Firstly it's important, particularly in the UK, that people signing up for gravel events are aligned with what they think gravel riding entails. Patrick took part in the Glorious Gravels Forest of Bowland Gravel Sportive. Dedicated GPS devices have been in use for years, but the landscape for route planning and the tools for using preplanned routes are rapidly changing. The Forest of Bowland Gravel Epic is part of a wider series of gravel events across the country (and even Europe) organised by Glorious Gravel. We have a newsletter (each week or fortnight) which contains the latest news. Its a challenging gravel climb that will reward you with spectacular views in all directions before getting a coffee stop in Wray. Here are the USA sections (excluding Alaska): Northeast, Southeast & Florida. Come ride the best fire roads, gravel trails, bridleways & singletracks. Yes did it last year. By submitting content to the site you are granting GranFondoGuide.com a worldwide, Non exclusive license to use the content, and that GranFondoGuide.com is free to publish, Distribute and use the content as herein after provided for without obtaining permission Or license from any third party. As with all gravel rides, we check the routes constantly as things can change much more than on a road ride. To register as a member you need to allow cookies within your browser. Once you download the GPX files, once again, you may want to check the routing beforehand. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and are solely responsible for all activities resulting from the use of your password and conducted through your GranFondoGuide.com account. I bought a gravel bike with the idea of maybe riding some gravel, perhaps having a go at some CX racing and also because it could be used as my road training bike. This is a very wild ride with parts a long way from a paved road. Various factors led me to end the ride early at feed stop two (roughly 30 miles in), but the organisers were more than empathetic and gave me a lift back to the event start. This is how adventures in off-road cycling should be. Forest of Bowland Gravel Sportive 23 May 2021 39 RIDE OVERVIEW One of the best gravel loops in England taking in two iconic sections - the Pennine Way and the ancient Salter Fell Road. Pre Ride Briefing The start and finish were located at Bridge House Farm in Wray, Lancashire and the event HQ was easy to find with marshals directing you to the car park. Become a member for free and enjoy the benefits! - To abuse, harass, threaten, impersonate or intimidate any person; - To post or transmit, or cause to be posted or transmitted, any Content that is libellous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, abusive, offensive, profane, or that infringes any copyright or other right of any person; - For any purpose (including posting or viewing Content) that is not permitted under the laws of the jurisdiction where you use the Services; - To post or transmit, or cause to be posted or transmitted, any communication or solicitation designed or intended to obtain password, account, or private information from any GranFondoGuide.com user; - To create or transmit unwanted spam to any person or any URL. After fitting some skinny tyres and riding it on the road, it looked as if the only off road it would be doing would be on my driveway at home, between the garage and the road. Difficulty: They have done so for free. . The Site is an online community which enables cyclists and cycling event organizers to post content related to upcoming cycling events and access and/or purchase services from time to time made available on the Site (Services). Gran Fondo Guide has opted to provide a service that encourages cyclists to regulary use the website and any services it provides. 'EVs and F1 cars have a lot in common' - Alpine's boss on the firm's reinvention, New Alpine A290 hot hatch to be revealed next month, New ChargeUK trade body vows to double scale of UK charging network, HumanForest to double London e-bike fleet after securing major funding, New EV conversion start-up Inverted launches 335kW Range Rover Classic, Ten e-bike highlights from The Cycle Show 2023, New Vintage Electric e-bike is inspired by classic Land Rover models, 'We're quite BMX inspired' how e-bike firm Estarli aims to fuse folding and fun. This trail starts out as a pretty clear trail, but gradually dissipates as you reach each peak. The land has long been managed for game hunting and for farming; and the large country estates have had a controlling influence over the nature of building and development in the area. Fellow riders were extremely friendly, and not once did I hear thats cheating!, which is a first. 