Here the Strava activity showing the route we followed along with some photos: https://www.strava.com/activities/1797954198

You've got the friendly route that is on the National Cycle Network. I was highly dubious about some of what we tackled yesterday being part of a national route because we had to do a few hikesbike sections (aside from my mate who smashed up and down everything on his full sus because he's an ex-mtb...

I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow but my mate accidentally downloaded the wrong route so we end up doing about 60km off-road, much of it challenging my two friends (an ironman and ironwoman so not shy of hard work) on their mtbs loaded with bikepacking gear. It was hilarious - really really ch...

I have a lovely routine that's been in place for the last decade or so. Ride to Brighton, buy beer and/or curry, eat on beach if nice or on train if not and then rest and reflect on the day all the way back to the big smoke. Makes for a lovely day out :-bd I intend to instate a similar routine myse...

I'm planning something similar from North London in the next couple of weeks and I've just come across this and noticed that there are a couple of closure notices in place. See link below. https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/leisure-recreation-and-community/walking-horse-riding-and-cycling/downs-link/ Th...

Sure you can Jimbo...go vertical. That's how I get 2 bikes in my shoebox. Telescopic poles FTW. Greetz S. Thought about it but can't find a spot where that would work in the flat. Actually - i might chuck the desk in my bedroom and that would free up an ideal space... oh dear. Well that was a poten...

Here's the route I've imported into Strava (I can send people the GPX file): https://www.hotchillee.com/2017/09/28/gravel-ride-to-brighton/ I'll take a copy of that .gpx if you're offering thanking you very much! You can email it to: simplegairy (@) gmail (dot) com I ride that way (from North-west ...

Rasta wrote:Downs Link is a nice disused railway track. Lots of dog walkers. Cafe half way. Shoreham end was closed during the summer for construction work.

Already looking forward to the cafe. Aren't we still in summer?

Hah! Guildford to Steyning on that is the 'downs link' i.e. NCN 223. Not sure that's 'gravel'. Fun to cruise along though. :roll: Take a bell. ;-) Ah - agreed re NCNs. Didn't realise it was one. Better than roads though. No need for a bell; the free hub on my new Hunt 4Season Gravel wheels is lovel...

I need to get some gravel kms under my belt in preparation for the Gran Fonduro up in Scotland at the end of September so I have just copied a gravel route from London (Sigma Sports in Hampton Wick nr Richmond Park) to Brighton and I'm planning to ride it first thing Saturday and then catching the t...

Understood. My point was more around not wanting to feel pressured that I might've wasted someone else's place if i pitched up and found the course too demanding for my CX bike/me. The only times I ever feel like that happens is if someone sets off knowing full well that they have no intention of a...

without the pressure of being in a race? Just a point - it's not a race. Not trying to be facetious or clever, but that might just affect how you view the event. Set off early, decide when to stop (or don't). You can choose how best you want to ride it. Understood. My point was more around not want...

What size cassette does that thing have? I'd be in serious trouble with my gearing!!! I'll PM you. As Bob say's I'm a single-speeder, I was just being funny, a sense of humour is handy when you only have 1 gear, a sense of humour is also handy on the BB200 at times :grin: The bit's that were too st...

Does anyone have a copy of the 2017 route that i could look at - maybe at some point I could make a weekend out of it to see how I got along but without the pressure of being in a race and therefore potentially wasting somebody's place? You should be able to view the 2017 route here to get an idea ...

38mm will make a bit of a difference, but not huge. 90% of people will be on Ridgid/Hard tail MTB's, with 2 inch tyres. I'd also recommend riding with the kit you'd expect to take on the event. It'll just get you used to the extra weight and the way the bike handles Sounds like I don't have the rig...

It's possible on a cross bike, it just depends on how much fun it will be :wink: When Scott says climbing he means it. You'll need to be getting to a ratio of 25m per km to mimic Mid Wales, so on a 100km ride look to do 2500m of climbing. In terms of gearing running a 1:1 ratio may work if you have...

I'm limited to 38mm (they come out at 40mm on the new rims) in my frame so sounds like i might be under gunned width wise. I'm pretty happy with hikes and carries - great mtb shoes. Agreed, I was planning on doing exactly that - possibly in the Surrey Hills if I can figure out a route that keeps me ...

I'm not sure if there are any spots left on the BB200 but I'm considering it if there are. I've only been training for a few months now so I know I've got a lot to do but i think it's feasible. I run a 2016 CAADX 105 and have just upgrade to tubeless wheels and 38mm tubeless tyres (Hunt 4Season Grav...

Yeah it's a bit contrived but as I'm going alone I wanted to be around a well organised event as I learn the ropes. It got me thinking about doing the 655km Argyll Trail in the not too distant.

I can't make this weekend unfortunately but if you do anything similar in the next several weeks then I'd be keen.

I've just booked to do this 100km gravel race. I'm going by train (London-Edinburgh-Galashiels) and riding the last ten miles or so. It looks like it could be a good laugh and I love Scotland so figured I'd make the trip. http://www.granfonduro.cc. If i enjoy it then i might do the Dirty Reiver next...

It took a few weeks to try out a selection of bikepacking backs from Lomo, Blackburn, Apidura and Alpkit but i finally found a combination that all fitted my 2016 CAADX really well. I've got the following: - Apidura Backcountry handlebar pack 9l - Apidura Backcountry accessory pocket 4.5l - Alpkit T...

+1. Is merino a possibility?

Morning! So it was a really good trip and we learned a lot! I've had a bad cough for 2 weeks and had barely slept on Monday night but I was determined to go regardless and if I couldn't complete the ride I figured I could just hop on a train and get myself home if i had to. I'd put my Sammy Slicks o...

I've ridden the Surrey Hills a lot - mainly taking a train down to Ashtead and riding from there, but you could ride from Richmond either by following the Thames to Long Ditton, or heading across and over Wimbledon Common - but from there you're in urban sprawl to Ashtead. The Thames route seems to...