Corrugations (Washboard Road)

Corrugations, also called washboard, are evenly spaced ridges that form across gravel and dirt roads as vehicles accelerate and brake over them. They are common on Baltic and Nordic gravel roads, especially in dry summers.

Riding over corrugations shakes the bike and rider violently, reduces grip and steering precision, and over long distances can loosen bolts, crack brackets and luggage racks and damage electronics.

Tips for washboard roads:

• Stand on the pegs, keep a light grip and let the bike move.
• Often a slightly higher, steady speed lets the wheels skim the tops of the ridges, but stay within your sight distance.
• Look for a smoother line near the road edge.
• Use slightly lower tyre pressure and softer compression damping if your suspension allows.
• Check bolts, racks and mounts after a long gravel day.