Winter Gravel riding can be a daunting affair.
Rain, wind and thick mud can often tempt you to stay wrapped up inside, promising yourself that tomorrow is a new day, and the sun will most probably come out to dry the trails and warm your toes.
With the change of clocks away from British summer time, it's suddenly getting dark at 4.30pm. This doesn't however mean that going for a ride after work is no longer a possibility, because night riding is a great thing to try if you've not done so before. If you're a little bored of riding in the same places all the time, then riding those same routes in the dark is such a different experience. For your world is focused on the small patch of illumination that your headlight lights up. Here's a few tips for successful night rides that we've...
18th November Meet at 8:30am to ride for 9am Church Farm Café, Station Road, Aldbury, HP23 5RS (2min ride from Tring train station) Details 50km Gravel ride through the stunning Chiltern hills, taking in Ashridge Forest, woodlands, towpaths, and the Ridgeway. Meet at Church Farm Café for coffee at 8:30am and ready to roll for 9am. We plan to be back in time for lunch. Included with the ride-: GPX file as this is a self-navigated ride. Basic mechanical assistance if required. Shared photos/video folders at the end of the ride. Good time to be had by all. Type: GRAVEL Difficulty...
30th October Meet at 18:10 to ride for 18:30 Church Farm Café, Station Road, Aldbury, HP23 5RS (2min ride from Tring train station) Details Spooky fancy dress optional! 30km night-time gravel ride through the surrounding Chiltern hills. Charge your lights and ride the trails perhaps as you've never seen them. The dark transforms your senses and delivers a wholly different experience on the trails - even if they're your daylight regular. Watch out for badgers, deer, sheep, werewolves and any co-riders who may be dressed ready for Halloween. Meet at Church Farm Café for pre-ride nerves...
The leaves start to turn, the days get a bit shorter, there's a feeling in the air that change is afoot. Trails start to change from dusty and fast, to mud and leaf litter, rain gullies and greasy roots. These are all things to be celebrated, as autumn is a great time of year to be out enjoying the world. With the cooler air and still some light in the sky when work is done for the day, you can get out for a ride, enjoy the sunset and fire up your lights for the final descent back into town....
Natures playground we gravel ride in needs to be protected so we can continue to enjoy it for generations to come. The choices we make at GRVL are influenced by preserving nature by doing as little harm to the planet when we produce our clothing. We therefore select fibres that don’t compromise on performance, however are as sustainable as possible. In an era of heightened environmental consciousness, the textile industry has been desperately seeking truly sustainable alternatives to traditional synthetic fibres such as polyester that make the bulk of cycle apparel. Among these innovative options, Tencel bamboo stands...
