New York City is proof that even in one of the world’s busiest cities, gravel riding is possible. In partnership with Other recommend routes include The Reiver Raid, a 175km loop in the border country of the Ale Water Valley, designed with bikepacking in mind.Â. The prize was a piece of its produce and an invitation to experience more discomfort at The Rift, a big gravel race in Iceland. It slowly morphs from gentle gravel riding that anyone could do to a point where you really need to think about your bike and equipment – it’s wide, tubeless tyre and mountain bike shoe terrain. If you’re looking for a scenic country ride away from the constant flow of traffic, then some of the UK’s railway cycling routes might be up your street. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. But armed with a gravel bike, a map and a sense of adventure and the desert soon becomes an oasis.Â, Where are the best spots to go gravel riding both in the US and in the UK? The final half of the route, the Downs Link, is well documented, but the challenging bit was connecting that with our start at Hampton Court and it took some trial and error to hook it up. Recognised for for its sublime fat-tyre trails, Moab combines the scenic beauty with an array of famed routes, including the Slickrock Bike Trail.Â. We’ve moved our event this year to Hutton-le-Hole so that we can show off the eastern side of the Moors, but our original plan A route got a big fat, ‘No!’ from landowners. So you can find your perfect Kent bike ride, we’ve reviewed our full collection of cycling routes in the region to deliver the top 20. Legs were heavy, but the stoke levels were high as we rattled the last 30km off in a fraction of the time it had taken us to drag it out in the morning. Avebury has a National Trust car park, costing £7 all day. After a quick (or not so quick depending on your legs) feed in Aberfoyle, you take to the open tracks again heading south for the second half. Subscribe today and get the next 3 issues of your favourite cycling magazine for just £5! Hope that helps! This equates to a sheer variety of routes that is hard to match, with rides for all ability levels. Pedal across its chalk ridge to the phenomenal Old Harry Rocks, bright white sea stacks that mark the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dirty Reiver’s roads are open all year round, but on the day of the event, the organisation makes a point of taking you away from harvesting and industry going on at the time. The village of Rhayader serves as an accessible gateway to the Elan Valley. It’s amazing gravel country, with fun, fast descents and grind-it-out hills. The Go East Lothian Trail At 63 km the Go East Lothian Trail is perfect for families, microadventures or a long day ride.  The area boasts around 600 miles of world-class gravel riding. The Dirty Reiver is not a race, but there is a timed sector, sponsored by Lauf, who make suspension forks. Best bike trailers for kids: what to look for and recommended products. The path can be heavy going in places, with plenty of large rocks and rutted sections. Further south is the Irfon Valley, which in turn opens up the dirt tracks of the Towy Valley. Rooted’s blend of paved, dirt and mud is quintessential Vermont riding. Click while holding the Ctrl or Command ⌘ key to add a line without snapping to nearby roads, or change the Draw Mode to the setting in the toolbar below. “Gravel Cycling is both a utilitarian reference for gravel riding and a celebration of the fastest growing discipline in the cycling world…Worthy of display with its top-notch photographs; selected race and tour descriptions from around the world; and Q&As with race promoters, athletes, bicycle designers, route-planners, and other experts.” On the way back down, try to avoid the sheep. Dirty Reiver. So we cooked up plan B, which I’m actually happier with now. Titsey Hill Smash Up. The remoteness of Scotland make it a serious draw for gravel riders and bike packing enthusiasts. The neighboring county of Wiltshire is home to the famed Ridgeway. The Cheshire Cycleway is a 283km (176 miles) way-marked circular route around the county of Cheshire covering a wide variety of terrain ranging from steep climbs in the Peak District, through a network of quiet country lanes across to the Wirral Peninsula. For a newcomer, though, it will be undoubtedly tough. So it’s little surprise that gravel riding has also taken hold. It’s just over 100km from Hampton Court, which I think equates to 160km on the road. Sparely populated and largely rural, it’s home to a vast network of gravel roads and logging tracks, connected by quiet country roads. >>> Nine tips on how to get started with gravel riding. Get £10 off the fantastic 1000W Cooks Professional Stand Mixer, Whip up some of your best bakes yet with this powerful and easy-to-use stand mixer. Distance: 61.1km. Some road link up got us back to the starts of the big loop at Strada Florida, and all that stood between us and the end of the route was a 6km gravel climb and the rapidly fading daylight. You don’t want to roll a road bike down a singletrack, for example, and you don’t want to ride a downhill mountain bike … Britain's Best Selling Road Cycling Magazine. The ex-Grand Tour rider, and two-time DK200 winner, now calls the state home. Mixing forest roads with cycle paths, quiet country roads and some single track, it passes mountains and