Gravel '24

The County gravel rides have been ticking along for a couple of seasons. Besides the regulars, lots of members have expressed interest and a growing number have got suitable bikes. This year feels like the time to change things up a gear, we’ve got ambitious plans to make the rides more frequent and varied to appeal to a wider audience.

We will need your help to make this happen (read on for details) so here is a flavour of the rides we would like to offer.

We will need your help to make this happen (read on for details) so here is a flavour of the rides we would like to offer.

Saturdays

Weekly rides from March until October initially with a longer and shorter option and the shorter one at a steady no drop pace. We would like to add further choice such as a steady paced long ride when we have enough riders and, critically, leaders to make it happen.

Sundays

Monthly away days from April to September, starting around 20 to 25 miles from Cheltenham. Again there can be longer and shorter options with distances a bit further than Saturdays.

Weekends

One or two a season depending on demand and willing organisers, travelling further to explore other regions best tracks.

Introductory rides

Shorter, very steady paced rides keeping to the less technical tracks as far as practical. All levels of experience welcome in line with usual club guidelines. We’d like to try a couple on Saturdays in March and April then some evenings when the light allows. These will start and finish close enough to town that people can ride out but also at a car park so others can drive.

Your gravel ride needs you!

That is what we’d like to do. Realistically though, it can’t happen unless we can get a large enough pool of ride leaders to cover all groups without over burdening anyone.

I love to ride gravel because it can add fantastic variety to cycling but it is even more weather dependent than road. For these reasons I don’t want to be committed to riding it every week and I wouldn’t expect that of any other leaders.

Before we launch this program we need at least 10 to 12 leaders to cover the weekly Saturdays and monthly Sundays without anyone having to lead more than once a month.

Groups should generally be smaller than road rides, ideally 6 to 8. The routes will all be available as GPX, most are tested and we’re working on the rest. Leading will be more about looking out for the group, head counting and pace setting. More detailed guidelines for anyone interested.

If that’s you please do let us know, that’s me, Alex Mackman, Ian Packer and Tony Payne or any other club committee members. You’ll be added to the list and given any briefing and support you feel you need.

Many thanks in anticipation, looking forward to seeing you on the trails again soon.

Don Muir