A glorious gravel Summer
Taking advantage of an amazing Summer in the UK was an opportunity to explore local off road gravel adventures.
I love gravel riding, it is a totally different dynamic to road cycling. You can take your time, not worry about cars, stop and enjoy the views and most gravel rides offer a huge amount of diversity in terms of the terrain – whether it be cycling on trails, bridleways, forest paths, canal tow paths, cycle paths.
These are some of my favourite gravel adventures this Summer, not ranked as I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite. The links to the routes are linked in the title of the ride.
(komoot route link in title)
Starting at Great Staughton on another of the hottest days of the year, we follow quiet roads and trails to Kimbolton ad Easton. We found a lovely little community shop in Grafham Village before heading along the Grafham water reservoir, very depleted. This was such a fun route, cycling mainly through golden fields and quiet roads, plenty of haystacks – but a peaceful and glorious route through the Cambridgeshire countryside.
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(komoot route link in title)
I loved this one, and will definitely do again. Starting at Pitstone we made our way over to the Ashridge Estate, up a steep path to the iconic Bridgewater Monument, through the beautiful estate itself (we went on some trails I will re-plot for next time), before heading to Wigginton, a glorious trail through Hastoe woods before lunch at Chiltern Velo café – worth a visit. Back through the woods before then reaching Tring Park – totally unexpected. Magnificent tree lined wide trails, sweeping views over Aylesbury Vale. Onward through Chilterns National Landscape before taking on Pitstone Hill and Paul’s Knob
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(komoot route link in title)
Starting in Elstow before heading along the Bedford Embankment, along route 51 to Willington and Sandy, a fabulous ride through the RSPB Nature Reserve and visit to the Gardens, then onward to Biggleswade before picking up the John Bunyan trail and a view of Cardington Hangers as we return to Elstow. This one is worth it for the detour to RSPB Nature reserve alone.
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(komoot route link in title)
This was fun, a train with our bikes to Northampton before following a short section of the disused railway line – The Brampton Valley Way before riding along the Pitsford Reservoir wall and around the lake, a bit of a boring slog on the road for 2 or 3 miles before getting back onto quiet roads and trails past Cottesbrooke Hall and Ravensthorpe Reservoir back to Northampton.
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(komoot route link in title)
We did this on one of the hottest days this Summer! Turned out to be a long day in the saddle, but fab if not challenging route. One of the most challenging being going through a field with many many cows along with calves, all looking at us very seriously.
Heading out along the Grand Union canal before cutting across to Stewkley and Oving before a lunch stop at the George ad Dragon at Quainton. A mandatory pic in front of the Quainton windmill before the long drag up Quainton Hill – reaching the radio tower. From the top you can see for miles and miles around. Amazing – but all brown. Many more trails, fields of sheep then cows before emerging at Swanborne for a quick stop at the tearooms to devour some ice cold drnks. Back along route 51 to Milton Keynes.
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(komoot route link in title)
We’ve done this route a few times now. What I love about it is the diversity. From the off road climb up Tom’s Hill through the Ashridge Estate to the wooded trails of the Chilterns National landscape, Berkhamsted Common, past a Buddhist Monastery, the Icknield Way Hudnall Climb (I’ve never got up that one without walking!), Whipsnade, Dunstable Downs – where you can have a great stop at the National Trust café and watch the kites. Onward cross country eventually popping out at Woburn. A lovely day out on some amazing trails. Check out the pics on Komoot!
