Audax with gravel perm and calendar events

[MK_Fordy]

I’m looking to build a list of Audax events that includes a bit of gravel riding on the route, e.g. bridleways, byways, greenways, forest tracks etc.

I’ve had a search on here and found Will Pomeroy’s Gravel Before the Romans 200 and Wye Gravel 120.

I’ve also ridden Phil Whitehouse’s excellent Hertfordshire Greenways a few times, and the iconic Old Roads and Drove Roads, and stumbled upon but not ridden yet the Lutudarum which looks awesome.

Before I contact the good people on the inside back page of Arrivee I wanted to ask you if you can suggest perm and calendar events that are a bit off road.  Thanks.

[trundle]

I'm a bit partial to the same sort of thing - not a full 200km of byway - but a bit here and there makes a long ride really interesting. I think some organisers share a similar view.

I've entered this, which looks bloody brilliant:

https://audax.uk/event-details?eventId=9398

Steele Roads and Woolly Hills looks amazing, but I don't have the endurance for that just yet.

https://audax.uk/event-details?eventId=9516

If you get a list - please share.

[Deano]

I've three running from Darlo...

Steele Roads and Woolly Hills looks likely to be cancelled though, I only have one rider still down to ride. Think everyone's looking for BRM rides, and they've all entered the 600.

Don't Keep to the Road has been going in one form or another for years, on again in a slightly easier less difficult version from Darlo: https://audax.uk/event-details?eventId=9666

And Pit Ponies around the Durham railtrails will be on again in December: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=121127.0

[Deano]

And there's iddu's ride taking in Salisbury Plain (I forget the name, someone help me out).

[Deano]

And there's iddu's ride taking in Salisbury Plain (I forget the name, someone help me out).

https://audax.uk/event-details?eventId=7767

Old Roads and Drove Roads, cannae see it in the calendar this year, though

[αdαmsκι]

There were the "This Is Not a Tour" rides from mid Wales in memory of Mike Hall.

[willpom gwraudax]

As well as Gravel before the Romans! 200 & Wye Gravel? 120 also:

Plains, Trains & no Automobiles 200 has a bit of byway on for the best views of Stonehenge.
Moonrakers & Sunseekers 300 uses The Strawberry Line which is easy but will get you back to the finish nicely mucky. Also Bournemouth Prom which depending on the wind & tides you may have to contend with sand.
Sunseekers & Moonrakers 300 has a bit round Poole Harbour and more on Cranbourne Chase.
Chalke & (hAAArd) Cheese 200 I give the option of a bit of the Ox Drove.

Then there is BGB 1600...

Just click on the Calendar Events below

[JonBuoy]

Quite a few of the Peak District rides use sections of the Monsal and High Peak trails.  Venetian Nights and Knockerdown spring to mind but I can't see them in the calendar.  Dambusters adds a few extra sections of gravel especially around Howden/Derwent/Ladybower reservoirs:  https://audax.uk/event-details?eventId=9754

[Lightning Phil]

I think Tomsk’s Woodman’s Daughter 50km (in April) also has a reasonable balance of off road.

[iddu]

And there's iddu's ride taking in Salisbury Plain (I forget the name, someone help me out).

https://audax.uk/event-details?eventId=7767

Old Roads and Drove Roads, cannae see it in the calendar this year, though

Unfortunately, to date MOD are not permitting any non-bus access on the June w/e shindig or ImberBus (August) dates 🤬 🤬 🤬

[wajcgac]

Matt Connley organises the NCN Audax (117km) from Bolsover which ran last weekend.

This is a new event for 2022 and is a departure from the normal Audax event in that this is an almost entirely off-road ride using a variety of trails, former railways and canal towpath, about half of which forms part of the National Cycle Network (routes 6 and 67).  The route is ridden anti-clockwise from Bolsover and includes the Stockley Trail, Five Pits Trail, Silverhill Trail, Teversal Trail, Pleasley Pit Country Park, Skegby Trail, Newstead Abbey, Sherwood Pines, Sherwood Forest, Clumber Park, the Chesterfield Canal and Rother Valley Country Park

I really enjoyed the route - ideal for those who want a good amount of light off roading.

NCN Audax

[GdS]

The SeaShore (now Airbourne) 200 has 30km of off road although it is all hard surfaced. Gravel possibly if there have been big waves along the undercliff between Saltdean and Brighton

[robhyde]

BBC London has several bridleway and slightly off road bits including Monsall Trail.

[GdS]

BBC London has several bridleway and slightly off road bits including Monsall Trail.

Monsal Trail is also well surfaced but the ex railway bit to Lincoln is very gravelly. I never found the Water Railway bit as was trying to route check; I think I rode from Boston to New York