lochs and sees riders enjoy both woodland coastline. There’s no single tough section, its difficulty is with the cumulative effect of all the climbing. In the Elan Valley and the Cambrian mountains you’ll take in quiet country lanes, gravel tracks and drovers roads. After a ride on a canal towpath, we turn off and begin climbing into the high peaks, joining back onto the Pennine Bridleway. And with good reason. County and area cycling guides . Unless you’re one of those oddities who embraces wet weather, it’s best to ride the Ridgeway on a dry, bright day because the chunks of actual gravel are sparing and, on soggy days, it’s infamous for turning into a hellish quagmire of Glastonbury-on-a-wet-year proportions. Cycle routes in Dorset whisk you across swathes of colourful heathland, rolling chalk hills, old forests and even past an ancient carved hill figure in his birthday suit. The country is full of spectacular routes but if you’re new to the region following an established trail makes sense. It’s really quite steep at its lower part: 1:1 gearing is essential, so a 34t chainset with a 34t big rear cog. It’s home to desert, mountains and a rather big lake. Once you’re over that you’re into typical Peak District heather moorland. It’s a very popular service with cyclists heading back to London, so there’s no problem getting the bikes on the train (at non-peak times), even if there’s a bunch of you. Land access in Yorkshire generally isn’t that good and we work really hard to convince landowners that we’re not going to cause any damage or that there’ll be issues with grousing birds. Established in 1992, every issue is packed with expert reviews of the latest road bikes and gear, inspirational routes and rides, evocative features that take you inside every aspect of cycling and unmatched nutrition, fitness and training advice. These are the roads that helped elevate gravel riding from a bourgeoning discipline enjoyed by a few die-hards to where we are today. Those forks are probably great, but not even a hovercraft would have been comfortable on the sector, which was by far the worst-surfaced and came after 180km, when most of the field had already been humbled by the distance, climbing and aggregate. Outside the city limits you’ll find plenty of gravel roads and trails to explore. Following a network of bridleways, forestry tracks and quiet country lanes, our routes traverse rugged moorlands, follow rivers and skirt upland … End point: Brockley. The nearby Mendip Hills are reachable from the city on two-wheels, showcasing the versatility that gravel bikes offers. It’s about exploration, too, just going anywhere, and that exploration has led to us setting up our own gravel event, Yorkshire True Grit. Are you a gravel convert? The Wild About Argyll Trail is a 407-mile route that takes in the Ardgartan Peninsula, the coastal roads of East Kintyre and the Glen Want National Nature Reserve. We’d recommend being self-sufficient as places to eat are few and far between along the route, unless you dip into nearby towns and villages. A 200km route it takes in the high plains and the Gypsum Hills and proves that Kansas gravel is as varied as it is extensive.Â. We’ll take riders up Newtondale and Cropton Forests, which are unique due to being on hillsides, so you have these amazing vistas. In austerity Britain the road network has lapsed into a pothole-strewn wreck, so picture what state the country’s oldest road, the Ridgeway, is in. It’s a different way of riding, and as well as the pain you get in your arms and neck, the concentration that riding on these trails demands takes it out of you. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. By entering your details, you are agreeing to BikeRadar terms and conditions and privacy policy. In fact it possesses more miles of unpaved roads than it does paved.Â. We will publish new routes here regularly. Steamboat Springs, located a little over 150 miles from Denver, is home to the famous SBT GRVL race that draws participants from around the world. I would do it on my cyclocross bike before even mountain bikes existed, and we’d jump off and carry our bikes over any bits that they couldn’t handle. The Centennial State is front and centre of the gravel boom and with good reason. The state’s other desert roads have also piqued the interest of many gravel riders. These distinctive red-dust roads zig-zag their way across several of Utah’s state parks. I don’t think it’s that challenging, but, hey, I have been riding it for 30 years. In addition to the 150 mile, 75mile, and 50km events, to be held August 21st, 2021, it is adding the 300-mile Long Voyage sponsored by Komoot. One minute you’re in forests, the next onto the moors and back again – you can be looking at a panorama stretching 96km, or at the tree in front of your face. The Ridgeway is more popular with walkers than cyclists, and you’re still more likely to see mountain bikers than gravel bike … One day I’ll ride home. Gravel bikes have made the job much easier though, the control you get with disc brakes and what bike gurus can do with modern carbon fibre works like magic. Tuesday 26 September 2017. When it’s wet, bumps are shaped and when they dry out they’re like skiing moguls. Peebles. In a little under 10 years gravel riding has gone from something of a niche to full-blown phenomenon. Sure, it’s not new – riders have been venturing off-road on drop