UK (off road / gravel) Rides with Tons of Climbing?

[Richard G]

Hey all.

A friend of mine has been dieting / training hard for a ride in the Dolomites in June... except it's very much looking like we're not going to be going as things aren't looking good there with COVID cases.

It seems a real shame for him to have put in all that work and then no challenge at the end so I'm trying to find UK rides we might be able to do instead. I've had a quick look through some of the rides I've done with crazy amounts of climbing, and YD300 / Jennride / Braunton 150 look like they could fit the bill, albeit either with modification to make them into single day rides, or some sort of B&B stop half way.

Anyone got any other suggestions? I've excluded BB200/300 rides as I'd probably like it if he was still talking to me at the end of it.

[ton]

i have 100 mile route in the NYM. all rideable on a gravel bike.

i will post it when i can find it.

[redefined_cycles]

i have 100 mile route in the NYM. all rideable on a gravel bike.

i will post it when i can find it.

Road bike with 32 to 34mm gravel tires Ton... Would that be pushing it for this route of yours

[BigdummySteve]

South Downs Way, I don’t recall too much chunk and plenty of climbing.

[Richard G]

South Downs Way, I don’t recall too much chunk and plenty of climbing.

I've never really enjoyed it to be honest, and I have a long running debate with a friend of mine that it doesn't actually have any hills in it.

Said friend does have a route down there that I was interested in doing though, so that could kill two birds with one stone.

[BigdummySteve]

I've never really enjoyed it to be honest, and I have a long running debate with a friend of mine that it doesn't actually have any hills in it.

Nearly 14000' was plenty for me!

[Richard G]

Nearly 14000' was plenty for me!

They're soft Southern hills though, they're not proper hills.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Road bike with 32 to 34mm gravel tires

This now has me wondering why you want an off-road route?

[redefined_cycles]

Road bike with 32 to 34mm gravel tires

This now has me wondering why you want an off-road route?

Ton described his as a gravel route though Stu. I wouldn't dream (only a bit) of trying an off road with 32mm knobblies

[thenorthwind]

Road bike with 32 to 34mm gravel tires

This now has me wondering why you want an off-road route?

Me too. But then my road tyres are 35mm

[ton]

i would choose a bigger tyre for the route. trying to load it on here but it wont play.

i will keep trying. it is a old 1 day polaris route from the 90's. a 100 mile route to be done in 1 day. took me 16 hours IIRC.

[slarge]

How about Mr Barrington’s ton of gravel or 2 tonnes of gravel. A wee bit of climbing in those and South Wales based

[Richard G]

How about Mr Barrington’s ton of gravel or 2 tonnes of gravel. A wee bit of climbing in those and South Wales based

Those are new to me. Would appreciate routes / links if you have.

[Verena]

Haven't a clue what I'm talking about, but what about the GBdivide/ BGduro route?

[Scud]

Have you looked at the 120 mile Dirty Reiver route, nice place to ride and can be done with bivvy/ the bothy in middle?

If you wanted a big day out, but on the road, i can send you the Dragon Devil ride, 180 miles and 4800m in a day and in Wales, so really scenic riding?

[ton]

the route i have is 120 miles with 4000 metre of climbs. with not much road.

[Richard G]

the route i have is 120 miles with 4000 metre of climbs. with not much road.

Happy to have a look if you can find a link / file.

Haven't a clue what I'm talking about, but what about the GBdivide/ BGduro route?

I would have assumed that would take a fair bit of mapping. Probably my best options for the two day rides are figure of eight style routes like the SD300. If not, I'm considering AirBNB on route somewhere, driving to the start, then stopping at the end of day one where we've got accommodation.

My friend isn't a bikepacker, and as I'm not sure of his fitness I'd rather not be carrying a bunch of gear to make things harder!

Have you looked at the 120 mile Dirty Reiver route, nice place to ride and can be done with bivvy/ the bothy in middle?

If you wanted a big day out, but on the road, i can send you the Dragon Devil ride, 180 miles and 4800m in a day and in Wales, so really scenic riding?

I'll see if I can dig up the route, cheers.

Definitely not road, riding on the road scares the sh*t out of me unless it's a closed course.

[ton]

https://www.komoot.com/tour/351384506?ref=wtd



hope this works.

[Bearbonesnorm]

How about the Trans Cambrian Way. It's not highly technical but a large % is off-road?

[Mariner]

There are events starting to open like Devon Grit and Dorset Grit.
Choice of route length and people/clock to race against.

Have a google around see what comes up.
I know the area where the Devon Grit route is so lots of climbing on the long route.

[Richard G]

Thanks Ton / Stu / Mariner. I'll have a look at those.

Right now I'm leaning towards doing the King Alfred's Way over two days (Starting in Reading, using Winchester as half way stop). Not as much climbing as I'd like, but to be honest I think having a bit more distance than elevation will suit him better as he's a good chunk heavier than me.

Relatively close too, so less hassle sorting it out.

[jameso]

KAW is a good route. Not a lot of climbing but really nice old school XC riding.

This went up on STW the other day from the guy who created it, looks well researched and interesting to me as it passes through where I used to live in the Cotswolds -
https://www.escapism.bike/routes/tour-of-the-cotswolds 400km, 5,300m climbing.

[HUX]

Not quite in England but if you want a hilly gravel route with lots of climbing and some great views, remote at times and loads of places to camp check out The Argyll Trail.
http://bikepackingscotland.com/argyll/

Pictures on the website dont really do it justice.

[Richard G]

I'd love to be back in Scotland, but sadly that's a bit too far!

This went up on STW the other day from the guy who created it, looks well researched and interesting to me as it passes through where I used to live in the Cotswolds -
https://www.escapism.bike/routes/tour-of-the-cotswolds 400km, 5,300m climbing.

Looks lovely. I might keep that around just for me!

[jameso]

I'd love to be back in Scotland, but sadly that's a bit too far!

This went up on STW the other day from the guy who created it, looks well researched and interesting to me as it passes through where I used to live in the Cotswolds -
https://www.escapism.bike/routes/tour-of-the-cotswolds 400km, 5,300m climbing.

Looks lovely. I might keep that around just for me!

See you there maybe.