Intro to Gravel Riding Weekender
Develop your mixed-terrain cycling skills on ancient byways and woodland tracks in the English countryside
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local cycling guidesBell Tent
2 nights camping in bell tentsMeals
2 breakfasts and 2 dinnersTransfers
Arrival pick-up from the train station at a fixed time, and departure drop offEquipment
Mix of Sonder Camino gravel bike (drop bars) & Sonder Frontier rigid (straight bars)Small Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Discover the joy of off-road riding on gravel bikes, following hand-picked routes through the beautiful landscapes of the Chiltern Hills
Pedal along the Ridgeway, Britain’s oldest road, learning key gravel riding skills and techniques from expert guides
Bed down under the stars in bell tents, enjoying après-cycle vibes around the campfire with a bunch of like-minded souls
Key Information
Day 1
Your weekend adventure begins!
Clock off for the weekend and get ready for an invigorating adventure, gravel riding and camping in the idyllic countryside of the Chiltern Hills. A designated 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' on the doorstep of London, the Chilterns are a haven for traffic-free cycling and the perfect playground for honing your skills. Rock up in time for an evening meal and enjoy getting to know your biking companions beside the campfire.
Day 2
The Ridgeway & Ashridge National Trust Estate
Cycling
Rise and shine early to make the most of a full day. After breakfast, you'll have a safety briefing and an introduction to your bike, followed by a route overview and an explanation of what to expect. Over the next two days, you'll be taught about adventure prep and planning, equipment essentials and fundamentals of off-road gravel riding (including ascending, descending, gear selection, cornering and braking). Today's route features a blend of country lanes, farm tracks, trails and bridleways, including a section of the Ridgeway - Britain’s oldest road, which runs along the edge of a spectacular chalk plateau. You'll wind your way through the stunning Ashridge National Trust Estate with its endless smooth gravel trails meandering through ancient woodland lanes, ending at a fabulous viewpoint. Lunch stop will be at the Chilterns' coolest bike cafe, and in the evening you'll reflect on learnings from the day's ride back at the campsite, with a healthy home-cooked meal and sundowners around the fire.
Day 3
Grand Union Canal & Wendover Woods
Cycling
Recap on the techniques and experiences from yesterday, along with another safety briefing for the ride ahead. Roll out of the camp onto a carefully designed route which features slightly trickier terrain to reinforce and put into practice the same techniques. You'll encounter picturesque forest tracks, the Grand Union Canal, and the cycling wonderland that is Wendover Woods. This Forestry Commission site perched atop the highest point in the Chiltern Hills features a maze of sublime, sweeping gravel tracks through the woodland. By mid-afternoon you'll be back at the campsite, to pack up and toast to a great social weekend of two-wheel adventuring.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Tring Train Station
18:30 hrs on Day 1
Ends
Tring Train Station
Afternoon on Day 3
Transfers
The campsite is situated approx. 4km from Tring station, and you'll be sent the address by the host after booking. Your host will organise a group transfer from the station to the farm at 18:30 hrs on Day 1. If arriving later then you should get a taxi to arrive at the campsite independently.
Travel options
For anyone arriving by road, cars can be parked at the campsite for the duration of the weekend. Your host will send you the address after booking.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals by the fireside on Friday and Saturday evenings. Your hosts will cook up meals featuring locally-sourced produce with vegetarian and vegan options, plus a selection of brews and non-alcoholic drinks. Breakfasts at the campsite include homemade Bircher muesli, granola, pastries, fruit, fresh coffee and tea. You'll also get some snacks to keep you going during the rides! On Saturday you'll stop mid-ride at the Chilterns' coolest bike cafe for a chance to grab a bite of lunch (not included) and a pit stop will also be factored in around lunchtime on Sunday.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request this in advance on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Bell Tents
You’ll be staying in a beauty of a camp, tucked away deep in the countryside - it will be hard to believe you're less than an hour from London! The weekend experience includes two nights in a fully-equipped canvas bell tent 'village', complimented by a cosy evening campfire: chilled, under-the-stars fireside vibes guaranteed. The campsite is set up with bell tents and separate eating and cooking areas. The tents vary in size, each sleeping either 2, 3 or 4 people. Depending on the makeup of the group, your guides will distribute the rooming arrangements and make sure that everyone feels comfortable. Camp beds are provided, so you just need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. The campsite has bathroom and showering facilities.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private tent can be booked for an extra charge (subject to availability). Please request this at the time of booking - a limited number of single tents are available and these will be confirmed on a first come first served basis. Note that this will be a standard design small tent as opposed to a bell tent. See Optional Extras for the price.