bar bikes for decades. Click on the map to add points to the route. This Hayfield route is not what I’d call a beginner’s route. So instead we’re going to look at a couple of famed gravel destinations as well as a big city in detail. In fact, the only short section appears as part of the climb back over the Duke’s to Aberfoyle, and even that is a beautiful and scenic road in its own right. Britain may not have the extensive network of gravel roads found in the US and other parts of the world, but there’s still plenty of opportunity to head out into the wild, from the prehistoric Ridgeway route in the south of England, to the forest tracks of the Trossachs in Scotland. It’s a point-to-point route, so unless your legs are feeling good and you fancy a ride back to London from Brighton, you’ll need to get the train. In addition to the trails, it offers panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and Jamaica Bay, and you can even spot migratory birds. But now the equipment has finally caught up and is keeping pace with our demands and our imagination. There are some routes that are made classic by their sheer perfection, and others by races. With miles upon miles of off-road gravel routes to be discovered, this is an ideal location for some epic adventure cycling. Just let that sink in. As cyclists we find ourselves in an exciting place, reaching a confluence where mountain bikers and roadies meet and are then free and uninhibited to decide which tributary to explore. The Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia are better known, but mid-Wales is an area that will put a smile on any gravel rider’s face. Thanks! But you don’t always have to leave the city to get a dose of gravel. More importantly, they are a lot of fun to ride. View The Classics If you’re interested in the ancient stones of Avebury, there’s plenty else along the trail for history buffs, including the Iron Age forts of Barbury Castle (where the National Trail and original Ridgeway diverge for a period) and Liddington Castle. I’ve ridden it in decidedly damper conditions and the weather makes such a difference. While the concept of gravel riding originated on the hard-packed dirt roads of the United States, exploring on bikes specifically designed to take you off the beaten track has captured the imaginations of riders the world over. Nevertheless, this route starts off nice and gently on the Pennine Bridleway, on a section of the path that’s a disused railway line that once connected Hayfield and Manchester. Kielder Castle Forest Park Centre, Kielder, Northumberland | MAP. The region is sparsely populated and there are few paved roads. In part four of our Adventure Addicts series, we set out to find six of the best British gravel riding routes. We save some of the punchiest stuff for the end because we want to make it a real test – for you to show your true grit! The latter offers miles of undulating gravel trails and beautiful views from the Shawangunk Ridge. Made accessible via its vast network of traffic-free dirt roads is what makes it a dream for cyclists. Where do you ride your gravel bike? Don't miss out on MBUK – get your next 3 issues for just £5, Get the next 3 issues of the UK's number one cycling magazine for just £5. Add Route. I first rode this whole route in October 2017 but it came together bit by bit over the previous year, just exploring trails, using maps and routing tools such as Komoot, realising there are paths here and bridleways there and connecting it all together. Colorado combines wide open spaces with big skies and mountain vistas. Given the nature of the ride you don’t see much in the way of cafes or pubs along the route, so take the opportunity to refuel at Stan’s Bike Shack in Horsham. CX riders and mountain bikers have long used the network of trails in Leigh Woods to hone their skills. But there is still a vast playground to enjoy. These include Rooted, wthebrainchild of gravel racing legend Ted King. I’ve often considered riding home but once you sit down on the sea front and enjoy a few beers the urge to ride back subsides exponentially! Start point: Brockley. Be prepared to sign up early though, 2020 registration is already sold out. Starting in Wiveliscombe and taking in Wimbleball Lake and the Grand Western Canal. You can explore theses two areas separately or weave them together on an bikepacking adventure. The 100-mile route I’d requested – based on what I was used to on the road bike … Cycling Plus is the UK's best selling monthly road cycling magazine. Gravel riding has become so diverse that it’s almost genre-defying in its sheer breadth of terrain and experience. In the 1960s, over 5,000 miles of railway lines were axed following the ‘Reshaping of British Railways ‘ report, Dr Richard Beeching (commonly known as The Beeching Report). You need that to get back down to the Pennine Bridleway into Hayfield. And plenty of dog walkers! You’ll need to plan ahead. The trans-UK experience If you fancy the long-haul challenge rather than a one-day affair, try EuroVelo – a network of 15 long-distance cycling routes that criss-cross Europe. Once there, you’re not quite done, as you turn off up a cobbled climb towards Kinder Reservoir. Circa 5,000 years old, it’s at least got an excuse. Journey Planner .  