing that "there's more to life than taking hits on the head."

Beyond the Peloton: Embracing Personal Growth and New Skills

Smith's departure from road racing was also influenced by what she termed "team issues" at Picnic, where she felt her passion had devolved into merely a job. By mid-2025, she reached her breaking point, realizing she needed a temporary break from the road scene for her mental well-being. Her contract with Picnic concluded with a mutual agreement not to renew, marking the end of her WorldTour journey that began at 19 with TIBCO-SVB, later EF Education.

Conservation and Competition: A Balanced Approach

In addition to her racing commitments this year, Smith is undertaking an 18-month apprenticeship in conservation. This dual commitment meant that after her season opener at Spain's Santa Vall, she returned home to North Yorkshire for a chainsaw handling course. She relishes being outdoors daily, humorously describing herself as "slightly feral."

Ambitious Goals: Gravel and Road Championships

Smith has set her sights on three significant gravel events: the Dirty Reiver and The Gralloch in the UK, and the demanding 360km The Traka in Spain, acknowledging that she has not previously raced for such extended durations. Following these gravel challenges, she plans to temporarily switch back to road tires for the British Road Championships in late June. While the route is yet to be announced, she hopes for a "long, hard race," a style she anticipates becoming more familiar with in gravel. She harbors a strong ambition to become the road national champion, believing she still possesses the ability to achieve this long-standing goal.