45 What is it? Cookies are small text files that a website stores on a user's device, such as a computer or a smartphone. I also didnt quite factor in the toll the climbing would take on the battery. What to bring:You will be further from van support or facilities you would find in most towns than with our road trips so it is advisable to take a little more with you. By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to use the Services: Please read this section carefully before posting, uploading, or otherwise submitting any Content to the site. We will email you the GPX route & a full breakdown of the route one week before the ride. Join a friendly, supportive peloton of off-roaders just like you for multi-stage gravel rides as far from the beaten-path as you can get. 45 in Hiking [+] Land Owner. Tips Details Includes an off-grid segment Navigation instructions may be limited. Make the most of your run or ride with Strava Routes. The long route packs in over 3,500m of elevation & 6 big climbs in 100 miles. Simply click on a route via the map below and view or print the route as a pdf, or download the route as a .gpx file to follow the route in your favourite App. Do you want more of this? You will ride over a variety of terrain, including gravel, long off-road sections and three stretches on quiet backroads. The sausage rolls in particular were a highlight and the promise of them at the second stop may or may not have been used to motivate me to make it to the village hall. This is a very wild ride with parts a long way from a paved road. Two Feed Stops Local Popularity. They are sorted into larger chunks and include: These files will give you a pretty good head start on finding some excellent routes/tracks. You can find out more about their other gravel events on their website. GranFondoGuide.com does not control user submitted Content and, as such, does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of such Content. What's Included GPX Files Pre ride briefing Timpanogos.It's worth spending some time at the top, taking in the view of mountains you just can't see from the valley. Forest of Bowland Gravel Short Route. Eventually, you are just trying to follow the ridgeline. This is a very wild ride with parts a long way from a paved road. Cascade Mountain is a series of several peaks, with the tallest being one of the furthest. The shorter route missed out part of the Pennine Bridleway and a chunk of climbing, and was mandatory if you got to the second feed stop after 1230hrs. Posted By Gravel Union On the 17 June 2021. Glorious Gravel events can be booked via the firm's website. Just wanted to say a big thank you for organising this event - I absolutely loved it - great course and for my first event it was super to see how friendly everyone was and the support between riders and support staff was mint!! From the Yorkshire Dales to King Alfreds Way in the south, there are plenty of events for you to whet your gravel appetite. GPS device with route loaded,Spare tube or Tubeless plug, Pump and/or CO2,Mini tool,Jacketand/oradditional layers. Once there, you'll find GPS information and GPX files pre-sorted by geographic location. You are responsible for your own safety and actual navigation. Surfaces can be paved, dirt/gravel, sand etc. 100 Miles - UK Sportives. Filter 1030 - Last riders start. Probably not. The registration information you provide must be accurate, complete, and current at all times. The focus on this run through the Peak District is the scenery, not so much the balls-out riding. Photos (145) Directions. Finishers Medal. Which GPS is the best choice for your type of riding? Learn more about our Tracking and targeting cookies. GranFondoGuide.com may transfer, assign or delegate the Terms and its rights and obligations without consent. Phone-based navigation is growing, so it will be interesting to see how motorcycle navigation will advance in the future. No agency, partnership, joint venture, or employment is created as a result of the Terms and you do not have any authority of any kind to bind GranFondoGuide.com in any respect whatsoever. This is a very wild ride with parts a long way from a paved road. We took part in the Forest of Bowland Gravel Epic sportive using an e-bike, and this is how it went. - To post copyrighted Content which doesnt belong to you. The Forest of Bowland Gravel Epic is part of a wider series of gravel events across the country (and even Europe) organised by Glorious Gravel. Here are the USA sections (excluding Alaska): There are also GPX files and information for the rest of the world (including Alaska). We then ride on quiet country lanes and then venture into the Gisburn Forest, which has a few technically easy (blue graded) single track sections before returning to Slaidburn. The final route is subject to change and will be emailed to you one week before the ride with a full ride brief. If you have a complaint regarding this website, our policy, our terms of use, your membership details or any other matter, please use the Contact Us form to notify us. Failure to do so constitutes a breach of the Terms, which may result in immediate termination of your GranFondoGuide.com account. GPS device with route loaded,Spare tube or Tubeless plug,Pump and/or CO2,Mini tool,Jacketand/oradditional layers. With a brilliant route and exceptionally well-organised event, it was tempting to give Glorious Gravel the full five stars for the Forest of Bowland Epic (especially considering the sausage rolls). Dedicated GPS devices for personal