Primarily I enjoy mountain biking and bikepacking on the rough stuff, however... The gravel has grown on me.
If you're unsure what all the fuss is about, imagine combining the speed and distance achieved on a road bike whilst exploring quiet adventurous tracks and gravel roads.
What I really love about the gravel is its non-technical, you dont need much cycle-ability to enjoy the gravel just any bike thats capable of a bit of mixed terrain.
It really has opened up a new World to explore. So, here are my top 10 Gravel Roads I have ridden throughout the year, included with grid references so you can find the exact locations on OS maps and enjoy them too.
1# Ogwen/Nant y Benglog Bridleway - Spectacular ride through the heart of some of Snowdonia's most iconic mountain-scapes. #Tryfan #Ogwen
2# Altnabreac - Found in the remote North of the Scottish Highlands this 30 km stretch of pure heaven can be ridden from Loch More through to Forsinard via the remote Altnabreac Station. #Highlands #Scotland
3# Foel Cedig - A recent find I spotted on the OS Map, this remote gravel track in the hills above Llyn Vyrnwy is a fantastic loop from Rhos Y Gwaliau below combining lanes, open landscapes and an incredible forest descent. Best ridden anti-clockwise. #Walesneverfails
4# Dinorwig - A section I've ridden a few times this year, known to be a tyre slasher I am yet to fall victim to it. An incredible descent as if you were riding through a Jurassic Park scene. Unreal. #Snowdonia #Welshslate
5# Bealach Raonasgail - Got to be my number 1 gravel ride of the year. Found remothe on the North of Harris in Hebrides you can either ride up and down the pass from Uig Sands or cross the infamous bog to its South from Loch Reasort to stumble across it first hand. One of UK's finest. #visitouterhebrides #VisitScotland #IsleofHarris
6# The Wayfarer - An iconic pass in the Berwyn hills of Wales and a testament to mixed terrain cycling. This pass was ridden countless time by one of the pioneer's of rough stuff cycling - Walter MacGregor Robinson. You'll a memorial to him at the top! #roughstufffellowship #RSF
7# Kielder Water - In the North of England whilst cycling the country I was blown away by the gravel roads and trails hidden around Kielder Forest and resevoir. Worth a trip of its own. #visitengland
8# Coed Y Brenin - As my local network of gravel trails C-Y-B had to get a mention, and nothing beats it on a summer evening for an afternoon spin with the sun setting over Cadair Idris and the Rhiniog mountains. #Coedybrenin #Visitwales #gravelriding
9# Cairngorm Capel Road - An ambitious attempt to cross the plateau from Loch Muick over to Clova. I stumbled across what is named on the map as Capel Road, a mountainous gravel road that gets you so high you stand in awe of the mountains around you. #OSMAPS #Cairngorm
10# Staffordshire Canal - Living in the mountains as I do I can often forget about the tranquillity of riding along a Canal system. Staffordshire and the midlands has miles of cycling network that showcases the very best of these old industrial areas. I miss them.
Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed viewing my Top 10!
Don't forget you can get in touch for GPX files for any of the locations above and also for any of your guiding needs, be it on Gravel, Mountain bike or on Foot.
Have a happy New Year and all the very best for 2022!
Connaire Cann @Wheelgoodtimes