Red Bull thinks we are good. Nice to know.

22 Jun

For years this area has been known as a mountain biking destination. But with hundreds of square miles of forest, coastal paths and farm tracks this is now a world class destination for gravel and adventure cycling. Don’t take our word for it, Red Bull love gravel too and featured us in their top 9 UK rides.

We like to combine our gravel rides with foraging, coffee making and a bit of bushcraft. Most rides begin at the kitchen table with maps and the computer gps route plotting system open. In the depth of a forest with dead end tracks and no signposts you need a gps or a guide you can trust.

We have been picking the gravel bikes out of the shed more than normal during these last few crazy months. A flask of coffee and some cake treats are slid into the bags or sometimes a stove frying pan and barista level coffee kit. Days when sunset and sunrise almost touch are best for slow exploration.

Road bikes can be fast and fun, but there are things lost to the blur of speed. Rough tracks and fatter tyres and even the mental approach that dials back the speed help you to experience more. We find that we stop more often to take photos on gravel rides and stumble across wildlife more.

I guess that the road less travelled is where we head for on our gravel bikes which is why we have been using them so much recently. If we do come across anyone, they are as surprised as we are. We have the lowest population density in the UK and a forest that you can drop Manchester into and lose. Like most people we have been feeling a strong urge to get away from the world in the last few months and now as accommodation opens you can join us.