Gravel bikes for all budgets, essential gear, the best places to ride in the UK, the perfect bag set-up, skills to tame any terrain plus much more!
Gravel Cycling 2022
Welcome
EXPLORE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
Chapter One GRAVEL BASICS
ADVENTURE ADDICTS • We look at how gravel riding became firmly established as a fixture in the cycling community, speak to the people leading the charge and show why you should give it a go
Anatomy of a Gravel Bike • Despite surface similarities to road machines, gravel bikes have plenty of subtle differences
SKILLS AND THRILLS • Sharpen your gravel dexterity with a masterclass from former British cyclocross champion Nick Craig. Learn the essential techniques and strategies for a smooth transition from tarmac to trails…
INTO THE WILD • Ready for a bikepacking adventure in 2022? Over to GBDURO finisher Gail Brown in the Black Mountains and her proven advice for taking on multi-day trips and wild camping
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Chapter Two BIKES
GRAVEL GREATS • Five quality but very different bikes show the breadth of the gravel bike genre in 2022…
Cube Nuroad C:62 Pro • £2,499 An impressive all-rounder at a good price
Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0 • £4,999 An upgrade in so many ways
Cinelli Nemo • £5,149 Ride quality that’ll leave you awestruck
Vielo V+1 Strato SRAM Rival • £5,299 Cracking gravel out of the north-east
Cervélo Áspero Rival XPLR Etap AXS 1 Disc • £5,499 Impressively fast but needs tubeless
SINGLE OR DOUBLE? • Should you go for 1x or 2x gearing when it comes to gravel rides? It’s time to find out
BRAVE NEW WORLD • We take Cairn’s e-gravel bike for a spin and meet the people behind one of Britain’s fastest-growing bike companies
Chapter Three GEAR
Gravel Essentials • Quality kit for multi-terrain adventures in 2022
Giro Helios Spherical • £229 Premium helmet for gravel riding
Garmin Edge 1030 Plus • £519.99 Can Garmin improve on its iconic 1030?
Shimano RX8 shoes • £220 Stripped-down shoes for gravel riders
Get a grip • £45-£55 The best rubber for off-road adventures
Gloworm X2 (G2.0) • £235 Top-notch trail light
Light relief • £30-£60 Be safe and be seen, night or day
Rates of inflation • £20-£30 Frame-mounted mini-pumps
FSA Flowtron AGX • £269.95 Adjustable seatpost for gravel and beyond
Chapter Four GRAVEL ADVENTURES
THE GREAT BEYOND • We hit the new West Kernow Way to find a Cornish cycling wonderland beyond the traffic jams
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
LAND GRAB • The Cotswolds is more than just a retreat for the Beckhams. There’s some great gravel to be had, too
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
WELSH WONDER • It’s hard to beat a thrilling exploration of the Gower Peninsula in south Wales, as you’ll soon discover…
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
MORAY OF LIGHT • Sean McFarlane samples the sublime Moray Coast Trail, a land that tourists forgot
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
GREAT OUTDOORS • The United Kingdom is blessed with numerous gravel playgrounds for you to try out your new found off-road skills…
LONDON TO BRIGHTON • A memorable ride. But will you have the energy to ride back?
TROSSACHS • A mainly off-road Scottish adventure
NORTH YORK MOORS • A day’s gravel in God’s own country
RIDGEWAY • A ride upon England’s oldest road is an absolute treat
PEAK DISTRICT • Good gearing and sheep avoidance are key on this ride
A Gravel Convert • Former world-class Aussie roadie Nathan Haas on why he’s embraced everything about gravel…
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO...