Gav Cooper ‘GravelGav’
Name: Gav Cooper ‘GravelGav’
Age: 51
Location: Kingdom of Fife, Scotland
Notable Achievements:
Taking on the legendary An Turas Mor – a route from Cape Wrath to Glasgow, but in true adventurous spirit, I tackled it in reverse. Another is perhaps completing the Badger Divide three times but would say that sparking a love for gravel riding in my youngest daughter and introducing her to some of my favourite stretches of glorious “champagne gravel” is up there.
Events:
So far this year I have competed in the Dirty Reiver, The Gralloch and some of the new GrAlba Gravel series, including the Scottish Gravel Championships with aspirations to compete in these again over the next few years, but some exciting new challenges further afield are on the cards such as The Rift and The Traka so watch this space…
Adventures Completed
I am something of a route-planning enthusiast – though “enthusiast” might be putting it mildly. My map collection is starting to look like a wallpaper project gone rogue. Most of my adventures are in Scotland (I make no apology for that), and it’s not unusual for me to disappear for up to a week at a time-don’t worry, I usually leave a note!
I have pedalled the Cairngorm National Park trails, explored the shiny new routes popping up in Argyll and Bute, followed trails that cleverly link the Highlands to Perthshire (like a scenic connect-the-dots game), and south in to the picturesque Scottish Borders . Along the way, I often pick up friends who join me for a leg or two-kind of like hitchhikers, except they bring their own bikes and questionable snack choices.
Some of my greatest hits include An Turas Mor, The Badger Divide, the John Muir Way, sections of the Highland Trail 550, and-most recently-the Capital Trail. My legs still haven’t forgiven me.
Why GRVL APPAREL?
What’s not to like, all products are well made, look good and perform flawlessly. However, what stood out for me was the environmental message. The use of natural fibres resonates where they are biodegradable. Naturally synthetic fibres may need to be used for some products but again the use of ocean waste plastic demonstrates an awareness that many other manufacturers appear to neglect.
ABOUT GAVIN COOPER
What Got You into Gravel Cycling?
If I’m honest, the open road and I have been going through…a trial separation. I’ve always been into outdoor sports such as skiing (gravity-assisted survival), snowboarding (sideways gravity-assisted survival), and hill walking (gravity’s still there, just slower). But as a cyclist, I eventually realised I was maybe done with the whole ”race to the finish” thing. Instead, I craved adventure in the “back of beyond” – a place that sounds romantic, but is mostly just midgies, sheep, and questionable coffee stops.
I’d pack up my bike with bags stuffed to bursting – looking less like an athlete and more like I was moving house by pedal power – and ride off to the west coast of Scotland, the north of Scotland, Northern Ireland or wherever else would have me. At first, it was all on nice, smooth roads…until those roads started filling up with cars, lorries, and drivers apparently auditioning for action movies. That’s when I turned my wheels toward the crunchy stuff – gravel.
Now/ I’m hooked. Gravel riding is my happy place. The local routes are endless, and I’ll connect them any way I can – commuting, training, or “exploring”, which is really just me getting lost but pretending it’s on purpose.
Gravel Goals for the Future?
To continue enjoying riding local gravel and going on bikepacking adventures, with the GB Divide being a route I will soon endeavour to undertake, but it’s gravel racing that currently has the juices flowing again as it were. I do like to support local events so will continue with that such as the new GrALBA series here in Scotland. I have managed to participate in a few this year but aim to do the full series where possible next year. As I have mentioned, the Icelandic Rift is a goal as is The Traka in Girona, the queen of gravel events, and will continue to be, until I can fit these events around existing work commitments.
Favourite Place to Ride Gravel?
The Corrour Estate, in Scotland. It is actually part of the Badger Divide Route and have ridden this section numerous times, but the Wyvis Estate in Easter Ross, where I grew up, is a very close second!
Favourite Ride Snack?
My daughter’s flapjack, nothing compares!
Favourite Piece of GRVL Apparel?
It is between the merino wool jersey and the 3-season jacket. Both serving me well in their own ways, but I was recently caught out in a heavy downpour where I would have expected to have cooled down quickly given the wet windy conditions, but the merino wool jersey kept me warm on the remaining 30 kilometres home. Very impressed so it just has the edge!
