Gravel biking is one of the newest and fastest-growing two-wheeled activities. Here’s all you need to know about getting into the sport and finding the routes for you.
Admittedly, the term ‘gravel biking’ doesn’t have the allure of ‘mountain biking’. Why would you want to spend your precious free day cycling over ‘gravel’? But what the activity lacks in marketing, it more than makes up for in long days through beautiful countryside.
Gravel biking falls almost directly between road riding and mountain biking. Whereas mountain biking often mixes the long trails with the thrill of downhill, gravel cycling offers longer distances over more gentle terrain without a car in sight.
Take a look at Tour de France photos from the early 20th century, and you’ll see it was gravel mountain tracks they were hauling themselves up, not the smooth roads of today. But the revival for gravel riding began in the US along off-road trails and fire roads, and in the early 2010s, gravel races became popular.
Gravel bikes
Since the 2010s, specific gravel bikes have been sold. From a distance, gravel bikes look like road bikes — drop handlebars, no suspension — but there are differences to the gear groupsets, a geometry designed for off road riding, and wider tyres. A cyclocross bike is very similar.
Gravel bikes will be faster than mountain bikes, but many people will jump on a hardtail mountain bike first to try it out.
Finding gravel routes
Finding a route is both the challenge and the joy of gravel cycling. In the UK, it could be on unpaved roads, not-too-technical woodland single track, fire roads, bridleways, disused railway lines, towpaths, farm roads, quiet paths or, most likely, a broad mixture of several.
Long-distance trails, including the Ridgeway, King Alfred’s Way and the South Downs Way, have bridleways suitable for gravel cycling. Other popular locations include the towpaths around the Midlands and Kielder Forest in Northumberland.
But start local. Look at an Ordnance Survey map for bridleways and see if you can start from your doorstep. Fire roads through forest areas are also perfect gravel routes. These are usually marked as white paths with black dotted sides on an OS Explorer map (but do check local rights of way).
There is a wealth of resources for gravel routes. Visit ukgravelbike.club for some fantastic routes and resources. Cyclists and hikers will likely already know about Komoot, which has gravel ways worldwide. Then there’s the excellent National Cycle Network by Sustrans which has mapped more than 10,000 miles of signed paths on quiet routes across Britain. Gravelmap.com also has trails across the globe, including hundreds in England and Wales.
What kit do I need?
No specific clothing is required for gravel cycling, but bear in mind that if you’re looking at a good few hours on a bike, you’re likely to hit some different weather. Take something warm and packable, and waterproof too.
Wear a helmet, of course, but also consider eyewear, as the gravel can kick up. Other than that, just pack the usual kit you would take on a bike ride: a puncture repair kit with a spare, a pump, and bike tools including a chain tool and quick link. You’ll also need food and drink for a few hours. For long-distance gravel routes, it’s also worth looking at some bike luggage.
If you’re feeling inspired and ready to explore England and Wales on two wheels, our unique properties are perfectly positioned in the best locations for cycling holidays, where you will meet great people and come back quality accommodation, useful facilities, and scrumptious food.
Hostels with cycle storage
As well as being perfectly positioned in the best locations for cycling holidays, a large proportion of our hostels have secure cycle storage – giving you peace of mind when you’re taking a break from your cycling adventure.