407-mile route that takes in the Ardgartan Peninsula, the coastal roads of East Kintyre and the Glen Want National Nature Reserve. Yet the oversubscribed 200km Dirty Reiver, four years old and more popular than ever, demonstrates that the UK’s growing legion of gravel enthusiasts want a challenge. Cick the link to see them plotted or select from the links to the right to filter. Other nearby gravel getaways include Harriman State Park, near Sloatsburg, and Minnewaska State Preserve, near New Paltz. Elevation gain: … It’s now a National Trail, open to cyclists all the way up to the river Thames – beyond that, there are fewer opportunities for two wheels, so our route ends in Goring-on-Thames. There are lots of them and hitting one is to hit a brick wall. The following routes have been designed and tested by Bikepacking Scotland. Don’t discount a few stream crossings and a bit of hike-a-bike, too. Cycling in Kent is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore more of this part of England. Like Scotland, Wales offers gravel cyclists a chance to get out and ride in some pretty remote areas. In other words, if you were painting a picture of gravel nirvana it probably would end up looking a lot like Colorado. You may even have time to stop and enjoy a wee dram after a dip in the ocean. Gravelmap is a tool for finding and sharing local gravel roads for biking, gravel grinding, exploration and more. Bristol’s reputation as a ‘cycling city’ is well-earned. The sandy roads west of Wichita in south-central Kansas are where The Open Range is held, an annual event showcasing the region’s gravel credentials. Gravel riding is the hottest thing in the drop-bar world. From here it meanders alongside the Hudson River mixing largely flat terrain with a few technical sections.Â, >>> Preparing for your first gravel race: what to know and do, Riding to the end of the trail at the spectacular Croton Dam doesn’t have to be the finish. I love the route, it’s one I constantly come back to and it’s a great showcase for what we have in the British countryside. The trail’s official start is at the northern tip of Van Cortland Park in the Bronx, but it’s accessible from a number of spots along the trail, including Dobbs Ferry in the lower Hudson Valley. It cut its teeth early as a serious mountain bike destination, making its rise on the gravel scene unsurprising. Yorkshire True Grit. Short and sweet, and most possibly the best introduction to gravel riding in Scotland, the Dunkeld Hermitage Loop is the shortest and easiest route of the Perthshire Gravel Trails. The first half makes use of National Cycle Route 7 north as it winds up through magnificent, towering mature woodland on forest tracks, topping out after a stiff 250m climb at the summit of Duke’s Pass. It’s England’s oldest road and travels some 90 miles from Avebury to Ivanhoe Beacon in the Chiltern Hills. Similarly, the terrain could involve rocky single track accents, sapping your legs further still. Ancient byways traverse the countryside; gravel roads forged by farmers criss-cross through farmland; forest trails carve open new riding routes; and national parks are home to tracks rarely seen and even rarely ridden. It’s so good that the locals here built a gravel extravaganza around it, the Duke’s Weekender. Take note of the facilities because this figure-of-eight ride passes back through the town at the halfway mark, allowing you to stock up on supplies before you embark on round two. The mid-West’s place in gravel riding history is well-documented. The Cambrain Mountains are dubbed the Desert of Wales. The route below is an almost entirely flat route along towpaths, old railway line, a bit of singletrack and gravel roads, though we do a hilly route with another 800m of climbing that goes over the North Downs, rather than skirting around. Click on a point to delete it, or click and drag to move it. Back then I was still wet behind the ears when it came to the unique demands of gravel riding. Highlights include the ‘Alp Duchray’ switchback climb up to meet Glasgow’s water supply flowing through a picturesque viaduct and a punchy section of singletrack by Rob Roy’s Cave on the side of Loch Ard. If the prospect of a gravel … Then again, this is the Peak District – there aren’t that many of them here! These distinctive red-dust roads zig-zag their way across several of Utah’s state parks. We take a look at how US gravel riding compares to UK terrain, and where best to seek out such terrain. When and where: 22nd February, North York Moors. There’s singletrack here, too. Wayland’s Smithy burial tomb, just off the main track just beyond Ashbury, has 1,000 years even on Avebury’s stone circles, built in around 3,590 BC. On Easter weekend, when we last did the flat route, we had the most glorious weather, and the surface was bone dry. Riding here is, naturally, hot work. From touring the countryside to descending a mountainside, whatever type of cyclist you are, Cycling UK has some inspiration cycling routes for you. You’ll need to carry water, a water-filter, tools, spares, food and perhaps even shelter. The ride fulfils that want well by sticking to the limitless web of access roads in Kielder Forest, the UK’s second largest, and which carpets the remote low-hilled borderlands between England and Scotland. The Mendips are an ideal spot for an over-night bikepacking adventure. It’s good to have to use your skills again, because modern mountain bikes are skill compensators. 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