We were joined on Sunday’s monthly group ride by our in-house gravel aficionado (and northerner) Nik Cook. Here’s how he got on with us southern “softies”.
Living in the Peak District, I guess I’m a bit of a “trail snob” and, when I signed up for the gravel group on Hotchillee’s London Paris by Tour de France launch weekend ride from Walton-on-Thames, it was more about finally seeing and meeting everyone IRL and I thought the ride would probably be a bit, well, m’eh.
I couldn’t have been more wrong and, with a route planned and led by local gravel guru and Hotchillee Ride Captain Jonathan Packer, this sub-urban gravel adventure was one of the most varied and enjoyable gravel rides I’ve ever done.
As we dodged and dived on and off hidden lanes and tracks, we were rewarded by flowing single track, challenging climbs, fast heathland trails, plenty of sightseeing and even an appearance by the Loch Ness monster.
This was a brilliant advert for the versatility of a gravel bike and, even if you don’t think you live in a trail rich area, how, with a bit of local knowledge, you might be surprised what’s on your door-step. Road sections aren’t so much of a drag as on a MTB – I rode out and back to Walton-on-Thames from Central London on-road and speed etc isn’t really much different to a road bike.