use seem to be becoming less popular. Thanks a million - see you in Somerset if not before. Nothing too technical though and nothing that I wasnt expecting. First-hand event reviews from people who have been there, done that and got the breathable T-shirt, really help everyone choose their next event. Tracking and targeting cookies are a type of cookie used by websites to collect information about a user's browsing behaviour across multiple websites. Print/PDF map. The views throughout are spectacular as we take in the Forest of Bowland & Yorkshire Dales. ), the organisation slick, the people very friendly and reassuring and the food top notch. The signage on the route and communication before the event with GPX files was excellent, and it was a very welcoming and accommodating atmosphere. Setting off from Smithills Sports Centre, all three routes head out through the village of Belmont. Explore some of the many unique villages steeped in history, while away your time observing some of the rare and enigmatic birds and wildlife . One of our favourite gravel rides in the north of England, this ride is packed with amazing views and a wide variety of terrain. A northern classic. I hired a bike too, and that was also excellent. DISTANCE: 100KM | ELEVATION: 2,000M Probably not. Count on our experienced event 960 m. 960 m. Expert gravel ride. Will I ever do a CX race? The software varies in ease of use and capability. Easy 4.2 (183) North Ranch Open Space. All Content posted or otherwise submitted to the Site is the sole responsibility of the account holder from which such Content originates and you acknowledge and agree that you, and not GranFondoGuide.com are entirely responsible for all Content that you post, or otherwise submit to the Site. The route starts in the small town of Slaidburn. Services include, but are not limited to, any service and/or content GranFondoGuide.com makes available to or performs for you, as well as the offering of any materials displayed, transmitted or performed on the Site or through the Services. Ill admit I fell foul of this and vastly underestimated the level of skill needed to tackle some of the route, but felt that a gravel bike was probably the better choice of bike for the overall route. One of the best gravel loops in England taking in two iconic sections - the Pennine Way and the ancient Salter Fell Road. Hes recently completed his first gravel event with Glorious Gravels Forest of Bowland Gravel Sportive and we asked him if he would share his experiences with us. Our events are fully sign-posted & include accurate GPX files + Once inside, youll find all sorts of information with GPS topics. Forest of Bowland Gravel epic: what's it like to do a sportive on an e-bike? The route was stellar (that final descent!! Tight country lanes and plenty of sheep wandering the roads acted as a precursor of what was to come. ROMANIA | STAGES: 4 | DIFFICULTY 3.5/5 | SEPT 2023, Get early-access to our most popular offers, (last one sold-out in just 22 min. Privacy | Terms | Work For Us, Copyright 2022 Glorious Cycling Ltd. 2 Upperton Gardens, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2AH. Reviews. Length 13.9 miElevation gain 4,875 ftRoute type Out & back. GPX Files. We then ride some quiet lanes before the route gets to the Gisburn Forest where we hit the gravel bike suitable tracks. You will be asked to select a start window which we will then confirm one week before the ride to ensure you roll out in group sizes based on current restrictions. Print/PDF map. However, I do feel that some of the route fell on quite advanced terrain, particularly for drop bar riders. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 23 min to complete. Come on your own or with your mates. Food Glorious Food At around 45 miles, the final feedstop appeared where I refueled with a lovely sugary waffle thing (I wish I had sneaked another of these). To download a FREE GPX of this route, for use on TomTom and Garmin satnavs, click here. A brand new style of cycling event - our Bellions are a cross between an Audax and a Sportive - using modern technology to reduce the need for event numbers, signage, marshals, timekeeping, mass starts and feed stations - using GPX, Strava and local facilities en route instead. The Salter Fell Road this is a very wild ride with parts a long way from a paved road. 10 miles on the road they said, and then 10 miles of gravel. Become a Gravel Union member for free! We aim to answer all requests within 1 working day. Explore some the beautiful scenery of the Ribble Valley and Bowland fells with a ride mixing paved roads, fire roads and single-track trails. While it is aimed primarily at Gravel & Adventure bikes, which are essentially fat tyred drop bar bikes, you are also most welcome on a mountain bike or cyclocross bike. You will be asked to select a start window which we will then confirm one week before the ride to ensure you roll out in group sizes based on current restrictions. 