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 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…
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Adventure bikes (see FAQs)
- Shared Bell Tents
- Individual camp beds
What do I need to bring?
CYCLING
- Your own helmet (compulsory), which conforms to current safety standards
- Cycling shoes (bring your own pedals if using cleats)
- Pedals and saddle if you would rather use your own (these will be fitted to the bike for you. The host provides either flat or SPD MTB pedals and will discuss your choice with you beforehand.)
- Refillable water bottles. It is recommended that you bring cycling water bottles that fit into standard bottle cages on bikes (500, 600 or 750ml). Large sized or irregular shaped bottles would have to be carried in your backpack, adding extra weight and discomfort, so are best avoided.
BAGS
- Main luggage bag e.g. duffel bag or rucksack
- Small daypack (ideally 6-15 litres max) to carry basic essentials in while riding. Alternatively, a bumbag or frame/handbar bag.
CLOTHES
- Padded cycling shorts
- Sports tops or cycling jerseys
- Breathable wicking layers
- Cycling gloves
- Down jacket, fleece or similar for the evenings
- Trousers/leggings for the evenings
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Buff or neck scarf
- Warm hat
- T-shirts
- Underwear and socks
- Sunglasses/eye protection
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Sandals
SLEEPING
- Sleeping bag
- Travel pillow
OTHER
- Power bank or solar charger
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Personal medications
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Headtorch or torch
- Reusable water bottle x1 litre
Private Single Tent
Payable Before Departure
Private Single Tent
…
I met gravel and we becaome fast friends
TLDR The weekend is heaps good, definitely recomend for any gravel or even cycling newbies.
I'm a confident road cyclist and wanted to try out this gravel thing. The whole weekend was lots of fun, very social and about as relaxing as two days of riding can get. We were a group of ten, with age groups from late 30s up, three men and seven women. We rode though beautiful countryside with a real mix of terrain but we never encountered any sections that felt dangerous or overly technical. The pace was like a leisurly group ride, you could usually chat comfotably with the other riders. There were a couple of sections where I could bomb down a hill but that was becuase I wanted to not becuase we had to.
The tour is run by John and Beatrice, they've got a super relaxed and friendly energy, I think we all felt at home very quickly. Beatice prepared delicious balalced meals for us at the camp and anyone's dietary needs were catered for. On the rides John was joined by a few other experienced riders in Alessandro, Nunziella and Tim. They were amzaing as well. Alessandro and Nunziella have done loads of adventrures and we enjoyed their stories arounf the fire in the evening. They were always ready to help out with your bike set up and provided loads of advice.
The facilities at the campsite were comfortable. The tents were spacious, I shared with two other lads and there was plenty of space. It's a not a private campsite and there were plenty of other families but I didn't have to wait for a shower and they were cleaned regulary.
If you're looking for an adrenaline packed weekend you might be disapointed, but if you want to dip your toe into an off road adventure this is perfect. You don't have to worry about route planning, food or even having a bike making it extreamly accessible.
Great weekend
Great weekend with John and Beatrice other like minded people From booking, pre communication, pre arrival information, to meeting our hosts and other guests - it has all been of excellent quality
- Atmosphere was relaxed
- Facilities for camping was great
- Cycling detail, informative
- And food for breakfast and evening meals was fantastic
Introduction to Gravel bike riding
Lovely area to cycle, well organised by John and his team, Lovely food, good company, with some challenging climbs, with good views to enjoy.
Great weekend!
Had a great time on the trip. Myself and my partner had very little cycling experience and were a little unsure how we would manage during the weekend. John was very accommodating for us and was able to provide us with an experience that was at our pace, while still letting the others go at theirs. We had a thoroughly good time and learnt a lot of beginner information.
The food and drink was excellent and plentiful. ,We had great company and good laughs. The facilities were much better than I am used to for camping experience. The tents were roomy and the toilets + showers nice and clean.
This was a lovely trip!
This was a lovely trip! The cycling was fun, the countryside was beautiful, and the food was delicious! John was a great guide and made gravel riding feel very accessible. Would recommend!
A fabulous weekend in the
A fabulous weekend in the Chilterns gaining confidence with gravel riding on a range of terrain. Superb routes in lovely countryside. Real thought and attention to detail in the briefings, camp facilities and food which was amazing.
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