This trip has been rated as Moderate
This weekend is an ideal introduction to gravel riding. Previous cycling experience is required (i.e. you can ride a bike!) but no previous off-road cycling is necessary as you'll be provided with introductory-level guidance. A good level of fitness is required and you should be comfortable with the distances and elevations specified in the itinerary.
Bikes are a mix of adventure, hard tail and gravel bikes suited to the mixed terrain, experience and type of riding that you'll be doing. These are allocated according to size/availability. If you have a preference for drop or straight bars let the host know in advance and they will do their best to accommodate your preference. The pace is approx. 15km an hour and you'll ride as a group, with plenty of breaks, with no one getting left behind. You will likely be on your bikes/outside for most of the day on Saturday, and until mid-afternoon on Sunday.
Far from being unscripted, the routes featured on this trip are specially designed to incorporate the best of the surrounding countryside landscapes and scenery, within a pre-planned structure that is suitable for the 'moderate' trip grading. A range of features, mixed terrain surfaces and gradients are included to provide multiple opportunities to develop skill and technique, and build confidence.
The hand-picked routes have been pre-ridden and risk assessed by the host, and daily ride safety briefings will give you advanced knowledge of the specific terrains and ride characteristics that you'll encounter each day. The group will stick together at a social pace throughout the rides, and re-group at regular strategic points along the route, including at any intersections and for any mechanical problems. There may be moments when you might prefer to get off your bike and walk for a short section, and the weather could have an impact on the condition of the terrains encountered.
Ride #1: Surfaces Approx. 64% unpaved, 22% paved, 14% asphalt
Ride #2: Surfaces Approx. 69% unpaved, 15% paved, 16% asphalt
This being England, it is fairly unpredictable! Average temperatures are lower for the early and late season departure dates so you should factor this in when packing your kit. As a general guide, it is best to come prepared for all eventualities, both on and off the bike, keeping a close eye on the weather forecast in the days running up to your trip. The host will be in touch to inform you of any weather-specific considerations that might come up.
Riding full stop!!!
Intro to gravel was actually intro to riding for me. Although I can ride a bike and have a very good level of fitness, balance and confidence on a bike were not on my side. I learnt so much and improved miraculously. John and Nick were so patient and dumb down all the instructions to keep me pedalling. So grateful and I’m already thinking about trying some new biking adventures gravel or otherwise.
Fantastic weekend!
I absolutely cannot think of anything critical to say about this spectacular weekend! John gave us a brilliant introduction to gravel cycling, talking us through the different types of terrain, and guiding us around varied and beautiful routes through the Chiltern Hills. The support and camping offer was next level - Beatrice's sourdough bread and overnight oats and homemade pizza were as much highlights as reaching the top of Ivinghoe Beacon, and then we digested and chatted around the fire before rolling into our bell tents for the night. I cannot recommend it highly enough - smiles all around.
Fantastic fun and great food
John and Beatrice who run this trip couldn’t be friendlier and make you feel super welcome. Whilst John takes care of the cycling and takes you on route that are both enjoyable and challenging, Beatrice provides delicious and abundant food. The campsite is clean with good facilities and easy enough to access. Would definitely recommend this trip
Perfect!
I had such a fantastic time. We were truly looked after throughout. Fantastic guides, exquisite food, great company. I was on my own but felt immediately welcomed. Highly recommend. Thank you for a brilliant weekend.
A weekend to remember
Had a fantastic time on this trip! John and his fellow guides were excellent and ensured everyone was enjoying themselves - even in rainy conditions on the Sat morn! Camp is in a gorgeous location & the meals were wonderful. We had a lovely group which was a mix of solo’s, duo’s & one family. I had only done a bit of road biking in London prior to this weekend and this trip was the perfect insight to gravel riding - something I will defo try again :) exceeded expectations all round - highly recommend!
Great Weekend
Well done to John and Beatrice and our great guides Nic and Jon. Despite the damp weather the weekend was all in all brilliant. Delicious food, (Beatrice's Cheesecake is something to behold), beautiful location and a really fun group of people to ride with. Would highly recommend.
Fantastic experience
Wonderful weekend for our whole family - a mixture of abilities and ages and John and the gang couldn’t have been more accommodating. The whole weekend was organized brilliantly with a fabulous campsite, the most amazing food all weekend and a brilliant team of guides. Can highly recommend to anyone who wants to do something a little different.
A fantastic weekend learning to
A fantastic weekend learning to gravel bike. Even as a competent road cyclist John taught me some brilliant tips to help me with off road riding. Beatrice and the team were amazing. Delicious homemade food, chat, camaraderie and the routes were varied, scenic and a little bit challenging. Just 10/10. And this was despite having the most shocking weather! All day rain, but that didn’t dampen our spirits. I’ll be back again.
Excellent weekend
Great guides (John & Nick), great food (Beatrice), picturesque countryside, quality biking, nice group. Top weekend all round