04:09. Account. Our Community About Strava Community Standards Careers Pros on Strava Follow Blog Facebook Instagram Twitter best gravel routes on the In the UK, while yes, there are plenty of stretches of this type of terrain, the fact is that to get to them you often have to either ride on the road or across bridleways, which can be somewhat more technical. Join us this Autumn for the Glorious Gravel rides across the UK including the Surrey Hills, Salisbury Plains, Peak District & Forest of Bowland Email: info@sportivebreaks.com Facebook: facebook.com/sportivebreaks Join Club Last Week's Leaders Last Week This Week With distances ranging from around 50km - 80km, and the promise . About Take on the Forest of Bowland Gravel Epic to tackle on the biggest and best gravel pathways that England has to offer. Learn more about our Strictly necessary cookies. The landscape of the Forest of Bowland is the result of hundreds of years of human influence. The route was great, the feed stations spot on and ever member if your team was incredibly helpful. The failure of either party to exercise in any respect any right provided for herein shall not be deemed a waiver of any further rights hereunder. Difficult terrain with longer, steeper hills. Each year I like to set myself a new cycling challenge. The 60 and 100 mile routes then continue to the glorious Ribble Valley . This is where the weight of the bike began to take its toll. The problem with electronic guidance devices is that they often display a route based on their programming, not the route you want to follow. 7. Did you race? The route itself took in some fantastic scenery. Your personal details are secure and made available only to you, unless you share certain information with friends or family - that you authorise. Were pretty sure that your local bike shop is supposed to sell you stuff, but this time its been the customers selling the gravel bike concept to bike shop mechanic Patrick at Blazing Saddles in the UK. Bowfield Trail. Hard 4.7 (1592) Mount Timpanogos Wilderness. The advert said 65 miles (100kms) of mixed road and gravel with some rocky off road sections where you might have to carry your bike and 7000ft (2133m) of climbing not a sportive for beginners then! 0800 - 3-1-5 Health Club opens. Compare. & there are no cut off times. 100k View details Sat, 21 May 2022 View logistics Find out why our riders call these events ride of a lifetime. Our route director will then be at the start to give you last minute advice and tips. Please read these terms carefully before using the service. The views will be spectacular throughout, so come for a great adventure and wild ride. In the last year of the 19th Century,Marshall "Major" Taylor And now it is official. No matter where you choose to ride with us, youll see straight away why so many riders come back again and again. Garmin Mapsource andBasecamp have been the baseline for route planning/editing. We signed up for the Forest of Bowland Gravel Epic and grabbed a Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 1 to find out how easy it was to do in an e-bike, what the challenges were and whether other riders would accuse us of cheating What is it? Please note that none of the shared GPX files were made/shared for profit. We use cookies to help improve your experience with personalised content and tailored advertisements. Let the community know how you got on and leave a review. Considering my strength was on the road (I am a closet triathlete after all), I thought Id choose some with a smooth central rib to help me on the road sections and some knobbly bits on the sides to help with the gravel sections and ended up with some Specialized Pathfinder Pros and I wasnt disappointed they turned out to be the perfect choice! To a Yorkshireman's wedding. They could take you over private property or land that requires a permit. As a condition of use, you promise not to use the Services for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms, or any other purpose not reasonably intended by GranFondoGuide.com. GPX Files Just to thankyou all for a fabulous event yesterday. Our first event of 2023 will be inaugural 'The Big Lancs Charity Sportive' with the amazing Wheels for All being the main charity beneficiary. So even though youve programmed them, a GPS will still use its parameters to take you to your destination. I made the mistake of asking on a gravel forum and of the nearly 50 replies, no two people were using the same tyres - so that didnt really help. #hotterthanglasto). Hell yeah bring it on! There are three questions everyone asks when buying something Cycling shoe brand Quoc has launched the Lalashan Collection, a Golazo Cycling have announced that this year's edition of the Not every ride can be an epic bikepacking adventure, but even Glorious Gravel: Forest of Bowland Gravel Epic, Gucci, GRVL and GranGuanche: Pete digs deep in the Canaries, Review: Rockrider Mountain Bike Hydration Pack ST 500, Quoc launches new shoes inspired by forest mushrooms, Tour of Cambridgeshire to fold after final 2023 edition, Ride marshals supporting you on the route. The Print+ membership where Singletrack magazine drops through your door, plus full digital access, is normally 45, now only 22.50 with the code.